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Acharyas

From: krish (krish_at_ew.lmms.lmco.com)
Date: Fri Oct 11 1996 - 12:37:29 PDT 

I want an elucidation about the group of Iyengars who
are of course Vaishanvites, but call themselves 
swayam-achryas. They do not belong to any Matam or recognize
them. Still thye practice most of the rituals as other
Vaishnavites do. Many of them are thengalais but there may
be vadagalais also.
But Acharyas do have a role, similar to mentors. One's success in
a career does depend on finding the mentor who accepts him as
a Shishya. But occasionally one finds a Swambhu rising on his own efforts.
In the field of science or maths., Ramanujam and Einstein are
such examples. 
Krish