More on Prapatti

From the Bhakti List Archives

• October 17, 1996


Mr. Jaganath writes:

Performing another Prapatti for a spiritual purpose cannot
immediately be considered to be a lack of faith in the first
Prapatti.  If that were the case then Thirumangai Azhwar should have
waited for Bhagavan to have given Him money to build a temple instead
of resorting to the violation of the principles of sAmAnya dharma.
----------------------

I am not familiar with the view that Thirumangai Azhwar performed
another
Prapatti to build a temple for the Lord.   Within the context
of the Srirangam School, his actions would instead be considered
an expression of kainkarya, which results from the Prapanna's
self - realization as a sesa of the Lord.  Consequently, his actions
would be such 
that they would be conducive to the Lord's Desires and would be
performed in worshipful adoration of Him.

It is interesting to note that although many of these actions would
conform to the expectations of the Dharma, some would seem to
challenge it, or as in the Azhwar's case, even go against it.  Another
example of this involve the controversial actions of Vibhishana, who,
after his Prapatti, sides with his own brother's enemy in battle. 
>From the perspective of our ordinary understanding of Dharma, this
would be a sin, but as he was a Prapanna, his actions were undoubtedly
Bhagavad Kainkarya.

Daasanu Daasan,

Mohan