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Challenge 3.19: "GIVE UP RESEARCH; DON'T RUIN YOUR REPUTATION!"

From the Bhakti List Archives

Ramanbil • October 29, 1999 


SwAmi VEdAnta DEsika's "NaichyAnusanthAnam" and 
"SAtvika AhamkAram "
(As gleaned from his StOtras.) - 
Part 3 - SWAMI CHALLENGES!
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Dear Bhagavatas
Kindly refer to "Part 3 - SWAMI CHALLENGES! An Introductory Note" - posted on 
10th October 99. I am leaving out this to avoid repetition 
You may read that to appreciate this posting in the proper perspective. 
Dasoham
Anbil Ramaswamy
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Challenge 3.19:  "GIVE UP RESEARCH; DON'T RUIN YOUR REPUTATION!"
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yadhvA madartha pari chinthanayA thava alam
samjnAm prapanna ithi sAhasikO bibharmi /
evam sthithE tvad apavAdha nivruthayE mAm
pAtree kurushva bhagavan! Bhavathah krupAyAh: //
(SaraNAgathi Deepikai SlOkam 50)

Meaning

"Oh! ViLakkoLi perumAnE!
You don't have to research my credentials or qualifications as to whether 
I have done Prapatti in the proper manner to deserve your grace.

Rightly or wrongly, I bear the stamp of a "SaraNAgatha" and you bear the 
stamp of "SaraNAgatha vatsala". This very fact imposes a duty on you to 
protect me. 

And, you know how all our AzhwArs and AchAryas; nay the entire world vouches 
for these facts.

If you don't do this, you will be breaking your own promise of not forsaking 
even one that has merely posed himself as a "SaraNAgatha"

This opprobrium will only spoil your hard earned image and goodwill.

At least, in view of this risk of tarnishing your reputation, you have 
necessarily to save me"

Comment

SwAmi is not only a Kavi but also verily a "ThArkika Simham". 
No wonder, he corners the Lord Himself asking Him to halt his enquiries over 
the suitability of conferring bliss on SwAmi.

SwAmi seems to suggest that while the Lord had taken enormous efforts to 
build up his image as "SaraNAgath Vatsala", his own image of being a 
"SaraNAgatha" was acquired quite easily. 

So, he seems to say-

"If you care to keep up your image in tact -You have to accept my image, in 
fact".

"If you fail to do so, the loss of reputation for you will be enormous 
while the loss  for me would be comparatively trivial"

"Please ponder over the comparative magnitude of loss of face and you will be 
convinced of how saving me would be gainfully strategic for both of us!"

Cf: Thirumangai AzhwAr who similarly says that he was known by the whole 
world as true devotee of the Lord-

"dEsam ariya umakkE AaLAi thiriginra" 
meaning-
' the whole world knows how I am your eternal servant" and 

"gathiyenrum thAnAvAn karudhAthu  oru peNN koDiyai vadhai seidhAn ennum soll 
vaiyagathAr madhiyArE"

meaning -
"You will lose respect in the eyes of the world as one who mercilessly 
tortured an innocent and totally dependent girl"

SwAmi warns the Lord not to tarnish His good name
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To Continue- Challenge 3.20: "SAVE YOURSELF FROM IGNOMINY!"
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