Brahmins/Sri Vaishnavas/Iyengars

[Guest guest]

Manjula: here are some observations to get the discussion rolling on your

questions.

Your questions were: (1) What is the difference between Brahmins and Sri

Vaishnavas? (2) What is the difference between Iyengars and Sri Vaishnavas?

VAISHNAVISM & VAISHNAVAS

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Followers of Vaishnavism are Vaishanavas. Vaishnavism is a broad-based

universal religion , which is open to one and all independent of Caste , creed,

gender, and scholarship of the individual. The qualifications to be a true

Vaishnava has been described beautifully by Narasimha Mehta in his song

"Vaishanava Jana Tho", a favorite of Mahatma Gandhi.There are prescribed

religious duties for Sri Vaishnavas.(Vaishnavas and Sri Vaishnavas are equal in

meaning. The word Sri is added for auspiciousness in the Vaishnava

Paribhasha(Colloquliasm) . It is also a matter of respect accorded by others to

Vaishnavas, which you alluded to in your note. . ,

NO CASTE EXCLUSIVITY AMONG VAISHNAVAS

Sri Vaishnavas can come from any caste (e.g) Alvars. Kulasekara was a

Kshatruiya. Thirumangai was also a Kshatriya by birth. Nammalwar was not a

Brahmin. Thirumazhisai Alwar was a Siva Worshipper earlier. Thondaradipodi,

Periyalwar were Brahmins. The common things that tie them are the observance of

the sacraments of Vaishnavism and the observance of the religious duties of

Vaishnavas.DR.S.M.S.Chari"s well-written book "Vaishnavism, Its philosophy,

theology and religious discipline" will be very helpful to you to gain a

perspective on the details of Vaishnavism. Chapters 8 and 13 are brilliant

summaries of two important doctrines of Vaishnavism. Chapter 8 deals with

Vishnu and Goddess Sri. Chapter 13 deals with the important subject of Prapatti.

 

TWO TYPES OF WORSHIP BY VAISHNAVAS

 

Bhagavt Kainkarya and Bhagavata Kainkarya are the two types of worship. The

first is the service to the Lord without expectation of rewards(Nishkama Karma

described in Bhagavat Gita.) The Panchakala Prikriya or the five fold daily

religious duties can be folded in to the Bhagavat Kainkarya.

 

The second type of Kainkarya is known as Bhagavata Kainkaryam or service to

Godly men and women.Bhagavata Kainkarya is recognized as one of the supreme

virtues of a true Vaishnava. The reasoning is as follows: True devotees of

Vishnu (the Bhagavatas) are very dear to the supreme Lord, Vishnu(Sriman

Narayana). Any service rendered to his dear Bhagavatas are therefore most

pleasing to Vishnu. DR. Chari has quoted in support of this view a passage from

Padmottara Purana:" Of all the types of worship, the worship to Vishnu is great;

Greater than that is the service to Bhagavatas." Service to Bhagavatas can take

many forms: providing food, shelter, clothing et al.Bhagavata apachara or

offence to Bhagavatas is to be avoided at all costs, since, it brings the wrath

of Bhagavan.

 

THE OTHER TYPE OF KAINKARYAS FOR VAISHNAVAS

 

Out of his infinite mercy, Acharya Ramanauja has suggested 5 Kainkaryas to suit

the competence and convineience of the Vaishanvas; (1) study of Sri Bhashya, the

commentary on Brahma Sutras (2) for those, who find it difficult, study of the

Naalaiyra Divya Prabhandam (3) for those , who can not do that, services to

Vaishnava divya desams and Abhimana sthalas thru provision of Food, Flowers or

lighting of lamps (4) For those, who can not afford that the mantra Japa of

Dwayam, the sacred Mantram on Narayana and Sri Devi. (5) For those, who feel

they can not follow any one of the above four Kainkaryas, The company of

Vaishnavas is recommended as a last resort. Ramanuja's prescriptions cover the

entire world of Literate scholars in Sanskrit and Tamil as well as illiterate

masses, who have embraced Vaishnavism. No one is thus left out.

 

BRAHMINS, VAISHNAVAS AND IYENGARS

 

Brahmins are one of the members of the four Varnas described by Krishna Bhagavan

in Bhagavad Gita. The divisions in to four categories as Brahmins, Kshtriyas,

Vaisyas and Sudras was based on the allocation of complimentary duties of the

four Varnas. Brahmins were assigned the study of Vedas and protection of them.

Vaisyas took care of Commerce, Kshatriyas ruling of the land and Sudras for

other duties not covered bty the members of the first three Varnas.

No one is superior to the other among the four Varnas in the eyes of the Lord.

All are his children.

 

Vaishnavas are Vishnu dasas, who devote their entire life to the service of

Bhagavan or Bhagavatas . The Vishnu Dasas , who happen to be Brahmins by Birth

are identifiable as Iyengars. There are Tamil Nadu Iyengars and Mysore Iyengars

known as Mandayam Iyengars. Iyengars some time concentrated in Agraharams and

the Name of Iyengar Street In Kumbakonam came from that. Tattachars are famous

residents of that street once.

 

Brahmins can be Iyengars, Iyers and Raos. Veda Adhyayanam and performance of

Yagas and Yagnas and intrepretation of Sacred scriptures were their assigned

duties. The late Paramacharya of Kabnchi has made a distinction between

Brahmanas and Brahmana Bandhus. He has described the latter as the one born of

Brahman parents, but not observant of the duties assigned by the Sastras and

Vedas to Brahmins.

 

Hope these comments are helpful.

 

 

Sadagopan