Aacharams-what and how: an opinion.

[Guest guest]

About Acharams

 

Aacharam in my opinion is a combination of

Anushtanam or Aacharanam (practise) and

Aakaram (out ward appearance).

 

Both have a unique imporatnce.

 

For example, Gandhi could have preached the

same truth in an alien attire; it probably would

not have had the same mass appeal.

 

AAKARAM:

 

Aakaram makes a better first impression. It helps to

set the atmosphere. Aakaram may also serve as a

sort of warm for the individual concerned.

It certainly will influence the microcosm around

us, such as family members (just like most of us

were influenced in our childhood by our elders attire.

It is good to keep the aakaram to some extent even

for this reason alone. Children understand better

what they see than what is said).

 

 

This is probably the reason why we have the saying in

Kannada : Aa-chaa-ra ke-tta-ru aa-ka-ra ke-Da koo-Da-du.

This means: Even if one fails to practise, one should

retain the out-ward appearance.

 

For most part Aakaram is the easiest to duplicate.

Some impediments to Aakaram are as follows:

 

1. Embarrasment of not fitting in with the surroundings.

 

2. Fear of imposing our culture on others.

 

3. Impractical: due to weather conditions, lack of certain

materials (dharbam, poonool, thiruman, etc).

 

4. Law (may be prohibitted by law in public places)

 

5. Other problems (opportunity?)

During our recent Temple inauguration ceremony,

a few devotees objected to the top-less attire

of Bhattar and his assistants (some of us were part of the

team that assisted Bhattar). These people were used

to only the Punjabi dress for priests and could not

comprehend a traditional Vydhikas dress.

 

Now they have realised and the Vydhik attire is

here to stay as long as the concerned

individuals wish to practise. In this regard,

the Ramayana and Mahabharatha

Videos produced by Ramananda Sagar and

B.R. Chopra, both Punjabis came in very handy.

 

In a way Education/knowledge is a cure to many ills.

There is no cure for Education/knowledge.

 

This is a success for aakaram, but

does not mean that it will work out that way in

all instances.

 

 

ANUSHTANAM:

 

This can be practised without the aakaram.

We can do the entire sandhyavandanam in any

dress or no dress for that matter.

 

Anushtanam takes effort to learn the mantras

by memory or to be able to read a text.

Even doing without understanding the essence of the

mantras can give us a mental satisfaction, peace and

improve our both physical and mental health.

 

Impediments to anushtanam are: Time, commitment

and timing in keeping up with the prescribed routine.

 

However, understanding the essence of the mantras

and putting that into real day to day life will make

an impact on the whole world (spontaneous respect

for natural elements, conservation , charity, compassion,

recognizing the divinity everywhere etc).

This in my opinion is the REAL Anushtanam.

This practise has very few impediments.

 

GNANA YAGNAM

 

Of course, gnanam (knowledge) is a different thing

(as already pointed out by some body else as the

other wing of aacharam). Gnanam is endless.

We perhaps have the most amenities to pursue this.

This is perhaps the most practicable thing that one

can pursue in this internet era. The

impediment to gnanam are bias, lack of interest,

indifference, lack of supportive companion,

lack of time, other compelling commitments etc.

Gnanam has the far reaching impact as we can learn

as well as share knowledge (at least information)

through a variety of media.

 

CONCLUSION

 

Aacharam (Anushtanam and Aakaram) and Gnanam,

are important for preservation and propogation

of any culture, Thus we should

try to incorporate all the constituent elements of

Sri-Vaishnavism to the extent possible in our day

to day life. When it comes to Aacharam,

we have to be practical and understand the significance

of each one of the steps and adopt them to the kalam,

desham and our own situation appropriately.

 

Also an aacharam should not put us in any disadvantageous

position (like some of us were prevented from

becoming Medical doctors) or should cause

pain, undue problem, disrespect or embarrasment

to others, may it be family members, friends or relatives.

 

How much of each component we can incorporate is

up to us.

 

Here is what I do:

 

1. Trikala Sandhya at eka kalam during shower.

Loud recitation of manthras, so that the

effect on myself is better and other family

members get to hear it.

Only occasionally my daughter has complained

as: daddy will you ever keep quiet!

 

2. Approx. 5 minutes Puja at the family

Puja house. Again loud and clear.

Pull in kids whenever possible.

 

3. Teach Vishnu 1000 and stories to children.

 

4. Participate with discussions on Hinduism,

Gita, and other matters concerning Hindus

on AOL.

 

5. Prapatti group on the internet(a recent

blessing)

 

6. Imbibe HINDU in children as follows:

 

H= give them a Hindu identity. Our kids

may be part American, part Indian. What

part which may vary from child to child

and family to family. However, we are

100% Hindu

 

I=Involve children in a small, routine puja.

Can be as short as few seconds. But everyone

participates.

 

N= Give a Hindu name and use it

 

D=Dialect. Teach one Indian dialect at least.

If not possible or practical, at least

give Hindu vocabulary of 100 words.

Vishnu 1000 may be a good thing as

they catch on to a 1000 words.

This works very effectively. I have seen in front

of my own eyes how children from all sorts of

family backgrounds have readily learnt

Vishnu 1000 with perfect pronounciation.

(If anyone likes Vishnu1000 in readable English

script, please let me know, will be happy to fax).

 

U=start under 5. Even earlier the better.

 

Once a Kannada writer Bee-chi was asked by a

mother when she should start educating

her son who had just turned 1 year old.

Bee-chi answerd: Lady, do it right away.

You are already late by 1 year and 9 months!

 

7. Srichurnam on Sundays, special days and

Holidays.

Thiruman, srichurnam, Kachhe, top less while

assisting in the temple on special days.

Same attire during Tarpanams, Shraddham, Upakarmam

Gayatri and other special evnts.

 

8. Help others in religious activities

when approached. Do this unhesitantly

and freely. Don't worry about imposing

my style on others. Believe in others

strenghth to decide for themselves and

they won't be imposed!

 

9. Arrange Ramanuja Jayanti and Andal

Thiruppavai beginning along with Gita Jayanti.

in the Temple or community.

 

10. Contribute articles in to local

temple news letters or news papers.

 

11. Defend Hindu principles whenever

misrepresented or unduly crtiticized.

 

12. Try to find parallels (sort of like

Joseph Campbell) and learn about other

systems as much as possible. This will

help to explain our own system better as well as

point out th e uniqueness. Useful also

in defending or responding to a

misconception of wrong criticism. One recent

example is that some Hindus were intrigued by

reincaranation concept of Hinduism and were saying

that Christianity has no such problems.

Then I asked them what about Resurrection?

Is that an established fact?

 

13. Try to find practical message of religion

to every day life: Jeevan Dharmam.

Many may not be interested in Moksha!

 

14. Food -vegetarian at home.

 

Sincerely,

 

K. Sreekrishna(Tatachar)

 

PS: Sorry, this mail got too long. I am cutting

short my apologies as it will only increase the length

further.

-Tatachar/K. Sreekrishna