Guest guest Posted February 7, 1996 Report Share Posted February 7, 1996 I have heard from another Prapanna who has in turn read the book of a Vidwan on this question that Gayatri, Savitri and Saraswati in connection with the AvAhanam refers to Mahalakshmi only and it is Mahalakshmi that takes these 3 forms. These names relate to Mahalakshmi in the same way that Indra, Agni etc in the 3 vedas relate to Narayana. (i.e. oblations offered in the name of these gods is actually meant for Narayana only). In this connection Vedanta Desikar remarks that when a kings servants put garland around the king's coat they intend to please the king and not his coat. Regarding Anjaneya, it is evident from His life that no Karma was involved in connection with His leelas with Rama. A person in karma or a baddha jivatma forgets his eternal relationship with Narayana and worries about how he will get his food, clothing and shelter and works very hard to obtain these. Hanuman instead showed by example how a perfect soul lives. He only cared for Rama's service. It was Hanuman who established friendship between Sugreeva and Rama. Sugreeva forgot all about helping Rama locate Sita, after having had the burden of worrying about Vali removed. He went back to enjoying sense gratification with Tara (Vaali's wife whom Sugreeva married). Hanuman, on the other hand only remembered Rama's service. When the Rakshasas set His tail on fire, He did not even bother to cry for help. It was Sita who prayed to Agni after hearing the news from the Rakshasis and Hanuman did not feel any heat from the fire. When Hanuman had to go to Lanka, he was accosted by a demon in the sea. He killed the demon (that is got rid of an obstacle in His service), and proceeded to Lanka, removed another obstacle in the form of Lankini, and proceeded to meet Sita. When Hanuman had to get the Sanjivini mountain, he was accosted by Kharadhooshan, whom He killed. On His way back, with the mountain, He was injured by Bharata who mistook Him for a Rakshasa. None of these serious obstacles stopped Him from serving Rama. He exemplified Vedanta Desikar's definition of Mukti as service to Narayana "at all times, in all places and under all circumstances". Whether Hanuman was ever a baddha jivatma in the past is something I do not know. I have not heard Him being referred to as a Nitya Suri. Jaganath. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 1996 Report Share Posted February 7, 1996 On Feb 7, 2:03am, Jaganath.Bharadwaj wrote: > In this connection Vedanta Desikar remarks that when a kings servants > put garland around the king's coat they intend to please the king and > not his coat. This is a wonderful way of expressing the sarIra-sarIri-bhaava (body-soul relationship) that is characteristic of Visishtadvaita metaphysics. The coat is literally the body of the king and is lifeless without its bearer. Hence, any ornamentation destined for the coat is ultimately useless without the recognition that the coat is merely a Sesha of the king. The two are inseparably related in reality, but the coat is completely dependent on the king for its subsistence and glory. This is the foundational doctrine (pradhAna-pratitantra) of Visishtadvaita. Thanks, Jaganath, for bringing this to light. Mani Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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