Recent Discussions

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Recent discussions on "Outmoded forms" of

worship, blind faith, the need to question the statements

of the Acharya regarding their relevance to modern times

have been exhilirating , infuriating and Constructive at the

same time. Our sampradhayam has answered these

questions by rational humans over the centuries. One is

inclined on that basis to state that There is nothing new under the sun

regarding such Sankhaas or doubts. Fortunate are the few , who are not assailed

by

these doubts, because of their utter faith in the safety of

the path prepared for them by the compassionate

Acharyas of their different traditions. Others go through the processs

and rediscover the truths and feel comfortable with the process

of rediscovery.Others are consumed by these doubts . These are then

the varieties of Human experiences.

 

Our Vedas were the first ones to ask these questions. For example,

a Rg Veda Mantra asks: " Who is the giver of spirit and strength? Whom

does the Universe worship ? Whose commands are obeyed by the Gods?

In whose shelter is said to be immortality? and in whose shadow is Death?"

Atharva Veda asks : "Who is all that was in the past? Who lords over the

Universe and who is pure bliss by nature? " and so on.

The Vedic seers through meditation got the answers for these questions

and recognized a supreme being as the pervader of the whole universe

and recognized that supreme being as the last resort of the souls and that

the Krupa or Mercy or Grace of that supreme being alone can protect

and lead the soul to the path of deliverance from the worldly sufferings.

Prayer thus became the core of the Vedic literature. A spiritual relationship

was established between Man and God thru such prayers, rituals and

other acts of worship. Upanishads continued that tradition and prayed for

for divine intercession . Taittiriya Upanishadic portion quoted below is

one example of such prayers for success in learning and spiritual inquiry:

" May that Divine arm,which pervades all and is the essence of all the Vedas

and which has come out of the same eternal Vedas ,enrich me with intellectual

vigour!

O God! May I become ther recipient of the knowledge that leads to immortality!

May my body become fit! May my tongue become extremely sweet! May I

hear much with my two ears! Thou art the sheath of the supreme being

covered with worldly knowledge .Protect my learning." The Mundakopanishad

goes one step further and states that nothing short of divine intervention

can result in knowledge of the Self. It says that Atman can not be known by

Pravachana, or Medha (intellect ). The unique role of Iswara Krupa is

implied here.

 

The Vaishnavite mystics revered as Azhwaars had Bhagavat Anubhavam

and were objects of the immnse Krupa of the Lord and they poured forth

their feelings in the form of the moving Paasurams.Their mystic experience

was blissful and deeply devotional .The sufferings of theirs , when they did

not have the union with the Lord and the exhiliration at times of their union

with the Lord are housed in their Paasurams. Their basic belief was that

a Personal God is accessible and he is the very incarnation

of Love and righteousness. He is recognized as the embodiment of Grace and

they prayed for that grace to bless them and made that their way of worship.

Their God experience made them acccept and realize the Archa murthy is

the iconic presence of God in the Divya Desams that they visited and sung about.

Their love was intense,personal and possibly driven by "blind faith". There was

no other way as Sumant pointed out. They were also not worried about

approbations or reprobations from others. Acharyas that followed the Azhwaars

drew their sustenance from the Bhagavad Anubhavam of the Azhwaars and

showed by their exemplary life steeped in simplicity and piety th eway for us

to follow that exquiaite sampradhaya .

 

Therefore, when I see some one spiritedly defending the way of the Acharyas

Or quote their works with due reverence, I am exhilirated , since I feel I

recognize our kula Dhanams. When I see some one spiritedly questioning

them to customize these Traditions for their as a part of their Sadhanas , I

feel

joyous at the sincerity of the thrust. When these two approaches reconcile, I

feel

that it has been a constructive and a fruitful dialog .

May we have the blessings of our Acharyas and Azhwaars to carry on this search

for meaning in our lives , wherever we happen to be. Let the thoughts, Dhruva

Smrithi unite us and give meaning to this Prapatti group .

V.Sadagopan

 

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