Dharma & Prapatti

[Guest guest]

---------------------------begin Sadagopan's quote

The eigtheenth sloka of Nyasa Dasakam is the basis of my

comments . That is elaborated further in the work of Swami

Desikan known as Rahasya Virodha Parihaaram , the last work

of Swami Desikan to clarify some doubts that we may have on

the concepts covered in his RTS .

 

The 18 th slokam says: 'The utterance of the word SaraNam in the

prescribed manner (Prapatthi ) is capable of securing all desired

ends,

Sarva Phala Saadhanam ( all Purusharthams including Dharma ).

This is because Prapatthi is Sarva Phala Pradhanam

and is capable of giving the fruits of Yagas and

Yajnas including Pitru Yajnas.This applies to ALL

independent of sex , creed et al.

 

The capacity of Prapatthi to secure all kinds of desired ends

is dealt with at length in RTS. It is appropriate however to state

that the Prapanna in the Post-Prapatthi period has some dharmas

prescribed by the Vedas to follow that are discussed in detail in

the different sections of RTS and particularly in the 17th chapter

known as Saastriya Niyamanaadhikaaram.

 

--------------------------end quote

 

To further this interesting discussion, I would like to present the

view of Dharma as presented in Mumuksupatti. I quote, once again,

from Mumme's translation of the text that includes

Manavalamamunigal's commentary. The area of discussion is the

definition of Dharma as it pertains to "Sarvadharmaan Parityaja" in

the Carama Sloka:

 

--------------------begin quote

Sutram 197 (Manavalamamunigal's commentary): a Dharma is something

which possesses an authoritative injunction which directs one to do

it. Thus the aforementioned dharmas refer to all the upayas which

have been enjoined on the authority of Sruti and Smriti and which

have the form of such things as daily and occassional duties.

 

Sutram 198 (Manavalamamunigal's commentary): These things ought to be

referred to as "adharma" because they are contrary to the soul's aim,

extreme dependence on the Lord....

---------------------end quote

 

It is apparent that, from the context of Lokacharya's and

Manavalamunigal's view, whether the three debts are fulfilled or not

would not really matter to the Prapanna, as this concern would be in

contradistinction to the soul's essential nature as being completely

dependent upon the Lord. Consequently, through Prapatti, the need

for to fulfill the three debts becomes moot by one's complete

reliance on the Lord's Grace Alone.

 

 

Daasanu Daasan,

 

Mohan