Swayam Acharyas

[Guest guest]

It is interesting to note the discussion on swayam Acaryas. mr. Jagannath

traces it to certification by Ramanuja to hold the position of

Acharya. Mrs. Satyam comment on the sexual aspect of it is

worth noting.

I feel the word "Swayam" means self, or by one's own boots-strap.

At least in Triplicane, I was brought up to disregard the

Matathipathi's rights over the rituals. My uncle, who was in

the vedha-ghosti in Ramar Koil at Cantonment, Bangalore

did the samshrayanam for my siste-in-law for qualifying her

cooking to be acceptable. He was chosen since he was the oldest

member of the family. Some of our other relatives did get it

done in the matams.

My querry would be whether it did mean a rejection of

the Matams and its oligopaly over religious rites.

This does not in anyway reflect disrespect for the Acaryas.

I think the mentorship and its acceptance has a great role

in the progress of one either in his career or his religious

awakening. In many ways it is far easier and more fruitful.

Egoism in some might have lead to the Swayam-acharya trend.

You see it in other aspects of life around us, the rejection of

pronounced authority. Swayam-acharya families pass it on to the

family!

Krishna Praba