Thirimazhisai Azwar

[Guest guest]

Dear Prapatti Group Members:

 

In connection with the above topic Mani wrote:

 

"........At any rate, this story serves to illustrate that spiritual

greatness is in no way determined by jAti. We, the

Sri Vaishnavas community, no matter how many stories and how much

proof our own tradition has offered, fail to practice

and perceive this truth to this day...."

 

I think it is a very spirited comment and indeed the greatness of

Ramanujacharya's philosophy lies in its hospitality to include everyone in its

fold. However, conflict often arises when one tries to reconcile Bhaghavata

Dharma with Vaidika Dharma (with the injunctions of Shastras etc.). We are

often required to achieve a tender balance between the two. While love and

kindness are to be extended to every one this cannot be done at the cost of

transgressing sastraic injunctions.

 

In my own life time (seeing my grand father, my father and the present

generation) I have seen such a psychological rotation in our values with regard

to jAti that I can confidently say that it is no more a consideration in our

perception of things around us. We dine with all, mix with all without any

reservations of jAti and as such we perceive no barriers. Arranged marriages

are still based on jAtis and it is also slowly giving way to non-tradition. On

the whole I would have agreed more with Mani if his comments were made say 10

or 15 years back.

 

 

Vijayaraghavan