Garuda Poems

[Guest guest]

Mani raises some interesting issues on the

merits of prayers, especially in context with

Garuda poems of Swami Vedanta Desikar.

 

Out of curiosity, why is it "wrong" to ask for

material benefits from Sriman Narayana? Whereas it

it maybe silly to ask something so trivial, when

there is something more grand (i.e. moksha), why is

it so objectionable to ask Narayana for say, a car?

After all, when we are children, we ask our parents

for so many things. At times, our parents give

us what we ask (out of purely a love for us), and

at other times, they do not (presumably for our

"own good").

 

Therefore when do not resist from asking our parents

for material pleasures, on what logical grounds should we resist

from asking Sriman Narayana for worldly pleasures?

Is He not as dear to us as our own mother and father?

If we can take liberties with our parents, can we not

do so similarly with Narayana who resides in our hearts?

Just as our parents think no less of us because of what

we ask of them, why should one expect Sriman Narayana

to think any less of us because of what we ask of Him?

 

Of course, one could argue that we are *not* children and

that as such, we must "grow" out of our childhood fancies

and desires and view God at a more "mature"/"fundamental" level.

I see nothing in our own lives to suggest that we are so evolved

spiritually that despite the power expressed by the charama sloka,

we do not need the occasional "candy" (in the form of material

benefit) to remind and reassure us that Sriman Narayana exists

and is by our side.

 

If Swami Desikar can be criticized for using fanatastic

(unbelievable perhaps?) puranic mythology as a vehicle for

conveying spiritual truths, what then can we say of

of the prabhandams which are so intertwined with fanciful

tales from the Puranas (e.g. Thirrupavai ofAndal)? In this sense,

all our Sruti is contaminated by fanciful (at times, apparently

incorrect) views of nature.

 

sk

[Guest guest]

Dear Bhagavatas,

 

pursuing Sri Kaushik's line of thought, i feel their is nothing wrong

in asking (whether it for be the ephemeral material pleasure or for the

ever lasting joy that one gains in Sri Vaikuntam). Come to think of it,

what else can we do other than ask, is their anything our own that

we can give ? (other than our service). anyway, it does not matter

one bit what i feel or what i don't feel. What matters is how has

this issue been dealt with by our Acharyals.

 

This same question has been raised and answered succinctly by the

44th Azhagiyasinger (Srivan Satagopa Sri Vedanta Desika Yatindra

Mahadesikan)

in his discourse on "Sharanagathi Vaibhavam" (available on cassette

at the Ahobilam madam). From my feeble understanding, his message

is that "one can ask for material gains from Sriman Narayana (or even

his Adiyars), if these are ultimately used for Bhagavan/Bhagavata

Kaikaryam."

 

dasan

ramesh