IN PURSUIT OF REFORMATIONS

[Guest guest]

Salutations to Bhagavathothamas.

 

At the outset, I would like to thank the people who have reacted to my last

weeks remarks; whether favorably or unfavorably is immaterial. There is at the

least one who has tried to defend me in the spirit of the first amendment to the

United States constitution; I am grateful; one is better than none. The

following response is to address the concerns of those who have reacted

unfavorably for the most part. But more importantly, it is an attempt at putting

some of my concerns in a perspective which could hopefully be understood and

appreciated by at least a few of the members of this group. If it will pursuade

some of you to probe more into the needs expressed and would come forward to do

something about it, my time would be more than well spent.

It is advantageous sometimes to be somewhat of an odd ball. One will become the

focus of attention with little effort. I think that I have earned that position

with my remarks, at least thats what it looks like considering all the kudos

that I am receiving.

Some people are upset that I made those remarks in the first place. Whether they

were justified in their reaction to what I had to say will depend on the

perspective from which one views the issues that have been thrown on the table.

It will perhaps take a bit of an analysis of the points made on both sides of an

issue raised which is more fundamental to the existence of a forum such as this

than we are willing to admit, viz., the "purpose". Let us leave all the

personalities out of this discussion for the sake of generalization of the

analysis. Personalities always tend to muddy the waters and make us lose sight

of the truth that we are all seeking in the deep ocean of knowledge that our

Poorvacharyas have entrusted to us not only for assimilation by us but I believe

for perpetuation in generations to come.

Someone mentioned that the purpose of the group is stated at the very beginning

of the daily postings. This is true. One of the elements of the stated purpose

is to discuss issues that are of interest to Srivaishnavas. I am a Srivaishnava

by birth (if I may make that claim by virtue of my Genealogy that I state during

abhivadanas), in my beliefs and to some extent by practice as well. So I think

that I at least qualify to be a participant in this forum and hence, I entertain

an expectation that some of my interests would be respected, given credence to

and would figure in a civilized discussion.

Having made a bold move to state as I did in the foregoing, I must try now to

make it clear what my interests are relative to this forum and what is it that I

am interested to see happen on this forum. My aspirations are simple: I am not

insensitive to the beauty and fervor of Alvar poetry or profound scholarship of

Swamy Desikan. But I would like to see the teachings of our Poorvacharyas

translate into our nityakarmas, i.e., how we conduct ourselves in this life, how

we behave towards one another in various relationships because I think it is

important for us to learn this first which will eventually lead us to our

relationship with the Lord and not the other way around.

Therefore, I am going to try to make at least some of you see the point I am

making. I owe this to some of the youngsters that I am trying to convince about

the value of learning about Srivaishnavism via this forum. By the way, these are

not the fast food or MTV type of people as someone suggested. They are all my

nephews and nieces, and children of near and distant cousins who are born and

brought up in this country who have had good upbringing, have done very well

academically, have a good understanding of the world around them. Unfortunately,

they lack the closeness of our religion that we felt growing up and hence,

cannot appreciate the inner meanings of the teachings of our Poorvacharyas as

found in printed literature or as explored on this forum.

Whether my expectations come to fruition is another matter. I am a believer in

Lords words: " Karmany evaadhikaaras te Ma Phaleshu Kadachana. Maa

karma-phala-hetur bhur maa te sango stv akarmani". My interpretation of these

famous words as they appear in chapter 2 verse 47 of "Bhagavadgita", is: Though

you have a goal in mind to achieve when you start out to perform an action, the

success or failure of such an action is not entirely up to you or the level of

effort that you put forth; though you are expected to do your best and hence, do

not plan on being bound by the result entirely; have a contingency plan. Because

you are expected to bring the consequences of your actions to a meaningful

conclusion which encompasses your duty, your ability to perform that action and

your propensity towards selflessness.

 

Adiyen.

 

Keshava Prasad.

[Guest guest]

Shri Keshava Prasad Garu:

>> It is advantageous sometimes to be somewhat of an odd ball. One will

become

>> the focus of attention with little effort. I think that I have earned

that

>> position with my remarks, at least that's what it looks like

considering all the kudos

>> that I am receiving.

 

Very true, that it is advantageous sometimes to be somewhat of an odd

ball!! Is it not also true that

as Sri Vaishnavas, we should not try and create any waves? Some of the

statements that you have

made in your earlier postings as well as this current posting may be

true, but I would like to take

a moment and try and explain a point from your earlier posting, and may

be try and clarify your

an understanding.

 

In your earlier post, you mentioned something along the lines of saying,

if everything that is

stated in this forum is from books why not read books and understand from

them. After thinking

about that, I started to wonder.. I have a Masters Degree and I am still

attending school to try and

get a PhD. I was asking myself .. after reading your post .. when we can

get everything from book

why should I even attend classes and not miss even a single one ....

Here is what I came up with .. and may be this will help...

Since our young days... our parents have stressed to us the importance of

attending school ....

My father who was a professor of Civil Engineering always told us three

(my sister, brother and me)

and all his students, that you may find whatever you need to for the

class in the book, but I still

stress and recommend that you attend classes.. because the professors

reaffirm what is in the

books. They have read this material before .. you will always get

another point of view. When you

read the book yourself you will understand it from your own point of

view, but when the professor is

teaching you something .. he/she will explain it from teaching

experience.

 

I started school when I was almost 4 and am still studying (even if

part-time) In my 19 years of

school, I have never read the course text books because I listen to what

the professors have said.

I have read other books related to the matter, for my research.

 

The above explanation brings me to the following interpretation:

" Karmany evaadhikaaras te Ma Phaleshu Kadachana.

Maa karma-phala-hetur bhur maa te sango stv akarmani".

 

Your interpretation may be correct, but don't you think that there are

other interpretations to this

uttamam shloka? I will try to share my interpretation after reading the

bhagvad gita and entrusting

Lord Krishna, while I type the following.

In my interpretation: When Arjuna asks Krishna .. After this war pitamah,

guru drone,

kulguru kripacharya.. they will all be alive right .. for this Krishna

says

Arjuna As a Kshatriya .. you do your karma.. don't think about the end

result, don't think if you

will win the war or lose the war.. All you should do is follow your

dharma, and leave the results

to me. Krishna adds to this .. you put your faith in me, and trust me.

I am end result.

Coming to how I use the above.. As a student my duty is to work hard and

study .. and not worry

about the grade. (I have never). As a daughter .. respect parents and

support them.. As a wife

support husband and make sure he is taken care of... I am too young to

define your dharma ....

We all should work toward "Nishkam Karma". I devote myself to Sriman

Narayana and my

family.. what happens after that is Sriman Narayana's choice.

 

Bhagvad Gita teaches us the way of life and this forum teaches us to

devote ourselves to

Sriman Narayana ... I am still unable to undertand, why anyone needs to

convince people. This

forum is not for sale that we need sales people convincing people to buy

it.. this forum is a

school where people go by themselves to learn. No one tried to convince

me to go to school,

I chose to go because I want to learn and that is how it should be with

the forum as well.

 

I am not trying to offend anyone. The above statements are from my own

experience and learning.

I am not a master at this, and hence can't quote much. Hope I made some

sence.

 

Manjula

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