Principles of Srivaishnavism

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Dear devotees

 

This article was written to NAMA newsletter. I have posted this on this net

for those who may not get the NAMA newsletter. This is very much in the

spirit of Sri Madhavakannan's recent postings of Srivaishnavism. Most of

the information in this article was taken from Dr. S.M.S Chari's book :

Vaishnavism. I would like to suggest you read that book. I personally feel

that this book is probably one of the most comprehensive ones (in english)

for a Srivaishnava to possess and enjoy by repeated reading. Most of his

books are ever fresh and informative. If one reads the same chapter a

second time new ideas pop out enriching our experience of the great system

of thought - Visistadvaita.

 

PRINCIPLES OF SRIVAISHNAVISM

 

Srivaishnavism is a philosophy and a religion based on the Upanisads and

the divine hymns of Alwars. This system of philosophy explains the nature

of souls, matter and God and the relation between them in a rational

manner based on testimony and prescribes two basic paths namely Bhakti and

Prapatti to get liberation from the vicious cycle of birth and death and

attaining the highest state bliss which is nothing but divine service to

Sriman Narayana( in paramapada). Srivaishnavism lays equal emphasis on

ethical religious way of life and performance of religious duties. It is

this practical aspect that gives distinction to Vaishnava philosophy that

is far more important than the philosophy!

 

This song composed by Narasimha Mehta (a Gujarati poet of 15th century)

summarises practical Vaishnava values in an unique way :

 

He is a true Vaishnava who knows and

feels another’s calamities as his own.

Ever ready to serve, he never boasts.

Keeping his thought, word and deed pure.

Blessed is the mother of such a person.

He treats women as he would treat his own mother

He keeps his mind calm and

does not stain his lips with falsehood;

Nor does he touch another’s wealth.

No bonds of attachment can hold him.

Ever in tune with Rama-nama (name of God),

within his body is present all places of piligrimage.

Free from greed and deceit, passion and anger,

This is a true Vaishnava

 

We can find the echo of such statements emphasizing the religious and

ethical values in almost all the world religions. However, the distinctive

feature of Vaishnava dharma lies in the fact that a Vaishnava believes in

Vishnu, the Supreme Being who pervades the entire universe as enunciated in

the Isavasya Upanisad - isa vasyam idam sarvam yatkincha jagatyam jagat.

Hence, a Vaishnava should therefore love all beings and treat them as equal

and hate none. He should live with the peace of mind and lead a humble

pious life dedicating himself to the service of God and his devotees. Such

a way of life will bring him not only happiness in this world but an

everlasting bliss in the other world.

 

One of the essential requirements for a Vaishnava in order to lead a

religious life is to have a well qualified Acharya or Guru. Even the most

meritorious person and a sinner of the worst kind needs the guidance of

an Acharya or preceptor. The inner meaning of the philosophical truths

cannot be attained by just self study of Vedanta.. A special feature of

Vaishnaivism is the emphasis on daily worship of the entire lineage of

Acharyas starting from Narayana, the first Acharya (preceptor) to the

present Acharya.

 

For one to be fully qualified as a Vaishnava, one has to undergo the

five-fold sacrament, namely pancha-samskara.

 

The distinctions of caste, creed, learning and social status have no

bearing on being a Vaishnava. Garuda purana explicitly states that a

person who has the eight-fold bhakti in Vishnu should be honored, even if

he is a mleccha or person who does not conform to Hindu ideals.

 

A devout Vaishnava performs certain prescribed daily duties meticulously

with true devotion. These duties are : 1) abhigamana or morning prayers, 2)

upadana or collection of materials for worship, 3) ijya or formal worship

of God, 4) svadhyaya - recitation and study of scriptures, 5) yoga or

contemplation on God.

 

There are certain easier religious practices such as the nine-fold bhakti

mentioned in srimad-bhagavatam : 1) listening to the glory of Vishnu

(sravana), 2) singing the glory of God (kirtana) 3) constantly remembering

His greatness, (smarana) 4) service to God (padasevana), 5) offering

worship to God’s image (archana), 6) prostrating before God(vandana), 7)

developing feeling of subbordination to God (dasya), 8) developing friendly

disposition to God (sakhya) and 9) surrendering oneself to God. These

practices do not require preparatory and purificatory activities except

deep love for God.

 

A vaishnava has to fully realize that he (sesa) is absolutely dependent on

God (sesin) and that his intrinsic duty is to serve God at all times

(sarvakala) and all ways (sarvavastha). He should realize that he is a

mere tool in the hands of God and do all actions not for his selfish

purpose but with a spirit of providing pleasure to God. This is nishkama

karma or self-less action and this is the height of renouncement of ego

(ahankara) and the notion of mine (mamakara). A service done in this

spirit removes one’s sins by earning the grace of God. Though any act can

be taken as kainkarya or service to God, there are certain services mostly

related to temple activities ranging from the simplest act of bringing

flowers to the great task of construction of a temple to Sri-Hari. Some

examples of kainkarya are : lighting lamps, waving fan to the diety,

preparing and offering food to God, bringing water for worship, recitation

of hymns and slokas, cleaning the floors of the temple etc. A true

kainkarya is done not for monetary or social gain but as a source of divine

pleasure to Sri-Hari.

 

Along with service to God, a true Vaishnava should serve Godly people or

Bhagavatas. In fact service to His devotees is MORE IMPORTANT