hierarchy in our sampradayam

[Guest guest]

sir,

 

i would like to know what is the hierarchial order among our various

religious teachers and leaders (like the jeeyar swamigal,the aacarya

swamigal and others) in the srivaishnava sampradayam.also what are

their specific rights and duties.

 

adiyen

s.venkat, IIT KHARAGPUR, INDIA

[Guest guest]

There is no rigid hierarchy in our tradition that places

one class of acharya higher than another. Technically

and traditionally, a sannyAsi (jeeyar svAmi) is in the

most revered stage of life, as he has renounced everything

to dedicate himself to bhagavat-kainkaryam (service of

the Lord). Jeeyar svAmis are also accorded respect

more automatically because of this.

 

Speaking in real terms, however, learned acharyas in any

stage of life are fully respected. We only need look at

our greatest acharyas as examples. Ramanuja, Manavala

Maamuni and Alavandar were sannyAsis. Vedanta Desika,

AmmaaL, Periyavaaccaan Pillai, Nambillai, and others were

gRhasthas (married householders). Pillai Lokacharya

and Azhagiya Manavala PerumaaL Nayanar were lifelong

brahmacharis. Equal respect and reverence is paid

to all as acharyas in our sampradAya.

 

Acharyas in all stages of life today administer

the sacraments and explain the nuances of Sri Vaishnavam

to their disciples.

 

Can someone who is more familiar the life of a sannyAsi

speak about their daily duties?

 

Mani

[Guest guest]

On Mon, 11 May 1998, Mani Varadarajan wrote:

> Can someone who is more familiar the life of a sannyAsi

> speak about their daily duties?

>

> Mani

 

Dear Bhakti members,

 

There are a couple of articles in the Bhakti archives that (partially)

address the above question.

 

1. "Have you seen your Acharyas lately?" (2 parts) by Sri Krishna Kalale

posted on Jan., 1997.

 

2. "10 days with Azhagiya Singar and Malolan" by Sri Jaganath Bharadwaj

posted on April, 1997.

 

The new members of this group should find the above postings very

intresting.

 

Narendran