Are there progress indicators in the prapatti mArga?

[Guest guest]

Hi,

 

In spite of the busy schedules of the bhakti group members, there will be (I

am sure) someone who can address the question I have at hand.

 

ARE THERE PROGRESS INDICATORS IN THE PRAPATTI MARGA?

 

Let me try to elaborate this question by drawing a parallel from the

corporate world. In projects we are involved at work, we have deadlines,

milestones, progress indicators (which very well could be failure

indicators). These metrics or check-points indicate the progress of the

project. Decisions can be made for staffing (for instance), equipment

purchases, or even altering the course of the project depending on

user-acceptance reviews.

 

In this daunting project we have undertaken of leading the life of a

prapanna after at first performing prapatti at the Lotus feet of Lakshmi

NArAyaNa, do we have similar progress indicators? Can we correct our ways,

if need be, or commend ourselves on our progress by reading these

indicators?

 

I am sure we all realize that the very act of our prapatti is not enough to

fetch us moksham, and neither is any effort from our side thereafter.

Rather, the whole and sole reason behind the consummate eradication of sins

committed by even an emperor among sinners (aparAdha chakravarthi) -- hmm,

that sums up my resume -- is Sriman NArAyaNa's will and immense compassion.

 

Granted. However, although surrendering to the Lord is a one time event,

practicing it is a lifelong struggle. The situation is paradoxical: Our

personal effort can never be up-to-the-mark; yet, we cannot relieve

ourselves of that effort. In such a situation, I think it would help to

have some indicators that will help us analyze the "I was there; now I am

here; how am I doing?" kind of questions. Srimad Bhagawad Geeta does an

excellent job of identifying the various stages of karma-, jnAna-, and

bhakti- yoga, providing excellent milestones in the progress towards the

paramAtma. What about the prapatthi mArga? Will that paramAtma indicate in

some way His acceptance (since He is the user-in-chief) of our efforts,

however insignificant they might be? And what are those efforts in the

first place? Is Sandhya Vandanam enough? Is Bhagawad ArAdhanam enough?

Will inviting a few bhAgawatAs to sumptuous lunches and taking care of their

needs for the time they have blessed their presence complete the deal? Will

one have to construct temples? Or is it all of these and much more? (Of

course, it goes without saying that all of these are to done after

renouncing the sense of doership.) When and how will we see an assuring

"prapannas, stay in this lane" sign? And then even if we take final success

for granted (for we know that that success is attributed to the Lord alone),

how will He let us know of his displeasure of our ways or otherwise during

our now-confirmed ephemeral stay here on earth? Will He resort to subtler

forms of rewarding and reprimanding such as what we experience daily, or

will He be more expressive?

 

Any inputs are welcome.

> || Sarvam Sri KrishNArpaNamastu ||

>

> -- Murali KaDAmbi

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Friends -

 

Can the following people who contributed to Chillarai

Rahasyam project please send me your local

address. I have some material from PP ashramam that

i need to send you.

 

R. Rangamani

Kalyani Krishnamachari

Vishwachand Kolla

K.R. Srinivasan

 

Thank you.

Ramesh Sarangapani