Guest guest Posted December 6, 1998 Report Share Posted December 6, 1998 PRAKRITAM AZHAGIYA SINGHAR, MY ACHARYA, FRIEND, PHILOSOPHER AND GUIDE (PART 6) Dear Bhagavatas, Presented below is Part 6 on the above subject being excerpts from my talk during the 600th Anniversary Celebrations of Ahobila Matam held at New York during the first week of September 1998. Dasoham Anbil Ramaswamy ============================================================= HIS SOULABYAM In his "Acceptance Speech" of the Tanian, the Swami exclaimed publicly "Ennaik Kattip Pottu Vitteere!" by way of acknowledging my submission. Can anyone bind him? Out of his Soulabyam the Swami made it appear as if I bound him. I was reminded of Madhurakavi Alwar's "Kanni nunn Siru Thaambinaal KATTUNNAP PANNIYA PERU MAAYAN". I felt like swooning overwhelmed by his Soulabyam like " Uralinodu Inaindhu Irundhu Yengiya Yelivae" (Tiruvoimozhi 1.3.1). What Compassion? What humility? And, to whom? Like "Kurai Onrum Illaatha Govindan" stooping down to bless "Arivu Onrum Illaatha Aaichiyar"!. ACHARA AND ACHARYA The great Maharishis of yore while defining Acharya Lakshanam lay great emphasis on Achara. Aachinothi Hi Saastraan Aachaare Sthapayatyapi / Swayam Aacharate Yasmaath Tasmaath Aachaarya Uchyate // Like the bees that collect the quintessence of honey from various flowers, he (Acharya) gains knowledge learning from their Acharyas and other elders, follow the Sastraic disciplines (Achara), stirctly as learned and encourages his disciples to follow him more be practice than by precepts. Only such a one can be an Acharya. This makes it clear that mere Knowledge is not enough. Achara (Conduct) should back it up as the hallmarks of a true Acharya. Our Swami is a perfect example of these twin qualifications. SROTRIYA PAR EXCELLENCE Manusmriti differentiates the various qualities that go to make a Srotriya thus : Janmanaa Braahmano Jneyah Samskaaraih Dvija Uchyatae / Vidyayaa Yaathi Vipratvam Tribhirethaih Srotriya Uchyatae // One may be a Brahmin by birth; with Upanayana Samskaara, one becomes a Dvija (twice born); and by acquiring true knowledge he matures into a Vipra. But, it is the one who has all these is a Srotriya. And, our Swami is a Srotriya par excellence HIS NATURAL DISPOSITION There are four qualities that have to be inborn and manifest as natural tendencies. They cannot be acquired by mere effort. They are Daatrutvam (Munificence), Priyavaktrutvam (Pleasant talk), Dheeratvam (Courage) and Uchitajnaanataa (doing what is appropriate) Daatrutvam PriyaVaktrutvam Dheeratvam Uchitajnathaa / Abhyaasena Na Labhyante Chatvaaras Sahajaa Gunaah // (i) Datrutvam: In Tamil (Eeagai)The way he welcomed whenever anyone visited his Tirumaaligai during his Poorvasramam was remarkable. Even today, one can feel the warmth of welcome he extends to anyone visiting him, wherever he is. (ii) Priyavaktrutvam: The smiling face and the comforting words make everyone feel ' at home away from home'- an object lesson on 'Athithi Satkaaram'. (iii) Dheeratvam: The courage with which he renounced his Grihasta Aasrama of nearly 40 years in which he had a closely knit family consisting of a loving wife and three obedient sons can be appreciated only by those who had moved with this unique family. The acumen with which he discharges the onerous responsibilities of the great empire he presides over, lifting its finance from a deep minus to an incredibly plus figure is possible only to one who knows ' to do what is proper at the proper time'. (iv) Uchitajnaanathaa: Valmiki enquired Sage Narada two questions: "Vidwaan Kah?" and "Kah Samarthah?" Cannot a Vidwan naturally be capable also? Not necessarily. One who is an expert in Vaidika Sastra Gnaana need not necessarily be an able lowkika administrator. In reply, Narada pointed out Sri Rama as the person who is at once a "Vidwan" and a "Samartha'. This combination is amply evident in our Swami. His knowledge is well matched by his acumen as stated at (iii) above. (To Continue) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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