With my humble namaskaarams...

[Guest guest]

Dear Bhagavathaas,

 

Allow me to share with you the blessings, the love and the bliss that I

experienced at the hands and feet of Sri Agnihothram Thathachariar Swamigal

last weekend at Madras. He spoke of nothing but the Parabrahmam (Anando

parabrahmethi...) throughout my almost two hours stay with him. It was

exhilarating to hear and feel the taste from someone who was tasting It and

was living It. It was like listening to the Purusha suktham rishi Himself

saying the Purusha suktham. There was no doubt in my mind that this was not a

mere Vedic scholar, but a true Vedic rishi himself, the one who could really

declare from first-hand experience "Vedahametham purusham mahaantham ...".

Again, let me share the Love that I experienced that day with each and every

one of you.

 

Agnihothram is now 94 years old, with one leg removed. Still travels through

India and conducts four soma yagams a year. Working on three books now. Very

accessible to everyone, moves easily with everyone and allows others to move

easily with him, very positive and encouraging etc etc. A living example of

life led according to the principles of Sanathana Dharma.

 

I asked Agnihothram as I was getting up to go if I could make his bed for him.

You see, it was early in the morning and we had been sitting on the floor for

about two hours chatting. He said with a captivating smile, "No! No! That is

my work. If you do my work, what will I do?" A simple, fulfilled, Godly

living!

 

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I asked for his permission for me to reply to the recent bhakti-list postings

from Mr. Dhileepan, Mr. Kalale and others. He nodded and then moved on to talk

about Truth, quoting from Vedas..Oh! It was beautiful! He cautioned that there

is no room for materialism, professionalism etc in religion or spirituality.

 

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With my humble namaskaarams to all of you, let me say that the quest for Truth

is personal, necessary and commendable, and has to be approached in the

correct way (sathyaanveshanam). In fact, I am reminded of a story in the

Ramayana where Rama explains to Lakshmana that there are four types of

'discussions' (vadam): vadam, prathivadam (reporte), vithandavadam (a

discussion that leads nowhere) and samvadam (a discussion held in harmony,

with a sincere quest to 'excavate' Truth along the 'sahanaavavathu..'

principle). It is the latter that has to be welcomed, says Rama and the other

three should not even be paid attention to.

 

I have read Agnihothram's Srimukham and it rings true to me, and is in

consonance with my conscience. The answers to the questions which Mr.

Dhileepan has posted are easy to come by upon a little reflection and

consistent, flawless understanding. Samvaadam, by necessity, is one-on-one and

deeply personal. In this sense, I 'll be happy to share my understanding and

continue the sathyaanveshanam in private e-mails, provided the intent is

sincere.

 

daasaanuDaasan

S.Krishnaswami

[Guest guest]

Dear Sri Krishnaswamy,

 

I am glad to hear of your recent meeting with Sri Agnihotram Swami.

I also have very great respect for the Swami's learning and

dedication to Vedic anushTAnam. However, and I am sure the Swami

would not deny this, Sri Agnihotram Swami's views are definitely

not in the mainstream among Sri Vaishnava acharyas; he holds some

beliefs about the Alvars and Sri Ramanuja which are in definite

contradicition with the opinions of other scholars and acharyas of the

tradition, including pUrvAcAryas such as Sri Vedanta Desika, etc.

I am writing this just to point out that Sri Agnihotram Swami himself

would agree that his views differ in many significant ways from most

other Sri Vaishnava acharyas. A good conspectus of the differences

is contained in Sri Puttur Krishnaswamy Iyengar's publication

"agnihOthramum vaiNavamum".

 

Mani