question on cremation

[Guest guest]

Please accept adiyen's pranamams.

 

As Srimathi Nagu Satyan entrusted in me the responsibility of saying a few words

on GadyaTrayam in the NAMA function, i was making an effort to understand the

abc's of this captivating prose (thanx for all the posts devoted to the Gadya

Trayam that we recently relished). Since i was reading the most simple meanings

of this work, i came to realise that SriVaikuntha Gadyam is a nice description

of what one gets to see and do (ntyakainkaryam) there. It kind of re-kindled in

me the thought of cremation, that i have debated within myself for some time

now.

 

In the Hindu custom, we cremate a body, that has gone thru life. As some of us

may not get moksham , it makes sense that the body is of no use following our

death. Since, the jiva (atman) takes up another body in its quest to escape

samsara.

 

It gets confusing when one considers a soul in a body that actually attains

moksham. In the book "Life of Ramanujacharya : (RKM publication)", they mention

that the Sri Alavandar was cremated following his death. A Mahapurushan such as

Alavandar who attained moksham , should be presently doing nityakainkaryam for

Perumal in SriVaikuntham. If Alavandar was cremated, does his soul still have

the body of Alavandar (on earth) in Vaikuntham? (ie, If in SriVaikuntham, the

souls still have the body they were-in during their stay on earth). (This is

just one example that came to my fictitious brain when i started putting

together this note.)

 

Both Nammalvar and Ramanuja mention the beauty of SriVaikuntham (Tiruvaymoli

{Suzhvisum pani mughil}, and SriVaikuntha Gadyam, respectively) and the

nityasooris and mumukshus. Since Garudan, Adiseshan, Viswaksenar (to name a

few) have a body that is similar to those on earth, others who attained Moksham

must also have the body they adorned on earth.

 

I am looking to the learned members of this group to help me understand. I have

few other (silly) questions that i plan to post later.

(Silly questions come from Silly minds, and i am the best example).

 

thanking you for your patience.

adiyen, Ramanuja dasan

(srinivasan)

[Guest guest]

Dear Shri Srinivasan

I had the same doubts earlier. When I enquired, my acharyar gave me some

explanations. Let me share it with you.

>A Mahapurushan such as

>Alavandar who attained moksham , should be presently doing nityakainkaryam

for

>Perumal in SriVaikuntham. If Alavandar was cremated, does his soul still

have

>the body of Alavandar (on earth) in Vaikuntham? (ie, If in SriVaikuntham,

the

>souls still have the body they were-in during their stay on earth). (This

is

>just one example that came to my fictitious brain when i started putting

>together this note.)

After death a soul heading towards moksham travels with what is called

a 'Sookshma sariram'. This is microscopic.

This 'Sookshma sariram' just helps the soul travel. Upon reaching the

Viraja Nadhi,

the soul gets a body which is made of 'Suddha satvam'.

>

> Both Nammalvar and Ramanuja mention the beauty of SriVaikuntham

(Tiruvaymoli

>{Suzhvisum pani mughil}, and SriVaikuntha Gadyam, respectively) and the

>nityasooris and mumukshus. Since Garudan, Adiseshan, Viswaksenar (to name

a

>few) have a body that is similar to those on earth, others who attained

>Moksham

>must also have the body they adorned on earth.

Garudan, Adiseshan, Viswaksenar may have bodies which have the appearance

resembling those similar to earth but their bodies are made of suddha

satvam. In fact

even in our lords avatharams, our lords body is made of this matter only.

It might be of interest for you to note that in Sri vaikuntham a person is

free to acquire

any form that he wants. He can become a flower, a lady, or even take

multiple forms to

engage in activities of doing kaimkarya to lord!

So, if Swami Alavandar wanted his body(on earth) in Vaikuntham he can have

it

by his mere thought.

I request learned scholars to correct me if my understanding is wrong.

Praveena nAmni Ramanuja dasi

6th Apr 1999

[Guest guest]

Sri:

 

Simple, lovely explanation! Hats off to Smt Praveena Anand. This nice couple

(Smt praveena and Sri Anand) stay at Simhapuri and we are fortunate to have

them here. They are only in their mid twenties. But both of them come on all

Saturday mornings at Srinivasa PerumAl Koil at Simhapuri for taking part in

the recitation of NithyAnusanthaanam by a group of about 10 Srivaishnavas.!

More imporatant, they are always be seen in only in Srivaishnava attire of

Pancha kaccha vEshti, DwAdasa OOrdhava PuNdram, Madisaar, etc.. At this

young age, what an involvement and depth of knowledge they possess. It is

all due to the grace of Divya Damapthi and the anugraham of their AchAryan

H.H Srimad Azahagiya Singar.

 

Please forgive me Anands for going public. I could not resist exhibiting my

admiration. You are setting an example to many of us (including me!). May

Divya Damapthi bless you both as They do always!

 

Narayana Narayana

 

Narayana dAsan Madhavakkannan

>

> Praveena [sMTP:may2192]

> Tuesday, April 06, 1999 9:14 PM

> bhakti

> Re: question on cremation

>