Justification for posts on the elements of the metaphysics of Vis'istAdvaita

[Guest guest]

Dear Bhagavatas,

 

I was going through some old archives on the Bhakti Net and

found some rather disturbing postings, where people were

expressing doubt about (not questioning) the validity of

some the fundamental axioms of Vis'istAdvaita. People were

presenting their own interpretation of scripture; in fact, someone

went as far as labelling these axioms as being based on blind faith!

 

Please note the following:

1. We are all subject to domination by avidya karma (karma that

causes delusion), to varying degrees of course.

2. Most of us, in general, have a dearth of humility.

3. That which is infinite cannot be described in perfection

(but only in a most perfect manner) using finite tools.

 

Thus, there will always be questions, but all questions of

significance will get answered in time. Answers to these

questions, which are part of the universal set of knowledge,

will manifest as we come into contact with objects

(not just physical) through our mind and senses. This is the

process by which a mere faith becomes a conviction, and

the conviction becomes clearer as the domination of avidya

karma dissipates. To come into contact with objects, however,

we need to use our free will and make avail of the ever-present

grace of God.

 

We are not capable of interpreting scripture on our own (due 1 and 2.)

However, due to the fact that all of us are ignorant of the

nature of reality (to varying degrees), scripture is an

important object. It acts as a catalyst for the self manifesting knowledge.

Thus, instead of trying to read and interpret

scripture in an improper manner, we should first educate

ourselves on the fundamental elements of the metaphysics of

Vis'istAdvaita Vedanta (theory of knowledge, subject object

relationship, nature of jiva and Is'vara and do on) and then

proceed to read the exposition (on scripture) by our great

Acharyas.

 

In essence, a strong conviction (as opposed to mere faith) about

the siddhatam, is the first milestone in the process of spiritual

progress. At this point one develops the following knowledge

manifests. Nature of reality is independent of everything and is

immutable (i.e, it does not change over time.) The nature of

reality has been expounded upon by those who are capable

of it. As an ardent (one cannot be an ardent seeker until one

develops a conviction) seeker of the truth about the nature

of reality, the goal in life is to confirm this truth via experience

and not to define or reinterpret the exposition, or even worse

go directly to scripture (doubting the exposition.)

 

 

I want to work on a series of posts on the elements of the

metaphysics of Vis'istAdvaita. I will try to be thorough, terse,

and explicit, to the best of my ability. I will not be providing my

own interpretation but merely a detailed summary of what has

already been written. I hope bhagavatas will augment the posts

with additional information and raise questions whenever

something is unclear. My justification for working on these posts

was as detailed above.

 

****Post one: Some preparatory definitions and axioms****

****Post two: Purpose of life

 

Adiyen,

Venkat