A few observations.....

[Guest guest]

Dear BhagavatottamAs,

 

I have been following the articles in this forum for some time now, and

while most of the articles are interesting, I recently found an article in

which the language used by the member was quite strong. I feel that such

articles/replies need to be strongly discouraged, as it brings down the

decorum of this forum.

 

Our learned and most devoted Acharyas, inspite of their selfless and

‘antharanga’ kainkaryam to the Lord, always wondered if they would be

accepted by HIM. All their life was spent in Kainkaryam to HIM. Inspite of

all their commitment and devotion, they always considered themselves

amongst the lowest of the Bhaktas. Such has been the nobility and greatness

of our PurvAcharyas and our Sampradayam. But today, it hurt me to note that

one of the respected members of the forum took the liberty of commenting on

the Bhakti and religious understanding of another Bhagavatha with such

strong words....

 

NammAzhwAr in his Periya TiruvandAdi pasuram "enn^inainthu pOkkuvarip

pOthu?" wonders how one can ever spend time without ‘Bhagavath Anubhavam’.

Today, we observe people who fancy spending time in ‘horse-riding’ and

such, talk of the Bhakti and the importance of our traditions and

Sampradaya practices.

 

I agree with Sri Sudarshan when he says " if we too had that "pride" in our

sartorial traditions we would never have to enter into a debate at all...

AND It is impossible however for many of us to take pride in a tradition

if, in the first place, we are for some reason or other unable to "live"

it. And how can we "live" a tradition unless we are intimately acquainted

with it? "

 

I think the forum would do better in trying to spread the importance and

need to maintain one’s traditions and values, and not make it sound

trivial.

 

Every practice that has been laid down in our tradition always has a reason

and logic behind it. One of the fundamental concepts of our Sampradayam is

to follow the practices and teachings of our PurvAcharyas without putting

forward one’s own interpretations and theories. This has been wonderfully

brought out in Manavala Mamunigal’s pasuram in UpadesaRathinaMalai "munnor

mozhinda murai tappAmal Kettu, Pinnorndu tAmadanai PesAde".

 

I think Sri. Balaji’s comments on dress culture was intended to highlight

the deterioration in cultural and traditional values in our society.

However, Sri. Mani’s reply seems to indicate that SriVaishnava Lakshanam

(such as dress) are not of much importance to a SriVaishnavaite, and it is

sufficient that Bhaktas wear the TirumaN and Veshti only on religious

occasions. I find it difficult to accept this statement. Specifically, I

would like to know what Sri Mani intended to convey by the word ‘whenever

possible’ in his statement "agree with recommendation that Sri Vaishnavas

wear thirumaN and SrIchUrNam (women included) whenever possible"?? Though I

am a resident of India, I have never found anything to concern me or

prevent me from wearing ‘TirumaN/Srichurnam’ daily, even when I have

visited countries such as USA/UK for months together... and I cannot

understand what should prevent one from these basic daily practices...

 

I agree with Sri Mani that women may not be the only cause for the

deterioration in the importance given to traditional values, but I do feel

that women have an important role. All are aware of how Kumudhavalli turned

Tirumangai Mannan into a SriVaishnavaite...One possibly cannot expect every

woman in this world to be ‘Kumudavalli Thayar’.. But the importance of the

role of the women in our Sri Vaishnavaite society, in maintaining and

promoting our traditional values and practices cannot be under-stated.

 

I have another point to make about this forum. I do agree and appreciate

that this forum is helping to spread the thoughts and messages of our

PurvAcharyas. But I am very sceptical of this forum being used to clarify

doubts and for any debates. I think our Sampradayam has always emphasized

that the religious concepts should always be learnt from our PurvAcharyas

only. One might immediately argue that it may not be possible for people

who stay away from their homeland. But why does one stay away? Why do

people settle in places other than their Divya Desams? I feel it is not

sufficient for people to just talk of Divya Desams as places where the Lord

has chosen to be.. Is it not required for us (we Bhaktas) to live in those

places and spend our time in doing Kainkaryam? Should we be so concerned

about our livelihood staying in all these ‘DesAntharams’ and not think of

doing Nitya Kainkaryams in our divyadesams? Will our Ranga not take care of

us if we stay close to HIM? What is the use of seeing our Divya Desams

deserted and Is it proud to have Srivaishnavas just scattered across the

world?

 

Sorry... I might have sounded impetuous Or more like a narrow-minded

devotee in my observations...

 

I know that all the respected members of this forum are more knowledgeable

than me. Please Please forgive me if I have committed any Bhagavatha

apacharam.

 

Azhwar Emberumanar Jiyar Tiruvadigale Saranam.