RE: Digest bhakti.v004.n162

[Guest guest]

Dear Sri Sudarsan

 

Who is eligible to go from here to eternity? This is an interesting question.

This has been clearly dealt with by Erumbiappa (one of the Ashta Dig Gajangal

of Manavala Mamunigal) in his "VilakshaNa MOkshAdhikAri NirNayam". He refers

in this work not only to AjAmiLan but also several others like kAkAsura,

CharAcharas in AyOdhya, Vidhura, MAlAkAra, Dadhi PAnDava , etc., and gives

convincing replies to several objections relating to them. If Bhagavatas are

interested and If time permits, I would like to serialize this.

Dasoham

Anbil Ramaswamy

[Guest guest]

Sri Raamajayam

 

Sri Gopaala Desika MahaaDesikaaya Namaha

 

Dear Bhagavathaas,

There has been a lot of traffic on the question of

who gets Moksha.

Let us ask first what is Moksha?

Moksha is the place where a Jeeva is freed of rebirths and is

in the abode of Sriman Naarayana to enjoy the greatest bliss

the Jeeva can hope to achieve. Sriman Naarayana is the Supreme,

who is 100% Sathvik and is filled with Divya Gunaas.

 

How do I gain Moksha?

In Srivaishnavite faith, Moksha is achieved by Bhakthi or

Prapatthi with a very clear understanding that Sriman Naarayana

is the cause, he is the goal and we surrender to

him with all our heart and physique.

 

Relating to Draupadi getting Vastrabharanam through the lord,

or Ajamilan getting Moksha or a beggar getting Moksha is all

nice to hear, but the basic understanding is unless the Jeeva

seeks Moksha, he will not get it. Draupadi seeks Sriman

Naarayana as her saviour with complete devotion(that she lifts

her hand up inconsequential of the situation that her

hands alone can cover her body, after the last cloth gets

pulled away, that is COMPLETE SURRENDER). That is why by

God's Abhaara Karuna she gets saved. In that moment if she

had asked for Moksha, she would have got it.

 

As for Ajaamilan, when calling his son(Ninth) Naarayana, he

thinks for a fraction of a second, the Lord, and that lets him

perform Prapatthi, to attain Moksha.

 

A fallen man seeking Sriman Naarayana's help(or even through

a Demi-God), definitely gets helped by the Lord(or through

the Lord), but that is not Moksha. Many students pray before

the exams to Perumaal, and God does helps them in the way

they deserve. They do not get Moksha. Same with a beggar or

anyone who prays at a Temple/home/anywhere.

 

But Moksha is a state of realization, this Earthly life is

futile, I seek the Lord in his name Sriman

Naarayana/Govinda/Madhusudhana/..., grant me refuge. Then

in the same realization I realize I do not have that kind of

Bhakthi(like Dhruva or Prahlaada) & do not have a focus in

Bhakthi(due to my Malam, Vyakshapam or Ajnaanam), that I

might somehow falter into asking the Lord, "in my next birth

can you give me more wealth, more beautiful/nice

parents/wife/children/husband", and the God being merciful

grants that wish and I once again suffer in Samsaara.

 

To prevent this, Prapatthi is an Ubhaayam, where we pray to

the Lord(Acharya in the Guru Parampara), don't listen to my

other words, at this instance my mind is clear, I seek your

grace to take me in your abode at the end of this birth.

Please disregard my other wishes which are diagonally

opposite to this wish. I promise to do my very best in

adhering to Sastras, to have focus only on you, surrender my

acts/results to you, and most importantly be a humble

Bhagavathaa.

 

So even though Bhakthi is dearer to God, I realize I am not

worthy as an Azhvaar, Acharya or other Nityasuris, that I

undertake Prapatthi Ubhayam and would however include Bhakthi

in Prapatthi.

 

Hypothetically one may argue there are other Ubhayaas for

Moksha, like I am stubborn, even before death, I will think

of Sriman Naarayana, and I will seek Moksha, but in reality

we may grieve for ourself/others or may even pass away with

out our knowing it. IT IS RISKY.

 

On the other hand performing Prapatthi does not mean, "Now I

am guaranteed Moksha. Let me do all the sins". Every sin

has a consequence. For a person in Bhakthi Maarga, his Karma

continues in his next birth until he realizes the futility

of earthly life and seeks Moksha.

For a person in Prapatthi Maarga, he faces his sins/good

deeds in this life itself. Any when we know we are getting

Moksha, Adiyen feels we should go embellished in austere acts

and good character rather than approaching Perumaal with "I

have also come, take me".

 

These are Adiyens view, and they were made with Adiyens

little understanding on the topic, please correct the views

where necessary.

 

Adiyen Sri Raamanuja Daasan,

 

Sudarsana Dasosmi