Golden Chariot for Lord Ranganatha

[Guest guest]

[from varadha]

 

I am not sure how many are aware that Sh Sudararajan Swami of Srirangam

was asked by the Devasthanam Authorities to write a small book in English

about SriRangam Koil for the benefit of the then visiting President of

India. The book which was published bears a stamp of authenticity and it

is heartening to note that the Swami has taken up the issue with regard to

the Offer made for Golden Chariot. To me there are two basic issues which

are to be addressed to. One the offer made by a devotee and two the

contemplated action or attitude of the temple authorities. in trying to

accept it . On the first issue, I salute the devotee , must be a true

bhaktha of Lord Ranganatha, who must be dreaming to take is beloved Lord in

a golden chariot as according to him the Lord has given him all the wealth

and also the desire to do Kainkaryam in the form of offering a golden

chariot.All perceptors and Azhwars have sung in praise of Lord and the

Aabharanams adorning Him .We learn from various commentaries ,teachings,

the Lord readily accepts the unpolluted ,pure, offerings however small

it may be if the devotee offers it with Bhakthi To the Lord if this

offering was made with pure love and Bhakthi he is bound to be happy.It is

possible the Hosur devotee may not be aware of the customs and practces of

the Great Temple.I continue to read with pain a sense of controversy being

built around this issue. If only any one of the bhakthas had approached

and explain ed the matter to the Hosur devotee I am sure he would have

reaDILY UNDERSTOOD THE SENTIMENTS and in all probability agreed to do

kainkaryam to the Lord in a different form. My concern is , by our action we

should not distance devotees like the Hosur BHaktha. Eventhough i am not a

scholar nor a learned srivaishnavan, I am seeing a number of persons

desiring to come into the fold of srivaishnavism and do service to Lord

Sriman Narayana. Let all our action invite more and more people into the

fold and not get frightened .

The real issue is the action on the part of the temple authorities in

proposing to accept the Golden chariot .There cant be any two opinon on

this Their action is condemnable as administrators of the Great Temple

they do not have any right to alter the customs and procedures.Recently a

similair action by the Thirupathi Devasthanam officials got into avoidable

cotroversy.The best way to avoid these controversies is by having two

bodies. One to have administration of the temple and the other to

supervise and oversee the ritual/customary practice part.. The second body

should consisit of only learned true practising Srivaishnavan.All the

temple functions, rituals should have the approval of the second body.To

day we see persons professing faith in differnt philosophy manning the

administration of the Temple to which he does not belong.To him ,change of

the customary practice is not a serious flaw.A time has therfore come for

all to rally around and impress on the Govt the need to have two committes

in all the temples and lay down the fuctions of each of the committes.An

assurance should also be sought from the govt that the Govt will not

interfere with the rituals/practices.Is it difficult to acheive it.? I have

my apprehensions as experiece shows we talk and write and act very

little. I am prepared to gather like minded Srivaishnavas .Will the

Learned ,Respected ,Knowledgeable Scholars take the lead and show us the

way.

Jaya Sriman Narayana

Mudaliandan Swami shiya Sampaths