To New Members

[Guest guest]

Dear BhaghavatOttamAs:

 

Recently we are seeing a number of new comers joining the Bhakti Group. It

was heartening to know from Mani’s note that there are as many as 600

members in the list. We are slowly but surely approaching the “ Thousand

Points of Light” that will brighten the path for so many others. Assuming

that not many of the new comers may have the inclination or time to browse

through the archives, Adiyen thought I would present some of the cardinal

principles of Ramanuja Sampradayam as it relates to our work-a-day world.

The sophisticated in the group may be inclined to smile at this attempt and

I would caution that what is written represents at best a lay man’s view

point. They are:

 

1. To strongly believe that EmperumAn Sriman Narayana is our only resort.

2. To recognize that our system accords a Supreme place to our AchAryAs –

and through their blessings to obtain pancha samskAram or SamAsreyanam

without any delay.

3. To be steadfast in anushtAnams – Be regular in Sandhyavandanam, offering

NaivEdyam to EmperumAn and then partaking it, minimizing eating out etc.

AnushtAnam represents discipline, a regulated life and self restraint – the

supreme cornerstones of our culture.

4. To maintain good health through YogAbhyAsam or other exercise programs,

and maintaining proper diet etc.

5. Offering the eight flowers to emperuman on a daily basis – Ahimsa

Pratamam Pushpam, Pushpam Indriya Nigraha: …. etc.,

6. To participate in the various kaimkaryams to the best extent possible.

7. Finally, this is Adiyen’s personal wish/goal – to consider Swami Desika’s

and Manavala Maamunigal’s sampradayams as two equally vital branches of

Ramanuja Darsanam. They are indeed the two eyes of Ramanujacharya. All

Divya desams in India must equally represent these two branches. All Divya

Desams must occupy the central place in spreading the message of our

sampradayam. We must constantly work towards this goal – through every

possible means – through Govt., matams, and other forums. What does equal

representation means – Adiyen is working with a group of very influential

people to bring out an exact definition and would be happy to share it with

you all in the due course of time.

 

Thanks

 

Vijayaraghavan

Buffalo, NY

 

______________________

Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com