An appeal for the 21st Century on behalf of the Bhakthi List Membership

[Guest guest]

Dear Fellow Members of the Bhakthi List :

 

It has been my privelege to be a Member of

Bhakthi List , which is unique in many ways.

Sri Mani Varadarajan has done yeoman service in

growing it to a forum , where BhakthAs from all over

the world come to enjoy the greatness of Sri VaishNavam

and the Bhakthi Movement associated with great AzhwArs

and AchAryas .We owe him a great debt for the fair minded

way in which he encourages people to participate

in a spirit of inclusivity , while making absolutely

clear about the fundamental purpose of this discussion

group and what it is all about.

 

Many BhakthAs have grown richer in the understanding of

our most revered SampradhAyam from the postings of

the fellow members and the mutual dialogs that they have

established in private and public .This is a very precious

thing .Some of the BhakthAs have gone on to receive

pancha samskAram and BharanyAsam from a SadAchAryan.

Some have quit lucaritive jobs here to return to India

to nurture further their knowledge about the SampradhAyam

under a SadAchAryan through the traditional way of

KaalakshEpam.Many have supported Sri VaishNavite causes

from here significantly and have participated

generously in many projects dear to Sri VaishNava

community.. They feel fulfilled.I am thrilled to think about

all these enormous transformation in many lives .

 

The vibrant activities at many parts of the globe today

by Overseas Sri VaishNavA communities (At Singapore ,

Middle East,Oceania et al ) have original links to

the Bhakthi forum .

 

I joined this forum in June 1995 and I have been fortunate to

meet outstanding BhakthAs at every level of sophistication

and familiarity with our SampradhAyam and Sri Sookthis.

I have personally learnt a lot from many of them .

 

Occasionally shrill voices are heard that disturbs the main

tenor and tranquility of these discussions. While the enthusiasm of

the proponent of a particular point of view is understandable ,

it is not acceptable to go about hurting the feelings of

devout members and make them extremely uncomfortable .This

is the last thing that a true Sri VaishNavan will do or

his or her SadAchAryan will encourage them to do. The well

intended observations end up being diatribes and pontifications

and corrections of minor points to have the last word as it were.

It becomes not only tiring but they cause irreparable damage

to civil dialog .It is one thing to elaborate on intricacies

of doctrines in a private assembly , but it is another thing

to be so insensitive to the feelings of fellow BhakthAs

in a rough and tumble manner in public , when it comes to

sensitive subjects . There is a lot that unites us as

devotees of Sriman NaarAyaNA and servants to AchAryAs

and BhagavathAs. We are dedicated to serve our AchAryAs

and BhagavathAs and follow the righteous path that

they have carved out for us .Bhaagavatha/AchArya

Kaimkaryam comes first and even Kaimkaryam to BhagavAn

comes next in our sampradhAyam .Our Lord Himself has stated

this very clearly at many places.

 

May I suggest that we make a new year (new Milleneum)

resolution to be sensitive regarding our writings in

public forums about points that will end up hurting

others and control our impulses to "straighten " out

and "settle " matters once and for all . There is no

such thing in this pluralistic world . We can be firm

in our view points , but explanations with thoughtfulness

will go a long way to present points of view that are

important for us to understand and cherish.If some

topic is very sensitive for public discussions , please

do not get started in the first place.

 

With best wishes for a New year of Bhagavath-Bhaagavatha

Kaimkaryams and Sathsangams with respect for each other ,

 

RaamAnuja Daasan , SeelamilA SiRiyOn , V.Sadagopan