PBA Swami's Ten Words on Acharyas as Clouds

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Sri:

Srimathe Ramanujaya Nama:

 

 

Sri P.B. Annangaracharyar Swami's Ten Words on

Acharyas as Clouds

 

 

1. Clouds gather the water from the salty ocean and

shower it as sweet water. Similarly, acharyas gather

the divine meanings from the ocean like Vedas, which

are dificult to understand and enjoy by everyone, and

using the strength of their words give them out to

be greatly enjoyed by everyone.

 

 

2. Clouds shower the rain where it is needed for

the benefit of this world ("uyiraLippAn mAgangaL

ellAm thirindhu" - Thiruviruththam 32). Similarly,

acharyas go to all divyadesams and to all other

places ("eNdisaiyum pOrththakara nAngudaiyAn

pErOdhip pEthaigAL thIrththakararAmin thirindhu" -

Irandam Thiruvandadhi 14, "srirangam karishailam

anjanagirim ... shAlagrAma girim nishEvya ramatE

rAmAnujOyam muni:") and pour the special divine

meanings that are required for the upliftment of

souls.

 

 

3. Clouds pour the rain water and fill even the

lowly ditches. Similarly, acharyas discourse on

great subjects and up-lift even the lowliest of

beings.

 

 

4. Clouds do not always shower the water. They

only do so in certain seasons. Similarly, acharyas

look for the opportune time to perform their

upadeshas.

 

 

5. If the clouds do not pour the water in the

appropriate times, this world will face several

drawbacks. Similarly, if the acharyas do not perform

their upadeshas at the right times, this world (the

souls) will face dangers such as imagining their

body to be their soul, thinking they are independent,

servitude to the wrong entities, self-depenedence,

etc.

 

 

6. No matter how much it pours the water, the clouds

are neither satisfied nor look for anything in return.

Similarly, no matter how much they discourse,

acharyas, who do not look for anything in return,

remain unsatisfied.

 

 

7. Some times the clouds will shower a little and

stop. At other times, it will pour a great amount.

Similarly, some times acharyas will speak just a

few words (mantrOpadesham) in their disciples ears.

At other times, they will speak extensively (during

kAlakshEpam), on the divine meanings of the smrtis,

itihAsas, purANas and ubhaya vEdAntas.

 

 

8. Clouds rain in a street and the water runs away

and goes waste. But they also rain on shells, which

then becomes pearls and prcious stones. Similarly,

acharyas some times teach to certain people and it

does not bear any fruit. However, at other times,

they teach great people and they come out as great

works such as Sri Vacana Bhushanam and Upadesa

Ratthinamalai for the benefit of all.

 

 

9. The rain from clouds becomes useful to all beings

when it reaches rivers, lakes and wells. If it runs

elsewhere, it becomes unusable. Similarly, when

acharyas teach divine meanings to worthy recipients,

they become part of the guru parampara and enjoyable

to all. If they are given to others, like water

poured on a hot iron piece, it goes waste.

 

 

10. Grains, the Sataka birds, etc have no other

refuge and look forward to the clouds ("eththanaiyum

vAn maRandha kAlaththum painkUzhgaL maiththezhundha

mAmugilE pArththirukkum" - Perumal Thirumozhi 5.7).

When the rain falls on them it becomes useful. When

the same clouds rain on a posionous plant, it becomes

destructive ("nIrkAlaththu erukkilampazhavilaipOl

vIzhvEnai" - Nacchiyar Thirumozhi 8.8). Similarly,

acharya sri sUktis are expected by srivaishnavas

(who have no other refuge) and are used by them for

a great purpose. When they reach others, they are

wrongly understood and become misused ("sARuvAga

madha nIRuseydhu samaNac cedikkanal koLuththiyE

sAkkiyakkadalai vaRRuviththu migu sAngiyakkiri

muREiththida" - Arthi Prabandham).

 

 

Azhvar Emberumanar Jeeyar Thiruvadigale Sharanam