Srivachana Bhushana #9

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Srivachana Bhushana # 9

 

Sutra 27. This purport is clearly affirmed in the first word of the

jewel of mantras.

 

The reference to the Dvaya Mantra, the mantra of taking refuge:-

sriman narayana, caranau sharanam prapadye srimate narayanaya namah

The first word sriman, refers both to the Lord as the means (upaya)

and the Goddess shri (the purushakara), in an eternal & immutable

relationship. This eternal and immutable relationship transcending

time and all limitations attests to the timeless and unconditional

nature of taking refuge.

 

Sutra 28. Everywhere [in the Scriptures] it can be verified that there

are no stipulations whatsoever regarding the method of taking refuge.

 

Sutra 29. It was in an impure state that Draupadi took refuge. Arjuna

listened to the teaching on this [doctrine of surrender] while in the

midst of vile people.

 

Draupadi took refuge in Krishna when Dushasana was attempting to

disrobe her in the assembly hall. At that time, she was wearing only

one cloth because. Krishna gave Arjuna the teaching on Prapatti,

(Bhagavad-Gita 18.6) on the battle-field ‹ a most inauspicious place, surrounded

by malicious people.

 

Sutra 30. Therefore, it is not necessary to consider either purity or

impurity:- whatever one¹s condition be, it is an appropriate state.

 

Sutra 31. One is reminded of the remarks of [Nam] Pillai to [Velvetti]

Pillai in this matter.

 

Nampillai was the teacher of Pillai Lokacharya¹s father. He is reported

to have said:- For a pure person, impurity is unnecessary: for an

impure person purity is unnecessary."

 

One day Velvetti Pillai remarked that Rama had observed some procedural

formalities such as facing east etc. when taking refuge in Varuna before

crossing the ocean ‹ Nampillai replied that Rama had done so simply as a

matter of course given his rather orthodox background and not as something

mandatory.