vaishNavism-royal patronage

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VaishNavism – royal patronage

 

SrI:

SrImatE rAmAnujAya nama:

SrI lakshmI narasimha parabrahmaNE nama:

 

Dear vaishNavAs,

 

Today there is no trace of doubt about declining situation of vaishNavism in the

society. Most divya dEsams of SrIya pati are suffering in severe poverty

stricken state, not having enough facilities even to perform basic kainkaryams.

The great monumental temple buildings are about to break down. Many contemporary

vaishNavAs forgot their traditions and leading lives of lust and greed. The term

‘VaishNava’ lost its importance in the context of an individual, as if it were

only representing one’s birth in a family. Many attribute this apparent fall to

secular governments, changed social scenario (work for bread), advancement in

technology,…..

 

It is clear for historians to find vaishNavism to flourish between 11th – 20th

centuries as a result of royal patronage and their generous contributions to

temple and brAhminical culture. However, I disagree with the view that this is

the reason for the flourish in the olden centuries and fall in the present era.

If we take the examples of all great AchAryas in our sAmpradAya, all of them

withstood the onslaughts of different political outrages. Many important

AchAryAs had to flee to another safe place to protect the deities and own lives,

when para-mathas(other religions) attacked us severely. One has to clearly

understand a crisp point that the great royal families that helped the cause of

vaishNavAs originally belonged to para-mathAs. This proves the fact that our

AchAryas were in no better position than ourselves, but successfully turned the

tables in favor of the Almighty. Hence the past vaibhavam(glory) of vaishNavism

can be only attributed to the unflinching devotion of vaishNavAs of that era. In

today’s world context, most countries are secular and it is free for people to

practice their own religion without being offended by others. It is such an

unfortunate situation that in a such favorable conditions we are losing our

traditions.

 

It is also true that, in the present day world, one has to work very hard to

maintain one’s family in good condition. Yet, there is a trade-off between the

amount of time and effort we put in our culture and bread. One has to find an

optimistic solution so as not to lose the ultimate goal of life, performing

kainkaryams to the Supreme Lord, SrI hari. We do not have to build great temples

like that of Sri rangam, but we just need to protect already manifested temples

which are the result of SrimAn nArAyaNa’s and great AchAryAs grace for us to be

blessed with the privilege of serving them.

 

The Technological advancement should be used to remember the Lord more

efficiently than to completely forget Him. This -groups is an example of

how technology can help us serving the Lord.

 

By the mercy of SrI AchAryAs and SrI ranganAtha’s consort, many vaishNavAs are

able to reach good positions in their professional lives. Accordingly if we all

serve the divya dampathis who are already Self-satisfied, will be pleased and

grant us with much more bhAgyam of serving Them; eventually leading us to

un-interrupted service (in SrI vaikuntham). Hence let us not make lack of royal

patronage as a hinderance in our services to Them. Else we are proving

vaishNavism to be a mere droplet of historical royal activities.

 

May SrI AchAryAs give us more determination to perform kainkaryams to divya

dampathis!

 

sarvam SrI krishNArpaNamastu.

dAsOham,

SrIperumbUdUru vEnkaTa vinOd.