A Day in the Life of Our Acharyas - 110

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Sri:

Srimathe Ramanujaya Nama:

 

After surrendering to Bhattar, Nanjeeyar who was a very wealthy person

previously, came to Srirangam and gave him his remaining wealth.

 

Accepting it, Bhattar said the following:

 

"Do not wonder how the knowledge imparted to you by one who accepted wealth from

you, is going to save you. Consider this. A person saves a dying prince who was

bit by a snake, using mantra and medicine. The King is ready to give him his

whole kingdom in return. He is satisfied though, by accepting a simple meal.

Could we then say that he is interested only in food or that his act matched the

food he accepted? Similarly, if acharyas accept wealth of this world from their

sishyas, it will not reduce the effect of the knowledge that they impart; that

knowledge which will cut their attachment to this world and give them His

abode."

 

That is, even if acharyas and Srivaishnavas accept things of this world, they

should not be equated to others of this world. Samsaris are those who think of

these things as the final thing to be attained ("kamOpabhOgaparamA: EvAvaditi

nishchitA:" - Bhagavad Gita 16-11). Acharyas and Srivaishnavas accept things of

this world due to the ageless vAsana and not because they take them to be the

final goal ("sadrusham chEshTatE svasyA: prakrutEr njAnavAnapi" Bhagavad Gita

3-33).

 

Azhvar Emberumanar Jeeyar Thiruvadigale Sharanam

 

A Day in the Life of Our Acharyas:

http://www.acharya.org/articles/aditlooa/index.html