Free will 7&8

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SRIMATHE RAMANUJAYA NAMAHA

APPAN THIRUVADIGALE SARANAM

 

Free will (7)

 

Dear Bhagavathas, accept my pranam. This is in continuation of earlier posting.

 

 

Such is the simplicity of the pasuram . It is very appealing. It expresses the

all pervasiveness of Emperuman.

He is our saviour and he alone is the one to redeem us.

Any one will loose the heart on hearing this pasuram.

This is not the only one.

All the other pasurams of Thiruvaimozhi are similar to this.

Sriman Nathamuni wanted to hear all the rest.

But, the Araiyars did not know. They guided him to Thirukurugur.

Sriman Nathamuni got all by his meditation and got the pasurams of other Azhvars

also..

Sriman Nathamuni was now, immensely pleased to spread this path to all.

 

SRIVAISHNAVISM IS BORN

 

Though he was one among the followers of sanadhana dharma he was convinced of

the easy path.

He was in the fag end of his life .He foresaw the advent of Sri. Ramanuja by his

yogic powers .He passed on the mission to his grandson Sri.Alavandar through his

Sishya Uyyakondar (and from him to his sishya Manakkal nambi to Sri.Alavandar )

Sri..Alavandar had 5 great sishyas Thirukkoshtiyur Nambi etc.,Yet he waited for

Sri. Ramanuja. He saw him in Sri Varadharaja swamy Temple in Kancheepuram; but,

did not meet him. He arranged through his disciple Peria Nambi to enlist

Ramanuja to SriVaishnavism and to lead the movement.

Sri. Ramanuja took charge of the mission and decided to fulfill the ambition of

Sri. Alavandar

..He learnt all sastras and ‘Arulicheyal’ from the 5 great sishyas of Sri.

Alavandar.

It was not easy task to learn ‘Thirumantram’from Thirukoshtiyur Nambi

After many ordeals .he learnt it on an undertaking not to reveal it to any one.

But, he broke the promise as soon as he learnt Tirumantram.

WHY?. He had a large kind heart. It is not enough if he alone knows. It will

take a longer time or rather impossible to pass it on to all by the current way

of selective teaching.

So he invited all whom wanted to know it to join him and preached it to them.

Thirukoshtiyur Nambi came to know of the incident and after questioning Sri.

Ramanuja blessed him. He announced that hereafter the movement is to be known as

Emperumanar Dharsanam.

The preaching is not confined to Thirumantram alone.

Arulicheyal also was preached.

What is the greatness of ARULICHEYAL?

Let us see from few lines of Arulicheyal.

1.VAAZHAAT PATTU NINRULLEREL VANDHU MANNUM MANAMUM KONMIN ( Thirupallundu.3.)

If you are desirous of getting redeemed come, join us and get benefited.

2.NEERADA PODHUMINO (Thiruppavai.)(Join us to enjoy the Baghavat vishayam)

3 KANNAN KAZHZLINAI NANNUM MANAMUDAIYEER(TVM. 10.5.1)

(Those who are interested to fall at the feet of Lord Krishna).

4 PARIVATHIL EEASANAI PADI VIRIVATHU MEVALURUVEER(TVM.1.6.1)

(Those who are interested to worship the lord)

5. PATHUDAYAVARKKU ELIYAVAN(TVM.1.3.1)(The Lord is easily accessible for those

who desire him)

6. PAYANENRAKILUM PANKILARKIALUM CHEYAL NANRAKA THIRUTHI PANIKOLVAN (Kanni

Nun Chiruthambu. 10)(He will correct you even though you are not fit and will

use you for his service)

7. AVANALLAL THEIVAMILLAI (Thirumalai9) (He is the Lord for redemption)

8. CHEMMIN MUDI THIRUMALAI VIRAINDHADICHERUMINO(TVM.4.1.2)

9. (Join quickly and worship Thirumal.)

10. VANPUKAZH NARANAN THINKAZHAL CHERE.(Fall at the feet of Sriman Narayanan,

the savior)

11. THUYARARU SUDARADI THOZHUTHEZHU MANANE.(TVM.1.1.1..) (O! Mind

fall at the glorious feet of lord, which will remove all our woes. Worship

him).

 

All the excerpts shown above are from various Azhvars sree sukthis clearly

indicate that

Emperuman is the lord to redeem us from samsara.

He is easily accessible. ALL ARE ELIGIBLE

It is enough if you have the desire to fall at his feet

You don’t require any special qualification. He will correct you and take you in

his service.

 

This kind of Azhvzr’s approach is in sharp contrast to the vedic approach.

Here all are eligible for redemption by Emperuman

He will redeem us from samsara and

It is enough you have the desire to worship him. The rest he will look after.

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To be continued to ………………>8

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SRIMATHE RAMANUJAYA NAMAHA

APPAN THIRUVADIGALE SARANAM

 

Free will (8)

 

Dear Bhagavathas, accept my pranam. This is in continuation of earlier posting.

 

 

Sri. Ramanuja arranged for commentary on Thiruvaimozhi through Thirukurgai piran

pillan

He was not only a man of heart ;but also of logic .He used his logic to win over

other vidhvans.

He had to convince and conquer the men of intelligence. He wrote “SreeBashyam”

commentary on Brahmasutra.

He used other means as the situation warranted in respect of others.

He nominated Sri.Parasara bhatta, son of Sri.Kurathazhvan to be successor to the

mission.

He appointed 74 Acharyas (Simhasanathipathis) for the wider propagation of

Srivaishanavam.

He conquered many Vedhanthins and they became his disciples.

He instructed Sri.Bhattar to win over ‘Madhava” a famous Vedanthin.

This vedhanthin was conquered by Sri.Bhattar with the help of

‘Thirunedunthandakam”

This vedhantin was later known as “Nanjeeyar”

Let us see what he has told to us

‘VEDHANTHI ENRU SERUKKURRUIRUNTHEN. SARVESWARANUKKU NAMA ROOPANKALILAI .

UNDENBAR CHOL POYE ENRU CHOLLIYIRUNDHEN. BHATTARARULALE UJJEEVIKKA PERREN.

AAZHVARKAL THIRUVAKKAI

(AVARKAL KOORUM ENPERUMAN PERUMAIKALAI) MEYYENAP PERRATHU BHATTARARULALE.’ (

I was of proud of being a vedhanthi. I have told earlier that Emperuman has no

form or name. The statement of those who say as Emperuman has form etc., are not

rue. But, now I am saved by Sri.Bhattar.I learnt from him that the Azhvars

statements regarding Emperuman are true.)

This great vedhantin had no hesitation to accept the truth. He is known as

Nanjeeyar later on. He has made improved version of commentary (9000 padi) to

Thiruvaimozhi.

 

His successor Nampillai was a great scholar and had eminent sishyas.

Sri.Periyavachan Pillai and Sri.Vadakku thiruveedhi Pillai and others. Nampillai

spent his time in Bhagavat Vishayam His discourses were made into Eedu 24,000

and 36,000 by Sri.Periavachan Pillai and Sri vadakku thiru veedhi pillai

respectively.

 

Sri. Pillai Lokacharyar is the son of Sri. Vadakku thiruveedhi pillai who led

the movement during 13th and 14th centuries.

Our poorvacharyas followed the way shown by Azhvars.

During these periods it appears that some discontentment was among

Srivaishnavas. Probably, vedhanthins who came into the fold of Srivaishnavam

could not adjust themselves to the principles of Azhvars. Perhaps, Sreevachana

bhooshanam was a rejoinder for such thoughts. Similarly Acharya Hrudhayam also

is a illustrative publication during this period. It discusses the greatness of

Azhvar, Thiruvaimozhi and the Srivaishnavam against vedic practices. Let us see

one or two sutras of Sreevachanbhooshanam here.

Sutra.207. BRAHMANYAM VILAI CHELLUKIRATHU VEDAADHYAYANADHI MUKATHTHALE

BHAGAVLLABHA HETHU VENRU. ATHU THANE EZHAVUKKU URUPAKIL THYAJYAMAMIRE.(

Brahmanyam is considered as great as it is cause for attaining the Emperuman. If

it becomes the cause for loosing him, better

loose brahmanyam

 

Sutra.115.

PRAPAKANTRA PARITHYAGATHUKKUM AGNAASAKTHIKALUNRU SWAROOPA VIRODHAME

PRADHANA HETHU.( The upayas karma, gna ,bhakti are known as ‘upayantram’ i.e.,

base means compared to prapatti. They are to be discarded. Why?. It is not

because the practitioner does not have enough knowledge or sufficient skill;but,

it is against the swaroopa of Jeevan

 

Sutra 127. VEDHANTHANKAL UPAYAMAKA VIDHIKIRAPADIYEN?

Sutra.128 OUSHADHA SEVAI PANNATHAVARKALUKKU ABHIMATHA VASTHUKKALILE

ATHTHAI KALASI IDUVARAIP POLE EASWARANAI KALANTHU VIDHIKIRATHU ITHANAI.(

why does Vedhanthas prescribe the ways Karma, gna, bhakti as means to Moksha? It

is just like mixing the medicine with sweets etc.,(substances liked by people)

for consumption by the patients who otherwise will not intake the medicine as

such. These means are mixed with Easvaran; otherwise people will not follow

them.

 

We get similar informations from which it can be inferred that some vedhanthins

who got converted to Srivaishnavam were not able to follow it in full. They were

always reminded of vedic ‘dos and don’t dos’ which they felt as most important.

The’ kainkaryam ‘seemed to be of secondary importance to them.

 

In the beginning of the 14th century Namperumal had to be moved away from

Srirangam to safer place due to Islamic invasions. Namperumal returned in 1371AD

only. In the mean time the activities of Srivaishnavam was hampered by the

occupation of foreign elements.

Later, it was Sri.Manavalamamunikal who restored the pristine glory of

Srivaishnavam based on Azhvars sree suktis.

 

The political scene of India began to change in the coming centuries. The

swadesi Kings lost their powers. Foreigners took the political control of India.

The life style also began to change due to rapid changes in social life and

scientific advancements. Foreign religions Christianity and Islam took root in

our country. Western thoughts and culture affected the process of thinking.

Advaidic philosophy changed its stand to patronize the worship of all deities.

The worship of smaller deities is in vogue always. But, ‘Parathvam’ was not

attributed to them. Now, vested interest are claiming that all gods are equal

and one and the same and they are capable of granting ‘Moksha .This kind of

commercialization and adverse conditions affected Srivaishanvam very much.

The changed climate has created a sense that ‘Jeevan’ has a ‘free will’ towards

attaining his salvation.

 

 

The classification of the society into 4 varnas might have worked in earlier

days. In the modern world people stand divided into numerous castes. They are

supposed to do the work relating to that caste. But, most of us are doing the

duties of the others for a living, yet cling to the caste identification for

security reasons? Transport and communication have advanced in such a way that

once foreign travel (crossing the sea) was considered as a taboo, is sought

after by most of us. In general, a mania to copy western habits, rather to

understand our culture has become the fashion of the day. In this context, how

far sanadhana dharma as enshrined in vedic sastras are working is a point to be

pondered by every body. The brahmin is supposed to be leading a life set for

him, after Brahmam and all other varnas are to assist him in the sanadhana

dharmic way. We are in a democracy. How and where to find Kshatriyas? Similar

difficulty will be experienced for other varnas also.

 

 

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--to be continued…..>9