vishap prAvaNyam II

[Guest guest]

Having seen the sUthram-s of srEvachaNa bhUshaNam, it becomes crystal

clear that the attraction towards desires for enhancing bodily

happiness=vishayap prAvaNyam and

the attachment towards the soul in contrast to being subservient to the Lord,

are very dangerous.

The sUthram-s are not just theoritical rule codes but have been given by those

who have led by examples. None other than AzhwAr-s , AchAryAs have practised

this meticulously before preaching to us.

 

swAmi piLLai lOkAchArya( who is the author of this grandham) His brother sri

azhagia maNavALap perumAL nAyanAr( who is the author of AchArya-hridhayam and

commentator of thiruppavai ARAyirappadi) swAmi manavALa mAmunigal ( who is the

author of the commentaries for both srEvachaNa bhushaNam and AchArya hridhayam)

have all led by examples.They have led a pure life.

 

Hence, it is extremely difficult to practise these aspects to the core. It is my

opinion that dhEvadhAndhra bhajam can be avoided with some resolve as it is an

external factor. However, the dhEha abhinAm leading to vishayap-prAvaNayam and

avoidance of swasheshathvam-independence of the soul,are very difficult to

attain as it has to come from within. For instance, the sensory organs are

within ourselves and torture us, which is very difficult to be won over. Do

these sensory organs torture even srEvaishNavites. Yes. nam AzhwAr has clearly

spelt this out in thiru voi mozhi 7-1- 6 "viNNuLAr perumARku adimai seivAraiyum,

seRum aimpulan ivai" The five sensory organs torture even those who are involved

in the service of the Lord. Then how to win over? The next pAsuram 7-1-7 gives

the answer "enRu yAn velgiRpan vun thiruvaruL illaiyEAl?" When can I win over

these unless I have your divine grace"is the AzhwAr's expression.

Thus it can be observed that it is very difficult to get over these. However,

with the grace of AzhwAr /if we are attracted towards His attributes our mind

will be attracted towards Him and we are saved.

 

I use this opportunity to quote from ARAyirappadi commentary to thiruppavai 27

to complete this discussion.

 

There are three categories of souls who are won over by the Lord -by His

gunangaL.

 

The categories are:

 

a.Those who do want to join Him but do not approach Him as swarUpam does not

allow it.

b. Those who do not approach Him but do not do so as women are not supposed to

take efforts to join HIm. and

c. Those who are 'dhehAthmabhimAnigaL' are attracted by these gunangaL towards

Him.

 

The first two categories of devotees are srEvaishnavites but are passive

awaiting His efforts rather than their steps to attain HIm. Even these souls are

greatly attracted towards Him as these guNam-s do that trick.

 

The third category of souls are those who are

 

i. very much attached to their body and the desire the happiness from that-dhEha

abhimAnigaL and

ii. very much attached to their souls and think that the souls are themselves in

contrast to soul being subservient to the Lord.

 

These people do not want to be with the Lord. They are attracted towards other

things and other deities in such a way that they do not believe in steadfast

devotion to the Lord-like pathirvrithA. Even these souls are attracted towards

HIm by His guNangaL.

 

The ARAyirappadi vyAkyAnam is great in this regard.

"vellum sEr= swarUpAnusanthAnam paNNi 'vArOm' enRiruppavar pradhigzhazhai

varappaNNikoLLavaRRAi-

strEthvAbhimAnathAlE 'vAsal vittup puRappadOm' enRiruppArudaiya abhimAnathai

muRithu varappaNNina guNam

dhEhAthmabhimAnigaLai thalai saipikkach solla vENumA?"

 

"Agnarai sarvagnar Akkum. sarvagnarai 'ethiRam' eNNap paNNum". Those who do not

have knowledge become possessed with abundunt knowledge. Those who have complete

knowledge become completely submerged and drown in His attributes.

 

Such is the nature of the 'guNam' of emperumAn.

Hence, let us all hope to be entrapped in His guNam-s and inthe process get

ourselves saved.

vAnamAmalai padmanAbhan