Difference between Thenkalai and Vadakalai

[Guest guest]

AS IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO GETHOLD OF THE BOOK YOU HAVE REFERRED; MYSELF AND

OTHERS WOULD BE VERY HAPPY TO KNOW THE KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO

SAMPRADAYAMAMS.

 

ADYEN PILLAI LOKACHARIAR DASAN,

KRISHNASadagopan <sgopan (AT) computer (DOT) net> wrote:

Dear Sriman Sri Hari :There are 18 major and minor differences between the two

sampradhAyams . Please refer to the book of Hinduism Revisited by Sri Anbil

Ramaswamy ( PP 693-706) .At Bangalore , Sri BhUvaraahAcchAr Swamy or Sri

Lakshmi TatachAr Swamy at Melkote can help appreciate these differences from a

TennAchArya SampradhAya point of view .At Bangalore , Sri Ranga Priya MahA

Desikan can helpcomprehend the Vada Kalai sampradhAya point of view .Detaile

discussions about them in an impersonal mediumwould not be the best method of

communication . Face to face discussions would be the better route

..V.SadagopanModerator - "kgjagan21"

<kgjagan21 (AT) (DOT) co.in><Oppiliappan>Saturday, May 28,

2005 7:06

PM Re: Difference between Thenkalai and Vadakalai> Dear

Sir,> > The basic difference is over the nature of grace, status of Lakshmi >

(whether she is a jivatma or parmatma) and the structure of the namam. > Vide

Sri Vaishnavism by SMS Chari.> > Regards,> > Jagannathan,>

Kolkatta.Tired

of spam? Mail has the best spam protection around

[Guest guest]

honganour krishna wrote:

 

> DEAR SADAGOPAN MAMA,

>

> AS IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO GETHOLD OF THE BOOK YOU HAVE REFERRED; MYSELF

> AND OTHERS WOULD BE VERY HAPPY TO KNOW THE KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE

> TWO SAMPRADAYAMAMS.

>

> ADYEN PILLAI LOKACHARIAR DASAN,

> KRISHNA

>

> *//*

 

Dear Sri Krishna,

 

It is a unique foible of Indian society to focus so much on differences

that we forget what makes us all similar. For after all, are we not all

just human beings?

 

Be that as it may, I will try to summarize in a nutshell what makes the

two kalais unique, although it has been the topic of discussion and

debate ad-infinitum in this and other lists.

 

While we officially recognize 18 fundamental differences between the two

kalais, the issue really boils down to the idea of prapatti, for it

would appear that Bhagavad Sri Ramanuja and his forebearers had left

some room for interepretation in regard. Both the kalais agree that the

soul's protection and redemption rest on the Grace of the Supreme Being,

but the Vadakalai school, having recognized the idea that some might

interpret this to mean some partiality on the Lord's part on whom He

saves and whom he doesn't, suggested the idea of a vya:jam - a pretext,

if you will - that the Lord uses to recognize that the soul is ready and

willing to be saved. This sacrament, called bha:ranya:sam, is the

holiest of rituals in the Vadakalai branch, and little is known about

the ritual except by those who actually experience this most sacred

moment in their spiritual progress.

 

The Thenkalais, on the other hand, place almost a literal meaning on

prapatti, seeing it more as a psychological/spiritual awareness such

that the soul realizes that everything lies in God's Merciful Hands, and

leaves it at that. Therefore, there is no formal ritual or sacrament

involved.

 

The role of Sri:, the Divine Mother, Who is the Embodiment of His Grace,

emerges naturally from this difference. Since it is She to Whom we turn

in reality in our experience of surrender, Her distance or nearness to

us depends on how prapatti is viewed. From the Vadakalai standpoint,

She too is part of the Supreme Reality, consequently She requires the

same vya:jam upon which to directly offer Her Grace. Please note that

this is not to suggest that Her Grace is not there otherwise, our act of

surrender merely acts to serve as a "green signal" to Her providing it

to us fully.

 

With regards to the Thenkalai position, there is no doubt that She is

part of the Supreme, but She takes on a human role such that She can

relate to Her children, Sharing with them in all the joys and sorrows of

life, so that can put their full faith in Her and Her Eternal Consort.

 

As Sri Sadagopan has indicated, it takes many, many years of study and

experience to fully understand these two philosophies and how they

effect the culture, lifestyle, and attitudes of the people who align

themselves with one or the other school of thought. So, it is vital

that one learns properly from a teacher and begins to practice the faith.

 

But, I hope this helps as a start.

 

Mohan