Clarification needed.........???

September 12, 2006

Namo Narayana

Sir,

I seriously need some clarification about us (Vaishnavas) observing and performing prayers, any prayers to NavaGrahas.

Is it against our sampradaya or are we should observe and performs prithi and parikarams to NavaGrahas......?

There has been some relations of Dasaavathars to NavaGrahas as indicated in some printed materials from well known publishers in India.

So as a Vaishnava where do we stand in NavaGraha prayers, because as a Hindu prayers to Navagraha and Astrology is part of our customs.

Kindly Please Advise me...............

Regards

Rajiv

_______________

Check the weather nationwide with MSN Search: Try it now!

http://search.msn.com/results.aspx?q=weather&FORM=WLMTAG

September 13, 2006

Dear friend:

Paramaikanti SrivaishNavas (those who have had their Pancha Samskaarams and

BharaNyaasam and believe in Sriman Narayana as the ONLYmeans and goal, DO

NOT propitiate any Kshudra dEvatas (Petty deities) like the Navagrahams.

Having said this, we should also note that all these petty dieties are

bestowed with some powers by Sriman Narayana Himself. In exercise of these

powers, they grant minor boons to their devotees. These boons from them are

"asaaram" (having no value) and "asthiram" (purely temporary)

(Vide Sri Mahabaratha Saanti Parva 210.24) which says that the discreet

persons do not pray to them because they can grant only trivial, temporary

worldly benefits:

Brahmam SithianTam cha Yaas cha anyaah dEvata smruta:/

pratibuddhaah ne sEvantE yasmaat parimitham phalam//

Case studies: HiraNyakasipu, RaavaNa, Basmaasura and such others in which

Bhagavaan Sriman NaraayaNa had to neutralize the effect of the boons without

offending the provision of the boons granted by these petty deities.

But, the boons granted by Sriman NarayaNa which besides "mOKsham", include

all mundane benefits also by way of "anushangikam"(Bonus)- vide "Vishnu

Dharmam slokam 74.43).

So, Paramaikantins have no need to cringe before these petty deities for

anything and especially mOksham which they are NOT competent to grant.

(pENinum Varam thara miDukkillaata dEvar, says the Azhwaar).

For the benefit of those other than Paramaikaantins (as described above)

Swami Desikan has provided a slOkam in "Sri Ranganaatha Paadukaa

Sahasram",Vide Kaanchana Paddati (SlOkam 749- "Kanaka ruchiraa" etc) in

which allusions are made to the several Navagrahams and it is said that

reciting this single slOKam can bestow any benefits that one may expect from

these grahams.

It is true that the planets play an important role in Astronomy and

Asstrology.

But these are not relevant for "Paramaikantins".

No doubt, as you say there has been "some relations of Dasaavathars to

NavaGrahas as indicated in some printed materials from well known publishers

in India". In fact, Swami Desika's "Dasavataara StOtram" is also said to

allude to a relationship as between the various Avataaras and the

Navagrahas.

Again, let me repeat, these are of interest to "Non- Paramaikaantins" only.

Hope this clarifies.

Dasoham