From Today's The Hindu-The Lord’s aspects religion

[Guest guest]

The Lord’s aspects religion

 

http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/29/stories/2007102956020900.htm

 

CHENNAI: The transcendental form (Para) of the Supreme

Being is beyond the ken of human experience and hence

He has four more aspects to relate Himself to His

creation. They are the Vyuha (cosmic form), Vibhava

(incarnations), Antaryamin (indweller in all) and the

Archa (consecrated images), which He assumes for

different purposes. This is central to Visishtadvaita

conception of Godhead. Another distinguishing feature

of this theology is the description of the Lord as the

abode of infinite auspicious qualities.

 

In his discourse, Utthamur Sri Rajagopalachariar said

the Azhwars with their mystical insight often relate

different forms of the Lord in the same verse. This is

to reiterate that He who is beyond human grasp makes

Himself accessible for the sake of His devotees.

 

One such verse is that of Bhutatazhwar in his hymn

Irandam Tiruvandadi in which He refers to all the five

forms: “The sky and Earth praise Him as the Lord of

gods (Para). The ocean-reclining Lord (Vyuha) resides

in Venkatam (Archa), in the beautiful, unimaginable

Arangam (Archa) and in the hearts of all (Antaryamin).

He ripped the horse’s jaws as the Gokulam child

(Vibhava).” It is to be remembered that His inimitable

qualities which distinguish Him as the Absolute are

present in the same measure in all His aspects.

 

In His incarnation as Rama His auspicious qualities

were fully evident for human experience. Valmiki

describes Rama as the epitome of all human

excellences. But, Rama also expressed His anger

towards Ravana as it was to fulfil His promise to the

celestials that He would punish him that He

incarnated. In the case of the Lord even His anger

becomes a benevolent quality because it is necessary

for Him as the one who dispenses justice to punish

those who transgress Dharma (for their own good).

 

Bhutatazhwar thus says, “When He came, He marched over

to Lanka in anger. When He fought, He killed Ravana.

When He stood, it was in the midst of Bamboo thickets

in Venkatam.” In His descent as Rama He walked all

over the land during His exile and thereby sanctified

it and in order to be accessible to humanity He

resides in Archa form in Tiruvenkatam