Who is the ThAyAr On the left chest region of Lord VenkatEsa ?þ

[Guest guest]

Dear Swamin

 

Your reply does NOT directly address the point at issue namely, as to whom does the maru on the left chest of the Lord represent.

 

The quoting of Tanian of Vikhaanasa Bhagavaan appears to skirt the issue and therefore not relevant in the context.

That the BhaTTars recite some slokams does not make them any more authentic.

 

Our scriptures fall into the following categories and in the order shown below with regards their authenticity

Most Authentic

1. Sruti or Vedas including Samhitas, Brahmanas, AaraNyakas and Upanishads

2. Smriti including Itihasas and Saatvika PuraaNas/ Saatvika Upa PuraaNas

Less Authentic

3. Raajasa PuraaNas / Raajasa Upa PuraaNas

Least Authentic

4. Taamasa PuraaNas/ Taamasa Upa PuraaNas

 

AAGAMA, means “That which comes down” or Traditional teachings contained in NON-VEDIC texts as distinct from NIGAMA, which is based on the Vedas.

 

In fact, Nigama itself means Vedas while Agama means Non-Vedic tradition.

 

The Aagamas prescribe idol worship in the place of rituals mentioned in the Vedas. They prescribe methods of worship, plans and rules for the construction of temples and consecration of deities and guidance in the performance of Pujas by Archakas.

 

The Agamas (Saiva, Saakta and VaishNava included) take their position only AFTER the four categories mentioned above in the matter of authenticity.

So, the quotes-

SrIvatsAtEva sakalAn-jagiyrE dhivya lAnchanam

-- Passage from Sri VaikAnasa ArchanA navaneetham 5.28 & 29 and

Srivatsam yOgalakshmeessyAth, bhOga-Lakshmeeccha parSvayO: VeeralaksmIr viSEshaNa PruTak bhavanam AaSrithaa

--VaikhAnasa Kaasyapa KaaNDam : 38th section

 

cannot be equated with Categories 1 and 2 or even 3

 

Swami Desika has also mentioned about the Laya archaa, BhOga archaa and Adhikaara Archaa in “SiddhOpaaya SOdhana Adhikara” but these do not refer to the question on hand, namely the “maru”.

 

Swami Desika answers in his own inimitable way in “Tatatva Traya Chintana Adhikaaram” of his “Srimad Rahasya Traya Saaram” in the Paasuram “puruDan maNivaram aaga” and says that this mole is “PONRAA MOOLAP-PRAKRITI MARU AAGA” meaning that it is the mole called “Srivatsam” that represents the final destination of “Moola Prakriti” consisting of all Jeevas (Sentient beings).

 

As followers of Swami Desika, we have no option to interpret it in any manner other than what he has said.

Dasoham

Anbil Ramaswamy