HH Pravachan # 2

[Guest guest]

Srimathe: Ramanujaya Namaha!

 

- CONTINUATION OF SWAMIJI'S GURUPURNIMA PRAVACHAN -

 

The philosophical literature our elders handed over to us is in different

languages. Mainly it is in Sanskrit and Tamil. Sanskrit philosophical literature

- our rishies and aachaaryas presented us is called Samskritha Vedantham and the

Tamil philosophy is called Draavida Vedantham.

 

Alwars like Nammalwar, Periyalwar, Andal and many more sang their love for Lord

as pasurams in Tamil. Even though the philosophies differ language wise, their

object of goal was the same.

 

Alwars' songs were an ardent outpour of their incessant love for Lord. They help

to enhance bhakthi or pure devotion or love for Bhagavan, whoever recites them.

This love for Lord leads us to the goal.

 

The Rishies' and Aachaaryas' samskritha vedantham teaches systematizing the

mankind's increasing love for the Lord Supreme as per the teachings of Vedas and

vedic culture. Vasishtta, Parasara, Vedavyasa Bhagavan, Bharadwaja and many more

are such rishies and acharyas. Vedavyas stands as the prime exponent of vaidika

siddhaantham which includes the various commentaries and the Upanishads also.

 

Bhakthi cult started with the Alwars.

 

This trend in our philosophy thus continued in two channels till the

14thcentury. Manavalamahamuni brought them both together, combined

them and clarified and substantiated the theory that both the philosophies

corroborate each other but never go against each other.

 

Whether it enhances love for the Ultimate or kindles the light of jnanam - it

actually strengthens our vedic heritage (Vaidika sampradayam).

 

Our guruparampara starts with 'Lakshmi:naatha sama:rambha:m'.

Bhagavan Narayan gave us the essence of Vedas in the form of manthram.

 

Ashtakshari reveals our reality.

 

Dwaya manthram which is in the Upanishads elucidates our goal and the fruits we

receive on attaining the goal. As Lord Krishna, he gave the Charana sloka to

Arjuna. Lord is the drashta for all the manthras. Some times he propagated them

through some people.

 

Nammalwar is the main exponent of draavida vedam. All his prabandhas went into

oblivion after him. They came into light when Naathamuni did penance and he

passed on to his disciples. We consider Nammalwar as the Upadeshta of draavida

vedam.

 

The people who believe in Vedas and Vaidic concepts observe this Vyasa

purnima, the incarnation day of Vedavyas Bhagavan, as the day when we

remember and respect our acharyas – the acharya dinam (teacher's day)

 

The days of their avatharas differ. Still we remember all of them this day and

pay our respects.

 

There are different schools of thought but they all commonly believed Vedas in

their own way. Their interpretations differed. Thus the paths to the goal also

differed.

 

Vedavyas Bhagavan took great care of Veda literature and passed it on to the

posterity. All gurus of different schools accepted Vedavyasa and show their

gratitude to him this day. Vedam itself revered Vedavyasa. Irrespective of their

schools of thought, all follow this day as Vyas Purnima.

 

Purnima or full moon day gives us full moon with full light. We desire to

receive full jnanam.

 

Guru gives us manthram - Bhagavan. He aims for the evolution of the

disciple's athmas. As disciples we need to develop strong will power to accept

things as His grace and as the fruits of our actions and learn to be unperturbed

in adverse situations and be balanced.

 

For this inward strength we need to do japam (meditation) of manthram, all the

while contemplating on the essence of manthram. Believe firmly that your Saviour

is your indweller.

 

If that belief is deep rooted then none can scare you. All our acharyas and

rishies should protect us like a cage. Kulasekhara

Alwar prays to Lord thus 'Let your divine lotus feet be a cage for my manas --

maanasa raja hamsaha = my mind which is the royal s wan -- so that it takes to

pleasure riding there.

 

We do mangalasasanams to you all that our Aacharya parampara bless you all with

the needed commitment and courage to go forward in your endeavors.

 

Jai Srimannarayana!

 

 

Thus HH Swamiji concluded his pravachan.

adiyen Ramanujamma

Ramanuja Dasi