Experiencing Swami Desika - 58

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SrI:

Shrimate Shri Lakshmi Nrusimha Parabrahmane Namaha:

Shrimate Shri Seetha Ramachandra Parabrahmane Namaha:

Shrimate Shri Ramanujaya Namaha:

Shrimate Nigamantha Maha Desikaya Namaha:

Shrimate Shrivan Satagopa Shri Narayana Yateendra Mahadesikaya Namaha:

 

" SrimAn VenaktanAthArya: kavithArkika kEsarI!

VedAnthAchArya varyO mE sannidhatthAM sadhA hrudhi " !!

 

'sama:' is the next Kalyana guna of our Lord as

described by Shri Alavandar.

 

A person who does not see discrimination can be

viewed as 'Sama:'.

 

Our Lord is like a mirror. It is our 'bAvam' that

gets reflected by the Lord. Once we surrender to

our Lord we become a recipient of our Lord's over

whelming Love. Our Lord protected even an elephant

for the saranAgathy made by it. So, all Prapannas

are the same to our Lord. Our Lord does not

discriminate a Prapanna based on wealth or poverty,

learning or ignorance - 'sama:' !!

 

The following are a few points taught by Lord Krishna

to Arjuna, in the ninth chapter of Bhagavad Gita which

explains very clearly that all his devotees are the same

for our Lord and should be highly respected -

 

" But the worship of Me leads to eternal bliss; and

it is not so difficult. After all, a leaf (Tulasi), a

flower, a fruit or even a drop of water offered to me

in true sincerity satisfies me. He who dedicates every

act of his to Me, when he eats, sleeps or does any act

of sacrificial character, has all his sins burnt up,

and he attains me. " (9th chapter 26-28)

 

" Such a person may be anybody, or belong to any caste.

I am equally well disposed to them, who worship Me with

sincere Bhakti. Even if such a Bhakta swerves from correct

performance of daily conduct, he is really a virtuous man

and be respected for his firm devotion. He will duly

improve or correct his conduct and immediately reach the

true path. Therefore proclaim, Oh! Arjuna! that my

devotees never perish. " (26-31)

 

Our Swami had the same trait. Swami Desika treats

every body equally. But now the question is how are we

to say that Swami treated every one as equals when all of

us are aware that Swami condemned the theories of

opponents? Here, when we say 'all', it means 'all Prapannas.

All those who have surrendered to our Lord are the same

in Swami Desika's eyes.

 

Swami Desika's compassion towards us knows no bounds.

Swami has given us so much of details anticipating

the questions that would arise in our minds.

By giving us clarity of thought our Swami makes us do

what the Lord commanded us to do 'sharanam vraja'.

 

Swami himself, explained in the gadyavyAkyAnam thus:

" jAdi guna vruttAdi nimnOnda tatvAnAdarENa sarsama:

AcraNIyatvam samatvam " .

 

There is no discrimination among those who take refuge

(in Sriya:Pathi).

 

In this context Adiyal would like to share an interesting

incident mentioned by Shri D. Ramaswami Aiyangar

that took place a few years ago.

 

An AchArya was performing Prapatti for a number of

disciples. Among them was a great Pandit and scholar

and also a few ladies who had lost their husbands.

The Pandit felt that it was demeaning for him to be

granted moksham along with those ladies and shouted

" what? the same moksha for me and them " The Acharya

coolly replied " You are right. They will obtain

moksha; you will not. So, no Prapatti for you. " The

Pandit was learned, but he had not learnt the nature of

Lord-His easy accessibility to one and all with out

difference.

 

A lot of pramAnas have been quoted by Swami Desika

to show that a Vaishnava should be adored

irrespective of his caste. Swami Desika adored the

devotees irrespective of their birth - 'sama:' !!

 

" Kavi Taarkika Simhaaya Kalyaana guna SaalinE!

SrimatE VenkateshAya VedAnta Gurave nama !! "

 

....To be continued!

 

dEsikan tiruvaDigaLE SaraNam

 

Praveena nAmni Ramanuja dasi

2nd Aug 1999