shrI: tattva dIpikA - Part 5

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Sri:

Srimate Sri Lakshminrisimha ParabrahmaNE nama:

Srimate Sri Satakopaya nama:

Srimate Sri Ramanujaya nama:

Srimate Sri Nigamantha mahadesikaya nama:

Srimate SrimadhaathivaN satakopa yatindra mahadesikaya nama:

Srimate Srivan Satakopa Sri Vedantha Desika Yatindra Mahadesikaya nama:

Srimate Sri Lakshminrisimha Dhivya Padhuka sevaka

Srivan Satakopa Sri Narayana Yatindra Mahadesikaya nama:

 

 

An episode from Poorvacarya

---------------------------

In his commentary on Sri AlavandhAr's 3rd sloka, " Ishat

tvatkaruNAnirIkshaNa " from ChatuslOki, Sri Periyavaachaan

Pillai recounts an interesting exchange between Nadathur Ammal

and his Acharya, Sri Kurugaipiran Pillan. Nadadur Ammaal asks,

" Does Piratti play any role in the act of creation? " Sri PiLLAn

answers, " Why is there any doubt on this issue? Don't we know

that it is said, 'AvAbhyAM karmANi, kartavyAni,

prajAshchotpAdayitavyA:' (Let us both engage in activities and

in creating progenies)? Is she not a 'sahadharmacAriNi'? "

 

Another commentator, Nayinachariyar, also has narrated this

episode in his commentary on Catusloki, in the same place.

 

In as much as the episode described by the two commentators has

not been denied anywhere, it is abundantly clear that Piratti, like

Perumal, is involved in the cause and act of creation.

 

Let us now examine the analysis of this issue found in Srimad

Thirupputkuzhi Sami's " RathnapEikai " .

 

Definition of Patni

Question: Piratti is known as Vishnu Patni, both from the Vedas

and from worldly common knowledge. However, what is actually

meant by the term " Patni " ? If the term only means " Vishnu

seshatvam " (within the control of Vishnu), then even inert matter

which is under the control of Perumal, will have to be designated

as Vishnu Patni. But this is absurd.

 

We may refine the definition of Vishnu Patni as, " cetanetva sati

ViShNu seShatvam " (sentient entity that is under the control of

Vishnu). With this refined definition we are able to exclude inert

matter from being designated as Vishnu Patni. However, all

Jivathmas are now entitled to be called Vishnu Patni as they all are

sentient and under the control of Vishnu. Thus, this refined

definition also falls short of precisely defining the term " Vishnu

Patni " .

 

The status Patni is obtained only after it is conferred through the

ritual of marriage. In worldly affairs also, only when the act

(karma) of marriage is fulfilled a girl attains the status of Patni.

Thus, Piratti is Vishnu Patni because Perumal has accepted her as

Patni though the ritual of marriage. But this matrimonial

relationship is not eternal. First, a girl becomes a boy's Patni only

after about twenty years of her life. Even after marriage we

sometimes see the relationship broken. Therefore, the status of

Vishnu Patni for Piratti must be transient also.

 

Answer:

Patnitvam is not defined in terms of (i) seshatvam (being under

Vishnu's control), or (ii) cetanathve Sathi seshatvam (a sentient

under the control of Vishnu) or, (iii) through the act of marriage.

It is a status conferred through " SaasthrIya sankalpa visesha

vishayatvam " (a relationship qualified by the resolve to observe

Sastra).

 

At the time KanyadhAnam (offering of bride) the groom beholds

his bride and resolves to jointly perform the acts required of a

married couple, and produce children. She in return agrees with

this solemn resolve. At this point she attains the status of his Patni.

She becomes his Patni because she becomes an integral part of the

action the man has resolved to undertake. This is the essence of

the status called Patni. This type of resolve in worldly realm is

entered into only after the man and woman come of age, and it

does not last eternally. But, the resolve of Perumal is permanent

and eternal.

 

Perumal resolves with Piratti, 'AvAbhyAM karmANi, kartavyAni,

prajAshchotpAdayitavyA:' (Let us both do all the activities, and

create progeny). This resolve is permanent. Therefore, the status

of Vishnu Patni is permanent for Piratti. It is not transient.

 

The status of Patni does not manifest just because a man grabs a

woman and utters the words that amount to the resolve stated

above. The resolve must be within the bounds of and in

conformity with sastras. Thus, a complete and proper definition of

the status of Patni is, " shAstrIya sankalpa viseSha viShayatvam " (a

woman with whom a man resolves, in conformity with shasthras,

to perform activities). The actions that Perumal undertakes with

Piratti who is His Patni include protection of the universe and the

like. " prajAshca utpAdayitavyA: " denotes the creation of the

universe.

 

In the worldly realm, the Sasthras say that Patni also participates in

the traditional actions (vaidhIka karma) of the man. Similarly,

Piratti participates in Perumal's actions of creation and protection

of the universe.

 

From the commentaries of Poorvamimamsai 6th Chapter,

Jaiminisoothra Bhasshyam written by Srimad Thiruputkuzi Swami

and Srimad Parakala Swami, we know that the Patni shares an

integral responsibility for the actions that Purushan and Patni

(Husband and wife) undertake together. Swami Sri Desikan has

discussed this in Nyaya Sidhdhanjanam.

 

In the above, enough Pramanas have been cited for establishing

that Piratti has an integral role in " JagatShruShti " (creation of

universe). That is, Piratti has " JagatkaaraNatvam " . In other

words, Piratti is a cause of creation. Just the episode cited by

Periyavaccan Pillai and Naiyinaracan Pillai is clearly sufficient to

see that Piratti participates in the creation of the universe. Nadatur

Ammal's question enquiring whether Piratti has a role in creation,

and Thirukurugaipiran Pillan's answer starting with, " Why is there

any doubt with it? " and continuing with the pramaanam,

" AvAbhyAm karmANi, karthavyAni " and the comment, 'Is She

not SahadharmachAriNi? " indicate Piratti's role in creation

without a trace of doubt. The erudite Srimad Thiruputkushi Swami

of Sri Desika Sampradayam, also cited the pramana, " SaasthrIya

sankalpa visEsha vishayathvam " for establishing Piratti's role in

creation.

 

-- to be continued

 

srimad azhagiya singar thiruvadigaLE saraNam

 

-- adiyen ramanuja dasan

 

 

(Translation by P. Dileepan)