Idol/Icon/Vigraha - Discussions in SrI Ranga SrI Egroup

[Guest guest]

Dear SrI VaishNavas in SrI-Ranga-SrI egroup,

 

Regarding the recent discussions going on in this egroup

on Idol/icon/vigraha etc., I have the following observations

and I request SrImath U.Ve Anbil RamaswAmi to publish this mail

in the list.

 

The points written by our SrI Anand K Karalapakkam are absolutely

in accordance with the SAstra. His explanations are well

substantiated and are in strict accordance with the SrI VaishNava

pUrva-AchArya's sidhdAntham. I appreciate his inputs regarding

this topic very much.

 

The opposite side of arguments shows confusion which is

identity of the divya-mangala-vigraham with bhagavath-swarUpam.

The opposite side arguments as result of confusion has been clearly

refuted by SrI Anand K Karalapakkam.

 

The divya-mangala-vigraham (bhagavath-rUpam) is different from

bhagavath-swarUpam. The divya-mangala-vigraham is of sudhda-satvam

which is a thathvam in the category of achEthana-thathvams. On the other

hand, the bhagavath-swarUpam is swEthara-samastha-vasthu-vilakshaNam,

satyathva-jgnyAnathva-ananthathva-Anandatva-amalathva-swarUpa-nirUpaka

-dharma-viSishtam.

 

The divya-mangala-vigraham is an attribute of the bhagavath-swarUpam.

The attribute (viSEshaNam) is naturally different from that which is

attributed (viSEshyam).

 

As clearly explained by our SrI Anand K Karalapakkam,

the Srowtha-smArtha pramANams are sufficient to prove this point.

For more information regarding this subject, I request the members

to study authentic scriptures in kAlakshEpam form in the sannadhi of

SrI VaishNava vidwAns.

 

I appreciate SrI Jai Simman also for presenting his paksham (side of

arguements) which has taken an emmotional twist. But I state that the

paksham of SrI Anand K Karalapakkam is the paksham of SAstra.

 

I also found someone quoting the bhakti of carnatic music scholar SrI

TiyAgarAja and his idol worship method. The carnatic music scholar SrI

TiyAgarAja belongs to a sampradAya different from SrI VaishNava

sampradAya. The dEvathAntra-sambandam is clear in his music-compositions.

Regarding the saguNa-brahma-upAsana and nirguNa-brahma-upAsana of

advaitam, already critiques have been presented in an irrefutable manner.

Please write to me to get the articles.

 

Regarding worshipping pictures of Lord, the dedication is appreciated

very much. But archA-rUpam is different from mere pictures. archA-rUpam

is a rUpam of the Lord SrIman NArAyaNa, which is celebrated in the

SAstra, specifically in SrI pAncharAtra Agama SAstra, SrI VaikAnasa

Agama SAstra and in valid purANams. SrI Anand K Karalapakkam has

explained the archA form clearly.

 

I request members consider the following points.

1. When a point is made, please do not take it personally.

2. When a point is made in a very authoritative way (as done by our SrI Anand

K Karalapakkam), please do not immediately react emmotionally

alone. One has to understand that philosophy is more structured than

science. When a point is made, it has to be substantitated with

pramANams both in philosophy as well as in science. The pramANams

may differ in these two but if they are without pramANams, then

people (both scholar as well as layman) will not accept them.

3. Critical analysis needs to be done for proper comprehension

of philosophy as well as scientific concepts. Mere emmotional

points do not serve the purpose.

4. On seeing very authoritative points, generally people react

this way - " do not think that you are the sole authority! you

are sectarian... " etc. These are not rational. For example, I

have mentioned few points regarding the bhakti of carnatic music scholar

SrI TiyAgarAja and his idol worship method. This may not be appealing

to a person who has already concluded something against these points.

In which case, I would appreciate counter-arguments without

emmotional bias. Let us approach philosophy as a structured subject.

Let us respect philosophy.

 

I openly appreciate SrI Anand K Karalapakkam very much for his

structured approach, sincere study and authentic information and

his open mind. I request SrI Anand K Karalapakkam to kindly

continue his noble kaninkaryam of educating us in this esteemed

egroup (journal SrI Ranga SrI) of celebrated ubhaya vEdAntha

vidwAn SrImath Anbil RAmaswAmi.

 

Thanks & Regards

M.S.HARI rAmAnuja dAsan (mshari)

 

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[Guest guest]

Dear learned members,

 

I need an answer to the following question.

 

 

As per gita,

 

Is atmasakshataram absolutely necessary for one to start bhakti yoga? If

not why not - prove using slokas from gita + commentaries.

 

As per upanisads can it be established unmistakably, that atmasakshatkaram

is absolutely needed for bhakti yoga? If so provide detailed quotes and

these quotes should be unmistakable and generally agreeable to wider

audience, (in the sense strongly provable.)

 

I am having the time of my life discussing gita with sri SMS chari who is

writing a new book on Gita. His book will be something very unique. I

don't think a similar book has been written before.

 

Adiyen krishna