Srivaishnava lakshNam

[Guest guest]

SrI:

SrImathE Gopaladesika mahadesikaya namah:

 

Dearest srivaishnavas,

 

I would like to remind myself of the qualities that we, as srivaishnavas

need to inculcate and cultivate. It is difficult; but if one knows the true

nature of jIva and the sEshathvam/dAsathavam to Emperumaan Sriya: Pathi

Sriman Narayanan, there should be less difficulty in attempting this. Easier

said than done:-)

 

Sri AndAl paved the way for this Srivaishnava lakshaNam- it is naanEthaan

Ayiduga. (may I be at fault- fogive me for wrong translations)

 

This comes in the 15th verse of ThiruppAvai " ellE iLankiLiyE. " . This is

supposed to be how one should behave in BhAgawatha sannidhi, while 30th

verse siRRam siRukaalE- is for Bhagavath sannidhi..

 

The words ' Naanethaan Ayiduga' are quite significant and important.

 

A man is known by the

- books he reads;

- friends he has and

- the mistakes he admits

 

Normally, most people do not admit their faults; (I for one never..)

Some might do so when cornered (I get angry only even in this case)

Some will accept if found out. But, it is Srivaishnavas -the rare ones are

those who need to accept even when unjustly accused of faults that they had

never committed.

 

Sri Bharatha lamented, " It is only due to my fault of being born as Rama's

brother, now Sri Rama is suffering in the forest.. What a quailty! He could

have simply pointed the finger at kaikEyi or his father or even to the

fate..

 

We should aim to be like Bharata who owned responsibility for what his

parents did in banishing Sri Rama.

 

This is considered to be the very essence of SRI VAISHNAVA

LAKSHANAM - a charcteristic trait of Srivaishnava.

 

Swamy Desikan has elaborated this in Srimad Rahasyathrayasaram in 14th

Chapter- Swanishtaabignaana adhikaaram. I am not qualified to even write

this; however, I have been doing all that I should not be doing from time

immemorial; Let me add this too to the list. At least it will do good to few

(if not me) (this post- I had posted earlier last year- I am reproducing as

this needs to be mulled over again and again day after day.. We need to

remind ourselves of this as this is the most essential quaility we need to

possess.

 

swarUpa nishtai:

 

1. If we happen to listen to the statements (derogatory) about us, like " He

is short; He is dark; He is of ugly face; He is lame; He is stupid- not

intelligent; He is of low caste " and any other abusive statements, do not

worry. These statements are all for our body (sarIram) and nothing of that

sort relates to our AthmA, which is permanent, pure always. Hence, we do not

need to scold back or howl at them for such statement; nor we need to sulk

and feel remorseful.

 

2. Further, if someone really scolds or abuses us with such statements as

above, or any other disparaging remarks against us, feel sorry for him that

he unnecessarily incurs paapams (sins) by such statements and pray to

Emperumaan to have krupai on him (remember Sri KooratthAzhwAn forgiving

Nalooraan).

 

3. Sometimes, we may not adhere to saaasthras (I always fall in this

category) and due to laziness, or exertion, may skip some deed; if someone

finds us with that defect and corrects us, we should not get angry for being

caught red handed; instead, we need to feel thankful and be grateful to him

for correcting us at the most appropriate time. (Once ThirukkOshtiyUr Swamy

due to feeling tired, leaned on a pillar in Srirangam temple during VaikuNTa

EkAdashi festival, another person (like me, waiting to find someone at

fault), approached Swamy and pointed that Swamy should not do that being an

AchArya. (One is not supposed to lean on and relax in Bhagawath Sannidhi).

Immediately Swamy apologized and thanked him for correcting him. He felt

indebted to him for preventing him do that apacharam which he had committed

without even realizing that he was doing.) What a quality! -I would have

said " sardhaan pOm Swamin.. Unga vElayai paathuNdu pOvIngaLaa? " )

 

4. Even when one finds us committing apacharams and tells us, we need to

consider as if Emperumaan is speaking to us through him to correct us and

consider it a Divine will. We should not think of any ill against such

people. Even when it is false accusations, we should think that Emperumaan

is only testing us for balanced mind to face insults.

 

5. When one accuses without proper analysis, and without any reason, only

based on prejudices, we should feel delighted that our praarabhdha karma is

getting dissolved by through his such false accusations and be thankful to

Emperumaan for enabling us get dissolved of our praarabdha karma so easily.

 

UpAya nishtai:

 

1. Except for SarvEshawaran, Sriya: Pathi Sriman Narayanan, we and our

family (wife, children) are not servants or daasa bhUthars to anyone else.

 

2. Even when we are in the evening of our life, or suffering from deadly

disease, and are going to die, since we have already surrendered to

Emperumaan, we should feel happy that the time has come to unite with Him at

SrivaikuNtam through archiraadhi maargam and gladly welcome death with

smiling face. We should know fully well that we are going to be sitting on

the soft lap of our Father Sri Parama padha nAthan looking and enjoying His

red coral like lips and be along with His samastha parivaaram.- Nithyars and

mukhthars.

 

3. Having surrendered to the Sriya: Pathi, we should not worry about our

protection and not be scared of any event happening. He is there to protect

us and whatever happens is His Divine will. (It need not be what we desire.

It will be what He desires for us.)

 

4. Having surrendered to the Sriya: Pathi, we should not undertake any other

means (like bhakti yOgam). We have surrendered to Him with an unflinching

faith (mahAviswaasam). He has already taken a pledge to save us from all

sins and has assured us Not to worry. (so why worry?) We should not do some

yaagams /homams or any other karmas simply because it is going to give us

some puNyam, but simply as Bhagawath preethyartham.

 

5. Having surrendered to the Sriya: Pathi, We should always think that it is

all in Emperumaan's will to alleviate our sorrows and to grant us something

good until our death. Whatever happens is for His will.

 

Purushaartha nishtai:

 

1. Having surrendered to the Sriya: Pathi, we should NEVER ever seek for

material comforts, nor should we unduly be worried about some problems

occurring at home with our family, - with a thinking that everything is

happening only due to praarabhdha karma.

 

2. By worrying about anything, nothing gets resolved. It has to happen as

per Bhagawath sankalpam. - With that jnAnam, we should not brood about the

domestic problems occurring. (if we do, we become nAsthikan -athiests!)

 

3. If there is some unexpected wealth or comfort comes our way also (of

course through dharmic way), we should not shun them. We should consider

them as Bhagawath sankalpam and think that that is way to get rid of

(praarabdha karma phalam) puNyams as they will also be stumbling block for

SrivaikuNTa prApthi.

 

4. We should view both happiness and sorrows equally with a balanced mind

and have ruchi (taste) only for kaimkaryam to Emperumaan Sriya: Pathi Sriman

Narayanan.

 

5. Having surrendered to the Sriya: Pathi, we should develop an intense

desire (tvarai) for the Paramapadha prApthi and utter Dwayam, (contemplating

its esoteric deep meaning) at all times.

 

All above qualities are for us, Srivaishnavas, who have surrendered to

Emperumaan Sriya: Pathi Sriman Narayanan.

 

If we attempt to inculcate and cultivate these guNAs, Sri AndAL and AchArya

saarva bhouman Swamy Desikan will be pleased.

 

Swamy Desikan also explains how a prapaannan (one who has unconditionally

surrenedered to Sriya:Pathi Sriman Narayanan)should behave after his

prappatti. This chapter (18th) is called " aparaadha parihaara adhikaaram

(Atonement of Offences)

 

I have made use of Sriman Anbil mama's translation here (Thanks to him.)

This describes how we need to atone for our sins /offences committed earlier

and the ones that are being committed..

 

After Prapatti, a Prapanna will not indulge in committing any sins

 

(1) Should he commit any without intention, such sins will not accrue to him

 

(2) Sins knowingly and deliberately committed can be neutralized by

atonement -prayaschitta prapatti (not for the purpose of mOskham)

 

(3) Should one indulge in sins deliberately and does not atone, minor

punishments will be imposed on him like becoming blind, lame etc., or

disobedience by spouse, children etc. In such an event also the Prapanna

would not be denied Moksha because his papas will be

negatived by atonement or suffering punishment as aforesaid. It will only

get delayed. Do we need that delay with more suffering? Koovik kollum kaalam

innum kuRugaadhO? should be our

attitude.

 

(4) Even major sins except what is stated in (5) below will be excused by

the Lord by inflicting a light punishment in exercise of his patience, love

and compassion towards the Prapanna (vaaL koNdu veesinaapOlE..). That is the

greatness of Emperumaan; and that does not

give us a clea chit to

 

(5) The only heinous and unpardonable sins which will nullify the effects of

Prapatti are:

 

(a) Disrespect to Bhagavatas and Acharyas and

(b) Adherence to deities other than Bhagavan.

 

(6) Though the means and Phala of Moksha are identical as between a Prapanna

and the great Nityas and Muktas like PARASARA,VYASA,SRI NATHAMUNI and

others, the Prapanna should not arrogate himself by equating himself with

these extraordinary luminaries since they are far

superior on account of their birth, character, knowledge, discipline etc

which are not comparable to those of the Prapanna.

 

(7) THE PRAPANNA SHOULD NOT DISCRIMINATE ANY ONE AS INFERIOR ON ACCOUNT OF

THE LATTER'S CASTE, CREED, SEX OR OTHER DIFFERENCES

 

(8) The Apacharas committed towards Bhagavatas can also be expiated but Only

by seeking the forgiveness of the same Bhagavatas

 

None is Perfect except for Emperumaan (and His Divine Consort..) So, why to

look for others' slips, mistakes, errors, and blow it up? When we point one

finger towards others, three are towards us.. :-(

 

Please forgive me for any adhigaprasangitthanam.

Regards

Narayana Narayana

adiyEn Narayana dAsan madhavakkannan

 

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[Guest guest]

Dear sri Madhavakannan,

 

Thanks for this article. It sure helps me focus on looking at myself in the

mirror, self criticism and correction.

 

Krishna

[Guest guest]

Dear Bhagavathas and Sri Madhavakkannan Swami,

 

Thanks for a well written account of Sri Vaishnava Lakshanam.

Many try to describe it in terms of ordinary virtues such

as truthfulness, compassion, etc. Of course these are important

characteristics one must cultivate. But the source of these

is the clear understanding of one's true swaroopam, i.e.

bhagavath and more importantly, bhAgavatha seshatvam. You

have brought this out very well and adiyEn would like to

thank you for reminding all of us about this.

 

 

>(7) THE PRAPANNA SHOULD NOT DISCRIMINATE ANY ONE AS INFERIOR ON ACCOUNT OF

>THE LATTER'S CASTE, CREED, SEX OR OTHER DIFFERENCES

 

 

I am least qualified to give any comment, but please permit

me to offer what I feel. It may be accepted or rejected

by learned members of this list.

 

The phrase " not discriminate any one as inferior " may result

in improper understanding. There cannot be any debate that

every prapanna must be very highly respected and celebrated

regardless of caste and sex. With the blessings of Srimad

Azhagiya Singar adiyEn will try to bring this to my practice.

However, discrimination based on caste and sex is unavoidable

in anushtanam. These relate to marriage, accepting food, who

can touch perumal, who can recite vedas, who can fall at whose

feet, and when, etc. Often these actions are viewed by many

as a consequence of the worst form of discrimination based on

notions of superiority and inferiority. They often argue that

discrimination like these cannot be anything but the imposition

of inferior status upon some castes and the female gender, But,

a Sri Vaishnava is duty bound to follow sashthras and must

follow these discriminatory injunctions even at the risk of

getting labelled as racist, castiest, sexist, and worse.

 

As far as creed is concerned, I submit we must recognize every

other creed as they really are, namely " inferior " to Sri Vaishnavam.

Otherwise the only reason some of us want to follow Bhagavat

Ramanuja/Swami Sri Desika sampradayam will be we are born into it,

nothing more. I think I am fortunate to have been born into this

great sampradayam. But even more wonderful is, due only to Srimad

Azhagiya Singar's grace, I am able to discriminate other creeds

from our own and am able to see the inferiority of other creeds.

Otherwise, I will not be one who tries to practice Sri Vaishnavam.

 

-- adiyEn