Tirunakshatram of Sri Ramanujacharya

[Guest guest]

Sri:

 

SrimatE Gopaladesika MahadesikAya Namaha,

 

Dear Bhaktas,

 

Today is a blessed day since it is the Tirunakshatram of Sri

Ramanujacharya. In this post adiyen will focus on Sri

Ramanujacharya's five commandments to his followers.

 

We are indebted to this DayaIka Sindhu for blessing us with our

wonderful Sampradayam. Swami Desikan glorifies this aspect of Sri

Bhashyakara in the Yatiraja sapthati. Sri Ramanujacharya handed to us

our Sampradayam through the 74 SimhasanAdipatis. Swami Desikan

acknowledges this fact by using 74 exquisite verses in the Yatiraja

Sapthathi. The Upanyasams of H.H. Srimad Andavan Swami of Srimad

Poundarikapuram Ashramam on this subject are a delight to hear. In it

H.H. very affectionately presents the details of Sri Ramanujacahrya's

birth. The connections to NammAzhwar and the tamarind tree at

Tirukuruhoor are brought out with consummate effect. Interestingly,

H.H. offers an alternate explanation on the term Ramanuja.

Specifically, H.H. raises the question " Ramanuja denotes the younger

brother of Rama. Can this not be interpreted as the younger brother

of Balarama and thus is not our Acharya an incarnation of Lord

Krishna? " This series of 7 tapes is an outstanding piece of work by

H.H. and is a must buy for anyone interested in learning about our

Sampradayam.

 

The final message of Sri Ramanujacharya for his followers is

contained in the form of five commandments. These have the exalted

status of Divya Ajnyas (divine commands) for Sri Vaishnavas. These

five commands are referred to not once but twice during the

recitation of SaRRmuRai. The number five is significant because of

its association with the Pancha Bhutas, PanchEndriyas, Pancha

SamskAras, five Divya Dravyas (used in performing Tirumanjanam for

the Lord), the five forms of Lord Vishnu (Para Vyuha, Vibhava, Archa

and Antaryami), Pancha asanas (Mantrasana, snAnasana,alankArAsana,

BhOjyAsana, and PunarmantrAsana) in performing Tiruvaradhanam, and

the Marut Panchakas (Prana, Apana, Samana, Udana and Vyana). The

Taittriya Upanishad extols the significance of the number

five as " PanchasvadhikaraNeshu " . Recognizing these facts, our

Paramacharya has blessed us with his final message through five gems.

These are listed in descending order of rigor. However, it is

pointed out that the order when reversed, provides a step-by-step

process of increasingly challenging duties for those interested in

mastering Bhagavad Ramanuja Darshanam. This raises the question " what

are the five commands of our Paramacharya? "

 

(1) Read the Sri Bhashyam

(2) Read Dhivya Prabandham

(3) Engage in constant recitation of the Dvaya Mantram

(4) Take part in Bhagavat Kaimkaryam

(5) Be of assistance to a Sri Vaishnava who follows the five

commands.

 

First it is pointed out that it is imperative for every Sri Vaishnava

to follow the five commands laid down by our Acharya. However, an

appreciation of our Acharya's foresight and compassion for those who

may not be able to follow one or more of these commands comes through

when one examines the commands in greater detail.

 

Proceeding in the order (1)-(5), it becomes clear that these

commands contain the answers to a number of " what if " scenarios.

More precisely, mastering the Sri Bhashyam (a

terse and argumentative commentary on the Brahma Sutras) requires

a great degree of expertise in Shruti and a thorough understanding of

its intricate meanings. As such this demands a great deal of rigor

and may not be suitable for all. Therefore, our

DayAika Sindhu offers the alternative of reading and understanding

the Arulicheyals of the Azhwars. Admittedly, this is not easy either.

However, it is somewhat less demanding compared to reading the

Sri Bhashyam. For those who are unable to do this, our Paramacharya

has recommended constant recitation of the Dvaya Mantram, which is

much easier to accomplish. However, this requires initiation by an

Acharya and not many may have the opportunity to receive

MantrOpadesham.

 

For such persons, Sri Ramanujacharya suggests taking part in

Bhagavad Kaimkaryam. Examples of this include volunteer

work in your local Temple, reciting Vedams and Prabandhams, cleaning

the Temple precincts, participate in preparing food for Tadiaradhanai,

making copies of Stotrams and important texts available to priests

and devotees, participation in temple construction projects

either financially or through a labor of love. If this is also

not possible, the Acharya has recommended that one be of help to a

Sri Vaishnava who follows our Acharya's commands. If this is hard to

practice, the individual is beyond redemption!

 

From the standpint of a novice desirous of gaining a deeper

understanding of our Sampradayam, one can interpret the commands of

our Paramacharya in the reverse order. As a first step, when one

undertakes Bhagavata Kaimkaryam, the Karmic influences naturally

lead the individual to greater heights. When a novice is

associated with a practicing Bhagavata, he is naturally curious about

the activities of the Bhagavata. For a Bhagavata, there is no greater

joy than undertaking Kaimkaryam for Bhagavan and his Bhaktas. Thus

service to the Bhagavata automatically leads the starter to step (4).

This in turn results in the starter thirsting for MantrOpadesham from

an Sadacharya. Step (3) follows as a consequence. Contact with

the Acharya will inevitably bring out mention of the Azhwar's

teachings, which could serve as the motivating factor for step (2).

One who receives Bharanyasam from the Acharya is also advised to

have Kalakshepam in either the Sri Bhashyam, Bhagavad Vishayam, Gita

Bhashyam or the Rahasyarthas under the feet of the Acharya or someone

similarly qualified. This may

in turn point the seeker to step (1). Adiyen confesses that these are

purely his own reflections on the commands of our Paramacharyan and

seeks the forgiveness of learned members of our group for his

indulgence.

 

Adiyen wishes to conclude this posting with a salutation from the

Yatiraja Sapthathi of Swami Desikan

" Even if threatened with punishment due to not worshipping other

deities, do not fear. Continue your duties as a ParamaIkantin-engaged

in exclusive worship of Lord Narayana and seek refuge in the Sri

Sookthis of Sri Ramanujacharya. This alone will safeguard and uplift

you. " On this blessed day, adiyen gratefully remembers the

mahOpakaram of Sri Ramanujacharya (18 trips to the residence of Sri

TirukOshtiyUr nambi and the five final commandements ) through His

own Vaikunta Gadyam salutation " puna: puna: praNamya "

 

Namo Narayana,

 

SriMuralidhara Dasan

[Guest guest]

Dear Sri Muralidharan Swamin:

thank you very much for your wonderful posting on this day Swami Bhashyakarar's

THirunakshatram.

 

>>Interestingly,

>H.H. offers an alternate explanation on the term Ramanuja.

>Specifically, H.H. raises the question " Ramanuja denotes the younger

>brother of Rama. Can this not be interpreted as the younger brother

>of Balarama and thus is not our Acharya an incarnation of Lord

>Krishna? " This series of 7 tapes is an outstanding piece of work by

>H.H. and is a must buy for anyone interested in learning about our

>Sampradayam.

 

Would you please tell me where to get these tapes? I would like to have them.

Adiye would like to add the following. In Tiruvallikkeni (Triplicane), Sri

Ramanuja is considered as the incarnation Sri Parthasarathy himself. In

Triplicane the legend goes like this. It has been said, Sri Ramanuja's parents

came to Triplicane and took bath in the famous Kairaveni pushkarani. At that

time Sri Parthasarathy told them in their dreams that they will get a child who

would be equivalent to himself (Nammai Poley oru thirukumaran ummakku pirappan).

After that only Sri Ramanuja took his avatharam. Therefore for a person from

Triplicane, Sri Ramanuja is none other than Sri Parthasarathy himself. Even

today, during the ten days of Swami Bhashyakarar's Uthsavam no other uthsavams

(such as Pancha parva or even Samvathsara Uthsavams) will be conducted at Sri

Parthasarathy temple. The ten days Varshika Thirunakshtara Uthsavam of Swami

Bhashyakarar is considered as the annual Brahmothsavam. Therefore even Sri

Parthasarathy would not have Uthsavams in these ten days. Even it

is meant for Rasokthi, the words of such great sages like His Holiness will

always be true. Sri Ramanuja is none other than Sri Krishna himself.

Ramanujadasan Kannan

 

 

 

 

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