Basic Tenets of SriVaishnavism - How to get Ramanuja Sambhandam - Part 2

[Guest guest]

Dear Bhagavatas

 

In the previous posting, we discussed the first point that swami

Ramanuja makes -

" Perform service to perumal and bhagavatas. Do not worry about upkeep

of the body and atma beyond the extent required "

 

When questioned by his disciples - how do we spend the rest of life, Swami

Ramanuja says -

 

(PART 2)

 

During the remaining time in this life,

 

2. Listen to SriBhAshyam lectures, learn and preach SriBhAshyam( irrukkum

naal, SribhAshyathai vAsittu vAsitthikkaiyum).

For, thriptha prapannas (who get mOksham after this body falls), Ramanuja

commands us to listen, learn and preach SriBhashyam( SriBhAshyam is the

celebrated commentary by swami Ramanuja on BrahmasUtras). Swami Manaval

Mamuni had been spreading the message of Thiruvaimozhi( of Nammalvar) when

once, Thiruvaimozhipillai, the immediate preceptor of Manavala Mamuni, in

his last days, told Mamuni –(sribhAashyatil orukAl kanvaithu palahAlum

Thiruvaimozhiyai Adharittu poruveer)”Kindly preach sribhashyam atleast once

because that is swami Ramanuja’s command”.

Before one can undertake the study of SriBhAshyam, one should have good

fundamentals in Sanskrit and also in some specialized topics therein. Most

lack this basic pre-requisite and therefore shy away from learning such

esoteric texts. Having said this, we should not use this as an alibi and

keep away but make a concerted effort to attend lectures and attempt to

learn SriBhAshyam. It is important to note that since swami Ramanuja

himself, has commanded it, he will help fulfill it by showering his grace.

It would be appropriate to mention here, the episode involving PeriAzhwar(

whose kainkaryam or service to the Lord was making garlands for Him) who was

invited to the court of the then Pandya king, VallabhadEvA, to pariticipate

in the debate on who is Sriman Narayana. With His divine grace,

PeriAzhwar(himself had little knowledge of Vedanta) won the debate. One who

sows seeds would take care to upkeep the plant – a more mundane analogy.

Also it is not possible for everyone to give lectures on SriBhAshyam but

everyone can definitely talk loftily about it in the least.

Note: One may question why Ramanuja commands every srivaishnava to read his

own work? This is actually not the case. In fact, Ramanuja did not write

SriBhAshyam on his own volition. It is Ramanuja’s answer to fulfill one of

his promises to YamunachArya, who desired that BrahmasUtras be commented

upon and presented in proper light to the people at large.

 

Since SriBhAshyam primarily deals with Vedas and Upanishadic texts, is

everyone eligible to learn it? Or what if some cannot do it?

 

To be Continued….

 

 

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You can hear the upanyasam on-line at:

http://www.radioramanuja.com/live.htm

 

azhwAr emberumAnAr JeeyAr thiruvadigalE saranam

 

Vedics Documentation Team http://www.radioramanuja.com/docs.htm

Basic Tenets of SriVaishnavism

adiyEn rAmanuja dAsan - Kesavan.

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