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Oppiliappan List Archive: Message 00032 Oct 2002

 
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 (continuing from Part-3)
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We have so far examined 3 very good reasons to celebrate the memory
of Swami Venkatanathan on his 'tirunakshatram': (1) he was
"kavi-kEsari" (2) he was "tArkika-simham" and (3) he was a "kalyaNa
guna-shAlin". But are these reasons really good enough? 

Not all of us in this world possess a sense of poetics or the ability
to appreciate fine poetry. Many of us know little or no Sanskrit,
Tamil or ManipravAlam. So, perhaps we lack real ability to enjoy the
works of the "kavi-kEsari". Similarly, not all of us in this world
possess a philosophic bent of mind. We may really have no patience at
all for the beauties of philosophical reasoning or the inclination to
plumb its depths. What is the point then of forcing ourselves to
commemorate a "tArkika-simham" who lived centuries ago? And again,
even if Swami Venkatanathan had been a person of extraordinary
qualities -- a "kalyANa-guna-shALin" -- if his great compassion is
not seen or felt by us to touch our present lives directly or, we are
otherwise unaffected by his great human qualities, then too we may be
tempted to ask, "What is the present importance of observing the
'tirunakshatram' of such a man who lived so many, many years ago?". 

The answer lies in the 4th and most important reason stated at right
at the beginning viz., that Swami Venkatanathan was above all else a
"vedAntAchArya" or a "vEdAnta-guru" ("srimathE vEnkatEshAya
vEdAnta-guravE namah"). If as "tArkika-simham" or "kavi-kEsari"
Desikan does not inspire great homage to his memory, his status as
Vedantic guru most certainly and emphatically does. 

Why? 

Because as a "vEdAnta-guru" Desikan showed his followers, both in his
times and in posterity, the true "Art of Living". Desikan, in both
practice and precept, showed men how one ought to lead life and what
purpose is to be achieved by human existence. He threw new light upon
the pathway of Vedanta, illumining a wonderful 'vEdAnta-mArgA' in a
way never before accomplished by other great "mArga-darshi-s". And
most important of all, the "Art of Living" that Desikan showed was a
pathway that could be followed by one and all ... not only those who
could appreciate "kavi" or grasp "tarkam" but even ordinary people
with ordinary minds and hearts.

One of the greatest pathways of Vedanta that Desikan showed us is
available in a short work of his called "parama-pada-sOpAnam". It is
a magnificent work wherein he set out in a cogent and easily
comprehensible manner his view of the Art of Living.

*******************************

(to be continued)

dAsan,
Sudarshan






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