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Ramanuja List Archive: Message 00074 Jan 2003

 
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 Having seen the sUthram-s of srEvachaNa bhUshaNam, it becomes crystal clear 
that the attraction towards desires for enhancing bodily happiness=vishayap 
prAvaNyam and
the attachment towards the soul in contrast to being subservient to the Lord, 
are very dangerous.
The sUthram-s are not just theoritical rule codes but have been given by those 
who have led by examples. None other than AzhwAr-s , AchAryAs have practised 
this meticulously before preaching to us.

swAmi piLLai lOkAchArya( who is the author of this grandham) His brother sri 
azhagia maNavALap perumAL nAyanAr( who is the author of AchArya-hridhayam and 
commentator of thiruppavai ARAyirappadi) swAmi manavALa mAmunigal ( who is the 
author of the commentaries for both srEvachaNa bhushaNam and AchArya hridhayam) 
have all led by examples.They have led a pure life.

Hence, it is extremely difficult to practise these aspects to the core. It is 
my opinion that dhEvadhAndhra bhajam can be avoided with some resolve as it is 
an external factor. However, the dhEha abhinAm leading to vishayap-prAvaNayam 
and avoidance of swasheshathvam-independence of the soul,are very difficult to 
attain as it has to come from within. For instance, the sensory organs are 
within ourselves and torture us, which is very difficult to be won over. Do 
these sensory organs torture even srEvaishNavites. Yes. nam AzhwAr has clearly 
spelt this out in thiru voi mozhi 7-1- 6 "viNNuLAr perumARku adimai 
seivAraiyum, seRum aimpulan ivai" The five sensory organs torture even those 
who are involved in the service of the Lord. Then how to win over? The next 
pAsuram 7-1-7 gives the answer "enRu yAn velgiRpan vun thiruvaruL illaiyEAl?" 
When can I win over these unless I have your divine grace"is the AzhwAr's 
expression. 
Thus it can be observed that it is very difficult to get over these. However, 
with the grace of AzhwAr /if we are attracted towards His attributes our mind 
will be attracted towards Him and we are saved.

I use this opportunity to quote from ARAyirappadi commentary to thiruppavai 27 
to complete this discussion. 

There are three categories of souls who are won over by the Lord -by His 
gunangaL. 

The categories are:

a.Those who do want to join Him but do not approach Him as swarUpam does not 
allow it. 
b. Those who do not approach Him but do not do so as women are not supposed to 
take efforts to join HIm. and 
c. Those who are 'dhehAthmabhimAnigaL' are attracted by these gunangaL towards 
Him. 

The first two categories of devotees are srEvaishnavites but are passive 
awaiting His efforts rather than their steps to attain HIm. Even these souls 
are greatly attracted towards Him as these guNam-s do that trick.

The third category of souls are those who are

i. very much attached to their body and the desire the happiness from 
that-dhEha abhimAnigaL and
ii. very much attached to their souls and think that the souls are themselves 
in contrast to soul being subservient to the Lord. 

These people do not want to be with the Lord. They are attracted towards other 
things and other deities in such a way that they do not believe in steadfast 
devotion to the Lord-like pathirvrithA. Even these souls are attracted towards 
HIm by His guNangaL.

The ARAyirappadi vyAkyAnam is great in this regard.
"vellum sEr= swarUpAnusanthAnam paNNi 'vArOm' enRiruppavar pradhigzhazhai 
varappaNNikoLLavaRRAi-
strEthvAbhimAnathAlE 'vAsal vittup puRappadOm' enRiruppArudaiya abhimAnathai 
muRithu varappaNNina guNam
dhEhAthmabhimAnigaLai thalai saipikkach solla vENumA?"

"Agnarai sarvagnar Akkum. sarvagnarai 'ethiRam' eNNap paNNum". Those who do not 
have knowledge become possessed with abundunt knowledge. Those who have 
complete knowledge become completely submerged and drown in His attributes. 

Such is the nature of the 'guNam' of emperumAn.
Hence, let us all hope to be entrapped in His guNam-s and inthe process get 
ourselves saved.
vAnamAmalai padmanAbhan
















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