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SriRangaSri List Archive: Message 00079 Sep 2005

 
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Dear Bhagavatas:

I entirely agree with Sri Sudarshan?s statement (quoted below) and his 
conclusion that further discussion on the subject be stopped forthwith in 
Tiruvenkatam list. I would like to add that the discussions be stopped also 
in ?Sri Ranga Sri? for the same reason.

?I would like to bring discussions on this sensitive subject to an immediate 
close because it will serve no further useful purpose to debate it further. 
I'm quite sure that if allowed further, it will invariably lead (as it 
usually always does in all these Sri Vaishnava cyber-forums) to hot-tempered 
accusations and counter-accusations between members on grounds of 
"AchArya-apachAram", "BhAgavatha-apachAram", this, that and much more?

But, I would like to add a few words before closing the topic.

There is much truth to ponder over both in the TOI posting and the reply of 
Sri Sudarshan.

I feel that the TOI article, perhaps unintentionally, fans the Brahmin vs 
Non Brahmin hatred.

However, the following observation in it, only partly explains the situation 
but cannot be brushed aside.

?Brahmin mutts have not built such enduring visible monuments for the poor 
but have poured plenty into dressing up or washing the gods. The Seer of 
Kanchi recently gifted a diamond studded crown to a temple. Grand, 
captivating events, but transient and forgettable unlike huge modern
hospitals and colleges?

On the other hand, the Ahobila Mutt Oriental Schools and the Arts and 
Science College of Periyasramam shine foremost in secular education and even 
in hi-tech fields like computer, as much as in religious education as 
revealed in the ranking of institutions with reference to quality of 
education published by evaluating agencies.

This is no doubt, a good beginning. But, much more needs to be done in these 
fields by comparatively affluent Mutts than just this, if they are to 
attract various segments. Huge sums of money spent on various other 
projects may be usefully diverted to such socially-needed educational and 
healthcare facilities that should operate irrespective of caste or other 
considerations. So far as my knowledge goes, this kind of social service by 
Mutts and Asramams is NOT prohibited in the Saastras.

This is also necessary because proselytizing religions have succeeded mainly 
due to the incentives provided by them over generations through 
establishing higher educational institutions and hospitals and other 
healthcare units.

Our mutts should take a leaf from their efforts and prove that we can 
provide better opportunities than them and beat them using their own tools 
and on their own turf, if we seek to recover and retain the loyalty of these 
segments.

?Touchig? and ?physical contacts? do not mean much. This ?body contact?, 
this ?hugging" business so much applauded by the TOI article is not the 
reason for people flocking to those who offer such cheap gimmicks.

On the other hand, the ?safe distance? maintained is as per the dictates of 
Saastras for maintaining the purity of the seers who have to handle the 
sacred and consecrated images and objects like Saligraamams etc. The concept 
of ?purity? is one of the cardinal principles commanded by the Saastras and 
can in no case be compromised for a populist ploy.

As for the observation:
?However, it must be said that for many orthodox Brahmins, 'lesser form' 
spirituality is still a taboo. Many of them can?t even conceive a 
non-Brahmin becoming spiritual?

This is not true. Sri Sudarshan has given a fitting reply by citing how 
SrivaishNavam draws inspiration from and venerates Azhwar saints many of 
whom were not Brahmins.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Further discussions, if deemed necessary, may be had in personal mails NOT in 
?Sri Ranga Sri?.

Dasoham
Anbil Ramaswamy
========================================================






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