honganour krishna wrote: > DEAR SADAGOPAN MAMA, > > AS IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO GETHOLD OF THE BOOK YOU HAVE REFERRED; MYSELF > AND OTHERS WOULD BE VERY HAPPY TO KNOW THE KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE > TWO SAMPRADAYAMAMS. > > ADYEN PILLAI LOKACHARIAR DASAN, > KRISHNA > > *//* Dear Sri Krishna, It is a unique foible of Indian society to focus so much on differences that we forget what makes us all similar. For after all, are we not all just human beings? Be that as it may, I will try to summarize in a nutshell what makes the two kalais unique, although it has been the topic of discussion and debate ad-infinitum in this and other lists. While we officially recognize 18 fundamental differences between the two kalais, the issue really boils down to the idea of prapatti, for it would appear that Bhagavad Sri Ramanuja and his forebearers had left some room for interepretation in regard. Both the kalais agree that the soul's protection and redemption rest on the Grace of the Supreme Being, but the Vadakalai school, having recognized the idea that some might interpret this to mean some partiality on the Lord's part on whom He saves and whom he doesn't, suggested the idea of a vya:jam - a pretext, if you will - that the Lord uses to recognize that the soul is ready and willing to be saved. This sacrament, called bha:ranya:sam, is the holiest of rituals in the Vadakalai branch, and little is known about the ritual except by those who actually experience this most sacred moment in their spiritual progress. The Thenkalais, on the other hand, place almost a literal meaning on prapatti, seeing it more as a psychological/spiritual awareness such that the soul realizes that everything lies in God's Merciful Hands, and leaves it at that. Therefore, there is no formal ritual or sacrament involved. The role of Sri:, the Divine Mother, Who is the Embodiment of His Grace, emerges naturally from this difference. Since it is She to Whom we turn in reality in our experience of surrender, Her distance or nearness to us depends on how prapatti is viewed. From the Vadakalai standpoint, She too is part of the Supreme Reality, consequently She requires the same vya:jam upon which to directly offer Her Grace. Please note that this is not to suggest that Her Grace is not there otherwise, our act of surrender merely acts to serve as a "green signal" to Her providing it to us fully. With regards to the Thenkalai position, there is no doubt that She is part of the Supreme, but She takes on a human role such that She can relate to Her children, Sharing with them in all the joys and sorrows of life, so that can put their full faith in Her and Her Eternal Consort. As Sri Sadagopan has indicated, it takes many, many years of study and experience to fully understand these two philosophies and how they effect the culture, lifestyle, and attitudes of the people who align themselves with one or the other school of thought. So, it is vital that one learns properly from a teacher and begins to practice the faith. But, I hope this helps as a start. Mohan azhwAr emberumAnAr jeeyAr thiruvadigalE saranam Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ramanuja/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: ramanuja-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
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