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arun_kumar_sridharan • February 19, 2002 


Dear Members, 

                 First, I would like to bring the discussion 
of "Radha,Hari,Green" and the ensuing discussions to a close.  All 
the participants: Kalaivani, Malolan, NS Gururaj,Swamy Swarna,P 
Srinivasan, Srikant Sadagopan etc have made their points.  Sri 
Malolan Cadambi has attempted to present the traditional Sri 
Vaishnava philosophical position based on his understanding.  
Although his choice of words and tone have been seemingly strident at 
times, there is no doubt that he is attempting clarify the 
VishitAdvaitic philosophical position and separating that from the 
anubhavam of great bhAgavathAs.  This is indeed welcome on this 
list.  

       Further, during the course of the discussion over the past few 
weeks, he has pointed out a few philosophical differences in the 
Gaudiya & Sri Vaishnava traditions.  At times, he has written 
what "comes across" as a personal criticism of Swami Prabhupada.  I 
cannot presume to know Sri Malolan's mind, but there is no place on 
this list for discourse that even remotely smacks of a personal 
criticism of great Bhagavatas like Swami Prabhupada.  It is fine to 
present the philosophical differences but it must be done in a polite 
manner, without the slightest hint of condescension.

       When members like Sri Malolan Cadambi do present the Sri 
Vaishnava philosophical position, it is also unfair of other members 
to criticize them with the goal of muting them. It is in this 
respect, that I regret forwarding mails with implicit criticism of 
Malolan.  Malolan's philosophical postings deserve a philosophical 
response based on the root Vedic texts.  

       We must acknowledge that there are some philosophical 
differences between the various Vaishnava schools, and that sweeping 
them under the rug ultimately does injustice to the great AacharyAs 
that advocated the different philosophical points of view. 

	At the same time, we should realize that there is much that 
we all share.  As Vaishnvas, we must keep in mind that the very 
purpose of our existence is to engage in loving communion with the 
divine couple, Sriman Narayana.  Bhagavad Anubhavam and ShAstra jnAnA 
can go hand in hand with each inspiring the spiritual aspirant to 
delve more deeply into the other.  All the discussions on this list 
should thus be oriented towards realizing this end.

       In the next couple of days, Sri Mani VaradarAjan will post a 
set of revised guidelines which will hopefully result in a more 
focused and reinvigorated forum.

AdiyEn SrinIvAsa Daasan,

Arun Kumar Sridharan






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