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Re: Vishnu in Rig Vedam

From the Bhakti List Archives

Malolan Cadambi • October 18, 2002 


> This is one of the reasons why the broad Vedantic tradition has
> made a strong distinction between Veda and Vedanta. It is to the
> latter that we must turn if we wish to find conclusive, philosophical
> answers to the questions of First Cause, Supreme Deity, and Supreme
> Truth.  The latter clarifies and provides a means for understanding
> the former. Without the Vedanta, the hymns of the samhitas appear
> confusing and contradictory in their philosophy.

Swami Desikan addresses theses questions in SeshAvara MimAmsam. But that
work is not complete, in the sense that Swami Desikan left it unfinished.
Still he authors "MimAmsa pAduka" which was commented upon by Kumar
Varadachariar, his son and in the 20th century by UttamUr
Veeraraghavachariar.

Here is a URL on Swami Abhinava Desikar :
http://www.abhinava-desika.freeservers.com

I remember reading a book by Dr.NSA which was printed sometime around 1974.
He quotes rks and explains them very well.

>if Vishnu paratva were so easily established
>based on these Rg Vedic hymns, why did Ramanuja turn elsewhere?

My understanding is this: Usually not much attention was given to the pUrva
mimAmsa atleast when compared to the uttara mimAmsa. This was during the
time of Ramanuja.  Ramanuja was focussed on Shankara's Bhasyas in
particular.  This however does not rule out the fact that he authored
commentaries which were not considered as polemics but commentaries only.

Shankara spends time criticising KumArila Bhatta, the proponent of the
mimAmsa school. It is plausible to think that Kumarila did not focus on the
antima bhAga of the veda, namely the vedAnta.

However, Swami Desikan addresses this issue in it's entirety with his above
mentioned sookthis.

Dr Varadachary explains the mapping of the pancharatram concepts in the
samhita portions pretty well. I do not have his book with me at present. I
will look it up when time permits.

These issues are well addressed in mimAmsa pAduka. Ideally, after this
weekend, I will try and post a gist if it is available in our library.
Perhaps  HH Rangapriya Mahadesikan Swami or Dr NSA can cover these issues
during their Tele-conference.

Regards,

Malolan Cadambi





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