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Re: bhakti vs prapatti

From the Bhakti List Archives

Parthasarati Dileepan • October 19, 1995 


On Thu, 19 Oct 95 01:25:10 UT Ramadas said:
>>Jaganath says:
>>One does not offend a Bhagavata or one who is very dear to
>>the Lord. The only other act that could make the Prapatti ineffective is
>>worship of any Devata that has His or Her loka within this material world.
>>This includes Shiva and His family, Brahma, Saraswatri etc.
>
>So, am I wrong
>in coming to the conclusion from reading this that if one offers the lamp,
>not only to Lord Govinda, but out of respect to also Shree, Ganesha, Lakshmi,
>Saraswati, Garuda, Mukhyaprana and the guru, then prapatti is ineffective and
>I am destined for rebirth?
>
>If this is the case, should I remove Shree and
>Ganesha from the peetum, and also the photo of the guru? Is this what he is
>inferring to be the right path?


     It is my understanding that *no matter what,* prapatti
     will not fail.  After performing prapatti if one
     strays, our Lord will correct you and save you, as
     Azvaar says "thiruththi paNi koLvaan."
     (thiruththi = make right)

     As for other dhEvathaa, I think we must differentiate
     between Lakshmi (Sri) and some of others you have mentioned.
     Swami Sri DhEsikan says, "kadi malaraaL piriyaadha
     .... aruLaaLar," (Our Lord is never separated
     from Lakshmi)  Even as Vamanan, a brhamachari, our Lord
     did not separate from thaayaar (Lakshmi); had her
     concealed in his heart.  Further, it is with the
     recommendation of Lakshmi that we approach our Lord
     for prapatti.

     Same goes for guru, as it is the guru who gives
     you spiritual life.  Again quoting Swami Sri dhEsikan,
     "ennuyir thanthu aLiththavarai niRai vaNangi,"
     the first praNaam is to the guru who has given
     us our (spiritual) life (en uyir).

     Similarly, nithyasoories like Garudaazhvaar, AncanEyar,
     VisvaksEnar, etc. are to be revered.


-- Dileepan