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Challenge 3.12: "IF MOBILE AND IMMOBILE COULD GO TO HEAVEN, WHY NOT I?"

From the Bhakti List Archives

Ramanbil • October 22, 1999 


SwAmi VEdAnta DEsika's "NaichyAnusanthAnam" and 
"SAtvika AhamkAram "
(As gleaned from his StOtras.) - 
Part 3 - SWAMI CHALLENGES!
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Dear Bhagavatas
Kindly refer to "Part 3 - SWAMI CHALLENGES! An Introductory Note" - posted on 
10th October 99. I am leaving out this to avoid repetition You may read that 
to appreciate this 
posting in the proper perspective. 
Dasoham
Anbil Ramaswamy
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Challenge 3.12:"IF MOBILE AND IMMOBILE COULD GO TO HEAVEN, 
                WHY NOT I?"
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karmAdhishu trishu kathAm kathamapi ajAnan
kAmAdhi mEdhurathayA kalusha pravrittih: /
sAkEtha sambhava charAchara janthu neethyA
veekshyah: prabhO vishaya vAsithayApi aham thE //

Meaning

"Oh! ViLakkoLi perumAnE!
I know nothing about the three yOgas viz.,  karma yoga, jnAna yoga and bhakti 
yoga. 
I am brimful of ego and desire and explode with anger. 
I indulge in all kinds of mean and vicious acts. 
I am totally devoid of virtues. 
How can you protect me?
Is this your problem?

Well! I have found a way to solve your problem! 
You know what?
I have a precedent!

Do you remember that when your "avatAra kAryam" was completed in your vibhava 
avatAram as Sri Rama, you took with you to Heavens (sAnthAnika lOka) all 
living creatures including the grass and shrubs? Why did you do that?
Is it not because of their having just happening to exist in your city of 
sAkEta?

Similarly, Oh! ViLakkoLi perumAnE! Based on my taking birth in your favorite 
Divya Desam of Thooppul, you have to cast your cool glance on me and take me 
to your eternal abode in Paramapadam. Don't search for any other virtue in 
me!"

Comment

SwAmi refers to his not adopting any of the yOgas. AzhwArs have given 
expression to such sentiments (e.g) 
"nOtra nOnbilEn, nunn arivilEn"
"kuLithu moonranalaiOmbum kurikkOL anthanamai thannai ozhithiTTEn" and
"parranrumilEn" etc.

KulasEkara AzhwAr refers to this incident thus -
"anru charAcharangaLai vaikunTathEtri"
Also,

"karpAr RamapirAnai allAl matrum  karparO?
PurpA mudalAp pull erumbhAdhi onru inriyE /
NarpAl ayOdhiyil vAzhum charAcharam murravum 
NarpAlukku uithinan nAnmuganAr petra nATTulE"

KoorathAzhwAn in his VaradarAja Sthavam asks a similar question -
"No doubt, I have not adopted any means. But, what yoga did the denizens of 
sAkEta did to deserve ascending to Heavan?"

SwAmi seems to suggest that even we, who have not done anything meritorious, 
could aspire to go to Paramapadam merely by virtue of being born or residing 
in a Divya Desam.

SwAmi was born in Thooppul, the Divya Desam of Deepa prakAsar near "mukti 
tharum nagar EzhinuL mukhiyamAm kachi thannil". So, there is a personal 
connection for him to make this appeal to viLakkoLi perumAn.
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(To Continue: Challenge 3.13: "SHAME ON YOUR SHAKTI!"
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