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Re: Acharam

From the Bhakti List Archives

Jaganath.Bharadwaj • January 4, 1996 


In one of His books His Holiness the 45th Jeer of Sri Ahobila Mutt
says that Jnana and Acharam are "like two wings of a bird and that
both are necessary for the bird to take to the air" (and reach
Bhagavan).  An acharya is one who follows all acharams and sets an
example to His disciples.  Yet the same Acharya, when asked about a
particular acharam which says that one cannot eat and drink at the
same time without washing both hands said "even your own Acharya does
not follow this so you do not have to worry about it."  This goes to
show that there are some acharam practices that are fundamental and
others that have to be adopted according to time, place and
circumstances.  The fundamental acharam is understanding that body as
well as the soul exists only to fulfil Narayana's purposes and that
we exist to serve Him while He takes care of all our needs.
Therefore having come into this world of suffering due to our past
sins, one does saranagathi (or usually gets an acharya to do this on
behalf of oneself) at the feet of Sriman Narayana.  Having done this
one becomes a Kritakritjna or one who has done what one ought to do.
At this point Krishna's promise in the Geeta "For one who wishes to
attain Me, I give him the intelligence by which he can come to Me"
takes effect and one practices other acharam rituals according to
time place and circumstance.

Jaganath.