Aacharams-what and how: an opinion.
From the Bhakti List Archives
• January 9, 1996
About Acharams Aacharam in my opinion is a combination of Anushtanam or Aacharanam (practise) and Aakaram (out ward appearance). Both have a unique imporatnce. For example, Gandhi could have preached the same truth in an alien attire; it probably would not have had the same mass appeal. AAKARAM: Aakaram makes a better first impression. It helps to set the atmosphere. Aakaram may also serve as a sort of warm for the individual concerned. It certainly will influence the microcosm around us, such as family members (just like most of us were influenced in our childhood by our elders attire. It is good to keep the aakaram to some extent even for this reason alone. Children understand better what they see than what is said). This is probably the reason why we have the saying in Kannada : Aa-chaa-ra ke-tta-ru aa-ka-ra ke-Da koo-Da-du. This means: Even if one fails to practise, one should retain the out-ward appearance. For most part Aakaram is the easiest to duplicate. Some impediments to Aakaram are as follows: 1. Embarrasment of not fitting in with the surroundings. 2. Fear of imposing our culture on others. 3. Impractical: due to weather conditions, lack of certain materials (dharbam, poonool, thiruman, etc). 4. Law (may be prohibitted by law in public places) 5. Other problems (opportunity?) During our recent Temple inauguration ceremony, a few devotees objected to the top-less attire of Bhattar and his assistants (some of us were part of the team that assisted Bhattar). These people were used to only the Punjabi dress for priests and could not comprehend a traditional Vydhikas dress. Now they have realised and the Vydhik attire is here to stay as long as the concerned individuals wish to practise. In this regard, the Ramayana and Mahabharatha Videos produced by Ramananda Sagar and B.R. Chopra, both Punjabis came in very handy. In a way Education/knowledge is a cure to many ills. There is no cure for Education/knowledge. This is a success for aakaram, but does not mean that it will work out that way in all instances. ANUSHTANAM: This can be practised without the aakaram. We can do the entire sandhyavandanam in any dress or no dress for that matter. Anushtanam takes effort to learn the mantras by memory or to be able to read a text. Even doing without understanding the essence of the mantras can give us a mental satisfaction, peace and improve our both physical and mental health. Impediments to anushtanam are: Time, commitment and timing in keeping up with the prescribed routine. However, understanding the essence of the mantras and putting that into real day to day life will make an impact on the whole world (spontaneous respect for natural elements, conservation , charity, compassion, recognizing the divinity everywhere etc). This in my opinion is the REAL Anushtanam. This practise has very few impediments. GNANA YAGNAM Of course, gnanam (knowledge) is a different thing (as already pointed out by some body else as the other wing of aacharam). Gnanam is endless. We perhaps have the most amenities to pursue this. This is perhaps the most practicable thing that one can pursue in this internet era. The impediment to gnanam are bias, lack of interest, indifference, lack of supportive companion, lack of time, other compelling commitments etc. Gnanam has the far reaching impact as we can learn as well as share knowledge (at least information) through a variety of media. CONCLUSION Aacharam (Anushtanam and Aakaram) and Gnanam, are important for preservation and propogation of any culture, Thus we should try to incorporate all the constituent elements of Sri-Vaishnavism to the extent possible in our day to day life. When it comes to Aacharam, we have to be practical and understand the significance of each one of the steps and adopt them to the kalam, desham and our own situation appropriately. Also an aacharam should not put us in any disadvantageous position (like some of us were prevented from becoming Medical doctors) or should cause pain, undue problem, disrespect or embarrasment to others, may it be family members, friends or relatives. How much of each component we can incorporate is up to us. Here is what I do: 1. Trikala Sandhya at eka kalam during shower. Loud recitation of manthras, so that the effect on myself is better and other family members get to hear it. Only occasionally my daughter has complained as: daddy will you ever keep quiet! 2. Approx. 5 minutes Puja at the family Puja house. Again loud and clear. Pull in kids whenever possible. 3. Teach Vishnu 1000 and stories to children. 4. Participate with discussions on Hinduism, Gita, and other matters concerning Hindus on AOL. 5. Prapatti group on the internet(a recent blessing) 6. Imbibe HINDU in children as follows: H= give them a Hindu identity. Our kids may be part American, part Indian. What part which may vary from child to child and family to family. However, we are 100% Hindu I=Involve children in a small, routine puja. Can be as short as few seconds. But everyone participates. N= Give a Hindu name and use it D=Dialect. Teach one Indian dialect at least. If not possible or practical, at least give Hindu vocabulary of 100 words. Vishnu 1000 may be a good thing as they catch on to a 1000 words. This works very effectively. I have seen in front of my own eyes how children from all sorts of family backgrounds have readily learnt Vishnu 1000 with perfect pronounciation. (If anyone likes Vishnu1000 in readable English script, please let me know, will be happy to fax). U=start under 5. Even earlier the better. Once a Kannada writer Bee-chi was asked by a mother when she should start educating her son who had just turned 1 year old. Bee-chi answerd: Lady, do it right away. You are already late by 1 year and 9 months! 7. Srichurnam on Sundays, special days and Holidays. Thiruman, srichurnam, Kachhe, top less while assisting in the temple on special days. Same attire during Tarpanams, Shraddham, Upakarmam Gayatri and other special evnts. 8. Help others in religious activities when approached. Do this unhesitantly and freely. Don't worry about imposing my style on others. Believe in others strenghth to decide for themselves and they won't be imposed! 9. Arrange Ramanuja Jayanti and Andal Thiruppavai beginning along with Gita Jayanti. in the Temple or community. 10. Contribute articles in to local temple news letters or news papers. 11. Defend Hindu principles whenever misrepresented or unduly crtiticized. 12. Try to find parallels (sort of like Joseph Campbell) and learn about other systems as much as possible. This will help to explain our own system better as well as point out th e uniqueness. Useful also in defending or responding to a misconception of wrong criticism. One recent example is that some Hindus were intrigued by reincaranation concept of Hinduism and were saying that Christianity has no such problems. Then I asked them what about Resurrection? Is that an established fact? 13. Try to find practical message of religion to every day life: Jeevan Dharmam. Many may not be interested in Moksha! 14. Food -vegetarian at home. Sincerely, K. Sreekrishna(Tatachar) PS: Sorry, this mail got too long. I am cutting short my apologies as it will only increase the length further. -Tatachar/K. Sreekrishna
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