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From the Bhakti List Archives

Vijay Srinivasan • January 17, 1997 


Dear Prapatti Group Members:

I have the following to say about the recent discussions on Bhaghavata 
Apacharams.  Whatever one may prefer to call it, I like Mr. Mani's bold and 
original views on various subject matters expressed through his postings.  
Sometimes I find them challenging and some of his views about Purana etc., are 
questions after my own heart.  It brings up a lively discussion.  Further, his 
views may not go to flatter many of our ideologies but at the bottom of it I 
sense that he has a great love for our sampradayam, philosophy and our Acharyas 
Ramanujacharya, Swami Desikan, Manavala MaMunigal.  I think in the name of 
Bhaghavata Apacharam we should not snub the spirit of free enquiry.  Francis 
Bacon - Readiness to consider, patience to doubt------etc., is essential for a 
scientific spirit.

My own observation about observing sastraic codes is that it has become a 
matter of convenience.  Any so called "progressive view" has to unfortunately 
be against the shastras.  Majority of us anyway observe least restriction on 
food, shuddhhy etc., as prescribed by the shastras.  Reasonable beings as we 
are, we always find reasons to justify whatever we are doing.  In my opinion 
Brahmanism of my Grand Father's days is completely gone.  Brahmins of today 
respect a non-Brahmin who is rich and who has a better status in society more 
than they respect a poor Brahmin.  Today the definition of superiority is more 
on economic lines.


Vijayaraghavan Srinivasan