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Challenge-3.23: "I KNOW WHAT YOU DID BEFORE!"

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Ramanbil • November 3, 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-3.23: "I KNOW WHAT YOU DID BEFORE!"
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vela dhananjaya rathAdhishu vAchikaih: svaih:
agOshitham akhila jantu saraNyam thE /
jAnan dasAnana sathAdhika AgasOpi
pasyAmi daththam abhayam svakruthE tvayA mE //
(Sri SaraNAgathi Deepikaui SlOkam 53)

Meaning

"Oh! ViLakkoLi perumAnE!
May I catalogue your pledges made on numerous occasions?
· You have time and again divulged that you are the refuge of all beings.
· As Lord KrishNa, in Sri KrishNa AvatAra, you proclaimed the same through 
your    "Song Celestial", in your own words, sitting on the chariot of Arjuna.
· As Lord RAma, in Sri RAma AvatAra, you openly declared this on the seashore 
    when VibheeshaNa surrendered to you.
· As Lord BhoovarAha murthy, in VarAha AvatAra, you made a solemn promise the 
    same to Bhoomi pirAtti.
· Thus, you trumpeted proclaiming loud and clear as if by beating of the 
drums on    very many occasions that you offer protection to all your 
devotees.

I may be the worst sinner having sinned more than 100 RavaNas. 

So, what?

I have heard and I know full well all the above commitments made by you not 
under duress but quite voluntarily. So, I am sure that you will extend the 
same refuge to me also.

· If you do not want to be a 'break-promise' 
· if you want to vindicate yourself
· if you want to enjoy the benefits accruing to you in saving me - true to 
your own    admissions - 
    better do the needful"

Comment

SwAmi seems to suggest that granting abhayam to swAmi is an act of 
'self-help' for the Lord Himself - following a similar statement by AzhwAr-
"thanakkEyAga ennaik koLLum eedhE" (2.9.4)

SwAmi cites the reference to dhanajaya first before citing Rama and varAha. 
Why?
 
Obviously, the unequivocal reassurance contained in the Bhagavad Gita 
CharamaslOkam viz., "mA suchah:" - "Don't grieve",  must have weighed with 
him more than the promises in the RAma CharamaslOkam and the VarAha 
CharamaslOkam.
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To Continue-
Challenge:3.24: "WHY DO YOU LAY ALL YOUR EFFORT TO WASTE?"
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