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Challenge 3.24: "WHY DO YOU LAY ALL YOUR EFFORTS TO WASTE?"

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Ramanbil • November 4, 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 3.24: "WHY DO YOU LAY ALL YOUR EFFORTS TO WASTE?"
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rakshyas tvayA thava bharOsmi aham ithi apoorvan
varnAn imAn ahridayAn api vAchayitvA /
madh dOsha nirjitha gunO mahishee samaksham
mA bhoo: tvad anya iva mOgha parisrama tvam //
(Sri SaraNAgathi Deepikai SlOkam 54)

Meaning

"Oh! ViLakkoLi perumAnE!

You made me utter the "SaraNAgathi mantram".
I could have uttered it earlier. But, I did not. You know why?

It was your 'Sankalpam' that I should surrender to you ONLY NOW.
Thus, you have yourself taken the responsibility to make me utter the mantra 
now.

Let me tell you that even now, I had not uttered them wholeheartedly.
I did so fraudulently as a mere 'lip service'.(ahridayAn api vAchayitvA)

But, since you have taken so much pains to make me utter in whatsoever 
manner, it behooves you to accept it and save me.

If ignoring your duty and stifling your mercy, you decide to forsake me under 
the pretext that my sins far outweigh your mercy - 
all your efforts will come to naught.(mOgha parisrama -veeN prayAsai))

What is worse, you will expose yourself to the danger of losing the respect 
of Periya PirAtti. 

She will equate you with the lesser gods, nay with ordinary men and laugh at 
you! (tvad anya iva mahishee samaksham)

Don't become an object of ridicule at the hands of Periya PirAtti"

Comment

SwAmi implies that the Lord had taken enormous efforts in making him aware of 
the efficacy of SaraNAgathi through giving him
· Good birth after innumerable births
· Good association (Satsangham) with the Lord's devotees
· Good "AachArya Sambandham" and 
· finally making him utter the mantram. 
- all very difficult for a jeeva to get except with the grace of the Lord.

Hence, he asks the Lord not to lay all his efforts to waste by deciding to 
abandon him. 

SwAmi touches on a very delicate sentiment that the Lord, by saving him would 
avoid the embarrassment of being considered (by none other than Periya 
PirAtti Herself) as equal to kshudra devatas and ordinary folk who cannot 
keep up their words!

Can there be a greater shame for the Lord than this?

Cf. Thirumangai AzhwAr-
"pENilum varam thara midukku illAtha dEvar"
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To Continue- 
Challenge 3.25: MY WEAPON IS MORE POWERFUL THAN YOUR'S"
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