Re: a small clarification

From the Bhakti List Archives

• November 22, 1999


Srimathe Narayanaya Namaha

As Mani has aptly pointed out, EmberumAn is "Nirankusa Swathanthran". 
He is not tied up by any sAdhyOpAyam that we do to grant us mOksham. 
As is the case if He has to grant mOksham only for those who does 
either Bhakti or Prapatti, then the very title that He is "Nirankusa 
Swathanthran" fails.

Well the question arises that if that is the case what is the point 
in doing Bhakti and Prapatti, if He is going to grant mOksham at His 
will. These upAyams are only to season ourselves to receive His 
kadAksham. The following pAsuram from BhoothathAzhwAr's IrandAm 
thiruvandhAdi explains the use of Bhakti and Prapatti. 

" Thanakkadimaipp pattadu thAnaRiAnElum
  manathadaya vaippadhAm mAlai, vanathidarai
  yEriyAm vaNNam iyaRRum idhuvallAl
  mAriyAr peygirpAr maRRu"

Here "Vanathidarai ........maRRu" means that the rain is coming on is 
own. Like wise our EmberumAn's kadAksham is purely on His own 
decision. But you can receive the rain and use it only if we create 
some lakes and ponds. Otherwise the rain will go waste. Also just 
because we have created lakes and ponds, it will not rain. Like wise, 
just because we have done Bhakti or Prapatti, EmberumAn will not 
grant mOksham. We do these things only to season ourselves and to 
indicate our EmberumAn that we are ready to receive His grace.

Also as pointed out by Mani, EmberumAn is constantly doing tapas to 
find out atleast one jIvAtmA is available to shower His mercy. By 
doing Bhakti or Prapatti, we are only indicating to Him, that we are 
one of such jIvAtmAs, He is looking for.

This is my understanding from the upanyAsams that I have heard, 
please do correct me for any mistakes.

adiyEn rAmAnuja dAsan

Thirumalai Vinjamoor Venkatesh














Regards

T.V.Venkatesh
E-mail : TVV@SANMARGROUP.COM
Phone: 91-44-4960455 extn. 5218
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