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Challenge 3.06. "ARE YOU AFRAID OF BEING A LOSER?"

From the Bhakti List Archives

Ramanbil • October 16, 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 this 
to appreciate this posting in the proper perspective. 
Dasoham
Anbil Ramaswamy
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Challenge 3.06. "ARE YOU AFRAID OF BEING A LOSER?"
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Nisarga nira nishTathA thavaniram hasa:srooyathE
Thathasthriyuga srushtivath bhavathi samhrith: kreeDitham /
ThathApi saraNAgatha praNayabhanga bheethO bhavAn
MadhishTamiha yadbhavEth kimapi mA sma tajjhapath //
(Abheeti Sthavam SlOkam 18)

Meaning
"Oh! Lord who is adorned with six auspicious qualities!
The Upanishads declare - 
- that you are the supreme Lord; that you are adorned with six auspicious 
qualities like GnAna, Shakti, Bhala, Aiswarya, Veerya and TEjas; that you are 
free from sorrows; that even if you should decide to destroy me it will be 
well within your 'sankalpa' like creating the world etc and 
- that there is none to question you. 

With all this, you seem to be afraid. I know why! 

You are afraid that if you fail to protect me, you will *forfeit* the 
goodwill of one who had surrendered to you (saraNAgatha *praNaya bhanga 
bheethO* bhavAn). 

Think for yourself as to what is good for YOU and good for me and act 
accordingly - by granting my wishes - (madh ishtam iha)"

Comment:

SwAmi implies that while the Lord is free to decide whichever way he likes, 
he has also set some rules for Himself which he would not break. 

One such is his doing only what is beneficial- (na ahitham kArayEth hari:): 
Another is Lord's avowed desire to please His 'saraNagathas', come what may. 

SwAmi cleverly plays upon Lord's predicament (Dharma SankaTam) which he calls 
'fear' in forsaking the SaraNAgatha against His own diktat.
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(To Continue) Challenge 3.07. "WILL YOU PREVARICATE?
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