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From the Bhakti List Archives

Parthasarati Dileepan • September 16, 1997 


Why do we seek only Sriman Narayana for mOksham?

Among the most important features that separates us Sri Vaishnavas from
other schools is the concept of "soul-to-body" relationship between the
Lord and all others.  Nammaazhvaar's phrases such as "udal misai uyir"
(body to soul) and "enathAvi Avi" (my soul's soul) point to this in a very
subtle manner.  It is Sri Bhashyakaarar who elaborated on it and provided a
firm foundation upon which this concept now rests.

What makes one entity the "soul" and another the "body"?  If we understand
this, we can understand why we are dependent upon the Lord completely.
There are three important determining factors for this.  They are
"dhArakathvam" (providing support), "niyAmagathvam" (being able to
control") and "SEshithvam" (the one who enjoys).  If these three factors
are present between two entities, with one entity being "dhArakan",
niyAmagan" and "SEshI" for the second, then the first entity is the "soul"
of the second entity, and the second entity is the "body" of the first.

Take for example our soul and body.  First, it is the soul inside the body
that provides support for the body to exist.  If the soul leaves the body
it withers.  Thus the jeevan is the "dhaarakan".  Second, the body will not
be able to perform any action unless the soul inside wills it.  This makes
the jeevan the "niyamagan".  Thirdly, the fruits of the actions of the body
are meant for the enjoyment of the jeevan.  Thus the jeevan is the "SEshI".

When we apply these three factors to the relationship that exists between
our Lord and the rest of sentient and non-sentient entities it will become
clear that the Lord is the soul in everything else.  He is the one who
supports all chEthanas and achEthanas.  Without His will nothing can
happen.  We exist for His pleasure.  It is also important to note that the
relationship between jeevan and its body is transient, but that between the
Lord and jeevas and achEthanaas is permanent, (ozhikka ozhiyaathu --=
 AndaaL).

Who is this Lord who indwells everyone and everything?  If we are to
believe the Sasthras it is none other than Sriman Narayana.  Consider
Nammaazhvaar's Thiruvaaymozhi 4.10.1 paasuram:

onRum dhEvum ulagum  uyirum maRRum yaadhumillaa
anRu, naanmugan thannodu dhEvarulagOduyir padaiththaan,
kunRam pOlmaNi maadam needu thirukkurukooradhanuL,
ninRa aadhippiraan niRka maRRaith dheyvam naadudhirE.

(There was none, no gods, no life, nothing,
   Then, He begot the four-faced one along
      with the heavens and all other lives!
 He, Athippiraan (the primordial Lord) stands=20
   like a great gem in the temple town of
      Thirukurugoor bedecked with fancy buildings,
 Yet you seek other gods?!)

When we realize the true nature of our relationship to our Lord, Sriman
Narayana, how can we look to anyone else but Him.

Given the belief in "body/soul" relationship between everything and the
Lord it is clear that the supreme Lord is inside everything, gods, humans,
animals, plants, and even a speck of dust.  Whatever power any of these
entities may seem to possess is because of the will of Sriman Narayana.
Those who are desirous of mOksham have no other course except Lord Sriman
Narayana, with a proper Acharya as an intermediary.  This is so because
that is what the Sasthras tell us; the same Sasthras that tell us that
there is a God.


=97 adiyEn


Source: Srimadhazhagiya Singar's commentary on Srimad Rahasya Thraiya Saaram=
.


-----------------
P. Dileepan
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423-877-9860 (Home)
dileepan@utc.edu