SrI sArasAram -- I (61)

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srI:

SrI sAra sAram – I (61)

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I – ThirumantrAdhikAram

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The Meaning of the Thirumanthiram as a Whole

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SwAmi Desikan now lists the benefits one obtains as a result of a clear

understanding of the significance of the Thirmanthiram:

“im mantra-nishThan rakshakAntara-anvEshaNam, dEvatantarAdi-sparSam

kEvala-dEhArtha-vyApAram, kshEtrAdi-sangam, nirapEksha-kartrutva-abhimAnam,

bhAgavata-aparAdham, Atma-nASAdi-bhayam, prayOjAnathararuci muthalAna

anartha-hEthukkaLil AzhangkAR-paDAn.â€-

A person who stands firmly rooted in the knowledge gained from the study of the

Thirumanthirm will not indulge in any evil activity. How will he behave? Swami

Desikan lists his behaviour on various counts:

1) “rakshakAntara-anvEshaNam†– He will not seek any one else other than

the Lord for his protection;

2) “dEvatantarAdi-sparSam†– He will not have contact with other gods;

3) “kEvala-dEhArtha-vyApAram†– He will not strive for mere physical

enjoyment;

4) “kshEtrAdi-sangam†– He will not be attached to land, house and other

material properties;

5) “nirapEksha-kartrutva-abhimAnam†– He will not presume that he acts

independently of the Lord;

6) “bhAgavata-aparAdham†– He will not harm the devotees of the Lord;

7) “Atma-nASAdi-bhayam†– He will not fear destruction to his atma;

8) “prayOjAnathararuci†– He will not have desire for anything other than

mOksha.

“muthalAna anartha-hEthukkaLil AzhangkAR-paDAn†– He will not drown

himself in such thoughts that may cause harm.

SwAmi Desikan describes the person who does not behave like this:

“bahusrutanEyAkilum iththeLivu illAthavan vikalan.†– However educated one

may be, if he does not have such clarity of mind and conduct, he will not be

considered wise.

On the other hand, a less educated person endowed with good conduct as stated

above will be considered a perfect being:

“alpaSrutanE yAkilum sadAchArya-prasAdaththale inthath theLivu piRnathavan

sampoorNan.†--

One may not have been highly educated in spiritual matters. But, because of the

grace of good AchAryas, if he is convinced of the benefits of good conduct laid

down above and accordingly conduct himself, he will be considered a perfect

being and an evolved person.

SwAmi Desikan points out that even scriptures hold such a person in high

esteem:

“ivanai, ‘pragnAprasAdamaruhya’ enRu praSamsikkirathu.†–

The above quote is from a SlOka of the MahAbhArata:

“prajnAprasAdamAruhya hyaSOcyah SOcathO janAn /

bhoomishThAniva SailasyO hyajnAn prAjnah prapaSyati //†(SAnti Parva,

150-11)

Meaning:

The person, who has understood well the significance of the Thirumanthiram and

is free from all anxieties about himself, is akin to a person who has mounted

the top of a mountain. From there, he looks down upon people who appear to him

as very tiny creatures. Similarly, the wise man who has mastered the knowledge

of this mantra sees the people who have not done so as ignorant, suffering due

to lack of such knowledge.

One who has gained a clear knowledge of the Thirumanthiram, cannot be shaken by

those outside the pale of Vedanta and by heretics. To him they will appear

insignificant.

 

(To continue)

dAsan

anbil S. SrInivAsan

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