SrI: SrImathE SatakOpAya nama: SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama: SrImadh varavaramunayE nama:
avathArikai (Introduction)
While saying in sUthram 410 “svarUpaththukkum prApyaththukkum sErndhirukka vENumiRE“, to eliminate the doubt of those who agree with the true nature of the self (to be subservient to bhagavAn) and think “In this case, as per our true nature, kainkaryam to bhagavAn is the goal; how is it said that the means should match the goal?”, first piLLai lOkAchAryar explains the nature of the goal.
sUthram 412
prApyaththukku prathama parvam AchArya kainkaryam; madhyama parvam bhagavath kainkaryam; charama parvam bhAgavatha kainkaryam.
Simple Explanation
kainkaryam to AchArya is the first stage; kainkaryam to bhagavAn is the middle/next stage; kainkaryam to bhAgavathas is to final srtage.
vyAkyAnam (Commentary)
prApyaththukku …
prApyam
The goal for the AthmA which is identified by servitude, is to serve. parva implies amSa (part/stage).
Here, AchArya kainkaryam which is identified as prathama parvam (first stage) is bhagavath kainkaryam (service to bhagavAn) which is done for the pleasure of the AchArya who accepts the individual (as Sishya) in the beginning and reforms him to become a servant of bhagavAn, as said in rAmAnusa nURRandhAdhi 78 “thiruththith thirumagaL kELvanukku Akkiyapin” (After reforming me and making me a servant of SrIman nArAyaNan).
bhagavath kainkaryam which is identified as madhyama parvam is bhAgavatha kainkaryam (service to bhAgavathas) which is done for the pleasure of bhagavAn who makes those who are dear to him, to become the servants of his devotees as said in amalanAdhipirAn 1 “adiyArkkennai Atpaduththa vimalan” (the faultless emperumAn who can make me a servant of his devotees).
bhAgavatha kainkaryam which is identified as charama parvam is AchArya kainkaryam (service to AchArya) which is done for the pleasure of bhAgavathas who like a person because of such person’s obedience towards AchArya, who remind about the greatness of AchArya and who know the greatness of AchArya kainkaryam.
Hence, it is explained that AchArya kainkaryam is bhagavath kainkaryam done for the pleasure of AchArya, bhagavath kainkaryam is bhAgavatha kainkaryam done for the pleasure of bhagavAn and bhAgavatha kainkaryam is AchArya kainkaryam done for the pleasure of bhAgavathas. Thus, there is nothing wrong in explaining AchArya kainkaryam as the goal.
adiyen sarathy ramanuja dasan
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