SrI: SrImathE SatakOpAya nama: SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama: SrImath varavaramunayE nama:
Instruction 61
vaishNavEna thiraskAra: kruthO hi bhavathAm yadhi |
apakAra smruthim thasmAdhamathvA maunathO vasEth ||
Simple explanation: If we are insulted by a vaishNava, we should remain quiet without saying anything instead of taking that evil deed to our heart. This is a very difficult aspect to follow. Generally, when we are insulted, whether it is verbally or physically, we often react and respond immediately with equal anger or vengeance. But as a SrIvaishNava we should control our senses and our urge to react immediately to respond with similar anger because when we react immediately and respond with hatred then the situation will become worse. When a person insults then it indicates that there is some hatred in that person towards us. If we raise our voice and shout at that person then their hatred will only increase and will not decrease. So the best thing to do is to avoid any confrontation. If we remain silent then that itself will reduce the anger to some extent in the opposite person. Also, noticing that we are silent without getting angry in spite of being insulted, the person who insults us may have a change of heart, repent and may realise their mistake. So it is best to remain quiet and not react immediately.
Even from our own perspective, if we react immediately, it will be only in anger. But if we hold back and think about the situation which caused the insult from the other person then we may analyse if there was a mistake on our side. On realising that we may reconcile and solve the issue. Hence we should remain quiet when we are insulted by a vishnava.
Video link: https://youtube.com/shorts/FcLGZo0BeOo?si=WpwDLYOIcLQhiYBr
Instruction 62
sanjAthA vaishNavasyAsya budhdhirhi paramE padhE |
SrIvaishNavEbhyassarvEbhya: kArayEth sathatham hitham ||
Simple explanation: If a vaishNava desires to ascend to paramapadham, then he must do good deeds towards all the SrIvaishNavas i.e. whoever he knows, he must help and serve them. A vaishNava means vishNu bhaktha who accepts vishNu as the supreme lord and he is exclusively devoted to vishNu. If such a person desires to go to paramapadham (SrIvaikuNtam) then for the rest of his life he must help and do good for all SrIvaishNavas. It is a very important and subtle point to remember. As a SrIvaishNava we should see all the devotees (SrIvaishNavas) of bhagavAn as good persons and deserving to get our service (kainkaryam). Anyone who is accepting bhagavAn SrIman nArAyaNa’s supremacy and following the principles of our SrIvaishNava sampradhAyam without any deviation must be treated with great respect and we must serve them. Our whole purpose in life is to serve SrIvaishNavas because we understand that SrIvaishNavas are very dear to bhagavAn. If we serve those SrIvaishNavas then bhagavAn will be very happy. Hence, as a SrIvaishNavas, we must always look forward to serving other SrIvaishNavas. We should not distinguish based on whether the person is our relative or friend and accordingly serve, also refrain from serving because we dont like someone. We must not have such discrimination amongst SrIvaishNavas. We must treat them all with affection and care and we should serve as just as possible and please all of them. That is the goal of each SrIvaishNava. Thus, someone who is eager to go to paramapadham should be detached from worldly enjoyment and their purpose should be to serve SrIvaishNavas fully.
Video link: https://youtube.com/shorts/WMEBuzAXst0?si=CgeW30q7rhyO2_Rb
Instruction 63
dharmAdhapEtham yathkarma yadhyapi syAnmahApalam |
na thathsEvEtha mEdhAvI na hi thath hithamuchyathE ||
Simple explanation: Even if one is to attain great benefit, one should not do anything in violation of dharmam. dharmam here means SAsthram. SAsthram ordains everyone to act in a particular way. Each varNa and ASrama has specific rules and regulations. Everyone has to follow such regulations. Even if one is getting a lot of benefits like a lot of wealth, and advantages, one should not violate SAsthram.
The main reason being bhagavAn himself says “Sruthi smriti mama Eva AgyA” – “Sruthi (vEdham) and smruthi (dharma SAsthram) are all my own orders. Everyone has to follow that. Even if one is my devotee, if that person doesn’t follow SAsthram, and violates SAsthram, then he will not be considered as a vaishNava”. So bhagavAn himself has declared this and in many places we see the importance of following and obeying SAsthram.
So as a SrIvaishNava (a surrendered person) we must follow SAsthram and must not violate SAsthram at any cost. Sometimes when we get a lot of money, or when we get a lot of advantages, if we are able to do things quickly, we may get tempted and try to find some loopholes in SAsthram and try to skip those rules and regulations. But that is not correct. As SrIvaishNavas, we must respect SAsthram as best as possible. We may not be able to do 100% as per SAsthram but we must try and do our best.
Video link: https://youtube.com/shorts/DRXRzzX8unI?si=EK86PTpGtjI508ap
adiyEn vidhyA rAmAnuja dhAsi
Proofreading done by – vEnkatESa rAmAnuja dhAsan
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