SrI: SrImathE SatakOpAya nama: SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama: SrImath varavaramunayE nama:
Instruction 46
guNAnubhava kainkaryam thadhIyAnAm mahAthmAnAm | avidhAya kshaNamapi kAryam kinchanna kArayEth ||
Simple explanation: Without engaging in enjoying the auspicious qualities of great bhAgavathas and without doing kainkaryam to them at least a little bit, one should not be just engaged in one’s own selfish activities. We have to recognise great bhAgavathas. By interacting with them we can find out that there are bhAgavathas who are completely dependent on bhagavAn and without any expectation they are doing kainkaryam to bhagavAn. They are relentlessly working for the sake of bhagavAn. When we understand the greatness of such bhAgavathas, we must at least enjoy their auspicious qualities a little bit and we should at least do a little bit of kainkaryam for them. Without doing these two aspects, if we just engage in our own activities, taking care of our own selfish needs, that is not good. This is the essence of this instruction. Often, we are too engaged in our own activities and have too many things to take care of in our life. So, we forget the greatness of bhAgavathas who are very sincere and dedicated to bhagavAn and other bhAgavathas. Such bhAgavathas who are in that nishtA, who are in that firm mindset, we must recognise them. Our life is not just to run around doing our own things. We have to recognise great bhAgavathas. We have to acknowledge their service, their activities, their selfless service towards the SrIvaishNava community and must appreciate them. One has to enjoy their auspicious qualities and serve them in whatever possible way. bhAgavathas will have some needs. We have to find out what their needs are and fulfill those needs as that is how we can do kainkaryam to bhAgavathas.
Video link: https://youtube.com/shorts/HCMubLoFoDo?si=oepFAfkm9F4WmcXu
Instruction 47
gatikAyAm dhinaikasyAm varNayEth gurusadhguNAth ||
Simple explanation: Every day at least one nAzhigai (24 minutes) of time, one should glorify the auspicious qualities of one’s AchArya. It is very important to praise the qualities of our AchArya. The one who teaches us the most important principles, the highest philosophy, such AchAryas must be glorified. Here it is specifically indicated that one should at least spend 24 minutes of one’s time every day to glorify one’s AchArya. AchArya is the one who learns SAsthram from his AchAryas, conducts oneself according to that SAsthram and teaches others and reforms them. Such a person must be glorified at least for a little bit every day. It is greatly emphasised in the vaidhika dharma that AchArya is worshipped at par with bhagavAn, if not more. Usually in our home we do thiruvArAdhanam (daily pUjA) for bhagavAn. Similarly we also have to dedicate some time to glorify one’s own AchArya. This aspect is highly emphasised in this instruction.
AchAryas will have many good qualities. It could be saulabhyam, how easily that AchArya is approachable. If the AchArya, in spite of being very knowledgeable and having several commitments is still easily approachable then that is a great quality to cherish about. AchArya may have vAthsalyam. He may accept our mistakes and still teach us. That is a great quality to cherish. AchArya may be very wise and very knowledgeable. That is something to glorify. In this manner many aspects are there for an AchArya. Also in our sampradhAyam, AchArya’s divine form must be meditated upon and glorified. These are some things to think about in this particular instruction of spending some time glorifying one’s AchArya.
Video link: https://youtube.com/shorts/LtuV2FYHMP0?si=8C6gUcHeYTkQVfVm
Instruction 48
dhinaika gatikAmadhyE hyapi viSvAsa pUrvakam | SatAryAdhi prabandhAn vA prabandhAn kIrthayEth gurO: ||
Simple explanation: Every day at least for one nAzhigai time (24 minutes), one must recite the dhivya prabandhams of AzhwArs such as nammAzhwAr or the granthams composed by pUrvAchAryas. dhivya prabandhams are our lifeline. All SrIvaishNavas irrespective of varNam and ASramam should learn dhivya prabandhams and recite the prabandhams on a regular basis. dhivya prabandhams are sung by AzhwArs who are divinely blessed by bhagavAn. Similarly subsequent AchAryas starting with SrIman nAthamunigaL, many of those AchAryas have written beautiful prose granthams and poetry prabandhams. We must recite those prabandhams also. When we recite these dhivya prabandhams and sthOthra granthams, we will constantly have to think about bhagavAn and his auspicious qualities. Greatness of bhagavAn and greatness of bhAgavathas are revealed in dhivya prabandhams and these other sthOthrams. When we recite them continuously, we will remember those aspects, and we will be reminded to practice that in our daily life. Glorifying bhagavAn and glorifying bhAgavathas are not to be done as lip service that is only in speech. Instead, beyond speech one must always try to put things into practice, engage in kainkaryams for bhagavAn and bhAgavathas. These recitals of pAsurams and sthOthra granthams will facilitate such nishtA, focus, because they are always focused on the welfare and well-being of all those who recite and practice them. Hence, we must engage in reciting the dhivya prabandhams and sthOthrams for at least 24 minutes a day.
Video link: https://youtube.com/shorts/flLaqKq1Vyg?si=UvEWtuUOhJA17CQw
adiyEn vidhyA rAmAnuja dhAsi
Proofreading done by – vEnkatESa rAmAnuja dhAsan
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