SrI: SrImathE satakOpAya nama: SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama: SrImadh varavaramunayE nama:
sUthram 53
ஒருவன் ஸம்ஸரிக்கையும், ஒருவன் முக்தனாகையும், ஒருவன் ஶிஷ்யனாகையும், ஒருவன் ஆசார்யனாகையும் கூடாது.
oruvan samsarikkaiyum, oruvan mukthanAgaiyum, oruvan SishyanAgaiyum, oruvan AchAryanAgaiyum kUdAdhu.
Meaning
If there is only one AthmA, then it would be impossible for one person to be in samsAra, another to be liberated, one to be a disciple, and another to be an AchArya.
Explanation
Another defect in the doctrine of one soul
piLLai lOkAchAryar points out another inconsistency in the doctrine that there is only one AthmA.
If there were only one soul, it would be impossible for:
- one person to remain in samsAram, while another attains mOksham;
- one to become a disciple (Sishya) and another an AchArya.
Scriptural references
The distinction between the bound and the liberated is affirmed by the scriptures.
Regarding the bound soul [in vishNu purANam]
अनेकजन्मसाहस्रीं संसारपदवीं व्रजन्
मोहाश्रम प्रयातोऽसौ वासना–रेणु–कुण्ठितः ॥
anEka janma sAhasrIm samsAra padhavIm vrajan
mohASrama prayAthO’sau vAsanA-rENu-kuNtitha: ॥
The liberated are referred to in statements such as:
शुको मुक्तो वामदेवो मुक्तः।
SukO mukthO vAmadhEvO muktha:।
Likewise, the distinction between disciple and teacher is established by the muNdaka upanishadh –
तद्विज्ञानार्थं स गुरुमेवाभिगच्छेत् समित्पाणिः श्रोत्रियं ब्रह्मनिष्ठम् ।
तस्मै स विद्वानुपसन्नाय सम्यक् प्रशान्तचित्ताय शमान्विताय ।
येनाक्षरं पुरुषं वेद सत्यं प्रोवाच तां तत्त्वतो ब्रह्मविद्याम् ॥
thadh vigyAnArtham sa gurum EvAbhigachchEth samith pANi: SrOthriyam brahma nishtam |
thasmai sa vidhvAn upasannAya samyak praSAntha chiththAya SamAnvithAya |
yEnAksharam purusham vEdha sathyam prOvAcha thAm thathvathO brahma vidhyAm ||
The scriptures clearly speak of one person approaching as a disciple and another instructing as the teacher.
Therefore, if only one AthmA existed, these distinctions would become impossible.
adiyen vAsudhEva rAmAnuja dhAsan
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