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| WHO ARE SRIVAISHNAVAS? |
| In the previous page, some philosophical ideas were thrown at you.Many volumes have been written about each of them! how ever, after you have gone through this web site, you should have some idea about the basics of the Ramanuja tradition, i.e,SRI VAISHNAVISM. The fundamental principle of this system is that SRIMAN NARAYANA is is the supreme Brahman,i.e,the supreme lord,who is the creator, sustainer and dissolution causer of the universe.The first part of the above name i.e, sriman refers to MAHALAKSHMI. Mahalakshmi,(or simply, Lakshmi )refers to the consort of Narayana.Lakshmi is frequently referred to as the goddess of wealth. She is much more than that.She is the mother of the universe, just as Narayana is the father.The couple is the ultimate Brahman,and all living beings and non living entities are their body. The couple are the real saviours. While Narayana represents the justice part of Brahman,i.e, reard for goodness and punishment for wickedness,Lakshmi, represents the mercy part.She persuades Narayana to forgive souls . Narayana always accepts her advice and forgives people who come to them. It is important to note that one has to approach Sriman Narayana through a genuine preceptor,i.e an Acharya,( a true guru). According Vedanta, Salvation is possible only by approaching Sriman Narayana through an Acharya. A true Acharya is extremly difficult to find. However, in the SriVaishnava traditon , There are Guru paramparas, i.e,lineage of gurus, going back to times immemorial. One can easily find a true guru in these lineages.Some of these will be mentioned in this Web site. It will be a good idea for the reader to go to the following link,which describes the life of a great acharya,Vedanta Desika,(1268-1369). This will give the reader a better idea of the concept of the Acharya principle and also give a better understanding of the fundamentals of Sri Vaishnava philosophy. After reading it you have to come back through the browser route since there are no links in that page. Click the link below. www.vaishnavism.net/des.doc |
| I am now going ahead assuming that that you have read the the life story of The great Vedanta Desika in the above document.Even if you have not read it, you can still continue, but grasping the full meaning will be difficult. Just a little while ago,I mentioned the need for a true Guru . I give below the Guru Parampara(lineage) according to Sri Vaishnava(Ramanuja-Desika tradition) 1.Narayana 2.Lakshmi.3.Vishvaksena.4.Nammalwar.5.Nathamunigal. 6.Uyyakkondar7.Manakkal Nambi.8.Alavandar.9.Periya Nambi.10.Ramanuja. Up to this point,the Guru Parampra is common for all followers of Ramanuja.After this this there is some divergence. What is given below is as per Vedanta Desika tradition. |
| Even before continuing the Guru Parampara, certain explanations are necessary in case you have not read the document referred to above. Basically, the universe consists of two parts.The part we live in, i.e, the material universe, including all the stars, galaxies and the other astronomical objects we know about,is transient. That is, it is in constant change. Individual souls get born, live, die and get reborn again and so on . The universe itself is in a constant state of flux.It is created, sustained and destroyed.Or, in other words, everyone and every thing is subject to the ravages of Time. This is called Lilavibuti,plaground of God.Here is where Sriman Narayana amuses himself and also shows mercy. However, There is another part of the universe, far bigger than the earlier one.This is not transient. It is eternal.It is called Nitya Vibuti, God's eternal abode.In this place, time is the servant rather than the master,since it can not bring about any decay. It only helps in functions.This universe is made up of SuddhaSattva.or pure essence. this cannot hide or conceal any thing. This is where Sriman Narayana is eternally resident. This place is called Sri Vaikunta, i.e the faultless place. To go there one needs the grace of a true Acharya, preferably belonging to the direct Ramanuja lineage.You can now go again to the link provided above and read the life of Vedanta Desika again. This should answer some of your doubts. Let us go back to guru parampara. the following are the successers of Ramanuja as per Vedanta Desika tradition. 11.Pillai Kurukesar.12Vishnu Chittar.13.Nadathur Ammal.14.Kidambi Appullar. 15.Vedanta Desika.16.Brahmatantraswatantra Swamigal. At this point the lineage again branches, even though all belong to Desika tradition.Only one is given right now. 17. Gatikasatam Ammal.18.Adivan Satakopa Yatindra Maha Desikan. The great institution of Ahobila Math, to which I belong was founded by Adivan Satakopa Yatindra Maha Desikan. He was the first head and Acharya of Ahobila Math.He was followed by a succession of achryas(JEERS) The present one, Srivan Satakopa Sri Narayana Yatindra Mahadesikan, is the 45th.Now click www.vaishnavism.net/products.html to go to the next page. |
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| Above is a picture of the present jeer of Ahobila Math, Sri Van Satakopa Sri Narayana Yatindra Maha Desikan |