суббота, 10 октября 2015 г.

उक्तिनिष्ठा in "Shreemad Rahasya-Traya-Sara"


This post is primarily for prapannas from Shree MahaLakshmi-Sampradaya (Shree Vaishnavism, Shree Ramanuja-Sampradaya) and may sound rather esoteric for those unfamiliar with "Shreemad Rahasya-Traya-Sara". 

UktiNistha (उक्तिनिष्ठा) is one of the most
beautiful and simple notions in Our Sampradaya and I love very much the Sanskrit word आकिञ्चन्य (AkiJcanya) which can be translated as "utter destitution" and which will be used in the following cite from "Shreemad Rahasya-Traya-Sara". 

So, what to do if you are totally poor in the Eyes of Bhagavan Shree Narayana and Shreemati MahaLakshmi-Devi?


उक्तिनिष्ठा 

Of these, that done by one's utterance (UktiNistha) is as follows : 

Those who have no clear knowledge of auxiliaries (angas), such as the determination to do what is agreeable (to Bhagavan Shree Narayana), but who possess the qualification of knowing that, without the Lord, they have no other means (आकिञ्चन्य - akinchanya) and who have also the faith (विश्वास - viswasa) that Bhagavan Shree Narayana will grant salvation if prayed to — they pronounce, before The Saviour, the sentence taught to them by their Acharyas, which will be considered by the Lord as equivalent to perfect Prapatti; they say:
"May my salvation be Thy burden or responsibility!" (Tiruvoimozhi, 3.9.5) 
They are like the ignorant children of feudatory princes who seek the protection of the emperor by repeating the words taught to them by their nurses. 

If a little boy who does not understand the meaning of words and sentences says once: "Madam, give me food as alms", it meets with immediate and favourable response in the houses of good, men who are well-to do. 

In the same way, it has been said: "The Lord, Whose wealth never suffers any diminution, however much He may give, will also grant whatever is prayed for". 
Since Bhagavan Shree Narayana is Supremely Rich and Generous, even this utterance or ukti (उक्ति) will never be fruitless. 
In the case of those who are ignorant and who depend entirely on this utterance, The Compassion of Bhagavan Shree Narayana, who is The Refuge of all, cannot ignore even this mere utterance (as it cannot digest it); for it has been said:

"Whatever may be the manner or form, you have uttered the Dvaya Mantra. Therefore your redemption is my responsibility." ("Shree Sharanagati-Gadya")

This truth has been stated by those who are well versed (in the Shastras) in such Shlokas as the following: 

"Though I am a sinner, it will not become Thee, who art the Lord of all, to neglect me when I utter the words stating that I seek Thy refuge." ("Shree AtiManushaStava", 61)

"This speech of mine expressing the thought that I seek refuge under Thee is not uttered with all my mind and with all my heart. I can be saved only if even this mere utterance will secure Thy compassion." ("Shree VaradaRajaStava", 84)

"I long to see Thee by merely uttering the words of Prapatti — Thee Who canst not be attained by Bhakti." ("Shree VaradaRajaStava", 92)

The state of one who performs Prapatti by utterance (ukti), and that of one who depends solely on the Acharya have both been described in the same Shloka as follows:

"I have been made Thy responsibility by my acharyas who follow the way of dharma. I have also (myself) uttered the word seeking refuge. Taking this into consideration, O, Lord of ShreeRangam, make me Thy burden or responsibility " 

The word api (also) in the Shloka indicates that any one of the two will suffice.

Cited from 
"SRIMAD RAHASYATRAYASARA OF SRI VEDANTA DESHIKA", 
translated by M. R. RajaGopala Ayyangar,