Sri:
Swami Vedanta Desikan’s Art of living – Sri APN Swami’s Anugraha Bhashanam to Shishyas
8 June 2024 was a Sudhinam as we Kalakshepa Shishyas had the opportunity to hear an Anugraha Bhashanam by Sri APN Swami on account of his Thirunakshathira celebration (7-June-2024 – vaikasi Mrugasheersham).
It was a captivating session with a very clear and impactful life message for each of us on what we should do and what we shouldn’t.
Universal Problem Statement
In this era of a very busy and hectic life, it is tough to find time. Even if we find time, it is challenging to list what we need to do effectively. There are a hundred hurdles before we even start an activity. Most of the time, we realize it is a waste of effort and time after we have done it. Also, when it comes to learning and following our tradition(sampradayam), it gets more challenging to prioritize.
So, how do we prioritize our time and effort for an effective impact on our lives? What is the secret formula for a happy life? What do we need to learn? How do we lead a sampradayic life? How do we follow Sampradayam?
Sri APN Swami took couple of interesting slokams of Swami Vedanta Desikan to answer this for his shishyas.
Universal Solution is a sweet energy tonic says Swami Vedanta Desikanउपयुक्तेषु वैशद्यं त्रिवर्गनिरपेक्षता ।
करणत्रयसारूप्यमिति सौख्यरसायनम् ॥ श्रीमत् रहस्यत्रयसारः तत्त्वत्रयचिन्तनाधिकारः Meaning – Clarity in essential matters, detachment from the three pursuits (Dharma, Artha, Kama), And harmony of thought, word, and deed – this is the elixir of happiness.
In this sloka, Swami Desikan details that there is an effective, tasty medicine that exists for a happy life, and it is all about following the three things below. 1. One needs to learn the basic aspects of Shastram and gain clarity in them. One needs to invest a good amount of time to learn in order to get conceopt clarity. This is told by Swami Desikan as उपयुक्तेषु वैशद्यं – உபயுக்தமான(சாஸ்திரங்கள் ஏற்கும்) அர்த்தங்களில் தெளிவு.
Sri APN Swami says that learning needs to be like how bamboo grows. Bamboo takes a lot of effort and time to strengthen its roots inside the soil to safeguard against stormy winds and heavy rains. Then, suddenly, it starts growing tall. Similarly, one needs to invest time in gaining crystal-clear clarity in our Shastric meanings.
2. Next, we need to stay detached when it comes to Dharmam, Artham, and Kamam. We need to focus on long-term happiness, which is Moksham, i.e., our journey towards salvation. This is known as त्रिवर्गनिरपेक्षता (Trivarganirapekshata) – தர்மம், அர்த்தம், காமம் என்ற மூன்றில் ஆசையின்மை (detachment from Dharmam, Artham, and Kamam). Focusing on long-term happiness is essentially performing the act of Saranagathi, which assures us of Moksham at the end of the current birth.
3. One needs to have commonality in what they think, speak, and act. This is known as Karanathraya Saaroopyam – करणत्रयसारूप्यमिति – மனம், வாக்கு, காயம் ஆகிய மூன்று கருவிகளும் ஒரே விதமாக இருத்தல். We often see examples where there is a lack of synchronicity between our mind, words, and actions. There is a saying, “न हि सुप्तस्य सिंहस्य प्रविशन्ति मुखे मृगाः,” meaning a lion will not get food if it only thinks about food; it needs to go for a hunt. There is a proverb on similar aspect – मनस्येकं वचस्येकं कर्मण्येकं महात्मनाम् । मनस्यन्यत् वचस्यन्यत् कर्मण्यन्यत् दुरात्मनाम् ।। meaning – This means the difference between the Mahatma and the evil is that the Mahatma’s thoughts, words, and actions are in harmony, while the evil person’s mind, speech, and actions are not aligned. The Mahatma’s consistency makes them noble, whereas those who think one thing, say another, and do something else are considered evil.This same is told by Andal in her Thiruppavai – “தூயோமாய் வந்து நாம் தூமலர் தூவித்தொழுது, வாயினால் பாடி மனத்தினால் சிந்திக்க”. So, we need to convert our thoughts into words and then actions and not just think. We need to have execution skills.
Swami Desikan says that this is a tonic, an energy-filled sweet tonic that gives us strength and builds immunity too.
Let’s ponder more on point #1 since it raises more questions on how to gain crystal-clear knowledge of our Shastras.
What to do and how do we learn the basics of Shastra?
When we learn something, we need to acquire knowledge in such a way that we gain crystal-clear clarity. As Kannan says, “संशयात्मा विनश्यति..” doubtful knowledge is very problematic. So, what are the basic things we need to learn and how do we learn them?
What we need to learn is Vedantaartham, i.e., Vedanta meanings. Sri APN Swami at this juncture quoted another beautiful slokam from a Sanskrit play called Sankalpa Suryodayam. In that play, the character Vivekan explains to the character Shishyan how to acquire good knowledge. They are as follows.
1. Always think and talk about Vedanta Vishayam and Shastra Artham. This will automatically divert you from unwanted materialistic things and activities.
2. Cut yourself off from other Vishayams. Cut yourself off from those who speak against Vedanta. Cut yourself off from people who confuse you, bring negativity, or are not ready to be convinced. Save your energy and stay away from unwanted arguments with such people.
This leads to the question: won’t we be without friends? which is answered by the next point.
3. Do Kainkaryam to good people and associate with acharyas and their shishyas. Don’t worry; go to elders. The more time you spend with acharyas, the more benefit you will receive! Without impacting a lowkika lifestyle, they will teach you to follow Sampradayam. We often don’t know how to balance our lives, but they will help us. They are the best counselors and will provide clarity. When you need directions to a place, you need to ask someone who has traveled there, not someone who is new. How can a new person help? Our Acharyas are our best guide and hence go seek them and spend time with them.
4. Use the gained knowledge to fight and answer those who speak against Sampradayam. It is our duty to speak up; it is a command (niyamanam) from Paramathma to fight against dooshanam. Should we keep quiet if someone hurts our parents? Hence, one need to participate in debate when it impacts our traditional value system. परिचिनु निगमान्तभारतीं परिहर बाह्यजनेन संगमम् ।
परिचर नियमेन सज्जनान् परिभव बाह्यमुखान्विरोधिनः ॥
2.39 सङ्कल्पसूर्योदयःMeaning – “one need to delve into the essence of the Vedas, avoid association with unwanted elements, serve and learn from the Acharyas with dedication, and confront those who are against our tradition.”
Sri APN Swami concluded by saying that – We need to focus in our Sampradayam as laid in the path advised by Swami Vedanta Desikan. Swami Desikan has faced many crises, and his life is an art and hence he has given us the art of living. He has given these pieces of advice to us. There is no better association than with Swami Desikan, his adiyars, and his books.
adiyen
Sriranjani Jagannathan
SARAN sevak & Shishyai of Sri APN Swami
09-06-2024
Sri APN Swami 