Srimathe Ramanujaya Nama:
Srimathe Nigamantha Mahadesikaya Nama:
Bhagavatha Apacharam! Beware!
Prapatti/Saranagathi is the only way to attain moksha for those us who are incapable of doing Bhakti yoga. It will undoubtedly allow us to attain Sri Vaikuntam. Prapatti is the process of surrendering ourselves at the holy feet of Perumal under the guidance of an acharya.
Life After Prapatti
Two key things a prapanna should practice after Saranagathi are:
1. We should stay away from Devathanthira Sambandam (i.e., worshipping deities other than MahaVishnu) after we surrender to lotus feet of Sriman Narayanan.
2. We should stay away from Bhagavatha Apacharam (committing sin against the devotees of Lord Vishnu). It is important to note that the most powerful sin that can make Prapatti void is Bhagavatha Apacharam.
Impact of Bhagavatha Apacharam
The impact of Bhagavatha Apacharam is beautifully explained in the vaibhavam of Koorthazhwan. It was the time when King Kulothunga was spreading Shaivism. In order to accomplish his goal, the King wanted to either convert Swamy Ramanujacharya (who was spearheading SriVaishnavism) to Shaivism or kill Him so that SriVaishnavism would not flourish. So, the King invited Swami Ramanujar for a discussion to the King’s Darbar.
Koorthazhwan one of the foremost disciples of Swami Ramanujar, pleaded Swamy Ramanujar not to go with the soldiers, as they would plan and kill Swamy Ramanujar. The world should never lose such a great Guru was Koorathazhwan’s mindset. Hence, Koorthazhwan decided to disguise himself as Swamy Ramanujar and went with the soldier to the King’s court and Swami Ramanujar managed to travel safely out of the city towards Karnataka/Melnadu. At the king’s court, Koorathazhwan (who disguised as Swami Ramanujar) disagreed with the King’s orders to accept Shaivism and hence king Kulothunga ordered his soldiers to takeaway Koorthazhwan’s eyes. Koorathazhwan didn’t wait for the soldiers to punish him and he himself took away his precious eyes. Thus, Koorathazhwan lost his eyes.
One day, one of the fellow men asked blind Koorthazhwan, how could a person like him lose his eyes when he was Parama Bhagavatan who followed the core principles of Srivaishnavam strictly. Koorthazhwan replied – “Why not him? Maybe he saw a devoted Bhagavatan and wondered why his Thiruman Kappu (Thilakam worn on the forehead by a SriVaishnava) looked crooked thus causing Bhagavatha Apacharam. “
This incident reveal that even a simple thought would result in a greatest sin of Bhagavatha Apacharam. The point to note here is that not only words or action is considered sin even a negative thought would add sin to a Prapanna and could impact the Prapatti.
If Koorathazhwan who is known for his bhagavad bhagavata bhakthi, aacharam & anushtanam, have faced this situation, then take a moment to think of the position of people like us who are always focussed in blaming others. It must be acknowledged that it is very hard to control our mind, nevertheless through consistent practise and most importantly the guidance of right Guru we can achieve this mind control with ease.
How to rectify or resolve Bhagavatha Apacharam?
Now that we have understood that Bhagavatha Apacharam is harmful, let us see a scenario from Ramayana about Lakshmana & Sugreeva which teaches us on how to come out of Bhagavath apacharam if committed.
Sugreeva, after becoming the king of Kishikinda with the help of Rama, has agreed to help Rama to search for Seetha. Sugreeva informed Rama and Lakshmana that they will get ready and start the search after the monsoon period gets over. Rama & Lakshmana stayed in the Rishyamukha mountain, while Sugreeva started to live happily with his family & subjects at Kishkinda.
Sugreeva ordered his Monkey army to gather and get prepared in order to start the search of Seetha once the rainy season ends. However, Sugreeva forgot to communicate his plan or updates on what’s happening to Rama as he simply trusted the friendship between them.
Rama at other end was unaware of the plans of Sugreeva and was in distress and couldn’t bear the separation of Seetha Devi. Hence, at the end of the rainy season, Rama asked Lakshmana to meet Sugreeva and remind about his promise to help in searching Sita. Lakshmana prepared himself to meet Sugreeva and confront him with his thunderous wrath. Rama stopped Lakshmana and advised him, “Dear brother Lakshmana, remeber that Sugreeva is our friend. We need to trust the relation and hence you cannot lose control of your emotions. Please stay calm when you meet Sugreeva and just remind Sugreeva about his promise to help us in searching Sita.”
Lakshmana listened to Rama carefully, however his love for Rama could not calm his mind completely. The land was vibrating for miles as furious Lakshmana walked towards Kishkinda to meet Sugreeva.
Hanuman informed Sugreeva that furious Lakshaman had arrived at Kishkinda to meet him. On understanding the purpose of Lakshmana’s visit, Sugreeva asked his capable minister Hanuman to advise on how to handle the situation in a calm manner.
कृतापराधस्य हि ते नान्यत् पश्याम्यहं क्षमम् |
अन्तरेणाञ्जलिं बद्ध्वा लक्ष्मणस्य प्रसादनात् || 4.32.17
This is the slokam from Valmiki Ramayana stated by Hanuman to Sugreeva which means – “As you (Sugreeva) have committed sin (of not keeping Ram updated), I cannot see another option other than put your hands together (Anjali/Namaskaram/Vanakkam) and ask for forgiveness to Lakshamana”.
Sugreeva learnt the great art of Anjali which is the foremost mudra to solve many big problems. Anjali is defined as “am + jalayathi” or that which makes even Paramathma’s solid heart melt into a watery state.
When Sugreeva met Lakshmana, Sugreeva immediately apologised to Lakshmana by doing Anjali and explained the preparations he had already done in detail. He communicated that he didn’t forget the promise made to Ram and had made all arrangements except for not informing the status back to Rama.
यदि किञ्चिदतिक्रान्तं विश्वासात् प्रणयेन वा |
प्रेष्यस्य क्षमितव्यं मे न कश्चिन्नापराध्यति ||4.36.11
This is the slokam from Valmiki Ramayana stated by Sugreeva to Lakshmana which means – Out of trust or friendship if I have committed any mistake(sin) please bear with me Lakshmana, there is no prefect person (Jeevan) in this world who has not committed mistakes and hence please forgive me.
Hearing those words from Sugreeva and because of the magic of Anjali, Lakshmana cooled down and replied that he never mistook Sugreeva’s actions.
यच्च शोकाभिभूतस्य श्रुत्वा रामस्य भाषितम् |
मया त्वम् परुषाण्युक्त: तच्च त्वं क्षन्तुमर्हसि || 4.36.20
This is the slokam from Valmiki Ramayana stated by Lakshmana to Sugreeva which means – Oh! Sugreeva, on hearing the sadness of Rama being separated from His wife Seetha, I expressed my anger to you. There is no personal vengeance on you.
Swami Vedanta Desikan, inspired by this Ramayana incident and how those characters behaved, advises a simple way to make up for Bhagavata Apacharam: say sorry to the person you hurt (the Bhagavata), like using “Anjali.” in his Chillarai Rahasyam work called Anjali Vaibhavam.
Thus, is the greatness of Anjali Vaibhavam which can help us come out of Bhagavata Apacharam.
Key Take Away
Even if we have not committed a mistake knowingly, our words and actions might wound another Bhagavata. Upon realising the mistake, we must immediately apologise and attempt to right all wrongs. This is shown by Sugreeva.
On the other hand, if the other person ask for apology, we must abandon our ego and accept it which is shown by Lakshmana.
After reading this it is quite evident that there are no counselling sessions compared to learning our epics Ramayanam, Mahabharatam and puranas like Srimadh Bhagavatam, Sri Vishnu Puranam with the guidance of our Gurus who guide us.
Koodi irundhu Kuliruvom!!
Adiyen,
Smt. Priya Sathyan
Sri APN Swami’s Kalakshepa Shishayi
11-10-2023
Sri APN Swami 