Have heard that during the pralaya kalam all beings would become inanimate in the stomach of Perumal. In that case what is the position of Prakruthi before creation? If we think about the form of Alllilai Krishna (Kirishna reclining on a banyan leaf) during the pralayam, the waters and the prapancham must have been presented to bear the Balakrishna form of the Lord. But have heard that moola prakruthi obtain different forms only during creation. How to understand the Alllilai Krishna form during the pralayam?
Vidwan’s reply:
Though everything is destroyed during Pralayam (deluge), Swami Desikan reconciles that Bhagawan can still create new waters and trees for residing.
Some say that Allilai Kannan did not appear during the grand deluge. It is an intermediate pralayam when the worlds get destructed but few like Saint Markandeya survived and worshipped the Allilai Kannan. So, this would not have occurred during Mahapralayam.
It is said that the liberated souls reach Srivaikuntam when they shed their mortals, this abode is eternal and in the purest form. If so where is Thiruparkadal? Is it a permanent abode as well? What is it made of? Though Adisesha is a nitya suri he cannot be a vibhu like Perumal; so how could he serve as a recliner at both the abodes of Perumal simultaneously?
Vidwan’s reply:
While it is possible for the liberated souls to take desirous forms when they reach Vaikuntam and it is absolutely possible for the Nityasuri like Adishesa to render services to Perumal same time at various places.
Ksheerabdhi is situated outside of Srivaikuntam where all the demi-gods like Brahma, Rudra go to worship. This place is formed by the divine will of Perumal and it is not created by Chaturmukha Brahma.
Do our Purvacaryas accept Anjaneya to be an amsham (component) of Rudra? Is that the reason why Swami Desikan did not write sloka specifically on Anjaneya? Can Prappanas worship Siriya thiruvadi like Peria Thiruvadi?
Vidwan’s reply:
Our Purvacaryas had not stated anywhere that Anjaneya is amsha of Rudra and this cannot be a reason that Swami Desikan did not write any specific sloka. Swami did not write any stotras based on his own volition but as per the ordain of each Perumal.
Swami Desikan had written slokas about Anjaneya in his Sankalpa Suryodayam. He had also mentioned that Anjaneya resided in Gandhamadana mountain.
Srivaishanavas can certainly worship Siriya Thiruvadi like Periya Thiruvadi. We also chant Anjaneya dhyana sloka as stated in Ramayana. It is important how Anjaneya is consecrated. If Anjaneya is consecrated based on Vaikanasa or Pancharathra agama he takes the position as a devotee of Rama, we can definitely worship and if he is consecrated as an amsha of Rudra then we cannot worship.
That is why our elders always worship Anjaneya at Perumal temple as he appears alongside Lord Rama and they do not support worshipping stand-alone Anjaneya because they do not know the consecration details.
We should be devoted to him and chant his slokas with reverence, nonetheless.
The English translation on Sri u.ve Vasudeva Thatachar Swami’s book titled Vedanta Desikan on Principles of Vaishnavism, page 232 states that when Advaita philosopher Vidhyaranyar critiqued on Shatadushani, Swami Desikan befittingly countered it with ‘ca’ word alone known as cakara samarthanam. Does cakara samarthanam still exist?
Vidwan’s reply:
There was a text called as cakara samarthanam but it is no longer available today. Ca denotes the English equivalent ‘and’. The word ca convey many meanings. For e.g., Rama also went conveys that Rama went with another person which leaves to debate whether it is right or wrong. So, the word Ca should be carefully used. The word ca was appropriately used by Desikan as per the author of this book.
I have listened through elders and in upanyasams that Bhagavan Krishna confided to Uddhavar that he ended his avatara with a heavy heart as he could not help Draupadi during the disrobement even when she surrendered with full faith unto Him.
Here is my doubt, when Perumal felt dissatisfied that he did not render her enough help, then why did he wait for her to cry for help? Even worldly people like us protect our children without expecting anything in return but why does Jagan matha and pitha wait for children like us to seek their help or wait until we perform Saranagati? Kindly pardon if this query is disrespectful.
Vidwan’s reply:
The creators of this universe Perumal and Piratti are not like any ordinary parents. It appears that they have set certain regulations. They grant us birth based upon our karmas. We take birth, enjoy, and suffer according to our karmas.
Similarly, they have set regulations on protection as well. They protect as per karma – if we surrender, then the protection is absolute otherwise it is ‘aprartitho na gopayet’.
If they did not set this regulation, then no being will be under any harm. But a jeevan has to undergo whatever is in store based on karma. To escape from the heat, one must resort to proper means like saranagati so that Bhagavan shall protect. We call him the merciful because he protects us by accepting our mere saranagati.
These are the regulations stipulated by Bhagavan for his creation, protection and salvation. Scriptures have mentioned about this. Books like Tatva Mukta Kalapam provide elaborate details.
Which Desika slokam one must recite to remove the malefic effects of witchcraft?
Vidwan’s reply:
One can recite Garuda Pancashat to remove the malefic effects.
