Artha Panchaka Purushartha svarupam Part 05

This is a multi part article detailing the Artha Panchaka – The Five Requirements of a Srivaishnava based on The Handbook of Srivaishnavism by U Ve Sri Rama Ramanuja Achari of Sri Matham

The Purpose of Life
(Purushartha svarupam)

The earthly plane is known as karma bhumi or the realm of action. According to the Vedic cosmology in addition to this world there are other realms called bhoga lokas or places of enjoyment where aims, goals and striving have no meaning as they are transcendental states of pure bliss where nothing is lacking. The jiva that attains these realms simply enjoys the results of accumulated merit until the stocks are depleted – it then returns to the karma bhumi to continue its spiritual evolution.

The Vedas teach that all human endeavour to find happiness is generally motivated by one or more of four essential goals which are technically called purusharthas:-

• Dharma – right living, ethics or duty.
• Artha – money and power
• Kama – pleasure/recreation/artistic expression
• Moksha – Liberation, freedom, self-determination

These fundamental goals of human endeavour are pursued by everyone in various degrees. In the modern western world money and power (artha) and sensual enjoyment (kama) are the predominant obsessions. There is very little regard for Duty or right living (dharma) and even less for true Liberation from the state of bondage to sense gratification. On the contrary; there is a bizarre idea that physical immortality is achievable and in fact desirable! Everything possible is done to prolong physical life and to find the elixir of immortality! When one reflects upon these four goals we see that there is an innate flaw in each one of them.

No matter how hard we try to practice our dharma and do what is right by others, they will never be happy. No matter what one does, one cannot please everyone – even Krishna and Rama, as perfect as they were, could not please everyone.

The problem with artha – the pursuit of wealth and power; no matter how much one earns or achieves it is never sufficient – there will always be a desire for more and more. Having and achieving become ends in themselves, and whatever one gains one will eventually lose.

Recreation, food and sex are all highly desirable in their absence, but once obtained and enjoyed they very quickly turn to objects of disgust, boredom or frustration.

And as for Moksha or liberation, all our self-initiated efforts at bringing about our own personal freedom and self-determination in the material sense are like straw in the wind – howmuch more so in the spiritual sense! In order to achieve enlightenment one has to meditate regularly for many many years and this is almost impossible for the average human being, so the likelihood of liberating ourselves from Samsara is a very rare indeed.

The doctrine of the Four Goals of Human Aspiration (purusha-arthas) is inseparably linked with the doctrine of the Social Divisions & Stages of Life (varna-ashrama dharma). So bearing in mind that ultimate and abiding happiness cannot be achieved by the pursuit of these goals as goals in themselves – we are encouraged to pursue them in accordance with the varna-ashrama dharma as service to the Lord.

3:1 Varna-ashrama Dharma

In Srivaishnavism this Vedic system of the Goals of life, Social divisions and Stages of life are taken for granted and one is encouraged to strive for a balance and harmony of all the four goals and not to neglect one in favour of the others. This is the basis for the ideal varna-ashrama dharma system of life in which the society is divided into four social groups (varna) according to one’s natural talents & propensities. The intelligentsia (brahmanas) , the administrators (kshatriyas), the entrepreneurs (vaishyas) and the proletariat (sudras). The ideal life span of the individual is divided into four stages; student (brahmacarin), householder (grihasta), retiree (vanaprastha) and a renunciate (sannyasi).

The Brahmins are expected to pass through all four stages. Kshatriyas pass through the first three, Vaishyas have the first two and the Sudras have only one stage – that of marriage. These are the general recommendations but in practice there are many exceptions.

During the stage of studentship one learns the principles of Dharma – spiritual wisdom, religious duties as well as secular knowledge. During the stage of the householder this sacred and secular knowledge is put into practice. One then indulges in sensual pleasures & procreation (kama) and accumulates wealth (artha) in accordance with religious principles (dharma) to support one’s family and distributes the surplus in philanthropic acts. In the stage of retirement a process of preparing for eventual renunciation is begun and one gradually abandons one’s profession and sense-enjoyment, and concentrates on dharma with a view to achieving Liberation (Moksha) from the cycle of birth and death. When one finally renounces (sannyasa) then one’s complete focus is on obtaining Liberation (Moksha) to the exclusion of all else.

3:2 Srivaishnavism and Caste

In Srivaishnavism the varna-ashrama social system of the Vedic tradition is taken for granted, but it is recognised that there is difference between social caste and spiritual caste. It is stressed that spiritual caste is not automatically attained upon birth. A person born in the brahmin social group is not automatically entitled to the privileges of a brahmin. Amongst the Vaishnavas caste differences should not arise, as all are equal in the sight of God and all are servants of God. The principle preceptor in the line of Srivaishnava preceptors was Nammalvar a Sudra! Pillai Lokacharya one of the great Srivaishnava Preceptors has said thatwhen meeting another Vaishnava one should never inquire about his caste, to do so would be tantamount to inquiring about the genitals of one’s mother. Both queries are equally repulsive and distasteful!
What matters in social relationships is not one’s class but whether one has been initiated into spiritual life or not.

“As bell metal is turned into gold through the application of an alchemical process,
so one who is properly initiated attains to the status of a brahmana.”
Vaishnava Tantra

The great preceptor Ramanuja was a great social reformer and he himself rejected social caste differences when it came to other Vaishnavas. He had the highest regard and devotion for the devotee Kanchi-purna who was a Sudra. It was the offence of caste consciousness (practiced by his wife) that eventually led to his abandoning her and taking sannyasa (renunciation). Devotees are to be honoured for their learning, devotion and humility not for the social group into which they were born. The Lord Himself as declared His love for His devotees and has demanded that others serve them. The verse most often quoted in this connection is from the Garuda Purana 219:6-11.

One in whom the eight kinds of devotion are found, even if he be a westerner (mleccha), is the best of brahmins, a sage, illustrious, an ascetic, a pandit. But I do not respect a Vedic scholar who worships Me without devotion. One who is devoted to Me, even if he is a dog-eater (chandala) is one whom I respect. He is to be given to and received from; indeed he is to be worshipped as Myself.

The Srirangam acharyas regard offending Prapannas by disparaging their birth as the worst of offences. In his commentary on the Srivachana Bhushana (The Ornament of auspicious Teachings) of Pillai Lokacharya, the great teacher Manavalamamuni quotes passages from the Mahabharata to substantiate this:-

Those who have devotion to the Lord are not Sudras; all devotees are known as brahmins. In all castes those without devotion to Krishna are Sudras. One who looks upon a devotee of the Lord as a Sudra, aborigine or outcaste because of their birth, will go to hell.

In his work Srivachana Bhushana, Pillai Lokacharya presents an elaborate argument to establish that birth in a lower caste is preferable to birth in a higher one. One born in a low caste has natural feelings of humility, unworthiness and subservience – all of which are most conducive to Prapatti and more appropriate to expressing the natural qualities of the jiva. Whereas birth in a higher caste carries with it feelings of superiority, pride and egoism, making it difficult to adopt Prapatti and foster the proper attitude of subservience to the Lord and other devotees.

Although this is true in theory, with a regard for honesty one has to admit that this is not always so in practice amongst the Srivaishnava community. The Kanchi acharyas supported the caste system (see appendix for the theological disputes), and members of the Srivaishnava community range from being extremely liberal to highly conservative and caste-conscious. In fact Ramananda (1300-1411) a member of the Srivaishnava community and a dedicated anti-caste activist went to North India and spent several years on pilgrimage, preaching and initiating everyone. When he returned to South India, the caste-ridden Srivaishnavasand is today recognised as the founder of the Vaishnava movement of the North. Among his spiritual descendants were Ravi-dasa a cobbler who became the spiritual preceptor of the celebrated mystic Mira Bai. Sena a barber by caste became a guru who converted the raja of Bandhogarh to Vaishnavism.

The sattadars

Those Srivaishnavas who do not wear the sacred thread are technically known as sattadars. This term covers all non-brahmin Srivaishnavas. They are also known as bhagavatas, nambis, dasanambis and prapanna Vaishnavas. Members of this group traditionally have the privilege of attending to certain duties within the temple economical structure, but only those who wear the sacred thread are permitted to learn the rituals and sacraments and to perform them for others.

Varna-ashrama System Today

Varna-ashrama is an “ideal” system but has become redundant in the world in which we live – a democratic, multicultural, global society with the values of equality and equal opportunities for all, the right to education, liberty, the dignity of the individual and participation in governance etc. There are many who would like to see the varna-ashrama system reinstated – but this is like wishing for Rama-rajya – a nice idea but actually a fantasy. In order to compete in the political, intellectual and spiritual millieu of today it would be best for Srivaishnavas to relegate the system to the glass cases of cultural museums or to use it merely as a framework for teaching ideals.

3:3 Dharma – Right Action

The word dharma is derived from the root dhr which means to support or to maintain, that which is the essential nature of a being and the means of its moral and material support is called its dharma. The source of dharma is fourfold;

“The Veda, tradition, the conduct or virtuous people and one’s own conscience, This is declared to be the four-fold mark of dharma, right before one’s eyes”.
Manu 2;12

According to the Padma Purana (Bhumi Khanda) Dharma has 12 components:-

1. ijya (yajña) – worship of God through the rituals that are prescribed in the Vedas and the agamas.
2. adhyayana – study of the Scriptures such as the Vedas, Upanishads, Mahabharata and Ramayana. For Srivaishnavas this includes the study of the Tamil Hymns of the Alvars (Divya-Prabandham).
3. danam – this term has a twofold reference; one is the giving of charity to the needyas well as doing social works for the benefit of society as a whole, and the other reference is to the gift of fearlessness to all creatures (abhaya pradanam) – not being the cause of fear to any living being.
4. tapah – the common meaning of this term is self-discipline which in the Srivaishnava faith refers to simple living and constant mindfulness of God as well as purposive meditation as well as control of the body, mind and speech.
5. satyam – practice of truth and harmony in speech and action at all times; one should speak only that which is true and agreeable and beneficial to others, one should not needlessly say things that are hurtful even though they may be the truth. The practice of truth includes in it such virtues as straightforwardness, frankness, absence of deviousness and malice etc.
6. kshama – forgiveness and forbearance which come from loving kindness and compassion to all beings which is based on the awareness of the presence of the jiva in all beings.
7. damah – self restraint; one should impose restrictions on one’s desires and behaviour and should avoid excesses and cultivate self- discipline.
8. asteya – not taking anything which is not given
9. shaucam – purity of both the body by regularly bathing and maintaining hygiene, and mental purity through practice of virtue and compassion.
10. ahimsa – the cultivation of an attitude of non-injury to any being in word, deed, or thought.
11. shanti – the cultivation of personal and environmental peace and contentment.
12. gurusevanam – respecting and honouring elders and parents and caring for them.

The term Dharma refers generally to all our moral, ethical and social duties and obligations to the society in which we live and the world around us. The idea of ‘individuality’ is offensive to Dharma. Everyone exists as part of a social group and each member of the group has certain duties and obligations towards every other member of the group – if these are neglected then disharmony and conflict will arise. The whole universe of animate and inanimate entities all comprise the “body” of God, everything therefore is related to everything else and as such the welfare of the whole depends on the wellbeing of the parts. Dharma is therefore based on this understanding that our personal wellbeing must be based upon and include the wellbeing of each and every component of the Universe and this then becomes the context of our social duties and obligations. Once these duties are fulfilled then that which is our Right will come to us. In modern materialistic soc!iety the emphasis is on rights and little if anything is ever heard about duties.

Dharma can be summed up in the following three virtues:-

“The Eternal Duty (Sanatana Dharma) towards all creatures is the absence of malevolence towards them in thought, deed or word, and to practice compassion and charity towards them”.
MB Vana Parva 297;35

Adroha is the absence of all negative feelings which result from being judgemental. All judgement must be suspended before one can begin the practice of unconditional love and compassion – anugraha. The presence of sincere compassion will naturally lead to charity in the form of self-giving and service – danam.

3:4 Artha – Economics

This refers to the procurement of wealth through legitimate means and according to the guidelines of the dharma. Wealth should be accumulated with the idea that all property belongs to God alone. Wealth is given to us for the purpose of helping others and not merely for our own selfish use. Artha is the basis of dharma and without it no religious activities are possible, no temples could be built or maintained, no ceremonies of festivals could be celebrated and no social work undertaken. Wealth has to be sanctified through its utilisation for the benefit of others.

3:5 Kama – Sex & Recreation

This term primarily refers to sexual pleasure which is considered to be the highest form of physical enjoyment, and secondarily it refers to sense pleasures of all sorts – such as Art, Dance, Music and all other cultural activities which bring pleasure. All these activities are also governed by Dharma, and should be done as religious activities. The acharyas have taught that vairagya or dispassion for the pleasures of the senses is the highest ideal, and that the jiva should fulfil its essential function which is to find its highest pleasure in being subservient to God. But they have also recognised that vairagya arises from three causes –

• a natural and spontaneous love for God which arises within the individual and is stronger than any sensual attractions
• by the Grace of God, one develops a distaste for sensual pleasures in the course of one’s spiritual practice, and
• through the practice of mindfulness on the transitory and unsatisfactory nature of all sense-gratification.

Srivaishnavism, while acknowledging that unrestrained indulgence in recreation can lead one away from the spiritual path, generally adopts the mainstream Vedic attitude that sex can be indulged in as a pleasure in itself but only with one’s own spouse and promiscuity is to be avoided. All other forms of entertainment, sport and recreational pursuits are sanctioned as long as they do not distract one from devotional service.

Srivaishnavism is a pragmatic religion and acknowledges that it is essential to maintain a healthy body in order to fulfil one’s religious duties, hence exercise, yoga and sport are to be encouraged. Ultimately one’s sexual practices are a matter for oneself to regulate, the acharyas do not deliver discourses on the subject.

Homosexuality

On the subject of sex and life styles it needs to be mentioned that homosexuality which is a major obsession with the “Abrahamic coalition” (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) and the focus of many social and politico-religious agendas in the West and which attracts endless invective and hatred is a non-event in Srivaishnavism. None of the acharyas have ever considered the topic important enough to discuss. So for a Srivaishnava position on the subject we need to take another look at the Scriptures which inform us that there are three types of births;-

The jiva is blinded by ignorance; sometimes it is embodied as a man, sometimes as a woman, sometimes as a homosexual. According to its deeds and the nature it acquires thereby, it may be born as a deva, a human or a beast.
Srimad Bhagavatam 4.29.29.

According to the Dharma, homosexuals (both male and female) are born as such and cannot be “converted” from heterosexuality. There is no conscious choice in the matter of sexuality – it is determined by one’s Karma. The question of evil or wickedness does not arise in the case of natural disposition. The victimisation, discrimination or ostracization of homosexuals is wrong and contradicts the teachings of the dharma. The acharyas have never addressed this issue, and none of the law givers have made a big deal about it. In fact there is no mention of homosexuality in any of the catalogues of sins that one finds in the Puranas. It is a matter of no consequence and not worthy of any serious mental expenditure. The general guidelines of the Dharma regulating relationships and social activities apply to homosexuals as well.

3:6 Moksha – Liberation

Liberation is Liberation from the cycle of births and death to which beings are subjected from time immemorial. This human birth is attained after millions of rebirths in lower species (8,400,000) and after much travail and is therefore extremely precious. One should be encouraged not to waste this valuable opportunity in vain pursuit of sense-gratification but should use this opportunity for striving for Moksha.

According to Srivaishnava theology – Liberation which is also known as Nirvana, Mukti, Emancipation, Release or Salvation is of two categories; –

1. atma-anubhavam – Self-realisation which is the result of the practice of abstract meditation on the Formless Absolute (Brahman). This spiritual practice which is taught in Advaita Vedanta and in the Patanjali Yoga Sutras leads one to experience a unique state of cosmic awareness, of total isolation and freedom called kaivalya. Only a few very exceptional mystics have ever attained this state of Self-realisation. It is not recommended as a goal for average people, who are incapable of developing the discipline of non-attachment (vairagya) which is a prerequisite for the practice of this type of meditation.
2. bhagavat-anubhavam – God-realisation which is the development of knowledge of, experience of, surrender to, and consequent service to the Supreme Being. It is a development of pure love and devotion to God without the motivation of selfish rewards either here or in a heavenly world after death.

With the development of devotional service to God, there gradually arises a distaste for the material world with its transient pleasures and perishable commodities. Through the Grace of the Lord, one attains after death, a transcendental form (aprakrta-divya-shariram) and enjoys eternal communion with the Lord in His Supreme Abode known as Vaikunta or Parama Vyoman (Spiritual Realm).

Liberation as experience of the Divine has four stages:-

1. Constant and unbroken awareness of the Divine Presence. salokya
2. Assumption of a Divine form. sarupya
3. Proximity to the Divine. samipya
4. Unification with the Divine. sayujya

Although these forms of liberation are all taught in the Upanishads, Srivaishnavas accept Liberation as being a state of eternal devotional service (kainkaryam) to the Lord. If such service is available in the embodied state it is more acceptable than some static existence in a blissful realm! The hedonistic incentive of worshipping the Lord in order to obtain limitless pleasure in some heaven is totally rejected by Srivaishnavism. The worship and service to God is an end in itself and under no circumstances is one to bargain with God – practicing religion for the sake of heaven! Ramanuja was prepared to accept hell as his lot, if it meant that others could attain liberation! This is the greatest ideal of Srivaishnavism! If others will be saved through our eternal suffering, so be it, let us welcome that suffering with open arms!

In Srivaishnavism it is taught that the Highest realm is “Vaikunta” which means “the unimpeded state” – a state which is beyond the material world and described as comprised of Shuddha Sattva – which means “Pure Being” uncontaminated by association with anything material. It is not a place in terms of location somewhere in the universe because it transcends space and time – it is rather a transcendental state of being.

Some discussion does certainly take place among Vaishnavas about the nature of Liberation and questions are asked like; is the jiva aware of other jivas or only of the Bhagavan? Is there social interaction between jivas in Vaikunta or not? But all these are merely speculative intellectual pastimes and are irrelevant to the practice of Dharma. It is impossible in fact to conceptualise the state of Liberation with our limited mental faculties. Sri Krishna states in the Gita;

To act alone is your right, and never to the fruits thereof. Do not regard yourself as the cause of action and its fruit, nor become attached to inaction.
Bhagavad Gita 2;47

Theologically it is important to have a concept of the universe and one’s place and goal within it but ultimately Dharma is practiced simply as service to the Supreme Being and not for the attainment of some blissful realm.

to be continued…