From: lkumar@umiami.ir.miami.edu
Newsgroups: soc.culture.tamil
Subject: READ/REJECT .. But TRUTH NEVER FAILS ...
Date: 19 Aug 92 12:33:18 EDT
Organization: Univ of Miami IR


			TRUTH never fails.
		 	=================

I register the following lines onto the
NET because I always believe that TRUTH never fails.

When I pointed out the discrepancy in Kanchi Acharya's
interview to Indira Gandhi, I believed and still believe
that I am writing the truth. To a posting that agreed 
that Adi Sankara was wrong in the encounter with Lord
Shiva who was disguised as a low caste person, I had pointed 
out this discrepancy about the interview. Criticism of 
discrepancies is the inevitable part of any discussion.

If Mr. Sankar's article was any pointer, I understand
that there are several netters who feel hurt. However,
I am helpless in this regard for the simple reason 
that truth is often sour and painful. I have no 
control with it.

I meant no offense to anyone including Acharya. 
My conscience is clear about it.

My query was whether there was any correlation between
the power and caste of a person to get an interview
(or dharsan).  I don't consider citing the name of 
cine stars to be a sin -- for I consider them as 
human beings too. Hinduism also talks about Ramba,
Urvasi, Menaka, etc. As a matter of fact they are often
assigned with the duties of disturbing the "thapas" of
sages and saints. 

Adi Sankara's "kanakathara stotram" was delivered
when he blessed a helpless old lady presented a 
tiny little fruit (nellikkani) to him -- because 
that's all she can afford. Given the standards of 
life of those days, the lady might be a widow too,
otherwise she need not be so helpless. I'll never know 
for sure, for Sati was also an accepted practice and 
suggested even today by Puri Acharya.

However the legendary fact is that Adi Sankara did not
have any special restrictions for women.
And rewarded her with showers of golden coins.

It has been said in the net that mutt has its own
norms and after 2 denials, Acharya granted the interview
and later on sought atonement by fasting for 3 days.
I honestly believe that given the origin of "kanakathara
stotram", the need for fast may not exist. 
Also if he granted the interview against his faith,
then that was a blunder too.

Everybody agrees the manipulations resulting in casteism
and discrimination. Gender is also a base for discrimination.
And when Indira sought an interview, there was an opportunity
for him to play a role model. But I'll say he missed it.
Reforms are need of the hour and need not be seen as rebellion.
Reform-talkers need not be treated as revenge-seekers.

There is absolutely no need for a Periyar if the heads of mutts
are just able to see the reason for themselves without submitting
themselves to the pressures, all just for the sake of social justice.
The failure to do so necessitates others to point out .... 

Hinduism and the mythology have so many contradictions at 
the surface. May be, the TRUTH which never fails lies deeper 
elsewhere ... like the heart of the reader ....

"Vali (or Bali) vathai" is a topic for discussion on stage
(vazhakkadu mandrangaL). That is not considered offensive.
What Rama did was cold blooded pre-mediated murder.
The legends also tell (as proof of Karma) that during next
Avtar as Krishna, Vali had the last laugh when he as a hunter
mistakenly hit and killed Krishna with an arrow ....
I challenge you to disagree with this.

What it does not say is that Rama had kicked out Sita and
also committed injustice to his wife and children. If I figure
out and come up with an explanation probably that's why there 
happens to be no Lava or Kusa in the family tree of Krishna ...
what will you say? praise me as a defender of Karma or atheist ? 

People want to see what they want to see ...

I don't understand why the fact is that even Avtars are not
exceptions to Law Of Karma which many believe, why my
article should provoke the very same people entertaining the
faith ? It is human to err .. and even Avtars are no exception ...
I saw a discrepancy with Acharya and pointed it out ...
Is Acharya is above Lord Rama .. ?

I like to point out the fact Acharya has indeed sent flowers
to Mr. Karunanidhi on the occasion of his birth day. 
[atleast he did not have same apathy as the brahmin netters ]
There are several ways of looking at it.

Had he considered that MK has offended the religion,
in inquiring about dharma's failure to save
Karna even when he had donated all his life time "punya"
(by scriptures such a donation also fetches "punya" of
greater magnitudes), probably he might not have sent them.

This event did happen -- not in the beginning of MK's tenures
as Chief Minister of TN (like in the beginning of Jaya's 
tenure), but when he had earned the apathy of the entire 
brahmin community. Doubting souls can question the timing even.

Or else he might have foreseen something and that might 
imply the impending rough times ahead of MK.
And a way of ensuring him peace and morale despite all the
abuses that are to be showered on him. 

Or something else .....

The world will be what is destined to be ...
The people will see only what they want to see ...

If you find the tone offensive, again that's not my fault.
When articles are replied, often tend to inherit the tone.
Calling Periyar "no. 1 idiot" and worse "bastard" (I know
only his talks and actions which may be right and wrong,
but not about his heritage) do have frequent use on the 
net. But at the same time I have yet to see an article
that accuses brahmins/priests personally. Their attitudes
ans practices . .yes ...  My article did
not call names but questions the practice ..

I doubt whether Mr. Thiagarajan understands what he means
by building a Temple for Periyar. Even for Hindu saints
their post-life abode is called "brindhavan" or "samadhi"
and they do not symbolize a temple. I have visited 
Tiruvannamalai where there are several samadhis (Seshadri
swamigaL, Ramana Maharishi etc) which have a siva-lingam
atop. Except for Mantralaya (which is a jeeva-samadhi and 
where he assured to live for 700 years) I don't think 
any other samadhi of some saint being accepted as a Temple.
Even Mantralaya is known as Brindhavan.

I need not prove to the net what I am and what I stand for.
You can cast me as atheist or rebel or whatever you want ...

The fact is that there is only a thin line demarcation between
one's piousness and atheism. Especially with Hinduism the more
you get to know about it you'll stay away from rituals ...
I don't know the answer  ...

The few shrines I have yet to visit are only Kedarnath, Gangthothri,
Yamunothri, Vaishnavi temple, Pasupathinath temple in North.
In south I have visited many important temples -- except
Mummudivaram, Gillalemudi (sp?) in AP and Puttaparthi ...

When I see discrepancies, I do feel it is my duty to 
point out.

No, Mr. Balaji, I am not going to tell you which head-master
beat me up black and blue .... But the truth is that only
a few are blessed fortunate and many are less fortunate ...
I belong to the second. I was at one point in my life was at
the door-steps of Justice begging for the same ... 
I didn't get any .... I made out a petition and dropped it
in Mantralaya hundi and fasted for a day avoiding  water even ...
The people who know me know more ..... and who won ....

Given the circumstances, I had very little options to
prove my faith for the values I believe are right.
But I know out of personal experience that fasting
is big way for peace. Hence my schedules permitting
I'll fast myself for 3 days (in the next month) for 
the sake of the truth that I had pointed out. 
Till then I'll not post anything on the net ...

And for this Karma, I am not responsible.  People like 
Mr. Sankar and Balaji Kannan (Kanna, how am I responsible
for the writing style of others) who saw a monster in me, 
have triggered me to this decision. The responsibility
stays with them. I dare them to send the transcripts of
my articles to Acharya even .... 

I believe in the Law of Karma to the extent of Newton's 
action-reaction. And scripts which my accusers have chosen 
to believe blindly also says:

	"Never work for fruit nor desist from duty"

	"Without believing in the nature of the outcome  
	 who ever carry out the Karma is absolved of
	 any sins that may be a fall out"

I don't seek revenge and don't consider myself mahatama ..
Also I am not a coward either to run away.. 

I don't believe I had committed a sin. But the trigger
has made it necessary and has pushed me into this Karma.

vinai - vinai moolam - vinai Payan -- 

all three to SARVAM KRISHNAARPANAM

TRUTH never fails ....

-- Laxman