[Advaita-l] Re: Pa~nchapAdikAchArya

[K Kathirasan NCS]

Namaste Rameshji

Shankara too is emphatic in his appreciation of Sampradaya. He mentions
emphatically that asampradayavits are murkha in his Gita Bhashya. I must
confess that I share with you the same value for Sampradaya, although I
see the Sampradaya as a lineage of acharyas who know the right
methodology of communicating this Atmavidya. 

The first prakarana grantha that exposed me to Advaita Vedanta was
Vivekacudamani. In fact, that remains first in my list when it comes to
recommending a Vedanta guidebook to other seekers. But I am of the
opinion that it may not be from the pen of Adi Shankara due to its undue
emphasis on Samadhi and its other views. Nevertheless, the book is a
gem. 

I am quite surprised to know that you are yet to read any of SSS's
books. You should make an effort to at least read at least one (not
necessarily accept his observations). One good starter would be his 'The
Method of Vedanta'. 

Cheers and OM.

Kathirasan 
-----Original Message-----
From: advaita-l-bounces at lists.advaita-vedanta.org
[mailto:advaita-l-bounces at lists.advaita-vedanta.org] On Behalf Of Ramesh
Krishnamurthy
Sent: Tuesday, October 03, 2006 4:17 PM
To: A discussion group for Advaita Vedanta
Subject: Re: [Advaita-l] Re: Pa~nchapAdikAchArya

Namaste Kathirasan-ji,

Your point is well taken, especially on the need to take our opinions
lightly. I also agree wholeheartedly on the need to be objective.

But let me point out that sampradaya as such is not be taken lightly.
It is of fundamental importance in Advaita Vedanta. This is not my
opinion, but pretty much a plain fact.

Lest I be misunderstood, let me clarify that I am making a general
statement and not with respect to SSS in particular. I have not read
any of the works of SSS, and therefore have *no opinion* whatsoever on
them. As far as SSS himself is concerned, I have immense respect for
him, the respect that is due to a sannyasi and a scholar. Beyond that,
I have pretty much nothing to say about him or his works.

The reference to authorship issues was because some of his followers
seem to emphasize such issues a lot. Such issues do have their
importance, but I will say *unhesitatingly* that people who dismiss
the Vivekachudamani because of doubts about its authorship are not
being faithful to Advaita Vedanta. The VC is great because of its
contents and not because of its author. Who wrote it is immaterial.

dhanyosmi
Ramesh


On 03/10/06, K Kathirasan   NCS <kkathir at ncs.com.sg> wrote:
> Namaste Rameshji,
>
> There are people who prefer to discuss Advaita and there are people
who
> would like to realise Advaita. And there are also people who like to
> defend it. The list can go on and on..... Everyone looks at Advaita
> Vedanta from the standpoint of their pursuits. Even so in perspectives
> of Sampradaya.
>
> So let us take our opinions (myself included) lightly. But if we
choose
> to be serious, then let us be open and OBJECTIVE. Cheers.
>
> Kathirasan
>
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