ஆமாம் ஸ்வாமி! The more I think I about this, the strongly I feel the importance of following this.
If someone is interested in music, first he can learn carnatic, and when a reasonable expertise is reached then he can explore Hindustani. At that stage he will be able to understand the unifying principles between the two and also appreciate the differences, and bring out the synergistic beauty in a fusion music.
Other the otherhand, if he were to learn both forms of music simultaneously, he is unlikely to learn either one properly and end up in confusion music, not fusion music.
Similarly, we have to put in a sincere, systematic, focussed effort in understanding our respective sampradaya to a reasonable depth. At that stage if we come across other samradayas we will be able to understand the commonalities between the different sampradayas, and also appreicate how the differences or unique emphasis on different aspects of Perumal by the different sampradays enhances our collective service to Him.
But without a strong foundation in our own sampradaya if we try to learn a little bit here and a little bit there, we will end up in utter confusion. Either we may doubt our own sampradaya and lose all interest in spiritual science; or we may blindly think we are the best and others are wrong, and thus commit offence to those vaishnavas.
You may remember, several months ago our Swamy requested us (paraphrased) “first study any one scripture systematically and properly. This will address most of the fundamental questions. Then you can ask questions based on your hearing and studying; such questions will be genuniely beneficial to you. But without a systematic study of even one book, you will end up asking the same kind of questions again and again, and not make any progress at all“.
I am extrapolating this instruction to mean, first I must systematically understand my sampradaya to reasonable depth. That will help me easily understand other sampradayas also. At that stage whatever questions I may have, I can place that to an authority and get it answered.
So, [Hear, Study, Discuss with friends, place questions to Guru for clarification] Repeat!!! If I don’t follow this cycle, then my questions may not be meaningful, and even if I get an answer I may not actually benefit from it.
Thank you.
adiyen dasan.
