Books / Articles written by Sri V. N. Gopala Desikan
By Sri V.N. Gopala Desikan I now have a broad idea about the greatness of our philosophy and religion. I have a few doubts in regard to certain points which you mentioned. Now , there are certain passages, in our accecpted authorities like the Vedas, Sastras, Puranas and Divya Prabandha, which appear to be mutually [...]
Tags: conclusion
By Sri V.N. Gopala Desikan We have got two sects, Vadakalai and Tenkalai. What is the difference between these two schools of thought? There is no fundamental or basic difference in the philosophy, between the two schools, Vadakalai and Tenkalai. There is only difference of opinion on some issues. These are not significant. When did [...]
Tags: Ramanuja, Srivaishnavam, thenkalai, vadakalai
By Sri V.N. Gopala Desikan What are the three secrets in our system (rahasya traya)? The first and the most important is called Ashtakshara. This consists of 8 syllables and is in the form of three words. The first word is a single syllable Om. The second word is Namaha. The third word is Narayanaya. [...]
Tags: astaksharam, charma-slokam, dwayam, mantra-trayam, secrets
By Sri V.N. Gopala Desikan You have already explained to me about bhakti yoga. Now, please tell me something more about the second means of attainment of moksha, namely prapatti. Prapatti is also called Saranagati, Bharanyasa, Bhara Samarpana and Nyasa. Here, we seek the Lord as the sole refuge, for salvation. We surrender ourselves unto [...]
Tags: prapatti
By Sri V.N. Gopala Desikan At the time of death, how does the Jivatma depart from this body? This is well explained in the Upanishads. At the time of death, the Jivatma leaves the body. When the Jivatma leaves the body, the following also leave:- 1) The five senses of knowledge; (Jnana Indriyas) 2) The [...]
Tags: death, jivatma, mind, paramatma, soul, swarga, vaikunta
By Sri V.N. Gopala Desikan You said that like Brahman, the Jivatma and matter are also eternal. Is there only one Jivatma or there are several of them? Jivatmas are infinite in number. The fact that they are countless, has been made clear in the Vedas,as Well as in the Bhagavad Gita. Then, is there [...]
By Sri V.N. Gopala Desikan What are the types of activities of the Jivatma, in this world? The activities pursued by Jivatma are of three kinds: 1) Nitya 2) Naimittika 3) Kamya 1) Nitya: That which has to be done, without fail, regularly, like Sandhyavandana. By not doing these, one incurs sins. 2) Naimittika: Those, [...]
Tags: bhakthi, bhakthi-yoga, Hinduism, jivatma, jnana-yoga, karma-yoga, prapatti, yoga
By Sri V.N. Gopala Desikan How did the three systems of Vedanta philosophy, namely Advaita, Visishtadvaita and Dvaita come about? The question can be answered with a little bit of background on the Upanishads.The Upanishads are of three types namely bheda sruti, abheda sruti and ghataka sruti. What is the Bheda sruti? There are many [...]
Tags: advaitha, brahman, dvaitha, Hinduism, madhva, maya, Ramanuja, sankara, soul, visishtadvaitham
By Sri V.N. Gopala Desikan What is the essential nature of Iswara? The essential nature of Iswara is truth, knowledge, infiniteness, happiness and purity. He is present everywhere. He knows everything. Why is He called Bhagavan? He possesses six qualities and that is why He is called Bhagavan. Bhaga in Sanskrit means good quality. What [...]
Tags: Hinduism, iswara, jivatma, paramatma
By Sri V.N. Gopala Desikan What is the meaning of Achetana? As mentioned earlier, we have three tattvas or reals. We will next take up Achetana and then finally Iswara. Achetana means non-sentient. It means that it does not possess any knowledge. So, theAchetana is not capable of thinking, since it has no knowledge(pramana). What [...]
Tags: creation, Hinduism, jivatma, paramatma
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Ramasamy Ramanuja Dasan