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Book Review
TAMIL
Pearls of wisdom
V. N. VEDANTA DESIKAN
SRI VAISHNAVA MUTHUKKAL — First Part: Bhooma Venkatakrishnan; Pub. by Geethaacharyan, 7, South Mada Street, Triplicane, Chennai-600005. Rs. 125.
IN THE post-Ramanuja spiritual renaissance in South India, a new style of writing called Manipravala, Tamil blended with Sanskrit words, came into vogue. A great champion of this vehicle of thought was Pillai Lokacharya, who wrote 18 works, usually referred to as Rahasya works since they would not easily be comprehended by a novice without the guidance of a master, an Acharya. Out of them, the one which has kept spiritual aspirants captivated by its cryptic axiomatic sentences is Sri Vachana Bhooshanam. It has the virtue of being commented upon, among others, by Manavala Mamunigal.
This book treats the Sutras (some 243 in number) in this text for discussion, under popular topics. They are literally pearls of wisdom. What is significant is that the work is not simply commented upon in the old stereotype fashion; rather a senior pandit, referred to as grandfather, explains each Sutra in simple spoken Tamil. The listeners are four teenagers intelligently asking and answering as well questions. The discussion is truly scintillating, even if imaginary. The purpose is thus served most effectively.
The two Prakaranas, in this first part, pertain to the role of Mother-Goddess, Sri, or Lakshmi, to commend us to the Lord and the emphasis on the need for a Jivatma to remain a true Prapanna. Altogether a lovely presentation. One congratulates the author on an excellent introduction to a terse work of a genius to modern students. We enthusiastically look forward to the next volume.
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