Benevolence of Acharyas

In the second verse of the Thriuppavai, Andal talks of giving without being asked. She also talks of giving to a person, when one is asked. Acharyas teach their disciples sometimes even without the disciple asking them for specific instruction. Sometimes they clarify the doubts of their disciples. And if a disciple has a doubt, there is a way of asking for clarification. The disciple should not directly pose the question to the Acharya. He must ask several related questions, and as the Acharya answers them, the disciple may even find the answer to his query in the answers to the related questions. In any case, one does not ask an Acharya a question bluntly, but leads up to it gradually, said Devanar Vilagam S. Padmanabhan.

The way for us to attain moksha is through surrender, and the only way for us to reach moksha through surrender is through the mercy of Acharyas. The esteem in which Acharyas are held is because of their qualities of approachability and affability, which are not only the qualities of Lord Narayana, but of our Acharyas as well. Through their thoughts, words and deeds, they show us what the right path is. It is said that Mahatmas are those whose words match their thoughts, and whose actions match their words. Duratmas are those whose thoughts, words and deeds are at variance with one another. They do not speak as they think. They say one thing and do another.

We resort to surrender in order that we may be able to serve the Divine Couple in Sri Vaikuntha. But since bhakti yoga is beyond our capacity, we seek an Acharya, who performs surrender (Prapatti) for us. We have violated Sastraic rules not just in this janma, but in several earlier janmas too. For us to attain moksha, without the mercy of Acharyas, would be impossible. When such is the benevolence shown to us by our Acharyas, is it possible to ever repay the debt we owe them? The answer is obvious. There is no way in which we can repay our Acharyas. One must approach an Acharya with devotion, reverence and humility, and with the realisation that we can in no way repay an Acharya for his overflowing and overwhelming kindness to and concern for us.