BG 18.22

Sri Krishna desired to build a temple for Sri Rama. There lived one Swami Parthasarathy Iyengar in Tiruvallikeni, Chennai. He was publishing many Sri Vaishnava books from Tiruvallikeni, from circa 1870 to about 1890. He was called Yogi Parthasarathy, and with a desire to worship the Lord in all Divya Deasams, he took leave of Lord Sri Parthasarathy, in Tiruvallikenei! In his tour of North India, he visited Badarikashram, Salagramam, Devaprayag, etc., and landed in Ayodhya, the Janma Bhoomi of Lord Sri Rama. He worshiped the Lord and things were going routinely. But still there was a yearning, for a temple with Sothern Culture and with South Indian sculptures. His thoughts, perhaps, reached the Lord. The Lord decided to convey to his wife Yogi Singammal, that He desired to have a temple, through their efforts. He appeared in her dreams and ordered that in Tiruppullani, where the Lord was Sri Dharba Sayana Perumal, the Utsavar idols would be found. In about 1898-99, this couple visited here. Within Five years, all construction was completed; the idols were brought from Tiruppullani; and in 1904, this new temple was consecrated. From that time, till about Five years only, Yogi Parthasarathy was here. To serve the Lord permanently, he departed for Vaikuntam. But his wife, Yogi Singammal, lived thereafter, for about 30 years, in Ayodhya. From Tiruvallikeni, this couple came to Ayodhya and served the Lord Sri Rama. She looked after the administration of the temple and also taught important aspects of Sri Vaishnava philosophy, and spread Swami Ramanuja Sampradhayam. Though her original name was Singammal, she was known popularly as Ammaji and the temple also was called Ammaji Mandir.
















Today's [24th August 2009] lecture is from Ammaji Mandir. As we enter Raja Gopuram, we come across Dwajasthambam. Further inside is the Maha Mantapam. Then is the Arda Mantapam. Sri Utsavar is Sri Rama standing at the center. He is holding His bow, Kodandam. On His side is Lakshmana, ever ready to serve Sri Rama. On the other side is, Sri Sita. Nearby is Sri Nartana Krishna, dancing! Next is Vishvaksena, the commander. Sri Balaji of Tirumala is also gracing here. Sri Ranganatha, the Lord, Who was worshiped by Sri Rama, is also here in a separate sannidhi. In this sannidhi, there is another set of Sri Rama, Sri Sita and Lakshmana! There is another sannidhi of Azhvars and Acharyas. We can see Nammalwar, Tirumangai Alwar, Swami Ramanuja, Swami Alavandar, etc. With all their blessings we are going to see how a karta or doer, sould be in satvika quality. We have already seen the Three types of Gyana and Three types of Karma. Now, in sloka 26, the Lord describes the types of Kartas. He who understands Vedas and performs Karma, is Karta. Now sloka 26:

muktasaṅgonahaṃvādī dhṛtyutsāhasamanvitaḥ
siddhyasiddhyor nirvikāraḥ kartā sāttvika ucyate 18.26

Karta = [such a] doer, sattvika ucyate = is called Satvika [Karta]. Mukta sanga = sacrificed attachmants. That is abandoning kartrutva buddhi [feeling of I-am-doing], mamata [karma is for-me] and phalam [desire for rewards]. Anaham vadi = never speaking that [karma was] for self. He never tells that the karma was done by him. That is he always tells that karma was done by Him, the Lord. That is Kartrutva buddhi tyagam. Normally, satvika persons, would think what comes out as speech. So, here even though he does not tell that he was doing, it is implied that he was having that feeling in mind also. Dhrti = [with] determination, utsahasamanvita = full of involvement. Normally, people show involvement, if they would derive some benefits. But here, the Lord says that the Karta was uninterested in rewards, but interested in performing Karma. This is what present management experts also advise. Siddhi asiddhi = accomplishment or not, nirvikara = not changing. That is while doing a karma, whether it is successful or failure, the performer is unaffected. Earlier the Lord says detachment in rewards. Here, even when the objective of the karma is not accomplished, this person performing the karma, does not show any change in his feeling. Such a person is Satvika Karta. His attributes are:

1. Total detachment.
2. Never boasts.
3. Resolute in performing karma.
4. Full involvement.
5. Unaffected by results.

This is how, Sri Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrugna carried their duties. Swami Ramanuja, who lived for 120 years, never did his social service, with any expectation. Satvika Karta performs karma for the pleasure of the Lord.