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What do Pratyavãya dosha and Abhikramanãasa dosha mean?

Sri Swamiji:

If a man who is earnest in learning or performing an act or a work gradually loses his interest in it and gives up the work, it is called Abhikramanãsa dosha.

When an act or work is done with a particular fruit(phalan) in mind, but it earns the opposite ‘phalan’, it is called Pratyavãya dosha.

It is said that one should take up ‘Vaidika karmãnushtãna’ without expectation of any kind (Nishkãmya). But, one finds lots of prayers towards worldly end contained in these karmas. What is to be done?

Sri Swamiji:

A man prays to God through an ardent devotee’s ‘Stuti’. Let’s say that it says “Oh God! I do not want wealth, fame or learning; I desire only Your dhyãna.” But if this man entertains worldly desires, only those desires will be fulfilled. This ‘Nishkãmya’ stuti will not work. Likewise, if one keeps his mind bereft of any desire(Nishkãmya) and performs karmãnushtãnas, he need not worry about the many ‘kãmya’ prayers they may contain. If deep within we do not possess any desire, (Nishkãmya hrudaya) only that will hold.

Many bhaktas offer ‘Mã villakku”(Lighting of lamp with ghee in ‘Thinai’ flour) on Purattãsi Saturday for Lord Srinivãsa Perumal! Does Bhagavãn expect all these?

Sri Swamiji:

A lady by name of Ãndãl visits our satsang. She possesses the attitude of a mother towards me. She and her husband have a connection with Vãsudeva Parabrahmam, a Mahãtma who could see and speak with Bhagavãn. His first visit from Thiruvaheendrapuram to their home near Nellikuppam was on a Purattãsi Saturday. Smt. Ãndãl was to light ‘Mã Villakku’ for Perumal that day, but she thought, “ A great Mahãtma is coming home today. Let me light the ‘Mã Villakku’ next Saturday.” When the Mahãtma came, she offered him milk. The Mahãtma who offered the milk mentally to Bhagavãn asked Smt. Ãndãl, “Had you thought of offering ‘Mã Villakku’ to Bhagavãn today and later decided against it? Bhagavãn is refusing to accept the milk!” She explained, “It is true! Since I consider your visit a great fortune, I will offer ‘Mã Villakku’ next Saturday” The Mahãtma told this to Bhagavãn who accepted it. I narrate this only to show that Bhagavãn definitely notices and accepts even the smallest hospitality extended!

How should one treat Bhãgavatas who perform Nãma sankirtan?

Sri Swamiji:

Bhagavan Nãma Bodendra Swami, a Pontiff of Kanchi Kãmakoti Peeta who followed and preached Bhãgavata dharma attained siddhi in Govindapuram about three hundred years ago. Even today, His ‘Jiva samadhi’ stands here. Even today, many bhaktas can hear the sound of Rama nãma. On special days like Ãrãdhana, innumerable Bhãgavatas get together and perform Akanda nãma sankirtan, Divya nãma sankirtan, Radha kalyanam, Sita kalyanam etc here.

About a hundred years back, an ascetic holding a staff and kamandalu appeared before a Muslim betel leaf trader in Aduthurai near Govindapuram and said to him, “I am coming from Govindapuram mutt. All the Bhãgavatas have had their lunch and are waiting for ‘tãmboolam’(betel leaf and nut consumed after food). Bring the betel leaves quickly”. And the ascetic left the place. The good Muslim man immediately rushed to Govindapuram with betel leaves. Pointing to the picture of Bodendra Swami in the mutt, he enquired, “Where is he?”. He was told that it was this Swami whose samadhi was here. But, the Muslim said, “No! It cannot be so! It was he who came to my shop a while ago and spoke to me!” All were surprised. This Muslim received Rama nãma upadesa and chanted it.

If Bodendra Swami performed such a lila to show Bhãgavata kainkarya(service to Bhãgavatas), then should we be specially advised on the guideline for serving Bhãgavatas?

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