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Vedas preach only UNIVERSAL-LOVE of Unity in Diversity ..NO HATRED

"viggop"

// I read Ramanujar was forced to leave the Chola kingdom because Cholas were Shaivites and ramanujar practised Vaishnavism.This is from the historical point of view.Please correct me if i'm wrong here //

I have already touched this point in my last post along with my specific mention that I will elaborate on that another context later, so that the current feature of Seshawathara of Ramanuja taken up now, do not go astray.

However since asked for, I will take it up now itself before proceeding further on the Seshawathara factor.

The Chozha King then was a Fanatic Saiva, so hating all other faiths that he insisted all his subjects be Saivites only... and so he was in the habit of inviting Non-Saivite Scholars and after a Names-sake Religious forum of Debate with his Saivite Scholars, those aliens were mocked at ridiculed insulted as well as many even punished innocently, and finally forced to be converted as Saivites. His main target used to be the Vaishnavite Scholars, the disciples of Ramanuja.

Many Vedic Scholars of visiting Saivites as well as those of other Sub-faiths (Non-Saivites), tried their best to convince him .. suppported by Vedhic quotations...

.. that Vedhas preach only Universal-Love of Unity in Diversity with the least scope for mutual hatred ..

..and even the Saivam’s main theme is .. “Anbae Sivam”.. and so there is no place in the Vedic-Religion for this sort of Sectarian Wrath or Narrow-minded Compartmentalisation ..

.. within this Divine Subject of Religion of high Moral Values and Spiritualism .. the Large-hearted Humane pursuit.

But all such wise and broadminded Scholarly persuasions went into the deaf years of the Fanatic Ruler.

But one interesting and wonderful phenomena of his surroundings was ..

.. that one of his ministers by name “ Naalooraan” was a staunch Vaishnavite disciple of Ramanuja. He was a Kshathriya by birth, a well-competent Administrator, very much useful personally, highly reliable in important deputationary duties and on the whole .. mostly indispensable for the Raja in his rule.

Once the Chozha King asked his ministers to promulgate an Order that in all the Temples te main deity should be only Siva... and so in the Vishnu temples, those deities at the centre should be replaced by Siva-Lingams and the Vishnu deity should be placed as the Praakaara Deva behind Siva deity.

Immediately his minister Naalooraan interfered
..
“Maharaja, I am not interested to argue .. whether Lord Siva, your God-form is supreme or the Vishnu my God-form. I being comon to all the public, I don’t want to enterv into a controversy and thus hurt any sect or people of various Faiths, since Vedas clearly render freedom to every so called Hindu, the Vedic follower..

.. to deem that One Supreme God either as Siva or Vishnu or Kali or any other God- form .. or even as Shapeless Abstract-power..

.. according to the individual devotee’s Concept, Option and Wish.

.. So let us respect each others faiths and leave at that.” said the Minister.

King got angry and said.. “ Manthiri it is my Order. You must implement it.”

“Maharaja when I say .. the same Vishnu we see is Siva for you .. if you so believe .. what can e your objection I am unable to follow... So to say if you worship the deity Vishnu in our Temples chanting Siva-Sthothram.. the same Vishnu will appear as Siva for that Saivite only.”

The King did not agree ..

Subsequently when the King was on tour of his Kingdom alongwith the Minister Naaloraan .. he saw the Vishnu deity procession in one village.

Immediately the King asked “ Hae Naalooraa you are making fool of me by teaching some humbug stories. Now tell me, if I chant Nama-Sivaaya manthram addressing this Vishnu deity now appearing with Naamam.. will change into Lord Siva.. you mean. Tell me clearly. I will test it. If your such formulae fails, I wil chop of your head for cheating me.”

“Yes Maharaja.. I agree”

Addressing the Vishnu-deity on the procession in front... Raja chanted Siva-manthram for a few minutes closing his eyes ..

Simultaneously his Minister Naalooraan too closed his eyes and prayed to his Guru Ramanuja to prove his word as correct by action.

When both of them opened their eyes after a few minutes, they were wonderstruck. .. to see a miracle.!!

.. Yes the same Vishnu deity was having Viboothi on His forehead in place of Naamam.

The King became spellbound and said.. “Naaloora your words have come true. So let my order to convert Vishnu temples into Siva’s be withdrawn. But let Saivas be allowed to worship at Vishnu temples”

“Yes Maharaja” .. and so it was done.

Raja was with that village deity for about one and half hours, performing the due honours for God.

After his departure, the Viboothi disappeared of its own accord, restoring the original look with Naamam.

On reaching the temple... all chould hear an Asarreri Voice of God “ Let this phenomena be repeated as an annual function every year and let all the people know that Naalooraan’s worsds are EVER-TRUE.

Accordingly in that Vishnu Temple at THIRUKKANNANGUDI in Chozha- Naadu in between Thanjaavoor and Nahgapattinam once a year on that day... even now-a-days

.. the Vishnu deity is worn Viboothi for just one and half hours.. during the specifc festival named “THIRUNEERANI-VIZHA”

However the people used to mock at the King at his back... that the King is able to convert all others including the public.. but not his minister closeby who prominently occupies the high seat of the Minister.. wearing a bright Naamam conspicuously on his forehead .. the symbol of a Vaishnavite... amongst the whole Sabha congregation of Saivites all over.

Neither the Saivite scholars nor the King himself personally could win over that Minister by arguments.. Finally one day the Raja asked ..

“Naaloraa ... what is your objection to become one amongst all of us as Saivite?”

“Look .. all your Vaishnavite Scholars have accepted the Supremacy of Saivam .. and still why you are not getting converted to our fold .. by which you can get several more favours from me

“Maharaja even if thousands of Great Scholars, including Vaishnavites.. accept the Overall supremacy of any other God over my Deity Vishnu and preach me so

.. I will not accept, unless my supreme Guru Ramanuja declares so”

Then the King Kuloothunga Chozhan made a new Secret- plan to bring the minister into his fold ...

What is it ?.. We will look next.