About Appaya Dikshita

[Jaldhar H. Vyas]

Like all proper teachers Appaya Dikshit believed in teaching the
appropriate thing to the appropriate person instead of indiscriminately
letting anyone do as they pleased.  And as Bhakti to saguna Ishwar is
appropriate for most people, it is the worship of Shiva Bhagawan he
recommended to them.  And as you point out, Vishnu Bhagawan too--despite
his personal feelings, he didn't see any difference between the two.  In
fact in his work ratnatrayapariksha ("An examination of the three jewels")
he shows that there is no difference between Shiva Bhagawan, Vishnu
Bhagawan, and Mataji.  Nevertheless, as an Advaita Vedantin, he believed
that Brahman is nirguna.

--
Jaldhar H. Vyas <jaldhar at braincells.com>


On Thu, 19 Feb 1998, Ram Chandran wrote:

> Greetings Jaldhar and Vaidya:
>
> Thanks for your excellent articles on Appaya Dikshitar.  Let me add some
> additional observations on Appaya Dikshitar's contributions. He was the
> guiding spirit of a movement in which he organized the services of a
> large band of volunteers who could disseminate among the masses the
> philosophy of Shiva advaita and the worship of Lord Siva. Dikshitar
> believed in Saguna Brahman and according to him, the philosophy of
> Advaita is the Grace of Siva! Though he is a great devotee of Siva, he
> also worshipped "Varadaraja Perumal," temple deity at Kanchipuram, Tamil
> Nadu.  He was a mighty intellect and he led a life of karmaa, bhakti and
> jnaana, setting a model for posterity to follow. Interested readers can
> refer to the following WEB sources for more details on Appaya Dikshitar.
>
> I want to specifically thank Jaladhar for bringing Appaya dikshitar, the
> great Tamil Saint to the attention of Advaita list members.
>
> Bhakti Archives -- March 1997:
> http://thondar.busi.utc.edu/bhakti/archives/mar97/0031.html
> http://thondar.busi.utc.edu/bhakti/archives/mar97/0055.html
>
> Hinduism Today: Issue 94-03: Article on - Saivism: Six Schools
> http://www.spiritweb.org/HinduismToday/94-03-Saivism_Siva_Advaita.html
>
>
> --
> Ram Chandran
> 9374 Peter Roy Ct.
> Burke, VA 22015
> Ph: 703-912-5790
>