Pranams.
I am interested in understanding this bhAgavatam verse from a vishiShtAdvaitic perspective:
tyaktvā sva-dharmaṁ caraṇāmbujaṁ harer
bhajann apakvo ’tha patet tato yadi
yatra kva vābhadram abhūd amuṣya kiṁ
ko vārtha āpto ’bhajatāṁ sva-dharmataḥ || SB 1.5.17 ||
"One who has forsaken his material occupations to engage in the devotional service of the Lord may sometimes fall down while in an immature stage, yet there is no danger of his being unsuccessful. On the other hand, a nondevotee, though fully engaged in occupational duties, does not gain anything."
The key point is the idea of giving up one's sva-dharma to engage in devotional service, and how this will not result in failure. The context is vyAsa's dissatisfaction after having compiled the veda-s and mahAbhArata. He has delineated the subject of the four puruShArtha-s but is feeling incomplete because of not having emphasized the glories of vAsudeva. shrI nArAda informs him that people are naturally inclined towards sense-gratification, and that the previously described religious observances will encourage them to do so in the name of performing religious activities. He then explains that only those who are freed of this tendency towards materialism can really approach the Lord, and thus advises vyAsa to show this path for those not so fortunate. And then this verse is spoken, which seems to imply that one can even abandon varnAshrama in favor of bhakti, which is keeping with the view of vishvanAtha chakravathi thAkura and other gauDIya commentators. However, as per my understanding of Sri Vaishnavism, one's varNAshrama is not to be given up, only the sense of agency in the performance of the karmas and the desire for their fruits, which should be dedicated to bhagavAn. Therefore, where is the question of giving up sva-dharma-s?
I would definitely appreciate clarification on this from the Sri Vaishnavas, especially with reference to SV commentaries on this verse.
regards,
Bookmarks