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134 DISCUSSIONS. Cn. XXI.
CHAPTER XXI.
SBI-BHASHTA AND OTHEE WORKS.
Of the most tried fidelity and consummate learning, were
now his four di.sciples, viz., Kurfesa, Dasarathi, Devarat and
Emb&r (Govinda). There were countle.s others, of course,
in his congregation. Daily classes on theological subjects
were conducted. As they were reading St. Nammazhvar's
TiruTaymozhi, they came across the verse T-lingat-t.iUa-
:
purdnattiruvi, Samanarum Sdkh'yaruin &c., [IV-10-5.] i.e.
Diverse faiths, as taught by the Liiiga-jJ'irdnci { = Saiva), the
Savianas {Jainas) and Sdkyas (Batiddhas), &c. And they
discussed the defects of these systems, as also those of the
advaita dictum that liberation (moksha) is made sure on the
mere knowledge of the meaning of such Vedie texts as Tattvamasi,—Thou
art That, i.e. Thou, Soul, art That, Ood ; of the
system of those who maintain that
not mere knowledge alone,
but works as well as knowledge, combined, bring about deliverance
(moksha). None of these systems, they argued, have hit
the true spirit of the Vaidika-religion, i.e., Vedanta and that
where they have hit the truth, it is partial. The final verdict
of the Vedas is : By love to God is emancipation (moksha) to
be won. Love to God or God-love is what is intended by such
terms as Vedana, Dhydna, Updsana and BhaJifi. Such love is
fostered by good works and knowledge of God. Mere knowledge
of God as learnt from Vedie texts is ineSicacious, as also
are good works done without a heart for God. Whereas knowledge
and good works are calculated to lead to love, and love
alone secures salvation (moksha), knowledge or good works,
without love, jointly or separately, cannot directly
lead thereunto.
Thus they discussed, and arrived at a decision that a
true interpretation of the Vedanta, accordant with these views,
should be systematically made and E.£Lm8lnuja accordingly sat
down to prepare a standard work embodying an exhaustive
refutation of monism {advaita) and similar theories and a
consequent defence of Visishtddvaita or qualified monism.
KureSa was selected to help Kamanuja in this grand
task. Befoi-e he began, Ramajnuja enjoined upon Kurfiaa that