How Catholic Clooney became a Vaishnavite researcher!

[Vedaprakash]

How Catholic Clooney became a Vaishnavite researcher!
By vedaprakash
http://vaticanculturation.wordpress.com/2009/07/31/how-catholic-clooney-became-a-vaishnavite-researcher/

How Catholic Clooney became a Vaishnavite researcher!

Vedaprakash

As the interview given by Clooney to “Frontline” and the write-up
appeared in 2006, the following interview of Clooney appeared in
Kumudham dated 05-11-1992 has also been revealing. Therefore, I have
decoded to translate and post for the benefit of all:

What is Saranagathi? The debate between Catholic priest Clooney and
Agnihotram Ramanujachariyar!

Agnihotram Ramanujachariyar, an expert in the Tamil associated with
Vaishnavism and Sanskrit literature and Francis Clomney, an American
Christian priest, who had come to India to research into Vaishnavism
had met and debated. Cloooney had already come to him few years ago
(1990-91?) and learned Mimamsam from him. The dialogue had been as
followsd:

Clooney: The Vaishnavite scripture has emphasized only the
“Saranagathi tatva”, which I would like to know from you.

Agni: It is very simple, the “Saranagathi tatva” means total surrender
and it is common to all. Instead of sacrificing body, physical entity
and soul separately, the total and complete surrender of all has been
the real “Saranagathi tatva”. “Namaha” means the total surrender. “ma”
means, “mine”; “na” means “not”; thus, that is nothing to me and thus
surrendering totally has been the real meaning.

Clooney: I have read in Pasurams, “I have entered below your feet”.
Does this status resembles exactly the Sanskrit word “Saranagathi” or
not?

Agni: “Saranagathi” means not exactly “falling at the feet” or as
described. Without any way or path, (when man) “falling at feet” only
has been the “Saranagathi”.

What Vedas have taught has been a kind of Bakti. The popular Bakti has
been that of what is followed Nammazhgvar. This has been the category
of approaching God with right.

Clooney: You have explained very nicely (about the “Saranagathi
tatva”). I am very happy to have met you today.

Bama Gopalan’s interview with Clooney:

“My native place is New York. I was born in 1950 and my father,
mother, sisters (elder and younger) are there. I have no (younger)
brother. My father has been a retired Police Officer after serving for
thirty years.

“I got B. A. degree in Fordham University. Completed Master’s degree
thereafter. Did Ph.D in Sanskrit.

“I desired to become a priest at the age of 15 itself. Every week,
when I used to go to church, I used to ask myself, “Should I become
doctor, lawyer or engineer?”, addressing to God. The voice of God told
him, “You should become a priest”!

“I learned Tamil at the University of Chicago from the alphabet stage.
I learned both reading and writing of Tamil. I had understood the
Tamil grammar well. I started reading small stories in Tamil – At my
29th age, I read many village-stories (folk-tales) and stories of
spirituality, then, Sangam literature, Periya Puranam, Kamba
Ramayanam, Tiruvacakam – and like this I read many. I got interest in
literature. The liking that I could not explain.

“I lost my mind in the Pasurams / poems of Tirumazhiyisai Azhwar,
Peyazhwar and Andal. I like Nammazhwar most, as his Pasurams are
simple, sweet, beautiful and attracting my mind Thus, I developed
interest to read more and more of Nammazhwar’s Pasurams.

“I came to India only for the purpose of researching into Nalayira
Divya Prabhantham. I went to the house of Tiruverngadam, the Vaishnava
College Professor at Nepal and learned Nammazhwar’s Pasurams daily.

“Prof. Sampathkumar, Head of Logic department of Vivekananda College
has been from the tradition of Manavalsa Mamunigal. Prof. S.
Ramanujachariyar, editor of “Tirumal” and Prof. Sampathkumar taught me
Tiruvazhmozi Vyakyanam every Sunday. For this, I used to come to
Madras for months together and even years together.

“As I have been Associate Professor of Theology at the Boston
University, I am coming here on vocations to learn and then return (to
attend to my duties).

“I used to get up at 5.30 in the morning; do Puja; go to Church and do
Puja (prayer) in Tamil; after doing japam and dyanam, I used to listen
to Tiriuvazhmozhi on cassettes for 10-15 minutes. Then, I take food.

“We should not see movies in the months of August, September and
October. So, I see in other months. When I used to watch for Tamil
movies, I used to take anyone as company, because, when somebody
explains in Tamil only, I am able to understand (the movie).

“Generally, Sangam style (pani) – Nalayira Divya Prabhantham has been
very nice. Though, the Pasurams have been with complications, thery
have been with the usage of beautiful Tamil expressions. Particularly,
I like the following two Pasuras of Nammazhawar:

[A free translation of the cited poems is given as follows (I just
translate freely so as to test myself about my understanding):

1. You helped this slave, when I am ignorant; because of such
ignorance – without knowing your “ma-mayai” (the Great Secret), Mavali
(Mahabali) donated the three-feet land to you; you thus cheated him
demanding but measuring (the three Worlds) merging in my soul.

1. I cannot give anything in gratitude back as it has been merged
with my spirit; I gave my spirit into you and disappeared and there is
no way to escape; as you drink the seven oceans, my spirit merged with
you; what / where is my spirit? And who am I? You give and take away
this body”]

Bama Gopalan: Can you write in Tamil? Why can’t you write 10 sentences
in Tamil?

Clooney: Yes, I write (he writes with his left-hand. Clooney has been
left-hand practicing person. What he wrote appeared on the front page
of Kumudhamn dated 05-11-1992).

The translation has been as follows:

“I read Divya Prabhandam, here in Chennai this year, because they
attracted me most. Daily, I read Tiruvazhmozhi – in original and
commentary. I would be very much happy, when I read these Pasurams or
think about them. To know my Christanity, Nammazhar has been helping
me a lot. Francis Clooney, S.J”

This was published with the following comments: “The American
Christian priest has come in search of Azwar”

Bama Gopalan describes the room where Clooney was staying:

“An American has been researching into Nalayira Divya Prabhantham
composed by Azhwars.

“He is a Roman Catholic priest.

“Dialogue Centre” board is there on the building at “Ikkiya Alayam”
situated on the Santhome High Road. Foreigners have been coming here
staying and researching into many subjects.

“Francis Clooney has been one of them. He is about 5 feet 6 inches;
his hair is reddish; his beard has also been of the same (colour);
lean body structure with spectacle; wearing dhoti

“His room, where he is staying has been rectangular. On the table at
corner, there is a novel written by “Lakshmi”. Dinamani of the day and
a copy of “Tirumal” magazine (are also there).

“There is another steel almirah without doors; Andal picture was on
the top panel; then there are Dasavatara dolls (purchased at Mada
veedhi, Mylapore during Navarathri).

“On the top panel, there is a cross made of palm-leaf”.

Clooney’s Father (name not mentioned)– : My father worked in the
Police department for 27 years and retired now. He is 73 and has been
giving counselling to youth of both sexes for their problems. However,
he is not a trained psychologist. He would not talk in high pitch. He
does not smoke and drink.

Clooney’s Mother – Zareen: She has immaculate and kind mind. She does
not talk much. But raises her voice, when required. I became a priest,
when I completed 18 years and 5 days. My mother blessed me and sent
for priesthood.

Vedaprakash

31-07-2009