Taaratamya - The eternal distinction.....

Hari Sarvottama - Vaayu Jeevottama.....

Literally Taratamya means distinction; gradation; difference; proportion; hierarchy etc.

In the context of Tattvavaada the concept of Taratamya or hierarchy or distinction among Gods (Devata Taratamya) is an integral part of Dvaita Siddhantha.

This distinction between Jeevaatma and Paramaatama has been explained very well in Madhwa philosophy and great significance is attached to this concept.

Basically it is a gradation theory which exists very naturally in this world.

It is an organizational structure at Macro level where Lord SriManNaaraayana the Supreme God Vishnu is at the highest level (Hari Sarvottama) as President of this Universe.

Rests of the Gods are placed in the organizational structure (Kakshya) classified into 32 levels according to their nature (Tattva); qualities (Gunas) and capacities.

Taratamya or gradation among souls which is intrinsic is one of the most important tenets propounded by Sri Madhvacharya.

While Lord Sri Hari is the supreme (Hari Sarvotaama) among all; Brahma/Vaayu (Jeevottama) are top most among the souls.

There is eternal difference between Lord Vishnu and the Jeevas (souls) and there is gradation even among the released souls.

Souls are divided into three main groups, viz., Devas; Men; Daanavas and Taratamya exist among all kinds of souls; Devata Taratamya; Daitya Taratamya; Rishi Taratamya...

Taratamya exist even among the rivers called Nadi Taratamya.

Why Taratamya? What is its significance?
(what does the scripts says….)

In Mahabharatha Tatparya Nirnaya Sri Madhvacharya says…..

tAratamyaM tato j~neyaM sarvochchatvaM harestathA | 
etadvinA na kasyApi vimuktiH syAt kathaJNchana || 1.81

Knowledge (realization) of Gradation (Taratamya) of beings as well as the supremacy of Lord Sri Hari over all must be understood.

Without this there is no release from bondage for any one and one will not attain mukti (salvation) under any circumstances.

Knowledge of Taratamya will secure divine grace to the devotee.

Sri Jagannaatha Dasaru has emphasized on Taratamya in his composition Harikathamruthasaara in as many as seven chapters.

Guna Taratamya Sandhi (chapter – 20)
Aarohanaanukramanikaa Taaratamya Sandhi (chapter – 25)
Avarohanaanukramanikaa Taaratamya Sandhi (chapter – 26)
Anukramanikaa Taaratamya Sandhi ( Chapter – 27)
Anu Taaratamya Sandhi (chapter – 29)
Daitya Taaratamya Sandhi (chapter – 30)
Devataa Taaratamya or Kaksha Taaratamya Sandhi (chapter – 32)

The essence of it is as follows….

Knowledge of paMcha bhEda and tAratamya is very important for those who aspire for mOxa. This is the very basis of madhva siddhAMta.

The knowledge of tAratamya among the dEvata-s and daitya-s is like 'dAvashiki' i.e. forest fire. This fire burns away all heaps of paApa (forest of pApa-s) done by us.

The knowledge of tAratamya is like the new boat which helps the Jeeva to cross the ocean of saMsAra;

This knowledge is like the steps to reach vaikuMTha.

The secret of tAratmaya must be shared only with bhagavad bhakta-s - If we try to explain to others (ayOgya-s), it would be a waste of our time and not yield results, it is useless. This must be explained only to those who are entitled for the same.

tAratamya j~nAna is important to obtain this daivI saMpattu (jnaana-bhakti-vairagya)

JagannAthadasaru says that it is important that a sAdhaka hears this order of tAratamya from a guru. It will provide the sAdhaka with the correct knowledge of tAratamya.

ParamAtma becomes happy and bestows His anugraha to the bhagavad bhakta-s who perform sEva with this understanding. He provides them sukha on earth and mukti at the end.

When gods are worshiped with taaratamya gynAna, Lord SriHari, who is the indweller of Gods will confer all purushaarthaas including moksha. (Shri Raghavendra Swami – Chandogya Upanishat Khandartha)

While Lord Sri Hari is the Supreme (Hari Sarvottama) among the Celestials (Devata-Taaratamya); Lord and Sage Sri Vedavyasa Bhagavantha the direct incarnation of Lord Vishnu is top most in the hierarchy of Rishi-Taratamya.

tasmAdanAdyannataM hi taratamyam chidatmanAm

tachcha naivAnyathA katuM shkayaM kenApi kutrachit

(Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya – 1.96)

Gradation of sentient beings is without beginning and without end. It is not possible for anyone to alter it under any circumstances.

vande vishNum namAmi shriyamatha cha bhUvam brahmavAyu cha vande|

gAyathrIm bhAratIm tAmapi garuDamanantam bhajE rudradEvam|

dEvIm vandE suparNIm ahipathidayitAm vArunNImapyumAm tAm| 

indrAdIn kAmamukhyAn api sakalasurAn tadgurUn madgurUnshcha||

Futile is divine worship if it is done without proper understanding and recognizing Taaratamya. It is the fundamental/preliminary requirement for saadhana.

Hari Sarvottama - Vaayu Jeevottama - Gururaajo Vijayate