Deivathin Kural Series - 56

Om Namah Sivaya.
Deivathin Kural # 56 of 31 Aug 2006.

1.These e-mails are translations of talks given by the erstwhile Pontiff of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, over more than sixty years, published by Vanady Padippagam, T.Nagar, Chennai, India, in ten volumes, in the Tamil language. The english version is likely to be available very soon. These e-mails are simply an effort on the part of the sender, to share some of his bliss, as it is said, 'Yam perra peru peruga ivvaiyagam'. When he adds any personal observations he uses the phrase, 'KTSV adds'.
2. To-days chapter is from his lecture, titled, 'Ellum Thanneerum Engey Poyina?', ie., 'Where did the Sesame Seeds and Water Go?', in pages 302 to 306, in Volume 1 of Deivathin Kural. Unless specifically mentioned, he or man includes, she or woman.
3.
Anybody born as a human, should be beholden to the Gods and Ancestors. We should have a sense of gratitude, towards them. We should look after fellow humans. Especially when they come to you as a guest. We should do our bit for all human beings. What is called as 'virundu', (meaning 'feast',) in Thirukkural, is this act of looking after the guests. This looking after guests is 'manushya yagnas'. 'Brhma Yagnas', is different. The word 'Brhma' has many meanings. Here it means 'Vedam'. Veda Adyayanam and Veda Adyapanam, together, is known as Brhma Yagnam. This is done for the satisfaction of Rishis. This is not done by all castes. This is done by Brahmins only. All people of all castes are required to do one more Yagnam. That is 'Bootha Yagnam'. In this is included, all living things, such as birds, animals and insects, fishes and so on. We feed them and show our love through such actions. So the Pithru Yagnam, Deva Yagnam, Manushya Yagnam and Bootha Yagnam; have to be done by all of us, in some form or other. As per Vaidika Dharma, all of us are required to do our allotted duty and offer it to God; and that is the 'Brhma Yagnam' and that is what is meant by, 'work is worship'.
4. What is given as Dharma as per Vedas, is also ordained by Thirukkural of Thiruvalluvar:- 'Then pulaththar, deivam, virundu, okkal, than; enru aangu aimbulaththaru ombal thalai'. 'Then Pulaththar', means ancestors; 'deivam' means God; 'Virundu' are guests; 'okkal' means relatives; 'than' means oneself. To our past fathers and mothers, we should pay our grateful repects and pay our obeisance. The Veda declares, 'Mathru devo bhava, Pithru devo bhava, Acharya devo bhava, Athithi devo bhava'. The Tamil Avvaiyar says the same thing, 'Annaiyum Pithavum Munnari Deivam', meaning that, Mother and Father are the first known Gods. When the parents are alive, we should be kind, considerate and respectful towards them, and make their life as comfortable as possible. Actually we can never reciprocate properly for their kindness. So it is our duty to be loving. Even when they are no more, we should carry out duties such as, Srardam and Tharpanam, with sincerity and devotion.
5. The reformers agree upto the point of looking after the parents, when they are alive. Doing our duties towards them, after their death, is looked down upon with derision and laughter. "Sesame seeds, water given as tharpanam, the cooked - food - part, known as 'pindam', rice, plantain; are all here only; or has been taken by a man in front of our eyes; or has been eaten by someone. The Pithrus have possibly taken another life somewhere, as per your own statement. So is it not stupid to think that you are sending something for the departed souls?", asks the reformist openly. Many of you may be of the same view too.
6. I will tell you a story. Somebody from the village had enrolled his son, in a college in the town, for studies. The boy needed money for appearing in an exam, which he had to pay the very next day. He sent a telegram to his Father, asking for the money to be sent to him by telegraphic-money order. The villager father, went to the local post office. He gave the address to the post master. He gave the money too. In his innocence, he thought that, the actual cash will be sent by cable. The Post Master did some ditt-dada-dit-dit in some instrument, and gave the villager a receipt. The villager was flabberghasted. "What is this? This man took some piece of wood and made some noice, and claims that the money, would have reached!". This man knew about sending a money order. He also knew about sending a telegram. He didnot know about combining the two.
7. To do 'Pithru Karyam', is like that only. What ever we give, should be given as per rules. Sastram is the enjoiining rule here. The Pitru devatas know what you have given. They know as to whom it is meant for. They also know as to how to reach it there in the form required. If the Pithru is now a cow, it will be given as the necessary grass and water. If he or she is a horse, it will reach as horse-gram. The Father or Mother do not have to come in person, to recieve you offer of love. You have to give it with Love and sincerity. Doesn't the telegraphic-M.O., reach the person, to whom it is meant for? If he is in a different country, this currency will not be acceptable. It reaches in the form required. Similarly, the water, sesame seeds and plantain; will reach in the form required.
8. What is important, is our sense of gratitude towards our ancestors and belief in Sastras. Dont we drink a 'toast', for the health of the President or King, and then eat and drink ourselves? The belief is that by the power of wish, somone else will have good health. If it is a western custom, we all do it. Our own customs and traditions, are ignored by ourselves! The Sanskrit word for this ceremony is, 'Srardham', from the root word, 'sraddah', meaning 'sincerity'! That sincerity is the most important. When you do something, it should be done as per the rules governing it. In India, the sender's name and address, is written in the left bottom corner of the postal cover. In USA, it is written on the left top corner. We can't say that we will write anywhere! We cannot say, that 'I do not like this Post Box. I will make a nice beautiful one at home'. You letter will never get posted. If it is only a matter of mental attitude, you have the freedom without limits. When it comes to action or 'pithru karyam', you better go by rules governing that 'karyam', and not brake rules. (KTSV is reminded of the copious instructions he was given while applying for Visa and the number of telephone calls he recieved, briefing him about what to say, what not to say and number of documents he had to carry; while going for interview in the US Consulate General, in Chennai. That is also Karyam!)
Sambhomahadeva.