Deivathin Kural Series - 68

Om Namah Sivaya.
Deivathin Kural # 68 of 18 Sept 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, 'Aramum Anbum Arasangamum', ie., 'Morality, Love and Governance', in pages 348 to 350, in Volume 1 of Deivathin Kural. Unless specifically mentioned, he or man includes, she or woman.
3. The King is the cause for Morality - 'Rajah Dharmasya Karanam', says an old saying. Let us see, as to what is the meaning of this. First, what is Dharmam?
4. All of us born as a human being, have hunger and thirst. We all need a place to live in. We have to protect ourselves from cold and the heat of the sun. For these two reasons as well as to be presentable in society, we need to cloth ourselves. We have to arrange for these basic necessities. Other than these essentials, we have to fulfil certain duties towards others. Since we are born in some families, we have to look after the family's requirements. After we select a life partner, we have the duty to look after that partner and the children born of such union. Then there are duties towards the Society and the Nation. These duties could be met with in so many ways. Duties for oneself and one's family, could be in conflict sometimes. This could be at variance, when it comes to duties towards the Society and the Nation, at times. So instead of doing whatever appeals to one's mind temporarily, we have to do these duties, without hurting anyone. Our attitudes and behaviour, should not be corrupted by Desire and Anger. These duties can be fulfilled, without harming others, while simultaneously ennobling oneself. To function like this in the world and work towards personal and public advancement, is called, 'Dharmam'.
5. A society made of many such individuals, has to be kept without mutual clash of interest and made to function without conflicts. That is the job of the Government. Citizen's life has to be safe guarded, organised and smooth; and each individual has to be enabled to grow to his fullest potential. That is why it is said that, that the King or the Government, has the task of ensuring fairness at the collective level too. Hence, 'Rajah Dharmasya Karanam'.
6. Government and individuals, have many duties and work towards fulfilling those duties. Whatever the work, the basic aim should be rooted in Love. When there is any action, there is a doer of the action, and there is also someone whom that action will affect. So while taking any action, you have to consider the effect on the individual. And that consideration should be based in Love. All actions should be born out of Love!
7. In worldly affairs, even wars may become unavoidable. Some people may have to be punished sometimes. But while punishing a criminal and while fighting a battle; we must not give in to vindictiveness and hate; but function with Love. Whatever be the type of work, the mind should be full of Love and nothing else. There is a qualitative difference between this Love that I am talking about and the 'Ahimsa', as taught by, Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi. 'Ahimsa' is only a negative concept not to hurt others! Whereas, Love is a positive decision to help others. When you function with Love; there may be occassions when 'himsa', is unavoidable and may be necessary, like when punishing a culprit. Even with him we should have only Love. We should not only look at the need to protect the society, from him; but also look at the need to protect him from himself and the need to save him from further deterioration. We can take any action as considered necessary for the sake of the society's welfare, in a given situation; by first setting aside, the feelings of, desire, anger, hate and duplicity, from our heart. If Love becomes the guiding principle, all the evil of this world can be annulled. This is not my message, but the essence of the 'Upadesa' from all the great Saints, Rishis and Mahatmas of this Nation.
Sambhomahadeva.