Deivathin Kural Series - 108

Om Namah Sivaya.
Deivathin Kural # 108 of 29 of Nov 2006.
1. To-day's title is 'Aalayangalin Thooimai', or 'Cleanliness and Purity in Temples', occuring in pages 493 to 496, in Volume 1 of Deivathin Kural, Tamil version, published by Vanady Padippagam, Chennai.
2. In every villaage or colony, in every nook and corner, new Temples are coming up. Every where, old Temples are being refurbished, repaired, decorated and re-consecrated. For these things, there is a continuous stream of people approaching me, seeking blessings and advice. I feel very happy.
3. Simultaneously, I am also told many things painful to hear. People tell me with the hope that I will be able to find some solutions. I must share these complaints with you, and not keep quiet about them.
4. The atmosphere in Temples should be peaceful and pure. There should be no chance for any thoughts other than about God, in Temples. But what do we see now-a-days? In many places, the Temples are surrounded by all variety of shops, selling all sorts of items, such as Tea, Coffee, Cigarettes and Beedies. Many areas of the Temple itself, are being let out on rent, for business purposes, without much control on what is being done in those premises! In some places other than the Swami, everything else is on rent! The Temple management itself are involved on the grounds that this fetches much revenue. In such surroundings, our responsiveness to divinity reduces, affecting our devotion.
5. Office buildings, cottages etc., have proliferated. All that happens there may have no divine connotations. This affects the sanctity of the Temple premises. Only some Temples in inaccessible areas, seem to retain the pristine holiness. For ill considered aims of added income, I am afraid, the management itself in many places may be undermining the holiness.
6. Now-a-days, all the Temple administrations have been brought under the respective State Governments. It is now that the devotees have a greater important role to perform. The postings of Executive Officers in each Temple, should be related to the schedule of activities in that Temple. If they start some important project or activity, they should not be posted out, before they successfully complete the project. They should be enabled to develop work satisfaction.
7. The inner ares of Temples should be maintained spotlessly clean. However much one may have religious functions, festivals and rituals, unless we pay attention to the cleanliness of the Temple environs, it is futile. Public opinion has the power to influence Temple management on this.
8. Now-a-days, college and school girls, go on educational tours, for some 45 to 50 days. They hire busses for this. They visit Temples during such tours. Some of them may be having their monthly periods. It is anathema to visit Temples, in such condition. Many of them may not even know that they are doing something wrong. Some so called 'reformists', may ask, 'samikku edu theettu?' meaning 'that God cannot be affected by monthly periods'. The unaffected God is everywhere. You do not have to go to Temple in such condition, not for the God's sake, but in consideration for other devotees' sake. In Temples, we have to take care not to adversely affect the sanctity, by strictly adhering to the the rules. It is my opinion, that failure to do so, results in serious accidents.
9. Then there is no meaning in wondering if Godliness has lessened. Even an accident, is only a punishment to correct us. Human errant behaviour, can and does provoke the benign nature into malignant fury. Cottages and excursions pave the way for entertainment and make-merry, rather than devotion and Bakthi. What we may not do at home we tend to do on such occassions. But why do it in the divine presence in Temples?
Knowing this to be so, If I keep it to myself, without warning you not to do so; I will be failing in my duties. I pray to you all to pay particular attention to keep the Temples clean. Endevour to keep your mind and body clean when you visit the Temples, to be able to derive the maximum benefit, from such visits. I pray to God to keep you on the path of physical, mental and spiritual cleanliness.
Sambhomahadeva