DEIVATHIN KURAL # 42 ( Vol #) Dated 12 Jan 2009

DEIVATHIN KURAL # 42 ( Vol #) Dated 12 Jan 2009

(These e-mails are translations of talks given by Periyaval of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, over a period of some 60 years while he was the pontiff in the earlier part of last century. These have been published in Tamil by Vanadi Padippagam, Chennai, in seven volumes of a thousand pages each, as Deivathin Kural. To day we are proceeding from the second para on page number 182 of Vol 3 of the Tamil original. The readers are reminded that herein the word 'man' includes 'woman' too, mostly.)
(Note:- These e-mails are all available at http://advaitham.blogspot.com constantly updated.)
264. Though what I am saying is applicable to all, I am particularly addressing the well to do Brahmins who have retired from their jobs. In other castes there is enough arrangements to take care of orphaned and destitute youngsters. It is within the brahmin community that such a spirit is lacking. Now-a-days, at every level, from admission to schools and colleges to employment in Government Services; reservations for every caste, creed and communities, has come into force. In the bargain the worst off are the brahmin boys, who are also poor! It is imperative that the well to do amongst the Brahmin community, have to come forward and take proper care of the poor amongst them! (This equally applies to some of the so-called forward communities too!)
265. There was a time when I felt happy that the brahmin boys were being denied college admissions and selections in jobs, by the governments. You may not believe it! You know why I felt happy? It is this very brahmin community which leaving their appointed role of study of scriptures, the simple village life of learning (Adhyayanam) and teaching (Adhyaapakam) uncaring for money and materials; got itself deeply mired in English education followed by employment in government jobs and money mindedness! Though the brahmin may not leave this quest on his own, I was happy that at least when others and government are chasing him out of such jobs, I felt that the brahmin will be forced out of compulsion to return to Veda Adhyayanam and Adhyaapakam! Soon I was disappointed in this expectation too!
266. What actually happened was further worse. Instead of retuning to his age old profession, the brahmin started competing with all and sundry for all sorts of jobs, such as Police, Military, business, farming, cinema, drama and so on. He started eating meat and drinking liquor! That is why I am now recommending that he may take up Adhyayanam and Adhyapakam and do his Nitya karma Anushtana etc., at least after retirement! That is why, I am now appealing to the retired pensioners, who are also Brahmins!
267. In the name of encouraging the backward classes and communities, having first created sufficient hurdles in the progress of the brahmin community, slowly the restrictions have been expanded to include other forward communities also such as Chettiyar-s, Pillyar-s and Mudaliyar-s, in Tamil Nadu. Similarly other so-called forward communities in other States are adversely affected, for admission in colleges and employment. So there is a dire need to build up these so-called forward communities, which are now really becoming lowered or depressed-communities! So, there is need to rethink as to how not to create more suppression in the name of building-up some!
268. Though when it comes to Paropakaaram, we should not be talking of upper and lower castes and communities; since in the name of bringing up some so-called backward communities, others are being denied their rights; I have to talk of how those communities will have to take care of their own! I have no objection about bringing up the really depressed set of people. But, I am only talking about how these forward communities will have to take care of their lot, under these changed circumstances.
269. That is, when the governments are letting them down or ignoring their genuine rights and are not being taken care of by their own communities either, it is those brahmin boys and girls; and the younger generations of other forward communities; who will now have to be taken care of by their older lot who have now retired and are aspiring to do social service. These pensioners could join hands and start some tutorial colleges and teach all sorts of subjects there, as their offering to the society at large.
270. They can save on many expenditure and overheads. They could charge the students the barest minimum. Information about all the open universities could be pooled in and made available to the students. The subjects could be, Math's, Physics, Chemistry, Zoology, Botany, Music, Engineering, Accountancy, Computer Science and so on; as varied as the experience of the voluntary pensioners joining the movement. Even subjects such as applied sciences and handling of instruments and equipments could be included. You can be teacher and nurturer too; thereby gaining double Punyam. The tricks of the trade that sustained you all these years and given you pension too; could now be passed on as Upakaaram to the younger generation. Thereby you will be solving a big social problem! These tutorial colleges could devote some time for religious education and practices too.
271. This religious education could cover many areas which are being completely ignored in the existing set up of education! There is no place for Devotion to God and Religion; in the secular approach of the governments in our country. The students are now prey to many influences of agnostics, atheists and irreligiousness. Simultaneously, we are motivated by rights, class struggle, non-cooperation and all sorts of strikes. We are motivated more by avarice and competition. The finer aspects of the culture of India which has been going on for thousands of years, are just vanishing due to this! Then the other religions which believe in conversions are just waiting on the sidelines to gobble up our youngsters, by lure of lucre!
272. What I am emphasizing is that there is dire need to regenerate our religious beliefs and practices. May be these could be 'optional' in the tutorial colleges by pensioners that I am suggesting. Another important aspect is that, in these tutorial colleges, we should cater for running a canteen wherein the food will be strictly vegetarian, with the menu and ingredients strictly as approved by the saastraa-s. A student has to strictly control his food inputs, if he or she is to guard themselves from going astray! This is a very essential control over mind, body, behaviour and attitude.
273. To eat anything and everything, everywhere there are hotels, cafes, restaurants, dhabhas, and so many other outlets! We have never known what is a hotel a few decades back. Food was never sold! It is a sin to sell food as per the saastraa-s. Any visitor or tourist was given food free of cost. In such Chatram-s, on the days when we were required to keep a fast, the rules were strictly followed, except for old and sick people.
274. More than any other set of people, it is essential that young people who are students, to exercise strict control over food to guard themselves from the mental and physical aberrations of youth. (To be continued.) Sambhomahadeva.