DEIVATHIN KURAL # 114 (Vol # 3) Dated 03 August 2009

DEIVATHIN KURAL # 114 (Vol # 3) Dated 03 August 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 by Vanadi Padippagam, Chennai, in seven volumes of a thousand pages each as Deivathin Kural. To day we are proceeding from page 506 of Vol 3 of the Tamil original. The readers are reminded that herein 'man/he' includes 'woman/she' too, mostly. These e-mails are all available at http://advaitham. blogspot. com constantly updated.)

169. You should see an experienced Srouti handling a complex conduct of a Maha Yagnam involving hundreds of Purohit-s, as done during Kumbha Mela or Samprokshanam of a Temple. You will see efficiency in flow, supervising, checking, approving, directing, encouraging, exhorting and orchestrating flawlessly! That comes from practice, attention to details, total concentration and commitment!

170. Commitment and sincerity of purpose are like the two eyes in a face. The Sanskrit word that is normally but mistakenly, used to indicate this quality of commitment and sincerity of purpose is 'Sraddha'. But in reality, this word has a more important connotation. It means 'faith and belief'. You do not need to have faith and belief in matters that are directly observable. Faith and belief are more required for things not directly apparent. You have to have faith and belief in what is called the 'adrushta phala' or unseen effects of the Saastraa-s and Aachaaraa-s.

171. You have to have faith in the rituals devised by our ancestors without which, you will miss out on the essentials. Sri Krishna says in the Gita, "...sraddhaawaan labhate gnaanam..."(Gita 4.39), meaning that it is the man with faith, that is 'sraddhawaan', who benefits the most by obtaining Gnaanam! That Gnaanam is not just any knowledge, but the only information by gaining which, everything else is crystal clear and there are no more doubts!
172. 'Sraarddham' is another word that is mis-spelt with a second 'r' that has infiltrated and the meaning of the word is mis-understood as well. When you are doing the 'pithru karya', if you do not believe that you are doing some thing for your departed souls, you may as well not do it. To do it with 'sraddha' is to believe in it. That is how Aachaaraa-s are to be done, sans doubts, questions and doubts as to whether it is alright as per science or psychology or health and hygiene! However advanced today's knowledge and comprehension may be, not all the logic of the Aachaaraa-s may be within our grasp. But to accept some of the Aachaaraa-s and leave some, based on our understanding and logic, would be like jumping across half the well!

173. The present day is called 'the age of distrust'! "How can we believe what we do not know or understand?", is the question that is raised. Even today a lot of things are done on trust and belief, without knowing that such is the case. We do not check the bill while swiping the credit card, as we neither have the time nor the inclination. No one ever checks as to how his pre-paid amount in the cell phone dwindles quickly! We believe that the driver of the taxi/bus/train/plane is not inebriate! Or rather, we do not think about it even. We simply trust. But when it comes to the matter of Aachaaraa-s, we think that we are qualified to question why and why not!

174. The Rishi-s of yore were aware of extremely subtle scientific truths of which we are not knowledgeable even to day. Somehow knowing these truths, they had evolved these Aachaaraa-s. Without using any of the modern instruments and gadgets, they had access to super sensory powers, which could make it possible for them to theorize and conceptualize in the fields of Math's, Medicine and Astrology, to name a few. Aachaaraa-s are from the same origin of flawless perception. So we have to believe in the unseen based on the seen truths of their achievements!

175. I will give you one more logic. All Saastraa-s assert truth to be the highest Dharma. To tell a lie is to suffer through hellish torture. They cannot get away mixing truth and untruth, to suit their whims and fancy! Unless they were witness to the ultimate truths, by a combination of intuition and divine Grace, they could not have done what they have done for the benefit of future generations! The great saints who evolved the Aachaaraa-s, could not have given play to their whims and fancies, while still believing in, "satyaan naasti paro dharma:", meaning that there is no higher principle than the truth!

176. We should not think as to why we are not able to understand the logic and reasoning of many of the rituals. When I go through this book, I find that even I am taken aback as to how to do all the things listed here! (Periyaval was referring here and later in his talk to some book on the rituals, whose title is unclear to the publishers.) As a head of a Mata, I am enabled to do all this by you. But I do see as to how it would be rather difficult for you all, who are so involved in the modern way of life. But the point is that, you must try your utmost now and try to pick up as much of the Aachaaraa-s as possible, at least in your later retired life! That should be your intension. When from your side there is sincere and serious will to do so, you will be enabled to do so, by God’s Grace!

177. Aachaaraa-s are rather exhaustive in their sweep of areas covered in day to day life. Let me read out a few from this book, some of which may seem quite outlandish! ‘Fire should not be blown by mouth.’ ‘Men should not put off deepam (lamp).’ ‘Women should not break the ‘Poosani Kaai’.’ The first one can be explained. We should avoid directly blowing in to the fire, (for brightening or putting it off), since the smoke or ash may be inhaled while blowing and or some particles of saliva may be reaching the fire, which is being disrespectful to the Agni, the fire God! You are required to use a hollow pipe on such occasions. For the next two Don’ts, I do not know the reason.

(To be continued.)
Sambhomahadeva.