DEIVATHIN KURAL # 174 (Vol #3) Dated 11 Jan 2010.

DEIVATHIN KURAL # 174 (Vol #3) Dated 11 Jan 2010.
(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 the 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 the last para on page No 798 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://Advaitam. blogspot. com constantly updated.)

18. Entertainment and Self Control. In practice what we find is that these methods of entertainment called 'passing time' or 'time pass' in various languages literally, instead of being some short time diversions, can and do become capable of completely diverting us from the purpose of our very existence! Pleasures of the senses have the power to attract our minds away from our duties and responsibilities. They are meant to be like the appetizers in food or the side dish. But they tend to become the main dish themselves. They are permitted in the saastraa-s only as a last resort for some relaxation in passing. We are supposed to spend our resources of money and time for such things only sparingly. But the tendency amongst us is that we get carried away by their pull that we become ready to fritter away all our resources in them neglecting our responsibilities towards our self, family and society!

19. The reason for our easy vulnerability is the fact that, our Karma Anushtaana, i.e., the regularity and strictness with which we observe our duties and rituals have all dwindled down to nullity. If we do our Karma Anushtaana regularly, sincerely believing in their power and effectiveness, automatically we would be endowed with a natural sense of balance and proportion, strong will, inner urge to obviate going astray, discipline and lack of cheap desires! Then we would be able to control our urges for gratification that, a matter of 'time pass' will not become 'life passé'! It is that control over our crass desires and urges, that made this country famous in strict observance of Karma Anushtaana-s, well known as the Land of Tapasya, as well as remarkable excellence in all the fine-arts of music, dance, drama and literature

20. With discrimination and prudence, when we learn to appreciate these arts and crafts, they can be culturally ennobling. Otherwise they could be very distracting and deviating! When we go in for more and more cheap popularity, these arts could be easily the cause for pulling us down in a vicious cycle of a downward spiral. Dance, sing songs and such things can make you mad. Look at how the cinema stars are adored and every one of their actions, style and dress get aped by the general masses. Every daily or periodical news papers and magazines are full of gossip about them. With the advancing technology, some semi clad actor of either gender of hollywood or bollywood or sandalwood are splashed across the newspapers and magazines every day.

21. When you do not have healthy habits and daily rituals, the tendency to run after the pulls of the senses every hither and thither cannot be avoided. Putting the blame on what is called popular demand and people's choice, baser instincts are given total freedom of expression. Words, gestures and scenes are all interpolated to cater for the most atrociously sensual. In this game of constantly trying to out beat the others, the artists, writers, singers, directors and actors have an important responsibility to maintain the standards of probity and decency. You can get popular and make money, but you should keep it in the mind that you owe a responsibility towards the society.

22. It is an offence to mix sub-standard materials in what you sell in a provision store. It is an offence to pollute or mix poison in sources of water like a tank or a well. Exactly similarly, you cannot getaway scot free from the blame of corrupting people's minds! In the other cases you may bribe your way out! But you cannot run away from Your self. You cannot dupe God. He cannot be bribed. He will punish you. If you have this idea in your mind that you have a responsible role to play and are answerable to God, you will not go astray.
23. This is precisely the reason that a thought of God as a constant companion, an intension to do good for others, a religious orientation and humility will help in developing a balanced and matured attitude. More than any other profession, the artists in this do develop a high opinion about themselves and their infallibility. In the olden times, even great artists of merit went through a humbling experience in what was known as 'Arangetram' of presenting their work. Now-a-days in the name of freedom of expression, people tend to take too much liberty with what is said and written. That only emphasizes the importance of a religious orientation from the beginning. In the name secular orientation, we are becoming irreligious to say the least! From everyone having the freedom to follow his or her own idea religion, we are becoming uncaring for our own religion leaving aside all matters of discipline and morality. That can only be detrimental to Saatvic Guna and give greater play to Rajasic and Taamasic tendencies, in the society as a whole!

24. These arts are called 'Fine Arts' that is 'Lalita Kala'. If they are going to lead to Raajasic and Taamasic tendencies, they cannot be called 'Fine Arts' any more. Fine arts should be instrumental in refining the society's taste and outlook! It should be an automatic control on thuggery, ruffianism and crass sensuousness! Sangeetam that is music, Nrutyam that is dance and Natakam that is Drama are the important parts of Gaandarva Vedam.

25. Sense of Beauty and Aesthetics. Nrutyam is different from Natyam. The former is dancing to the beat with the steps depicting the nuances of the beat and hands showing so many mudra-s, without singing and depiction of feelings by facial and bodily expression. When you add the music and facial expressions, it becomes Natyam. By simple movement of the limbs sans expression of feelings, how is it that Nrutyam is able to please our minds? It is here that the sense of aesthetics comes in to play. We have an inner understanding of what is beautiful, without having to get involved personally, sans any conditions, sans any give and take.

26. When a rat runs we may not see any thing beautiful in it. When an elephant walks with it's tail swishing, it's trunk oscillating and it's ears flapping, it makes a fascinating picture. When you see some swans gliding in water gracefully, you cannot take your eyes off! You may not see much in a crow. But an artist like R.K.Lakshman may just make you wonder as to how you missed seeing what he could so easily convey!

(To be continued.)

Sambhomahadeva.