We should perform the rites and rituals with the feeling and sensitivity
that Yāgam, Yagṅam, Tarppaṇam, and Tivasam are common for both the dead
ancestors in the other world and the living ones in this world. This
service is done with the chanting of Mantras.
It is helpful to have the like-minded form an association for common
good, purpose and service. With strength in numbers, a lot can be
accomplished. By Satyam, discipline and sense of duty, we should protect
the association from falling apart. For the philanthropist, motivation
and courage are essential. He needs the quality to transcend fame and
ignominy.
In the name of leisure, it is wrong to spend time eating savories in
upscale restaurants and go to movies. That ill-spent time must be
utilized in the service of others.
You may ask whether it is wrong to spend time in merry-making. As you
continue to do philanthropic work, you will find in it plenty of
merry-making. That is play; that is happiness.
Krishna Paramātma appeared to us he indulged in play activity all the
time. On the inside, all that was philanthropic work. He protected the
people and restored righteousness. His plays were all service to
humanity. No one played so much; no one served so much. That was his
example. He served not only in the worldly affairs but also in spiritual
matters. He advised Arjuna and Uddhava. Service,
Jñāṉam, and play activity existed in unison in him. He had no
self-interest or attachment in what he did. He smiled, laughed and
served calmly. He did all these with no effort or pain. Among us also,
this laughter and tranquility must always exist with courage and
enthusiasm.
Of all the Avatāras, Krishnāvatāra excelled in service. In Rāmāvatāra,
the exemplifier for service, Anjaneya Swamy came to the fore. Thinking
of these two, with pure heart and soul, without self-interest and
unmindful of name and fame, we should do service.
When we (women) get our monthly periods, don’t we segregate ourselves
from the world at large?
Likewise, the days we did not serve the world, we must consider as the
days of Thīttu (periods) and do whatever service we could.
Rendering help to living beings equals doing Pūjai to Paramēṣvara, the
mother and father of all beings. Tirumular
said this in Tirumantiram.
The meaning is, “Help rendered to people is doing Puja to Isvara himself
with love.
1857. படமாடக்
கோயில் பகவற்குஒன்று ஈயில்
நடமாடக் கோயில் நம்பர்க்கு அங்கு ஆகா
நடமாடக் கோயில் நம்பர்க்கு ஒன்று ஈயில்
படமாடக் கோயில் பகவற்கு அது ஆமே. 1
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1857 Devotees are Walking Temples
The offering you give
To the Lord in the temple steepled high
Reaches not His devotees,
Who the walking temples noble are;
When you offer things
To the walking temples noble,
That sure reaches the Lord
In the temple steepled high.
B. Natarajan
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