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Srimate Srivansatkopa Sri Vedanta Desika Yatindra Mahadesikaya Nama:

 

The Art of Giving

 

The world is full of philanthropists. Many of the tall temple towers,sprawling 
hospitals, educational institutions, etc, owe their existence tonoble, generous 
souls, who wanted to put their money to good use. Every day, we come across 
appeals for some worthy cause or the other, and sometimeswonder whether all of 
them would succeed: however, much to our surprise, we find most of them able to 
garner the funds they need, sooner or later. This strengthens our belief in 
humanity- despite the numerous factors workingagainst them, charity and 
generosity are still very much alive. To give, without any expectation of 
getting anything in return, is indeed a great trait. In this piece, adiyen 
would like to write about some of the great givers, and the way giving should 
be done.

 

The TaittirIyOpanishad SIkshAvalli is full of sound instructions. Amongthe 
numerous dicta are to be found guidelines on how to Give.

"ShraddhayA dEyam, ashraddhayA dEyam, ShriyA dEyam, HriyA dEyam, BhiyA dEyam, 
samvidA dEyam" says the Upainishad, enumerating the characteristics of charity.

 

"ShraddhayA dEyam- All charity is to be done with sincerity and good intention, 
the underlying motive being an urge to be of help to the receiver. Thus giving, 
with the aim of receiving something in return, is not charity. Giving is also 
to be done with grace, and in a way that is not embarrassing or insulting to 
the receiver. The giver should not flaunt his wealth, nor should he remind the 
recipient of his poverty. Usually, the act of giving puts the giver's hand 
uppermost and the receiver's, on a lower plane. However,it is said that KarNA, 
to save the receiver the ignominy of stretching hishand lower, held his palms 
joined together, and requested the recipient totake the gold coins therein, 
thus ceding the upper position to the receiver.

 

"ashraddhayA dEyam"-Once we decide to give away a particular article, its value 
or magnificence should not bother us, and we should give whole-heartedly, 
having scant regard to the item's worth. Parting with a possession 
withreluctance does not qualify as charity. This mantra is also interpreted 
differently-"ashraddhayA adEyam"- do not give without shraddha or sincerity and 
good intention.

 

"ShriyA dEyam" In a miser, the very thought of charity would induce sorrow, 
dismay and distress. One should give with a benign disposition, with a smile on 
one's face, with happiness induced by the opportunity to be of use to a fellow 
human being. 

 

"HriyA dEyam" Keeping in mind the conduct of the great philanthropists of the 
past, the inadequacy of one's own aid and the greatness of the receiver, one 
should be ashamed of one's attempts at charity. This is prescribed so that one 
doesn't tend to think too much of oneself for the act of kindness.

 

"BhiyA dEyam" If the act of charity is not done in the prescribed fashion, and 
is contaminated by either insincerity, pride or highhandedness, then it is 
likely to prove counter-productive. A healthy apprehension of 
counter-productivity due to incorrect attitude or procedure, should 
characterize an act of charity, so that the giver would always be on guard 
against attitudes incompatible with giving. Hence the Upanishad says, "Give 
with fear".

 

"SamvidA dEyam" The act of giving should be preceded by a resolution to give. 
Such resolution makes the mind determined in the act, and preventslast-minute 
reversal of attitude due to attachment in the article proposedto be given away. 
And once we resolve to give, it should be implemented immediately, for, the 
mind is fickle. And given the time and chance to think logically, we would 
probably come to the conclusion that the amount proposed to be donated is too 
high or the cause unworthy. So, once we decide to give, we must give 
immediately. MahAbali Chakravarty is a shining example in this regard.

The Lord had assumed the garb and demeanour of a short and enchanting 
brahmachAri, with a knee-length dhoti around His small waist, a kamandalu in 
Hisright hand, and an umbrella in the left, radiating the aura of one who 
haslearnt the Vedas and Vedanta with their true purport. (In this case, 
therewas the additional factor of the scholar being Himself the knowledge 
sought after- "VEdaischa sarvam aham Eva vEdya:") A sparklingly white 
YagyOpaveetam adorned His chest, the small feet were encased in wooden 
slippers, and He held a palAsa dandam (stick), as should all brahmachAris. 

 

As Sri Piratti refused to leave His chest (true to Her resolution not to 
beseparated from Him even for a second-("agalakillEn irayum endru alarmEl 
mangai urai marba"), He had to hide Her with the small deerskin He wore on His 
chest, as Her presence would have been incompatible with His bachelor 
appearance, and would have instantly shown Him in His true colours, as the Lord 
Mahavishnu.

 

Everybody would agree that children (with rare exceptions) are captivating, and 
young BrahmachAris more so. And when the Lord Himself chose to assumethis 
disguise, He was indeed a feast to the eyes. Everyone who saw Him coming had 
eyes for nothing else, and kept staring at the bewitching boy wonder, 
forgetting whatever they were busy with. And MahAbali was no exception-though 
in the midst of a Yaga, he rose immediately and showed due courtesiesto the 
BrahmchAri.

 

Welcoming the short Brahmin to the Yaga, Mahabali enquired as to how he might 
be of use to Him. In His piping voice, the youngster replied that all that He 
required was three feet of land, measured with His own feet. Amused at the 
apparent naivette of the Brahmin boy, who did not even know what to ask of a 
great Emperor, Mahabali tried to persuade Him to accept sumptuous riches, in 
the form of houses, cows, gold, etc. Surprisingly, however, the boy was firm in 
His request, and would accept nothing more than a mere three feet of land, 
measured that too, with his tiny feet.

 

Mahabali, who knew the true meaning of hospitality as the satisfaction of the 
guest's requirements,( however simple or absurd they might sound), immediately 
acceded to the BrahamachAri's request, and prepared to pour water on the 
latter's hands, as a token of having given away the three feet of land. The 
king's Guru SukrAchArya, who instantly saw through the Lord's garb, alerted 
Mahabali that the Brahmachari was indeed the Lord Himself, and thatHe had an 
agenda much deeper than was apparent. And the request for a merethree feet of 
land was extremely suspicious, for, who would be satisfied with such a trivial 
item, when the Emperor was capable of giving away the whole of the earth? 
SukrAcharya hence advised Mahabali not to proceed with the donation, as it was 
probably a subterfuge to undermine the King's position as the Emperor of the 
three worlds.

 

Here is where Mahabali set a shining example to all donors- knowing full well 
that he might probably lose quite a lot, indeed the whole of his empire through 
this simple-looking charity, Mahabali was undaunted in his resolution to give. 
He told his Guru that he had decided to give, and was not prepared to go back 
on his words. He reminded the Acharya that to promise someone something and not 
to honour the promise was a cardinal sin, unworthy of an Emperor of his 
standing. And, above all, if it was indeed the Lord who had come in the guise 
of the Vamana BrahmachAri, it did him (Mahabali) proud to be giving the Lord 
what He wanted. Hence, looked at from all angles, Mahabali told his Guru, the 
proposed donation was admirable. And ahead went Mahabali and poured water into 
the hands of the patiently waiting Brahmachari, with the active support of his 
Empress Vindyavali. 

What happened next is a matter of record, of which the Vedas never tire of 
recounting. The Lord assumed His true Visvaroopic proportions, and , with His 
huge Tiruvadis, measured all the world and the ones above with the two feet, 
and looked inquiringly at the Emperor for the third measure of land. 

The point to note here is that once the King had resolved to give, he did not 
resile from his decision, knowing full well of the tragic personal consequences 
that may follow. It is because of this that to this day, Mahabali is held in 
reverence. Nor did he allow himself to be persuaded by even his Acharya, who 
tried his utmost to block the donation of land.

 

Yet another example of the Classic Giver is Emperuman Himself. He is so 
generous that even after giving everything He has to the seeker, He feels 
guilty that He hasn't given enough. There is a pAta bhEdam in the Adaikkala 
Patthu of Swami Desikan, which, while not being widely-accepted, is interesting 
nevertheless-

"umadu adigaL adaigindrEn endru oru kAl uraitthavarai

amayum ini enbavar pOl anjal ena karam vaitthu

tamadu anaitthum avar tamakku vazhangium tAm miga VELGUM

amaivudaya aruLAlar adi iNayai adaindEnE"

 

The third line in the above pasuram indicates that the Lord is fond of giving 
all that He has to the prapannA, and even after doing that, feels shameful that 
He has hardly given anything.

 

If the Lord is like this, would Piratti be outdone? After all, it is She who is 
endowed with the motherly qualities of mercy and charity, much more than Her 
husband. Sri Parasara Bhattar voices similar sentiments about the Divine 
Consort- he says that Piratti is never satisfied with showering upon her 
devotees all purushArtthAs. She wants to give them more and more, and is often 
ashamed that whatever She has given is hardly commensurate with thedevotee's 
ardour. "Tvam lajjasE amba kOyam udAra bhAva:?" wonders Sri Bhattar at 
Piratti's boundless generosity.

 

However, there is another class of Givers who outshine the Divine Couple 
ingenerosity- the Acharyas. It is they who give us the invaluable treasure that 
is the Sampradaya, and help us in attaining the qualifications for Bhagavat 
Kainkaryam. Irrespective of how bad we are, ("payan andru Agilum , pAngalar 
Agilum seyal nandrAga tirutthi paNi koLvAn) they persevere, in theirinfinite 
mercy, to make good prapannAs of us. It is they who give us the Lord, in all 
His splendour, through mantrOpadEsam and Prapatti anushttAnam. Could there be a 
greater act of generosity or charity than that of an Acharya?

 

Srimate SriLakshmINrsimha divya paduka sevaka SrivanSatakopa Sri Narayana 
Yatindra Mahadesikaya Nama:

-----------dasan, sadagopan.

 

 


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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>&nbsp;
<P class=MsoBlockText><SPAN lang=EN-GB>Srimate Srivansatkopa Sri Vedanta Desika 
Yatindra Mahadesikaya Nama:</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN 
lang=EN-GB>&nbsp;<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = 
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB><SPAN 
style="mso-spacerun: 
yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
 
</SPAN></SPAN><U><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">The Art of 
Giving<o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><U><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 
12.0pt">&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><SPAN 
style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </SPAN>The worldis 
full of philanthropists. Many of the tall temple towers, sprawling hospitals, 
educational institutions, etc, owe their existence to noble, generous souls, 
who 
wanted to put their money to good use. Every day, we come across appeals for 
some worthy cause or the other, and sometimes wonder whether all of them would 
succeed: however, much to our surprise, we find most of them able to garnerthe 
funds they need, sooner or later. This strengthens our belief in humanity- 
despite the numerous factors working against them, charity and generosity are 
still very much alive. To give, without any expectation of getting anythingin 
return, is indeed a great trait. In this piece, adiyen would like to write 
about 
some of the great givers, and the way giving should be 
done.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><SPAN 
style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </SPAN>The TaittirIyOpanishad 
SIkshAvalli is full of sound instructions. Among the numerous dicta are to be 
found guidelines on how to Give.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">&#8220;ShraddhayA dEyam, 
ashraddhayA dEyam, ShriyA dEyam, HriyA dEyam, BhiyA dEyam, samvidA dEyam&#8221; 
says 
the Upainishad, enumerating the characteristics of 
charity.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">&#8220;ShraddhayA dEyam- 
All 
charity is to be done with sincerity and good intention, the underlying motive 
being an urge to be of help to the receiver. Thus giving, with the aim of 
receiving something in return, is not charity. Giving is also to be done with 
grace, and in a way that is not embarrassing or insulting to the receiver. The 
giver should not flaunt his wealth, nor should he remind the recipient of his 
poverty. Usually, the act of giving puts the giver&#8217;s hand uppermost and 
the 
receiver&#8217;s, on a lower plane. However, it is said that KarNA, to savethe 
receiver the ignominy of stretching his hand lower, held his palms joined 
together, and requested the recipient to take the gold coins therein, thus 
ceding the upper position to the receiver.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">&#8220;ashraddhayA 
dEyam&#8221;&#8212;Once we 
decide to give away a particular article, its value or magnificence should not 
bother us, and we should give whole-heartedly, having scant regard to the 
item&#8217;s 
worth. Parting with a possession with reluctance does not qualify as charity. 
This mantra is also interpreted differently-&#8220;ashraddhayA adEyam&#8221;- 
do not give 
without shraddha or sincerity and good intention.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">&#8220;ShriyA 
dEyam&#8221;<SPAN 
style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>In a miser, the very thought of charity 
would induce sorrow, dismay and distress.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; 
</SPAN>One should give with a benign disposition, with a smile on one&#8217;s 
face, 
with happiness induced by the opportunity to be of use to a fellow human being. 
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">&#8220;HriyA 
dEyam&#8221;<SPAN 
style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Keeping in mind the conduct of the 
great 
philanthropists of the past, the inadequacy of one&#8217;s own aid and the 
greatness 
of the receiver, one should be ashamed of<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; 
</SPAN>one&#8217;s attempts at charity. This is prescribed so that one 
doesn&#8217;t tend to 
think too much of oneself for the act of kindness.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">&#8220;BhiyA 
dEyam&#8221;<SPAN 
style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </SPAN>If 
the act of charity is not done in the prescribed fashion, and is contaminated 
by 
either insincerity, pride or highhandedness, then it is likely to prove 
counter-productive. A healthy apprehension of counter-productivity due to 
incorrect attitude or procedure, should characterize an act of charity, so that 
the giver would always be on guard against attitudes incompatible with giving. 
Hence the Upanishad says, &#8220;Give with fear&#8221;.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">&#8220;SamvidA 
dEyam&#8221;<SPAN 
style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </SPAN>Theact of 
giving should be preceded by a resolution to give. Such resolution makes the 
mind determined in the act, and prevents last-minute reversal of attitude due 
to 
attachment in the article proposed to be given away. And once we resolve to 
give, it should be implemented immediately, for, the mind is fickle. And given 
the time and chance to think logically, we would probably come to the 
conclusion 
that the amount proposed to be donated is too high or the cause unworthy. So, 
once we decide to give, we must give immediately. MahAbali Chakravarty is a 
shining example in this regard.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">The Lord had assumed the 
garb and demeanour of a short and enchanting brahmachAri, with a knee-length 
dhoti around His small waist, a kamandalu in His right hand, and an umbrella in 
the left, radiating the aura of one who has learnt the Vedas and Vedanta with 
their true purport. (In this case, there was the additional factor of the 
scholar being Himself the knowledge sought after- &#8220;VEdaischa sarvam aham 
Eva 
vEdya:&#8221;) A sparklingly white YagyOpaveetam adorned His chest, the small 
feet 
were encased in wooden slippers, and He held a palAsa dandam (stick), as should 
all brahmachAris. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">As Sri Piratti refused to 
leave His chest (true to Her resolution not to be separated from Him even for a 
second-(&#8220;agalakillEn irayum endru alarmEl mangai urai marba&#8221;), He 
had to hide 
Her with the small deerskin He wore on His chest, as Her presence would have 
been incompatible with His bachelor appearance, and would have instantly shown 
Him in His true colours, as the Lord Mahavishnu.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><SPAN 
style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</SPAN>Everybody would agree that children 
(with 
rare exceptions) are captivating, and young BrahmachAris more so. And when the 
Lord Himself chose to assume this disguise, He was indeed a feast to the eyes. 
Everyone who saw Him coming had eyes for nothing else, and kept staring at the 
bewitching boy wonder, forgetting whatever they were busy with. And MahAbali 
was 
no exception-though in the midst of a Yaga, he rose immediately and showed due 
courtesies to the BrahmchAri.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><SPAN 
style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</SPAN>Welcoming the short Brahmin to theYaga, 
Mahabali enquired as to how he might be of use to Him. In His piping voice,the 
youngster replied that all that He required was three feet of land, measured 
with His own feet. Amused at the apparent naivette of the Brahmin boy, who did 
not even know what to ask of a great Emperor, Mahabali tried to persuade Him to 
accept sumptuous riches, in the form of houses, cows, gold, etc. Surprisingly, 
however, the boy was firm in His request, and would accept nothing more than a 
mere three feet of land, measured that too, with his tiny 
feet.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><SPAN 
style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</SPAN>Mahabali, who knew the true meaning of 
hospitality as the satisfaction of the guest&#8217;s requirements,( 
howeversimple or 
absurd they might sound), immediately acceded to the BrahamachAri&#8217;s 
request, and 
prepared to pour water on the latter&#8217;s hands, as a token of having given 
away 
the three feet of land. The king&#8217;s Guru SukrAchArya, who instantly saw 
through 
the Lord&#8217;s garb, alerted Mahabali that the Brahmachari was indeed theLord 
Himself, and that He had an agenda much deeper than was apparent. And the 
request for a mere three feet of land was extremely suspicious, for, who would 
be satisfied with such a trivial item, when the Emperor was capable of giving 
away the whole of the earth? SukrAcharya hence advised Mahabali not to proceed 
with the donation, as it was probably a subterfuge to undermine the 
King&#8217;s 
position as the Emperor of the three worlds.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Here is where Mahabali set 
a 
shining example to all donors- knowing full well that he might probably lose 
quite a lot, indeed the whole of his empire through this simple-looking 
charity, 
Mahabali was undaunted in his resolution to give. He told his Guru that he had 
decided to give, and was not prepared to go back on his words. He reminded the 
Acharya that to promise someone something and not to honour the promise wasa 
cardinal sin, unworthy of an Emperor of his standing. And, above all, if itwas 
indeed the Lord who had come in the guise of the Vamana BrahmachAri, it didhim 
(Mahabali) proud to be giving the Lord what He wanted. Hence, looked at from 
all 
angles, Mahabali told his Guru, the proposed donation was admirable. And ahead 
went Mahabali and poured water into the hands of the patiently waiting 
Brahmachari, with the active support of his Empress Vindyavali. 
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">What happened next isa 
matter of record, of which the Vedas never tire of recounting. The Lord assumed 
His true Visvaroopic proportions, and , with His huge Tiruvadis, measured all 
the world and the ones above with the two feet, and looked inquiringly at the 
Emperor for the third measure of land. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">The point to note here is 
that once the King had resolved to give, he did not resile from his decision, 
knowing full well of the tragic personal consequences that may follow. It is 
because of this that to this day, Mahabali is held in reverence. Nor did he 
allow himself to be persuaded by even his Acharya, who tried his utmost to 
block 
the donation of land.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><SPAN 
style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Yet another example of the 
Classic Giver is Emperuman Himself. He is so generous that even after giving 
everything He has to the seeker, He feels guilty that He hasn&#8217;t 
givenenough. 
There is a pAta bhEdam in the Adaikkala Patthu of<SPAN 
style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Swami Desikan, which, while not being 
widely-accepted, is interesting nevertheless-<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">&#8220;umadu adigaL 
adaigindrEn 
endru oru kAl uraitthavarai<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><SPAN 
style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>amayum ini enbavar pOl anjal ena karam 
vaitthu<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><SPAN 
style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>tamadu anaitthum avar tamakku 
vazhangium 
tAm miga VELGUM<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><SPAN 
style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>amaivudaya aruLAlar adi iNayai 
adaindEnE&#8221;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">The third line in theabove 
pasuram indicates that the Lord is fond of giving all that He has to the 
prapannA, and even after doing that, feels shameful that He has hardly given 
anything.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">If the Lord is like this, 
would Piratti be outdone? After all, it is She who is endowed with the motherly 
qualities of mercy and charity, much more than Her husband.<SPAN 
style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Sri Parasara Bhattar voices similar 
sentiments about the Divine Consort- he says that Piratti is never satisfied 
with showering upon her devotees all purushArtthAs. She wants to give them more 
and more, and is often ashamed that whatever She has given is hardly 
commensurate with the devotee&#8217;s ardour. &#8220;Tvam lajjasE amba kOyam 
udAra bhAva:?&#8221; 
wonders Sri Bhattar at Piratti&#8217;s boundless 
generosity.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">However, there is another 
class of Givers who outshine the Divine Couple in generosity- the Acharyas.It 
is they who give us the invaluable treasure that is the Sampradaya, and help us 
in attaining the qualifications for Bhagavat Kainkaryam. Irrespective of how 
bad 
we are,<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>(&#8220;payan andru Agilum 
, 
pAngalar Agilum seyal nandrAga tirutthi paNi koLvAn) they persevere, in their 
infinite mercy, to make good prapannAs of us. It is they who give us the Lord, 
in all His splendour, through mantrOpadEsam and Prapatti anushttAnam. Could 
there be a greater act of generosity or charity than that of an 
Acharya?<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Srimate SriLakshmINrsimha 
divya paduka sevaka SrivanSatakopa Sri Narayana Yatindra Mahadesikaya 
Nama:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">-----------dasan, 
sadagopan.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 1in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-GB 
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 
12.0pt">&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>

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