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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<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> <?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">
</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"> <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"> </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"> <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"> </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">“ShraddhayA dEyam,
ashraddhayA dEyam, ShriyA dEyam, HriyA dEyam, BhiyA dEyam, samvidA dEyam”
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"> <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">“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 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"> <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">“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 with reluctance does not qualify as charity.
This mantra is also interpreted differently-“ashraddhayA adEyam”-
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"> <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">“ShriyA
dEyam”<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In a miser, the very thought of charity
would induce sorrow, dismay and distress.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>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.
<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"> <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">“HriyA
dEyam”<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>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<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>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.<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"> <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">“BhiyA
dEyam”<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </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, “Give with fear”.<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"> <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">“SamvidA
dEyam”<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </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- “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. <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"> <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-(“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.<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"> <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"> </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"> <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"> </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"> <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"> </SPAN>Mahabali, who knew the true meaning of
hospitality as the satisfaction of the guest’s requirements,(
howeversimple 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 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’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"> <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"> </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’t
givenenough.
There is a pAta bhEdam in the Adaikkala Patthu of<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </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">“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"> </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"> </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"> </SPAN>amaivudaya aruLAlar adi iNayai
adaindEnE”<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"> <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"> <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"> </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’s ardour. “Tvam lajjasE amba kOyam
udAra bhAva:?”
wonders Sri Bhattar at Piratti’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"> <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"> </SPAN>(“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"> <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"> <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"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>
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