THE ART OF GRACEFUL GIVING

Faith column: M.A. Manickavelu on Lord Shanmukha's grace: Asking others for monetary help makes the supplicant uneasy, because when one asks money from another, one must be prepared for rudeness, insults and rejections. That is why Saint Vallalar prayed to....

The Hindu, October 29, 2016

 FAITH
THE ART OF GRACEFUL GIVING

Asking others for monetary help makes the supplicant uneasy, because when one asks money from another, one must be prepared for rudeness, insults and rejections. That is why Saint Vallalar prayed to Lord Shanmukha for the quality of not asking anyone for anything, said M.A. Manickavelu in a discourse.
Petitioning the Lord for moksha and prostrating before Him are desirable, but to fall at the feet of a benefactor is to be shunned. But in case someone does come to one seeking financial aid, then one must readily give him what he needs.
That is why Vallalar also prays that he should never refuse help to anyone.
The poet Avvaiyar ranked acts of generosity in terms of their degree of meritoriousness. If someone asks and we give, that is of slightly lower merit than giving to a person in need even before he asks us. But if a man has to come to us repeatedly for help and then we finally relent and give him something, whatever we give is nothing but wages for his effort, says Avvaiyar.
A banana is easy to eat. All we have to do is peel off the skin. A mango is slightly more difficult to eat. The skin is more difficult to remove than a banana skin. A jackfruit is certainly not easy to eat. We have to remove the tough, prickly skin, and then get to the pulpy part of the fruit.
He who gives without being asked is comparable to the banana, which yields its sweet pulp readily. A man who gives after he has been approached a few times is like the mango.
But he who gives reluctantly, only after he has been asked many times is like the jackfruit, and he ranks low among those who give.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

NAVAGRAHA STOTRAM

NAVAGRAHA STOTRAM* According to astrology, the positions of the nine planets in the twelve constellations of the zodiac and their movements are considered to be quite significant. The nine planets ‘Navagraha’ affect every aspect of human life. They play an important role in the activities, physical and mental health and life of any individual. The unfavorable positioning of any of these planets can be the cause of problems, bad health, and stagnation for many people. However, there is a solution to avoid the ill effects of the position and movement of the ‘Navagraha’ in our lives. Navagraha mantras (or stotram) are simple mantras which work as powerful healing tools to reduce the negative effects of any of the nine planets. These mantras are Hindu holy hymn addressing the nine planets. Benefits Of Navagraha Stotram And The Way to Practice The Navagraha Stotram is written b y Rishi Vyasa and is considered to be the peace mantra for the nine planets. They are powerful m
Read more

THE SUNSET OF THE CENTURY

*SUNSET OF THE CENTURY: Rabindranath Tagore THE LAST SUN OF THE CENTURY SETS AMIDST THE BLOOD-RED COLOURS OF THE WEST AND THE WHIRLWIND OF HATRED. THE NAKED PASSION OF SELF-LOVE OF NATIONS IN ITS DRUNKEN DELIRIUM OF GREED IS DANCING TO THE CLASH OF STEEL AND THE HOWLING VERSES OF VENGEANCE. THE HUNGRY SELF OF THE NATION SHALL BURST IN A VIOLENCE OF FURY FROM ITS OWNSHAMELESS FEEDING FOR IT HAS MADE THE WORLDITS FOOD, AND LICKING IT, CRUNCHING IT AND SWALLOWING IT IN BIG MORSELS, IT SWELLS AND SWELLS TILL IN THE MIDST OF ITS UNHOLY FEAST DESCENDS THE SUDDEN HEAVEN PIERCING ITS HEART OF GROSSNESS…   *Note: “The Sunset of the Century”, translated by the poet, from Naivedya; The English Writings of   Rabindranathtagore, Volume II,Delhi 1996, page 466. Quoted in his article ‘Critiquing nationalism’ by K Satchidanandan (Frontline, November 14, 2014). The article takes you to a much broader spectrum. HAPPY READING(READ MORE STAN
Read more

The King of Ragas: Sankarabharanam

                       The King of Ragas                      --------------------------     Long ago  serpents were put to lot of hardships.They  were afraid of other animals. They had to seek refuge in the hermitage of sage Saraba.The sage was a true devotee of Lord Shiva.He used to pray Shiva with melodious songs. As he sang a particular raga the snakes were much inspired and they began to dance,. Slowly the serpents became friendly with the sage. They brought water in their mouths for the pooja.They secreted  a special fluid in which the flowers got stuck to their bodies.The sage was much astonished by the service of the snakes.As the sarpas became very close to the sage ,they requested him to help having Darsan of Lord Siva. As requested by the sage Shiva appeared in the form of  a  Kapalika and stayed in the ashram.The music and dance of the snakes continued. The snakes rendered service to the kapalika as they considered him  a Shiva bhakta.Shiva was much pleased with t
Read more