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Dear members,
This is the last and concluding part of this post---THE ART OF GIVING.
A fine example of how to give is given below.
Hope you all enjoyed this post.
Varadarajan
THE ART OF GIVING---PART-III
SAMVIDAA DEYAM---AN EXAMPLE
Mahabali Chakravarthi is a shining example in this regard.The Lord had assumed the garb and demeanor 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 His lefthand and full of radiance.
A sparkling-white Yagnopaveetham adorned His chest, small feet wre encased in wooden slippers,and He held a Palasa dandam (stick) as should all brahmacharis.As Piratti refused to leave His Chest (true to her resolution not to be separated from Him even for a second-"alagilen
irayum endru alarmel mangai tiru 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 assume this disguise,He was indeed a feast to the eyes.
Everyone who saw him coming gad eyes for nothing else,and kept staring at the boy wonder,forgetting whatever they were busy with. And Mahabali was no exception-though in the mind of a Yaga,he rose immediately and showed due courtesies to the Brahmachari. Welcoming the short Brahmachari to the Yaga,Mahabali enquired as to how might be of use to him.
In His piping voice, the youngster replied that all He needed was three feet of land,measured with His own feet. Amused at the apparent naivete of the Brahmin boy,who did not even know what to ask of an 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 Brahmachari'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 Lord Himself,and that He had an agenda much deeper than apparent. And the request for a mere three feet of land was extremely suspicious,for, who would be satisfied with such a small portion of earth? Sukracharya hence advised Mahabali not to proceed with the donation,as it was definitely 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 fully well that he might probably probably lose quite a lot,indeed the whole of his Empire through this simple looking charity,Mahabali was undaunted in his resolution to give what he had promised.
He told his Guru that he had decided to give, and was NOT PREPARED TO GOBACK ON HIS WORDS!! He reminded the Acharya that to promise somenone something and not honour that 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,pouring water into the hands of his Empress Vindhyavali,
What happened next is a matter of record,which Vedas never tire of recounting. The Lord assumed His true colossal proportions,and,with His Tiruvadis,measured all the world and the one above with the two feet,and looked inquiringly at the Emperor for the third measure of land.With nothing else to give,the noble Emperor with utmost humility,offerred his head as the place for the Lord to place the third foot
.
The point here is to note that once the King had resolved to give he did not rescind his decision,knowing fully well of tragic personal consequences that may follow. He did not even listen to the correct advice of his Acharya.It is because of this,that to this day, King Mahabali is held in reverence. He did not allow himsef to be persuaded by even his Acharya,who tried his utmost to block the donation of the land.
Hence, in giving,one should emulate Mahabali.
(concluded)
Taken from the pamphlet of Sri Ahobila Mutt,Chembur, to inculcate the habit of giving and the rules of giving to the general public.This Country,Bharat, has always been known all over the world for our Vedas and saints who were the source of knowledge,virtues and Dharma.
JAI HIND!
Varadarajan
This is the last and concluding part of this post---THE ART OF GIVING.
A fine example of how to give is given below.
Hope you all enjoyed this post.
Varadarajan
THE ART OF GIVING---PART-III
SAMVIDAA DEYAM---AN EXAMPLE
Mahabali Chakravarthi is a shining example in this regard.The Lord had assumed the garb and demeanor 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 His lefthand and full of radiance.
A sparkling-white Yagnopaveetham adorned His chest, small feet wre encased in wooden slippers,and He held a Palasa dandam (stick) as should all brahmacharis.As Piratti refused to leave His Chest (true to her resolution not to be separated from Him even for a second-"alagilen
irayum endru alarmel mangai tiru 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 assume this disguise,He was indeed a feast to the eyes.
Everyone who saw him coming gad eyes for nothing else,and kept staring at the boy wonder,forgetting whatever they were busy with. And Mahabali was no exception-though in the mind of a Yaga,he rose immediately and showed due courtesies to the Brahmachari. Welcoming the short Brahmachari to the Yaga,Mahabali enquired as to how might be of use to him.
In His piping voice, the youngster replied that all He needed was three feet of land,measured with His own feet. Amused at the apparent naivete of the Brahmin boy,who did not even know what to ask of an 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 Brahmachari'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 Lord Himself,and that He had an agenda much deeper than apparent. And the request for a mere three feet of land was extremely suspicious,for, who would be satisfied with such a small portion of earth? Sukracharya hence advised Mahabali not to proceed with the donation,as it was definitely 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 fully well that he might probably probably lose quite a lot,indeed the whole of his Empire through this simple looking charity,Mahabali was undaunted in his resolution to give what he had promised.
He told his Guru that he had decided to give, and was NOT PREPARED TO GOBACK ON HIS WORDS!! He reminded the Acharya that to promise somenone something and not honour that 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,pouring water into the hands of his Empress Vindhyavali,
What happened next is a matter of record,which Vedas never tire of recounting. The Lord assumed His true colossal proportions,and,with His Tiruvadis,measured all the world and the one above with the two feet,and looked inquiringly at the Emperor for the third measure of land.With nothing else to give,the noble Emperor with utmost humility,offerred his head as the place for the Lord to place the third foot
.
The point here is to note that once the King had resolved to give he did not rescind his decision,knowing fully well of tragic personal consequences that may follow. He did not even listen to the correct advice of his Acharya.It is because of this,that to this day, King Mahabali is held in reverence. He did not allow himsef to be persuaded by even his Acharya,who tried his utmost to block the donation of the land.
Hence, in giving,one should emulate Mahabali.
(concluded)
Taken from the pamphlet of Sri Ahobila Mutt,Chembur, to inculcate the habit of giving and the rules of giving to the general public.This Country,Bharat, has always been known all over the world for our Vedas and saints who were the source of knowledge,virtues and Dharma.
JAI HIND!
Varadarajan
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