MAKING OTHERS HAPPY

As I browsed through YouTube looking for stories that my 3-year-old granddaughter and I could watch, I came across this video that brought on a powerful message about the act of giving. A caterpillar decided to give away its shoes once he sensed that he had to stop walking around and end that ferocious appetite and go into hibernation. He was to turn into a pupa and a butterfly later, and take on a new mode of travel. How considerate of the caterpillar to pass on to others what had come useful to it earlier, as it evolved further.

It reminded me of Supramania Swami telling me, apart from what we have heard the wise say that we shall not take anything with us when our time is up,  that we cannot even take along our live long achievements and merits from our years of austerities or Tapas. We have to leave that behind too.

Although it is just a story we could learn a thing or two from this wonderful story. We are reminded in this story to stop going around in circles, having an appetite to read and a yearning to seek knowledge about the divine after some time, and to instead empty ourselves of all the previously acquired knowledge and to go within into a state of hibernation, where the divine then comes subtly to fill us with his teachings. When we are ready, we emerge from hibernation to become a beautiful butterfly too. 

We should learn to let go. We should learn to give. The more we give the more the universe provides for us. Ramalinga Adigal says it beautifully "போதும் என்ற மனமே பொன் செய்யும் மருந்து" and goes on to explain its meaning. "நீ போதும் என்று சொல்லும் நிலை உன்னை அறியாமல் நீ பெற்றுக்கொண்டுதான் இருக்கிறாய்."

Cherish what we have. The greatest gift is the gift of life. The next would be the gift of contentment and satisfaction. The greatest treasure is good health. With these three coming together one shall find peace and calm that we all are yearning for. But what we see is a neverending need to accumulate more for the self and kins. Watching the Tv series "Merlin", even the troll wants power and riches that come with the throne to Camelot. The Asuras plundered the people in the mythical stories told to us. Ravana, a devout Shiva devotee wanted to overrule Lord Shiva after gaining boons from him, gifted by Shiva as rewards for his austerities or tapas. What is then to be said of men who run after these too? Troops and armies plundered villages and rode off with women, grains, and treasures; kings of the empires of past conquered their neighbors for their riches; pirates took over merchant ships that carried gems and riches; even the cartoon and comic characters want power and control over the world. We think that these riches shall bring contentment and happiness to us. Yes, they do but only momentarily. Then we strive to gain more and more. We shall never be satisfied. True bliss is when you are not in pain, having no misery, not on any medication, and do not have any debts. This is the state of bliss, peace, and calm. Treasure these moments for even good things shall come to an end. All good things come when we stop asking. When we stop asking the prapanjam gives us what it thinks is necessary for us. Fear not for it is said that on each grain is written our name. If something is destined for us no one can stop it from reaching us or take it away. Instead of asking everything and regretting them later, let the universe provide for us as and when it deems necessary. 

In the above song we cannot but laugh at man for seeking riches from Lord Muruga when the very Lord has left everything behind and stands in a loincloth. 

கைலாய மலையில் சுகமாய் இடம் இருந்தது
ஞான கனியாலே ஐயா உனக்கும் இடர் எழுந்தது ...
பழனி மலையில் கோவணம் தவிர எது இருந்ததது
தெய்வமே ஆசையைத் துறந்து மண்ணில் எழுந்தது
வேண்டுதல் காணிக்கை சுமையோ வந்து குவிந்தது ....

In the following song penned by Thiruvasagapithar Divakar Ayya, again we are shamed for the greed that we harbor within rather than harboring his thoughts. While we are seeking riches from him he walks the earth clothed as a mendicant.

இகலோக வாழ்வில் உடன் இருப்பான்
ஆயினும் பரலோக வாழ்வதற்கு வழி அமைப்பான் ...
சுகவாசியாய் இருப்பான் அம்பலத்து பொதுவினிலே
அவனே பரதேசியாய் திரிவான் அடியார்கள் நடுவினிலே

Let these wonderful songs sink in us and stir the depths of our hearts to begin to give and not harbor greed and seek more riches. Let us make others happy by giving a portion of what we have.