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Re: The Art of Giving/ Use of MahAbala as adjective

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Visu9 • June 6, 2002 


ShrImathE RAmAnujasya Caranam Sharanou PraPadhyE

NamasthE Shri Sadagopan DAsyan AvarkaLE.

I appreciate your discourse on Giving. The model of MahABali as an 
outstanding example for giving helped me to get clarified on  a line in 
NAdhaJOThi Shri MuthuSwami DIkschithar's KIrthanais.

The KIrthanai on BruhasPathi ( as Lord of GuruVAram) begins with "BruhasPathE 
BrahmAJAthE NamosthUthE": I pay obeisssance  to BruhasPathi, who is born of 
BrahmA.

The first line and the last line of the CaraNam part of the KIrthanai read in 
part as follows;

MahABalaVibhO GISPathE . . . 

The last phrase of the last concluding line reads in part: NiramshAya 
MahaPradhAthrE.

The traditional meaning of MahABala as the Super Strong Man does not fit in 
with the character and image of BruhasPathi. If you say that about the Sun, 
yes. 

The last  part above says, "You, who gives greatly and effectively without 
holding any part" . That is, he gives the whole and not just a part and that 
he does it in such a manner to be useful.

Also from a look at all the NavaGraha KIrthanAs, Lord BruhasPathi emerges as 
the best of all givers. AashrithaJaNo KalpaThaRO: Like the KaRpaka Vruccam, 
he gives to those who seek his refuge.

I have not been comfortable with the first line until now. And from your 
commentary, I conclude that he is a giver like MahABali. Being the opening 
line of CAraNam, its significance comes out when you interpret MahABala as an 
adjective for MahABali. MahABali + VibhO will become MahABalaVibhO: One whose 
appearance is like that of the giver MahABali. As you say, people have to be 
comfortable to approach one who is an alms giver. The appearance is the key. 

Now I feel comfortable with, "One, who has the demeanor of MahABali [in 
giving], and one who is the Lord of Speech". 

I know that the KErala festival "OoNam" celebrates the giving of MahABali. I 
wonder if they use the word "MahABala" in MalayAlam as an adjective meaning 
"highly charitable". 

Thank you for the connection. 

Naha SvIkurvaka AsmAth KrupAm: May He endow us with Grace here and now. 

Visu


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