Search:
Bhakti List Archives

Emperumanar Darsanam Taking care of a Srivaishnavite

From the Bhakti List Archives

sampath kumar • August 12, 2001 


My doorbell rang at  2.30 p.m. in the afternoon,a day when the Sun God was at His peak and no sign of the Rain god anywhere near Chennai.Open the door and  an old man ,must be in the age group of  80 plus with a  bag on his shoulder  enters the house and I pay my respects to him having known him.The Swamin a true Srivaishnavite,has been performing religious ceremonies like Ammavasya Tharpanam etc.He has the wonderful habit of visiting houses on important days to distribute "Saradu" for ladies  and Yagnopaveedam for gents .Since we have our Aavani Avittam  later in the month, he had come to our house.We offered him butter milk and he wanted to take some rest .After sometime my wife asked  him as to why he should take all the trouble to  walk in the scorching sun,climb the first floor,when his eye sight is very bad and added to it his hearing capacity has  detriorated very badly.
The the story unfolded,a story which according to me should be very common among the Srivaishnavites.
In short it is like this.He has sons well settled who do not like him to be in this "profession".Over a period they do not take care for him and he has to fend for himself  and finds immense satisfaction in doing  this .What he said little later was startling".Even if I sit at home as they desire, I am sure they would still not care for me.I have become a liability  and of no use to them at this old age ".During our recent visit to States I was  discussing with NRI s on various issues and one issue on which every one was concerned but at the same time hoplessly helpless was regarding OLD AGE of their near and dear ones.They have realised the tons of money they  earn can not solve the  the problems associated with old age.Family ties are breaking,materialistic world engulfing them and  on top of it the ADJUSTMENT problem.All these  at the end of the day  make them feel what is the purpose in living in this world.Compare this NRIS with the old man at Chennai.The problem remains the same except that  one  can be called POOR Rich  old man  and the other  POOR old man.
Every one must be wondering what has this got to do with Emperumanar Darsanam.Has OUR GREAT ACHARYA  RAMANUJA  SAID ANYTHING TO TAKE CARE OF A SRIVAISHNAVITE IN  DISTRESS AND WHO IS IN NEED OF HELP.
Let me conclude for the time being on this.

Jaya Sriman Narayana
Sri Mudaliyandan Swami shishya sampath


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.263 / Virus Database: 135 - Release Date: 6/22/01


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


--------------------------------------------------------------
           - SrImate rAmAnujAya namaH -
To Post a message, send it to:   bhakti-list@yahoogroups.com
Archives: http://ramanuja.org/sv/bhakti/archives/
 

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/