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Service /Kaimkaryam

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Madhavakkannan V • July 11, 2000 


Sri:
Srimathe Ramanujaya Namah:

Dearest Bhagawathas,

This is a reply I had sent to one Bhagawatha when he asked as to what and 
why servcie /kaimkaryam is consdiered as ultimate aim by us. I had babbled 
the goven below (for my two cents worth..)

Let me attempt at describing "service" (or Kaimkaryam). Assume
you like someone very much and have great regards for him or her. He or she 
comes to your home. What do you do?  Imagine yourself in the situation of 
being a host. You get up, feel rejoiced, excited, elated, happy, beaming, 
proud of receiving the person, whom you like or admire. Not just that. Offer 
a seat- a good one. You either
keep standing or do the next of asking what would they like to
have. Or not even asking. Immediately bringing firstly a glass of juice or 
beverage. Then ask your mother or wife to make some snacks for him (or even 
lunch). You go to the extent of continuously serving him or her as long as 
he or she stays at your home. Even when leaving, you say "Thanks very much 
for honouring me.. Please do drop in again and again, with all smiles and 
"sincere" happiness. You also either drop
him by serving as their driver or hire a taxi (arrange for a taxi) to help 
him get a comfortable journey.

You come home, and do you feel bad for having served? Feel
great! proud.. Relish every second of the event.. Tell all your friends..Do 
you know who came? So and so.. He was with me for three hours.. It was so 
lively you know. One can spend hours together listening to Him.. looking at 
His lovely face.. Large eyes.. When
He spoke, it was so soft and divine you know... " You will tell
all this for hours together to every Tom and Dick and Mary.

You are not alone. It happens to each one of us. If
that person is the Paramathma, SarvEshwaran, Sarva shakthan, Sarva vyApakan, 
Sarvagnan, the Most Charming, Most merciful, Lord Sri KrishNan- looking at 
you with smiling face (mandhahaasam) with red coral lips.. and has eaten the 
food that you offered, sits on your chair, talks to you.. with such 
simplicity, in spite of His greatness- Will we not serve Him, if He is with 
us for ever..?
Is such service a slavery?

Did we not hear of the famous poet Kalidaasan become a slave
willingly for a Deva daasi, in spite of the whole world laughing at him, 
simply because he loved her..? (and nothing else mattered to him)

Can we now say, that we are eager and ready to serve Emperuman
Sriya: Pathi Sriman Narayanan lovingly at all times.. and do all to please 
Him.

Sure we can. It is His grace that we think, we can..

Regards

Narayana Narayana
adiyEn Narayana dAsan

PS: when we write dAsan- it means "servant". You may have
noticed, Sri Hari... writing "Ramanuja dAsan- servant of Ramanuja..". All
Srivaishnavas call themselves as dAsas." - servants..In fact, Srivaishnavas 
call themselves as servants of servants of Emperumaan Sriya: Pathi Sriman 
Narayanan. When you serve the guest's dearest child, the guest gets happier 
than himself being served.. Same case applies to the Lord.. Hence, serve His 
loving dear children more than
serving Him.. that's why we Call ourselves.. dAsaanu daasan..
(servant of servants..)

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