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| Murugan- pic google images |
||Aum Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||
||Aum Namo Narayanaya||
The psychological experiments concerning conditioning and
association by Pavlov seemed to re-enact itself out as I made my way to
the Sandfields Siva Soobramaniar Temple on the occasion of the Annual Thai
Poosam Kavady Festival. Growing up in a predominently South Indian community
-Kavady, like the Mardi Gras of Brazil- was a community event that we never
missed. The mere thought of the word Kavady floods my mind with nostalgic
sights, smells and sounds of the yesteryear. The air around the temple or ground
from where the Kavady procession normally sets off would resonate with the
voice of A.R.Ramanai Ammal singing at the top of her
high-pitched-voice... glories to Lord Shivan and Murugan. The blazing heat
which normally accompanied the festival was no deterrent to families... well
protected from the scorching rays, strolling in their numbers. Devotees stood
silently next to their Kavadies adorned with the sacred ash in communion with
their beloved Lord, oblivious to the raucous caused by the clashing cymbals,
beating drums and singing of more than 30 bhajan groups as they overlap each
other around the arena.
Thai Poosam is the marvel of Hindu Dharma, bringing the
community together... breaking down the barriers of social status, where
everybody patiently follows the queue to make their offerings and collect their
meals or refreshments. When God becomes the central focus and objective, we see
harmony, tolerance and love penetrate beyond every person's ego.
This huge festival -full of colour- which demonstrates
with great magnitude the devotion and sincerity of people... also in a unique
way illustrates the importance working together as a community, helping one
another to raise ourselves from imperfection to perfection. Many people and
organisations fail to see the merit in extending service to another.
They operate with the attitude that they can achieve
alone. Swami Vivekananda cut asunder such a foolish notion when He said:
"So long as the millions live in hunger and ignorance, I hold every man a
traitor who, having been educated at their expense, pays not the least heed to
them." No man or organisation can reach the zenith of their ideals without
the assistance of others. The second part of Swamiji's statement speaks to this
idea that upon the introspection of your successes you will find that it was
achieved through the sacrifices of ordinary men and woman.
Take for example the South African Indian context. All
the millionaires and professionals who enjoy the luxuries today are products of
the cane-cutter, through whose blood sweat and tears have emerged successful
generations. Today however, many of these people turn a blind eye towards
uplifting others... and those who are in positions of influence take a
condescending approach to their peers and counterparts.
Thai Poosam is dedicated to Lord Murugan and falls in the
month of January. Although in India, devotees of Lord Murugan may carry Kavady
on any day of the year, periods of the year are marked as special festival
periods to observe Kavady. The legend surrounding the origin of this particular
festival is that Lord Muruga who was born out of the power of Shiva was doing
battle with a very pestilent demon or asura. Although Lord Muruga was
extremely powerful, agile and strategic... it was through the Vel(lance-
weapon) gifted to Him by His Mother that He was able to vanquish the asura. I
am in awe at the attitude of service, humility and sincerity displayed by the
Divine Mother, who did not let ego, pride and arrogance get in Her way of
assisting Lord Muruga to perform His duty of slaying the asura, who eventually
will get the fame of slaying the demon. It is stated that on this Poosam day,
Lord Muruga received this weapon from Mother Parvati. This little episode has
profound significance and relevance in our lives. It teaches us humility,
sincerity of purpose, duty and the importance of assisting one another in
achieving our common goal of peace and prosperity.
Like every magnificent building or edifice is underpinned
by a network of foundation and the beams
and pillars which are normally camouflaged out of general sight of people... if
any system fails to take care of the society then that system will eventually
collapse.
On Tuesday, the Ramakrishna Mission worldwide
commemorated the Birth Anniversary of Swami Turiyananda or Hari Maharaj as He
was affectionately known. To the world the towering spires of the movement are
sculptured with the names of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi and
Swami Vivekananda. The Holy Trio had the indomitable task of conceptualising
the ideals of the movement. It was the work of the brother disciples and the
devotees who re-enforced and expanded the work to where we are today.
Swami Vivekananda said to Hari Maharaj: "I have made
a new path and opened it to all, up until now it was thought that liberation
could only be attained through meditation, repetition of God's name, scriptural
discussions and so forth. Now young men and woman will attain liberation by
doing the Lord's work. Can't you see that I have laid down my life inch by
inch, in fulfilling the mission of the Master, till I am on the verge of death?
Can you merely stand looking on and not come to my help relieving me of a part
of my great burden?"
Swami Turiyananda like His other brother disciples could
not refuse this entreaty from their leader and if you read how like a
wildfire... they got into action and took on the work in America and throughout
India without a stain of selfishness.
These episodes have thought us that the victories in our
lives or organisations come through the sacrifices of others. At no time should
we allow our egos to think otherwise. Therefore we must all play our part in
being the network of foundations and re-enforcing that will allow our society
and community to prosper and rise. Let this wonderful festival of Thai Poosam
Kavady and the lives of our great saints inspire us to be selfless servants and
workers for the benefit of our communities and mankind.
Affectionately Yours
Yogan Naidoo
www.google.com/+yogannaidoo
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