| Pongal Greetings from Net |
||Aum Sri
Ramakrishna Sharanam||
Aum Namo
Narayanaya
It was another
proud moment in the history of our country when African nations congregated in
Johannesburg yesterday to inaugurate the African Cup of Nations to be held over
the next month in South Africa. It was mesmerising to watch the colourful
pageantry of the contesting nations as they showcased their unique cultures and
customs to the varied audience, telecast all over the world. The rich finery of
costumes and adorning ornaments, each unique to the different nations, was in
itself a fashion display, showcasing the richness of Africa.
As Indians, we
also have our own unique customs and traditions that emanate from the different
regions of India. As much as we understand that we are all one, we appreciate
the contributions of these different traditions to the collective culture of
India. The South Indian community which draws its inspiration from the region
of Tamil Nadu celebrates two very wonderful festivals in January.
It is not common
to hear at the crack of dawn the bellowing screams of Pongal-o-Pongal here
in the suburbs of South Africa, but the air weighed heavily in South India with
the aroma of boiling rice over an open fire and the screams of Pongal-o-Pongal
as the brew boiled over the earthen pots. Amidst the smoke from the log fires
and the fume-dense-air from the automobiles, families gathered all clad in new
clothes and inspired thoughts to give thanks to Surya (Sun God) and the
farming implements - which includes the live-stock, for the bounty of the
harvest.
Although very
much ritual-based, I ponder the spiritual angle of this vibrant festival
towards our evolution.. If you travel in countries afflicted with drought and
shortage of food, it will be virtually impossible to see wastage of food or
water. Hence the symbolism of the overflow of the pongal is to highlight
the abundance that the Lord has provided.
I recall this
story from the net, not confirmed if true, but relays a wonderful message to
mankind. There is a very instructive incident involving the
life of Alexander, the great Macedonian King. Alexander, after conquering many
kingdoms, was returning home. On the way, he fell ill and it took him to his
death bed. With death staring him in the face - Alexander realised how his
conquests, his great army, his sharp sword and all his wealth, were of no
consequence.
He now longed to
reach home to see his mother’s face and bid her his last adieu. But, he had to
accept the fact that his sinking health would not permit him to reach his
distant homeland. So, the mighty conqueror lay prostrate and pale, helplessly
waiting to breathe his last. He called his generals and said, “I will depart from this world soon. I
have three wishes, please carry them out without fail.” With tears
flowing down their cheeks, the generals agreed to abide by their King’s last
wishes.
“My first desire
is that,” said Alexander: “My physicians alone must carry my coffin.” After a
pause, he continued; “Secondly, I desire that when my coffin is being carried
to the grave, the path leading to the graveyard be strewn with gold, silver and
precious stones which I have collected in my treasury.
The King felt
exhausted after saying this. He took a minutes rest and continued. “My third
and last wish is that both my hands be kept dangling out of my coffin.” The
people who had gathered there wondered at the King’s strange wishes. But no one
dare bring the question to their lips.
Alexander’s
favorite general kissed his hand and pressed them to his heart. “O King, we
assure you that your wishes will all be fulfilled. But tell us why do you make
such strange wishes?
At this
Alexander took a deep breath and said:
“I would like
the world to know of the three lessons I have just learnt. I want my physicians
to carry my coffin because people should realise that no doctor can really cure
anybody. They are powerless and cannot save a person from the clutches of
death. So let not people take life for granted.
The second wish
of strewing gold, silver and other riches on the way to the graveyard is to
tell people that not even a fraction of gold will come with me. I spent all my
life earning riches but cannot take anything with me. Let people realise that
it is a sheer waste of time to chase wealth.
And about my
third wish of having my hands dangling out of the coffin, I wish people to know
that I came empty handed into this world and empty handed I go out of this
world.
Alexander’s last words: “Bury my body, do not build any monument, keep my hands
outside so that the world knows the person who won the world had nothing in his
hands when dying.”
In the same
manner, fuelled by the fires of the world, we create an abundance of worldly
wealth which eventually like the pongal-pot overflows right back into
the fire. Like we learn above, we come into this world with nothing and will
leave with nothing. As Swami Vivekananda said: Rust not your life away.
Therefore, from the festival of Thai Poosam we learn that we must balance our
life. Yes... secular knowledge and wealth creation is important... but it must
be balanced with spiritual development which will help us to distribute our
wealth in a manner that will bring us immense peace, whilst living in this
world (kavady).
Living near the
airport, it always intrigues my mind how a plane which weighs a million times
more than a stone can fly through the air, yet a small stone that fits in my
palm fails to stay in the air for more that 2 seconds. It is purely by the
shape of the aeroplane that it can soar through the air. Aptly, Sri Ramakrishna
says: let the body be bent on account of divine love for God alone. This will help us
brew divine love and compassion that can be shared with all.
May these
inspirational festivals continue to remove us from the fires of worldliness and
help elevate us to higher planes of consciousness, is my sincere prayer.
With love and
prayers always
Yogan
