Let us live for others

Just back home after attending a blessed Gho pooja at one of the Ghosalas am associated with. I was not even sure if I could go for the pooja -  my husband was not keeping too well and was not sure if he could drive. On top of it, we had a flat tyre en-route. I had to buy several things for the pooja, and was worried if I’d be late – but we were just on time to participate in the pooja and receive the blessings of the Gomata, with HIS blessings.

This Ghoshala is managed by a retired gentleman who always amazes me with his energy, love and passion for cows, farming and dedication to educating and upliftment of the not so privileged children , especially in villages. I wanted to discuss something with him and called him on a festival day a few days ago – Hanuman Jayanthi I think, and said I will call him back once he finishes his pooja. Pat came his reply - எதுவானாலும் இப்பவே சொல்லுங்கோ. பசுமாட்டில் தான் முப்பது முக்கோடி தேவர்கள் இருக்கிறார்களே. எனக்கு பசு தான் எல்லாம். தெய்வ ஆராதனை எல்லாம் அதற்கு அப்புறம் தான்".  This one strong statement was enough to show his commitment to welfare of our desi cows. Even today after the pooja, he insisted I distribute prasadam to the children there first and then to the others! 

Hats off to a few of such wonderful people in our midst today. Most of us only donate money for such causes. But you need to be there on the ground to understand the kind of difficulties they have to face in taking care of these animals. Most of them are dry cows, and there is no income from milk either. What a sacrifice!

Nurturing Ghosals is one of the dharmic activities which Sri Maha Periva insisted us to follow. Let each one us take a sincere effort to support the welfare of the cows and set aside an amount for the cause each month. Believe me, it will give you immense peace and joy and you will find HIS blessings in many unbelievable ways!

As devotees of the Mahaswami, our lives will be meaningful only if we put His teachings to practice.

Pongal is a time of get together of family. But we have to look at this “family” not only as our blood relatives, but include all like-minded people around us as well. This is one of my takeaways from this wonderful gentleman running this Ghosala. Let us strive to live for others. Most importantly, we must never showcase our charity. As Periva has said, if we have helped someone, we must think that “God has given us this wealth to help others”, and not have any ego. We must not think poorly of the person who is receiving the favour from us – that is a big sin!

As we keep saying, all this, even being devoted to God is possible only if HE wills. So, let us all just surrender to him completely and ask HIM to refine us, make us kind and pure, ask his help to remove impurities from our mind like hatred, vengeance, anger and ask HIM for a pure heart to forgive people around us and live our life for others!

Before I close, a picture showcasing Sir Maha Periva’s image in the Brindavan during Aarti is doing its rounds on the internet – am sure most of you have seen it already. I have just one thing to say – our Mahaswami is omnipotent and omnipresent. HE does not require any proof or publicity to show that HE continues to bless us from HIS Brindavan. We must show our bhakthi and love towards our Guru through our kind words and actions. Just make a sincere effort to follow HIS teachings and surrender to HIM. HE will take care of the rest.

Wish you all a Very Happy Kaanum Pongal! 

Cheers!