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Source: The Hindu (http://www.the-hindu.com)

 

Qualities of an 'elitist' person

 

CHENNAI, OCT. 17. The birth of a person in a caste considered as

a ``noble'' one does not entitle him to claim superiority over

others. Nor a man who hails from a family believed to be somewhat

``backward or from a lower strata'' can be called as inferior.

What distinguishes an individual as coming from higher level are

his exceptional fine qualities, which have been spelt out by a

hero, wedded to virtue in one of the two epics written several

centuries ago.

 

The rare traits of such an ``elitist'' person are: his adherence

to truth, his generous nature in giving charity, absence of

jealousy, his blemishless and impeccable (personal) character,

the mercy he extends to others as well as his sympathy. A few

questions on the order of society, on ``Varnasrama'' division

into four castes and other important points of human behaviour

and codes of living were raised by a king (in the Mahabharatam)

who, because of his arrogance, was cursed to remain as a python

till some pious man replies to some of his doubts.

 

The other features of such a rare person are: the equanimity he

maintains under all situations and at all times, not elated at

happiness or depressed when grief strikes him and has gained

supreme knowledge about God. How to reach this level of

distinction was the other question to which, Yudhishtira replies:

by giving charity to deserving and genuine persons at the

appropriate time; being soft and gentle during conversations;

sticking to Truth on all occasions and practising Ahimsa (non-

hindrance and non-violence). Finally, the questioner wanted to

know which among these four was the best to which the eldest

among the Pandavas said that it depended on circumstances, the

place, the context and the time.

 

In his lecture, Sri K. P. Arivanandam referred to the identical

profound statement in ``Thirumandiram'' by Thirumoolar (one of

the Saivite saints): worship God offering at His feet at least a

green leaf, or giving a mouthful of grass to a cow if it is

within his means or spare a morsel of food to a hungry man before

taking the meal or if nothing is possible, at least utter a kind

word to others. Yudhishtira also explains how a man gets his re-

births when he commits sins and violates the code of conduct and

how he will obtain salvation if he obeys the divine law. Not only

did the King (Nahusha) who was earlier turned into a python,

regained his original form, but released Bhima from its coils.

More significant was his wonder at Yudhishtira's utter humility

and the manner in which he was prepared to give replies saying

``to the best of my ability'' instead of boasting that ``there

will be no difficulty on my part''.

 

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