Guest guest Posted May 7, 2002 Report Share Posted May 7, 2002 ============================================================= This article has been sent to you by Ram Chandran ( rchandran ) ============================================================= Source: thThe Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/05/06/stories/2002050600170800.htm) Miscellaneous - Religion Company of holy men purifies one's heart CHENNAI MAY 6. There is nothing to feel proud if a person who receives help in any form or kind in times of distress repays it with gratitude. This is more or less an act of quid pro quo or a business proposition. So too when one shows kindness and extends sympathy to another who had done him good. But to be generous as to ignore the injury caused to him by another who harbours perpetual hatred or who is not favourably disposed towards him and to be friendly even to such a person is indeed praiseworthy. One of India's greatest personalities, an emperor-poet who had contributed a treatise on morals and ethics and another on detachment (besides a third) cites several examples of Divine creations which render different types of help, unasked, without awaiting any return. "A river, in its course, flows through all places providing water to all, irrespective of the status or caste of people; a coconut tree, receiving even waste water, yields fruits to every one; a Sadhu treats all those who com! e to him alike; clouds empty water in all areas; cows give milk to all; moon sheds its lustre everywhere; and trees give shade to all." The verses containing various guidelines and character-moulding thoughts have come from Bhartruhari in his essence of wisdom gleaned from various scriptural sources; they raise our drooping faith, faltering self-confidence and gnawing doubts in the values of life. Spiritual leaders like Ramanuja have drawn inspiration from his verses as in the commentary on the Gita sloka that one has to do his ordained duty without being concerned about the fruits of his action. The poet-philosopher has urged people to indulge in different types of charity teaching the illiterate, laying roads to inaccessible villages, providing medical assistance to the have-nots, building rest houses for travelling pilgrims and opening Go-shalas. In a lecture on Neeti Satakam, Sri V. Srivatsankacharya mentioned a few of Bhartruhari's statements. The secret treasure of knowledge is not destroyed even at the end of the world, does not fall into the hands of a thief, ever yields happiness and when given to those soliciting it, increases plentifully. Learning is verily the highest mark of beauty. Good company purifies the heart and spreads fame. Fortitude in adversity, forgiveness in prosperity, cleverness in speech in an assembly are traits natural with the magnanimous. Copyright: 1995 - 2002 The Hindu Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the consent of The Hindu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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