தான் அடங்கியிருக்க வேண்டும்; பக்தியோடு ஈஸ்வர ஸேவை என்று நினைத்து ஸமூஹ ஸேவை செய்ய வேண்டும். அப்போதுதான் அது பலனளிக்கும். அந்தரங்க சுத்தமில்லாமல் செய்கிற காரியங்கள் வெறும் படாடோபமாகவும், ‘ஷோ’வாகவுமே முடிந்து போகும். இந்த படாடோபத்தால் ‘ஸேவை’ என்று செய்கிறவனுக்கு அஹங்காரம் மேலும் ஜாஸ்தியாகத்தான் செய்யும். அஹங்காரம் தொலைவதற்கு உதவ வேண்டிய ஸேவையை அடக்கமும் பணிவும் பக்தியும் அன்பும் இல்லாமல் செய்தால் அஹங்காரத்தை அதிகமாக்கிவிடும். குளிக்க வேண்டும் என்று போய்ச் சேற்றை வாரிப் பூசிக் கொண்டதாகிவிடும். – ஜகத்குரு ஸ்ரீசந்திரசேகரேந்திர சரஸ்வதி ஸ்வாமிகளின் அருள்மொழிகள்

The ego must be controlled. Social service should be done with devotion, with the firm belief that it is Service to Bhagawan. Only then, it will be effective. Tasks undertaken without purity of heart will end up only as mere expressions of ostentation – a show! This ostentation will only boost the ego of the doer whereas service should actually result in the negation of ego. This happens because the service has been done without the requisite love, devotion, and humility.  It is like going to take a bath and instead covering oneself with mud. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal

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Jaya Jaya Shankara Hara Hara Shankara,

Akshaya Trithiyai falls on May 14th this year (this coming Friday). Akshaya means “undiminishing”. Our Puranas talk about many important events that happened on this auspicious thithi, some of the most significant ones being –

– Krishna bhagavan visited the Pandavas in the forest and blessed Draupadi with the knowledge to obtain the Akshaya patram which could feed unlimited number of people

– Sudama (Kuchelar) visited krishNA paramatma on this day with a handful of aval (அவல் or poha) and was blessed with Akshaya aishvaryam

– Lord Shiva took the form of Bhikshatanar (mendicant) and approached Parvati for alms. She took the form of Annapoorani and provided food to parameshvara

Many of us have been misled to believe that purchasing gold on this day brings prosperity. But as you can see from the above events mentioned in our Puranas, the significance of this thithi has nothing to do with gold, but everything to do with dhanam. Kali Pursha lives and thrives in several places like where liquor is sold/consumed, prostitution, gambling, voiceless are slaughtered, etc. Unfortunately Kali Purusha also thrives where gold is being traded. That should put things in perspective on the purchase of gold on Akshaya Thithiyai day. So please consider contributing as much possible for Dhanam on the Akshaya Thrithiyai day on May 14. 

By periyavA’s unfailing grace, we have been performing several Manava Seva Kainkaryams like Anna dhanam, medical camps and donation of assistive devices, for over a year now.

While things like hunger and illness are easily noticed, there are other types of suffering that are subtle and go unnoticed, unless one pauses to pay attention. Periyava’s blessings turned our attention to several such instances and helped us realize that many times, what seems like an easy or small thing for us to do, makes a world of difference for people that suffer. The worth of such acts of kindness is often poorly measured by the amount of time, effort or money they cost. But as Thiruvallur says – their worth is rightly measure by their timeliness.

Vasthra Dhanam

Destitute people in old age homes, on the roadside and children in special-needs schools often make-do with one or two pairs of clothes. Right or wrong, our society connects clothing with dignity and modesty. There is no way we can replace what such destitute people have been deprived of, but by putting ourselves in the shoes of their family members for one day, and offering them new clothes, we bring a moment of smile or a happy tear on their face.

By periyavA’s anugraham, we have been fortunate to do Vasthra dhanam on several occasions, at the request of our Kainkaryam members, at several old age homes and special-needs schools that we support. From time to time, Kainkaryam members request Vasthra dhanams to be performed along with Anna dhanams on days special to them or their family members.

Donation of Mats, blankets, pillows

When monsoon rains hit our neighborhoods and caused flooding and water logging, many people lost their meager possessions. By periyavA’s anugraham, we donated mats, blankets and pillows to help them protect themselves from the elements. We continue this Kainkaryam at the old age homes and special needs schools that we support.

Water heater

Many old people ail from skin issues, bone and joint problems and body aches. These problems can often be eased to a good extent by simple warm baths. We discovered that Annai Alamelu and Home for homeless old age homes, and Vadalur special-needs children home did not have water heaters. We were fortunate to be able to arrange electric water heaters to be installed at these locations.

Water tank

Home for Homeless shelter had two interesting challenges. The opportunity to solve these two challenges turned into an invaluable Kainkaryam for us.

1. a) The home has two water sources – bore well and municipal water, but only had a single water tank. Water from both sources mixed together for their use. Every now and then, municipal water turns muddy and contaminated, sometimes even smells bad. The people of this home are old and weak with low immunity. This water quality issue posed a constant risk for them. So, for a mere expenditure of Rs. 4,500, we donated them a 1000-litre water tank and separated their water tanks. This prevents mixing and contamination and provides clean water for use, all the time.b) There is a cremation ground near this home. People returning from anthima karyams from this ground, without permission, quickly enter this home and take bath. The home does not have a watchman or other resources to monitor or prevent this. This creates several issues for them like – water over-use, bathrooms constantly occupied and unavailable for residents, slippery floors from water running all day etc. To solve this problem, we extended a pipe connection to the outside perimeter of the home. This will make it easier for outside people to take a shower without coming into the home.

These Kainkaryams have all been small in time, effort and expense, but have yielded very fulfilling benefits for the residents of the homes. Many of these Kainkaryams were funded by residual funds from other Kainkaryams sponsored by our members. This is why we repeat the message – no contribution is small or trivial. Every paisa or penny has its place in making a difference to someone’s life.

PeriyavA’s words and wisdom guide us, expand our compassion and help us find more and more ways to ease the suffering of our fellow human beings.

காலத்தி னால்செய்த நன்றி சிறிதுஎனினும்
ஞாலத்தின் மாணப் பெரிது – திருக்குறள்

A favor tended in the time of need, though small in size, is worth larger than the world. – Thirukkural

Few pics below. Sri Periyava Thiruvadi Sharanam
Rama Rama

Please click HERE for Vasthra dhanam pictures.
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Below are the links in which you can join and get daily updates on our Kainkaryam activities.

Telegram link – https://t.me/joinchat/WDn8PDm-3EGBXkti

Periyava Kainkaryam/Bhagawan Seva Website – https://bhagawanseva.world/

Contributions Account Info.:  https://mahaperiyavaa.blog/support/

For INR contributors – Please mention ‘Manava Seva/Annadhanam/Vastradhanam’ and we will ensure your contributions go towards that.

For US contributors – Please mention ‘General’ in the Zelle/Paypal field and send an e-mail to donations@kgpfoundation.org a brief note and we will ensure your contribution goes towards that.

Sri Periyava Thiruvadi Sharanam. Rama Rama

Categories: Announcements