Sri Ramalinga swami belongs to the long line of great saints who have adorned our country from time immemorial. He lived in nineteenth
century A.D and was thus a contemporary of Sri:RamaKrishna.But,as has been remarked,saints have neither native place nor birthday.They belong to no one country but are citizens of the world.They are the contemporaries of every age,because their message is not dated and has perpetual relevance.They know the sorrows and afflictions of man.what is more,they know the way by which these are to be got over.only a few of them have left writings of their own to guide and inspire humanity.We are fortunate in having the writings of saint Ramalingam for our benefit and that of posterity. Known as Tiru-Arutpa,his songs are popular in all Tamil homes where a religious atmosphere prevails.He preached tolerance and concord of all religious faiths.
He preached and practised Jiva-Karunya,which we may translate in Schweitzer's words as "reverence for life".Reverence for life,it is being increasingly realised now,is not merely a philosphical ideal but a political necessity.Thus even from the point of view of self-Interest,humanity has to practise reverence for life,if it is to survive.Thus,saint Ramalingar's message is not only a desirable ideal for all time but is a grim,present day necessity.
The life and teachings of Saint ramalingam should be known to non-tamils also.Hence this book,written by my father,Sri P.Mutharasu,Principal,Sri K.G.S Arts &Science College and published by Samarasa sanmarga sangam,Tirunelvel with the generous help of Sri V.Shunmuga Iyer of South Africa is to be warmly welcomed.The author has given choice quotations from the works of saint,with a paraphrase in English,thus bringing readers into direct contact with the Master-Mind.It is my fervent hope that through this blog the influence of saint ramalingam will spread to other parts of the world.
century A.D and was thus a contemporary of Sri:RamaKrishna.But,as has been remarked,saints have neither native place nor birthday.They belong to no one country but are citizens of the world.They are the contemporaries of every age,because their message is not dated and has perpetual relevance.They know the sorrows and afflictions of man.what is more,they know the way by which these are to be got over.only a few of them have left writings of their own to guide and inspire humanity.We are fortunate in having the writings of saint Ramalingam for our benefit and that of posterity. Known as Tiru-Arutpa,his songs are popular in all Tamil homes where a religious atmosphere prevails.He preached tolerance and concord of all religious faiths.
He preached and practised Jiva-Karunya,which we may translate in Schweitzer's words as "reverence for life".Reverence for life,it is being increasingly realised now,is not merely a philosphical ideal but a political necessity.Thus even from the point of view of self-Interest,humanity has to practise reverence for life,if it is to survive.Thus,saint Ramalingar's message is not only a desirable ideal for all time but is a grim,present day necessity.
The life and teachings of Saint ramalingam should be known to non-tamils also.Hence this book,written by my father,Sri P.Mutharasu,Principal,Sri K.G.S Arts &Science College and published by Samarasa sanmarga sangam,Tirunelvel with the generous help of Sri V.Shunmuga Iyer of South Africa is to be warmly welcomed.The author has given choice quotations from the works of saint,with a paraphrase in English,thus bringing readers into direct contact with the Master-Mind.It is my fervent hope that through this blog the influence of saint ramalingam will spread to other parts of the world.
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