Sharing with others

We should not monopolise a good thing, but should learn to

share with others. This is true of trivial things as well as spiritual benefits, elaborated Kidambi Narayanan, in a discourse.

The Tamil work Nannool says that all good things are

meant to be shared. Dharma Sastras lay down many dos and

don’ts for us. They say that one should not keep awake

when everyone is asleep. They also say that one should not

traverse alone on a lonely path. They also tell us that we

should never eat alone, but must offer food to others too. In

the Ramayana, Bharata says that if indeed he is the reason

for Rama’s exile, then the sin that comes from not sharing

with others, should come to him.

Given this rule that one must include others even in the

partaking of food, Andal, who aims to reach the presence of

Lord Krishna Himself, naturally wants to take others along

with Her. So in Her Tiruppavai, She calls out to all the Gopikas to join Her in Her nonbu, for the aim of Her month-long observance is to reach the feet of Lord Krishna. It is a great boon to gain proximity to His feet and Andal wants all the Gopikas to have this boon. She says that the nonbu will

bring good for everyone, for it will result in copious rains.

Vaishnavite Acharya Ramanuja was full of affection for his

sishyas. When Lord Ranganatha was taken out in procession

in Srirangam, he called out to his sishya Vaduga Nambi to

come and witness the procession. He wanted to share the

joy of watching the Lord’s processional idol with his disciple.

Thus both Andal and Ramanuja showed us by example

the importance of taking others along when one worships.

Vaduga Nambi, however, replied that he was busy boiling

milk for Ramanuja, and that was more important to him

than even watching Ranganatha’s procession!