TEachings of Kanchi Magan Sri Chandrasekara sarawathi Swamigal the Maha Periyava
Jambunathan Iyer
Which dharma should we follow? We are soaked in the dharma, which has been followed by our great men for generations, for a longtime. As a matter of experience, we can say that they gained happiness. It is enough if we follow that dharma. If we cast about for something new, it will be a vain endeavour and there will be the doubt whether that new thing is good or not. Therefore, to follow the dharma which is meant for us and which our great men adopted as the rule for their lives is good.
It is thus clear that we should do something extra which is not for the sake of our stomach, or for our family, or for our village, or for our country. That thing should be what has been handed down to us through generations. We should do that, after dedicating it to God, and with courage and regularity. That is dharma that will give us happiness forever.
Whatever we do with our mind, speech and body—the three instruments of action—all that should bear dharma. We should acquire dharma, the spiritual currency, in exchange for all the money that we possess. All the powers that we have must be expended in augmenting dharma. The dharma that is thus acquired and augmented will be valid at all times and in all places. What Kausalya described to Rama, as his talisman is that. Rama had to face formidable obstacles. He overcame them through dharma.
Man should always do things that will uplift him. Among the animals, all except man are invertebrates. They are referred to as trick animals. It is man alone that grows vertically. His form shows that he is superior to the other animals. If he follows the way of dharma, even the animals would support him. If he adopts the path of adharma, even his brothers would desert him. This is illustrated in the story of Rama.
Because Rama followed the way of virtue, even monkeys helped him. Because Ravana adopted the ways of vice, even his younger brother broke away from him. Although Ravana was in his own kingdom, surrounded by his armies, he could not be saved. For a man of virtue, there is wellbeing everywhere.
Therefore, it is dharma that will protect one. Apart from what we do for satisfying our desires, anger, etc. apart from what we do for earning a living, we should do extra deeds—those which were done by our forebears—with courage and regularity. They will give us happiness.