November 25, 2012
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November 4, 2012
Indian Values: Annadanam
A few posts ago, SLN mentioned that a return to traditional Indian values can help solve many of today's problems. While I instinctively believe that to be true, I also found the statement intriguing in 2 ways:
1. In most religions, the same human values are reiterated- so what qualify as uniquely 'Indian' values that result in the betterment of society?
2. How do we apply these traditional values today, in an urbanized society?
I thought a series of posts that discuss this question can help get to the answers. One such Indian value that I could think of is Annadanam, to which I am devoting this post. Very obviously I am not an expert and am really seeking answers through these discussions than making points.
2. In one way, this value is not about charity at all. Charity implies benefaction, a gift that puts the giver in a morally superior position over the receiver. In Indian culture, it is a duty that is to be accompanied with humility. Partly, it is because the receiver of food historically was often a seeker of truth, a philosopher who has eschewed wealth in search of enlightenment and social benefit. It is difficult to feel a moral ascendancy on such people. Partly it is because of the symbolic importance we give to food- It is a boon of nature, of God (Prasadam), a symbol of divinity and of life, and hence not be treated as just another material possession with which one can associate a pride of acquisition
3. In the wisdom of our scriptures, the gift of food occupies the highest place among all gifts. To quote:
Annadanam Samam Danam Trilokeshu Na Vidhathe
'Annadanam is supreme and incomparable to any charity'.
Also, in the 'santi parva' of the Mahabharata, Yudhishtira asks Lord Krishna to enlighten him about the essence of Bhishma Pitamaha's erudite discourse on dharma . Lord Krishna says: "The World, both animate and inanimate, is sustained by food. The giver of food is the giver of life and indeed of everything else."
Another quote: Taittiriya Upanishad declares:
annam vai pranah
annam bahu kurveet
meaning, "All life force comes from food" and "Let food be produced in plenty".
One more: In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna declares:
annad bhavanti bhutani
meaning, "From food all beings are evolved".
All quotes from the post by Miss Swethasri (http://www.indusladies.com/forums/queries-on-religion-and-spirituality/129675-importance-of-annadhanam.html) where she has covered even more ground on this topic.
Of course, stories like the Golden Mangoose figure throughout the puranas that emphasize the same point.
What does the family think?
1. In most religions, the same human values are reiterated- so what qualify as uniquely 'Indian' values that result in the betterment of society?
2. How do we apply these traditional values today, in an urbanized society?
I thought a series of posts that discuss this question can help get to the answers. One such Indian value that I could think of is Annadanam, to which I am devoting this post. Very obviously I am not an expert and am really seeking answers through these discussions than making points.
Why is Annadanam an uniquely Indian value?
1. While all religions exhort their followers to be charitable, there is a specific focus on food sharing in Hinduism, and in Indian culture.2. In one way, this value is not about charity at all. Charity implies benefaction, a gift that puts the giver in a morally superior position over the receiver. In Indian culture, it is a duty that is to be accompanied with humility. Partly, it is because the receiver of food historically was often a seeker of truth, a philosopher who has eschewed wealth in search of enlightenment and social benefit. It is difficult to feel a moral ascendancy on such people. Partly it is because of the symbolic importance we give to food- It is a boon of nature, of God (Prasadam), a symbol of divinity and of life, and hence not be treated as just another material possession with which one can associate a pride of acquisition
3. In the wisdom of our scriptures, the gift of food occupies the highest place among all gifts. To quote:
Annadanam Samam Danam Trilokeshu Na Vidhathe
'Annadanam is supreme and incomparable to any charity'.
Also, in the 'santi parva' of the Mahabharata, Yudhishtira asks Lord Krishna to enlighten him about the essence of Bhishma Pitamaha's erudite discourse on dharma . Lord Krishna says: "The World, both animate and inanimate, is sustained by food. The giver of food is the giver of life and indeed of everything else."
Another quote: Taittiriya Upanishad declares:
annam vai pranah
annam bahu kurveet
meaning, "All life force comes from food" and "Let food be produced in plenty".
One more: In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna declares:
annad bhavanti bhutani
meaning, "From food all beings are evolved".
All quotes from the post by Miss Swethasri (http://www.indusladies.com/forums/queries-on-religion-and-spirituality/129675-importance-of-annadhanam.html) where she has covered even more ground on this topic.
Of course, stories like the Golden Mangoose figure throughout the puranas that emphasize the same point.
How do we apply this in a modern urban context?
Inevitably, most of us live in cities. With a shifting population and apartment living, there is very little sense of community and hardly any opportunity for giving annadanam directly to the needy. A desire for exclusivity results in physical boundaries between the wealthy and the poor, again minimizing a chance to perform this duty. We lead busy lives, devoted to nurturing ourselves and our families in an increasingly expensive world, with hardly any time or money to spare. These are all facts. How then do we apply this value to our lives? How does it result in improvement of society? Have any of the family members led by example in this respect, including Tatagaru?What does the family think?
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