Sri Sakthi Amma presented 330 children with financial aid to take care of the medical expenses for their much needed heart surgery. India is a country where universal health care is not provided by the government and a huge percent of India is living below the poverty line. The cost of medical care for a sick child is overwhelming for these people. In the continuing effort through the Arogya Project, Sri Narayani Amma continues to provide free open heart surgeries to children in critical need, with severe heart conditions.
Amma's discourse:
This day is a holy day; an auspicious day; the reason being 330 children are going to receive life. It is also a miraculous day at Sri Narayani Peedam. Usually people who participate as guests of honour at such functions at Peedam are officials who are devotees and ministers of central and state governments. But in the history of Sri Narayani Peedam, this is the first time a leader of a political party takes part as the chief guest. This is because Peedam considers Mr. Ramadas not only as a leader of a party but also as a servant of the society; as a good man with a lot of concern over society and that is why when Amma invited him, he happily accepted the invitation and has joined us today.
Health is essential for everyone on earth and the most sought after. What is the basis for health? What should one do to be healthy? When one is sick there are so many treatments for the disease. We have achieved many medical breakthroughs to cure and prevent all kinds of diseases. Only in Spiritual life one can live a peaceful and healthy life. What is the reason? For mankind disease starts from his mind. If the mind is healthy the body will also be healthy. If there is confusion in the mind it creates disease only. The birth place of disease is the unhealthy mind. If the mind is healthy the body will also be healthy.
The mind suffers from two kinds of worries. The first is the fear that the things we desire we may not get. The second is the fear that the things we have may leave us one day. These two kinds of fear make man worry and this bring diseases. When one indulges inspirituality the highest wisdom is available there and takes one down the right path. In such a life desires and needs are reduced. When desires and needs are reduced problems are reduced.
The basis for a man's sufferings is greed. How to keep the mind in spirituality? There should not be too many desires or needs. Life should be full of love. One should be satisfied with what he has and this will lead the mind to a harmonious path.
There are two types of cleanliness, the first is outer cleanliness and the second is inner cleanliness. When there is discipline these two will be automatically obtained. The aim of spirituality is to make a man's mind clean, pure and to make him a great personality with good health. Spirituality does not provide heaven or hell after leaving the world. It provides ways and means for a peaceful, happy and healthy life during one's life time. As such, there are so many facts and scientific reasoning in Hindu culture and devotional procedures.
How many people know the true meaning of Vibuhi? Very few. It remains a ritual without knowing the meaning of it. But once we come to know it will turn out to be a power which will change our lives. Vibuthi. The cow dung, after making into a dry cake is burnt and the ash after burning it is Vibuthi (Holy Ash). The ash is sanctified and used as divine prasadham. What truth does it contain?
How ever large your property which you have accumulated by torturing others; how ever huge your sins are after you have made others suffer in fulfilling your desire for a happy life; you will finally become ash one day. This is the lesson Vibuthi tells us every time we open the box. One day you will end up as ash. So do good deeds. How ever large your property may be which was accumulated with much strain, no one can take anything with him when leaving the world. Nobody brings anything; nobody can take anything with them.
The truth mingled in Vibuthi is that one day we all will become ash. What is the medically based truth in Vibuthi? Vibuthi has plenty of absorbing power. It will absorb all the unwanted water from the forehead. The body will receive good health. So, there is scientific reason for all that is done in spirituality. Also there is a philosophy for uplifting life and wisdom. There is Namam in Vainavam. It is prepared from the soil (mud). This also teaches the same truth. No other lesson is greater than the one a man learns by his own realization.
Though a person advises a thousand times to be good, not to commit wrong and not to spoil others, if a man decides firmly in his mind firmly that he has to live with discipline that has a special power. Vibuthi, kumkum and sandal powder are scientifically healthy and related to higher values in life. People who do wrong even after applying vibuthi, kumkum etc. are ignorant of the facts these things denote. That is why there is a chance for those who do not believe in God to pass comments like, "See, that man with vibuthi is committing a wrong".
In Hindu religion nothing happens just for ritual sake. Everything that is done has a meaning. A small vibuthi box changes the whole life of a person. Self realization is more powerful than a change done through the advice of others. Though spirituality contains a number rituals, all those rituals have truth and discipline. The body is a temple. The soul inside is God. If the body is considered as temple it cannot get dirty. In such a situation healthy life is all the more possible.
To stay healthy people say, "Go for a walk; go for a jog, avoid oil" etc. Besides all these things there should be spirituality and devotion in a life. Then there will be discipline and good health. Spirituality gives discipline. Many people maintain self control for 48 days before going to Sabarimala. During that period they remain pure without any bad habits though previously they may have had some. On the 49th day one might come to a state where he has completely forgotten the previous bad habit. Likewise spirituality brings the discipline in every way.
Of the entire world the land "Bharath" has this power in abundance. Such good news should be shared with everyone. There will be limited effect if Peedam alone takes up this task to share this news to the world. As Amma previously said if the Government also gets involved, leaving out the religious aspect, take spirituality only. Spirituality is the path of truth; a Dharma. If this is taught in schools, the life of youngsters will be not only healthy but also will turn out to be fruitful to the society. Only people like Dr. Ramadas could bring out such a change in the syllabus of school education.
Spirituality is essential for society. It will create good people with high ideals. This is what society requires. Society needs peace and wisdom which only spirituality can provide. The power of love emanated from this Holy Land should spread all over the world and thereby let all the living beings of the universe live happily and joyfully.
