BG3.16

We are today [2ndAug, 2007] in Srirangam, Mudhalalwars [Poigai, Bhootham and Pey Alwars] sannidhi. They were born in the same month of Aippasi in consecutive star constellations of Thiruvonam, Avittam and Sadayam respectively. They were born in the previous Yug of Dwapara. Out of the total period of 864,000 years, in the 862,901st year they were born and are considered as the first Alwars. They sang respectively Mudal, Irandaam and Moondram Thiruvandadi. One day in Mirugandu maharishi’s ashram they assembled under peculiar circumstance. It was dark and raining heavily. Poigai Alwar came to the ashram to take shelter and the space inside was just enough for one to lie down. Then came Bhootathalwar and he knocked at the door to open. When both were inside it was enough for two to sit. Finally, Pey Alwar knocked and when he was let in, the space was enough for all three to stand. At that time they felt a Fourth person was amidst them trying for space. Since it was pitch dark they could not know who was the fourth. So the first Alwar lit a lamp with a song starting “vaiyam thagaliyaga..”. Then Bhoothathalwar sang " anbe thagaliyaga…” to search for the Fourth person. With both lamps lit the third Alwar could see the Fourth person and Pey Alwar sang “ thirukkanden pon meni kanden’ and saw the Fourth person. He was none other than the Lord Sriman Narayana with Sri Lakshmi on His right chest. We are to worship Him with the body given to our atman and this is what was told by Sri Krishna in the last two slokas. For all living beings to live food is required, which is obtained from food crops, which depend on rains, which can be got only by yagna and for performing yagna the atman needs a body. This cycle has to be maintained and everyone has to do his job in this cycle. We will now see the 16^th sloka:

evam pravartitam cakram
nanuvartayatiha yah
aghayur indriyaramo
mogham partha sa jivati

"My dear Arjuna, one who does not follow in human life the cycle of sacrifice thus established by the Vedas certainly leads a life full of sin. Living only for the satisfaction of the senses, such a person lives in vain."

Here Sri Krishna tells that the person who does not do his job in the cycle He had created, is unfit to live. Here one should decide whether one lives for the world or the world is for one. Cooperation in society is emphasized. Universal brotherhood or Vasudeva kudumpakam is underlined. Sriman Narayana and Sri Maha Lakshmi are Parents of everyone. Like brothers and sisters in the same family all are to cooperate and help each other. We are supposed to do five yagnas –bramha, pitru, deva, manushya and bhootha- daily. Bhootha yagna means caring for dogs and other living beings. Manushya yagna is to caring for guests. Pitru yagna is performing rituals for deceased ancestors. So these are all not difficult to do and therefore Arjuna should not hesitate to do karma yoga as prescribed in Vedas.