One devotee reached Kanchi matham and waited to meet Maha Periyava.
When his turn came, he went and bowed in front of him and asked him thus.
“Periyava! I am a family man. I live with my wife and children. I try to take care of my parents and in-laws to the best of my abilities. I have many responsibilities and sometimes these are conflicting. Bhagavad Gita says follow your Dharma (duty, righteousness). What is my Dharma? Can you explain it in simple terms that I can understand please?”.
As usual, Maha Periyava smiled and answered,
“This is a great question you have asked. One that all of us should know and practice. Let me simplify it and share.
- Our Dharma (duty) towards Rishis (sages) is to read & understand the Vedas that have been passed down across generations!
- Our Dharma (duty) towards Divine involves visiting temples to have a darshan. We should also perform Homam (sacred fire rituals) to seek their blessings.
- Our Dharma (duty) towards our ancestors is to perform their annual rites without missing them!.
- Our Dharma (duty) towards guests is to please them with good food when they visit our homes.
- Our Dharma (duty) towards our employers is to put in our hard work and perform well.
- Our Dharma (duty) towards parents is to love & care for them.
- Our Dharma (duty) towards spouse is to love & be affectionate.
- Our Dharma (duty) towards our children is to love them while being strict & disciplining them as necessary.
These are the duties (Dharma) that one needs to follow in life.”
The devotee & everyone around Maha Periyava smiled. It was simple, yet an enlightening explanation.