An unique Cause.

Known as the ‘saint of kanchi’, Chandrasekara saraswathi swamigal was a widely respected pontiff and religious head. His life came to an end, a little after his 100th birthday which was celebrated by his followers and his institution. He was seen as God himself in human form, by various devotees across the globe. A grand ceremony was organized commencing his date of birth where he was worshipped with a 101 gold coins. To him gold nor gravel made no difference! He was a great scholar in Hindu philosophy and had mastered many languages. He practiced what he preached and had a very conservative outlook on many worldly issues, unlike his successors. He was an epitome of self-less service.

The saint devised a simple scheme to fight hunger. Under the ‘Pidi Arusi Thittam’ (a handful of rice) he asked the womenfolk, to put a handful of rice and a 1 rupee coin each day, in a separate pot before they started cooking their noon meal. Once a fortnight a volunteer would collect the savings from several households and bring it to the local Siva temple, where the rice was cooked with condiments and spices, offered to the Lord and distributed to the poor people in the village. This scheme was even followed by women living in cities and the contribution seemed viable to an average Indian household.

This gave them a sense of duty and feeling that they involved themselves in a ‘dharmic’ cause each day. It did not require much effort or capital. Many were fed daily. He believed temples should serve for the common good. This scheme seems to be extinct now.

The ‘annadhanam’ (poor feeding) programs launched by state governments in India seem to focus on just the temples in metro cities, they have huge collection boxes where people donate in thousands but it hardly serves the needy. On the contrary historic temples in the villages have no such services. Why doesn’t the Government implement or organize similar schemes where they are the need of the hour? The whole meaning of such schemes are distorted if they do not serve the purpose of targeting the down trodden.

Will someone revive the Paramacharya’s idea and continue to live his dream?
Because a few drops make a mighty ocean.