You ask the questions, the VIPs are ready to answer!

By Thenkachi Swaminathan

Q: Is it correct to talk to children about spirituality? (K. Meenakshisundaram, Thiruporur)

A: The real meaning of spirituality is to help mankind with your thoughts filled with devotion to God. It is good to inculcate spirituality in the minds of children.

Q: When expressed in a lighter vein, there is the risk of thoughts not being absorbed in the minds of the people, is it not? (A. Karthikeyan, Vellore)

A: Sugar coated pills are easy to take. Eminent personalities like Kalki had even mixed sugar with pills. For example – A tashildar retired. He told his cook, “I’ll not get salary any more, I’ll get only pension. So, we should cut down on our expenditure. It is enough if you serve one teaspoonful of ghee instead of two.” That same day, the cook reduced the quantity of food by half to tashildar. He served only two idlis instead of four, buttermilk instead of curd and so on. The cook sat to eat after tashildar finished. The tashildar was amazed on seeing the plate of the cook. “What is this? You reduced the food for me, but you are taking your usual quantity of ten idlis! “Yes master, but only your salary had been reduced, not mine!” was the reply!

Q: You are an information library! How do you collect this much of information? (Manoharan, Panruti)

A: Books, speeches and libraries are the sources of information to me. Once, Thirukuralaar asked me:

“You are providing lot of information! Wherefrom you get them?” “Often, by picking your pocket!” He just laughed. “Are you not angry when I say ‘from your pocket ’?” I asked. “Why should I get angry? I too pick someone else’ pocket!”, he replied!

Q: If we tell the truth, people think that we are back-biting. Should we not tell the truth? (Santhi Karunakaran, Kancheepuram)

A: It is not important whether you tell the truth or lie, only the consequences are important. If a lie will do good, that lie is equivalent to truth; if a truth that you tell will harm somebody, then that truth is equivalent to lie. These are Thiruvalluvar’s words.

Q: Selfishness is more pronounced among today’s youngsters. Why? (G. Rajalakshmi, Kolar)

A: Do you know when life is peaceful? When you show unconditional love! Today’s youngsters have not understood this. A lover boy said: “Darling, I’ll do anything and everything for you! I am prepared even to go around the world! I’ll land on the moon; I’ll even cross fire …! Girl: Okay, come on Sunday evening, don’t forget …” Boy: I’ll come if it doesn’t rain …!