15/01/2019
AMMA'S 2019 PONGAL DISCOURSE
Om Sakthi, Adi Parasakthi. Pongalo Pongal. Best wishes. Everyone may progress spiritually. May all the animals live happily. Om Sakthi. Everyone has Amma's blessings. We say, "Pongalo Pongal." When we say these words, good thoughts fill our mind. They come out as good words. We say, "Pongalo Pongal." When we say Pongalo Pongal and greet one another, our mind is filled with happiness and we smile happily.
Pongal signifies the beginning of a new life with good deeds. We need to review and renew our thoughts. This leads to happiness in our lives and all of us may be able to smile in our lives. In those days, people used earthenware. We may use modern utensils as well. First, we prepare Pongal and then, offer it to the Sun. We perform Suryanamaskar and prostrate before the Sun. We need to perform pooja. Light the fire using camphor and place the pot on it. Use Bermuda grass to fuel the fire. When it burns, pour milk into the pot. When we pour milk into the pot, even when it is half a glass and even when we pour it at the right time, the milk will slowly begin to boil and easily rise. If it is a big pot, it rises quickly. The milk doesn't change. It is in the state of Sakthi itself. Only when it boils and rises do we add washed rice. We say, "Pongalo Pongal." In this celebration, our friends and relatives are invited. We call our friends as well to join the function. We need to thank them, too and wish them on this occasion.
When searching for water, the experts may find groundwater in certain places. If four people dig in that place, they may find water. They get good water. If they dig in another place, they may find salt water. Wherever they dig in places where the water is saline, they can find salt alone. When they try to find pure water in places that contain salt water, they get salt water alone. We refine the salt water and purify it. It is the dissolved salt in water that we get, finally. The water that we use ultimately reaches the ocean, dirty.
In this age of science, Pongal has its own significance. There are media like radio, television, and cell phones that help us watch this programme. When we move onwards, we have to move backwards as well. We want to progress fast scientifically. We need to know what is essential for our life. When we turn the radio or TV on, whether it is Chennai Broadcasting Station or Television Station, we can hear only the songs that are broadcast and the programmes that are shown on the TV. We cannot hear songs that come from other radio stations, or programmes broadcast by other TV channels. We can see what is broadcast via satellite. We can see several programmes simultaneously with the help of radio waves. In the forest, animals and birds recognise one another, hearing their sounds. Although sound exists everywhere through electronic media, we can listen to or see a specific song or programme at a time.
We have found out and succeeded a lot in advancing science. We make use of sound waves as well as light waves, but we haven't succeeded yet in finding or understanding the soul. Our soul, the life force, is also a form of air. We do not know where it has come from, or where it finally returns. However experts is science have tried to find out more about the soul, they haven't succeeded yet. The soul is a form of air. We have heard that in ancient times, a soul could enter another body. We don't know which soul went where and how. We are unable to understand these phenomena. Although we have been blessed with the faculties of vision, hearing, and understanding, we fail to use them. Standing in front of a mirror, we see our reflection, but we cannot see our internal organs. We need to have control over our diet, mind, thoughts, vision, speech, doubts, and love.
Just as a tortoise moves forward step-by-step, we acquire God's grace and wealth step-by-step only and succeed in life. In olden days, there were small huts near one another. When the pleasant breeze gradually turns into a storm and destroys the huts, the poles that support the huts still remain sturdy. Only the thatched roofs are carried away by the wind. The foundation remains firm. In modern times, houses are strong; yet, when they are buffeted by stormy winds, it affects all the buildings and ends up causing great destruction.
Next is Mattu Pongal. Cows are worshipped during this festival. Cows give us milk. Mother's milk is essential for the baby. It is not only healthy, but also gives the baby resistance against several diseases. God's grace is more important than beauty.
Changes have taken place in several fields. It is applicable to everyone as well. If we take science for example, we can see several changes that have taken place. Even the wind changes its direction in spite of the weather forecast. Newspapers differ in their forecast about the weather. People become confused and do not know what to believe. The same is the case with cellphones. They too mislead people, who become confused about what to follow. Instead of following the right way, they find easy ways to accomplish their need. They do not worry about how they can lead an honest life. They seek the help of cellphones to get the right answers for the exam questions. Thus, they get the right answers for all the questions, helping one another. How can their brains work, if they don't make use of it? Gradually, the nerves become affected. When the nerves are affected, it gradually leads to brain damage and reduces memory power. By nature, a human being can retain his memory for seventy to eighty years. Now, people gradually lose their memories by fifty five years of age. Advancing science has certain adverse effects, too.
Next comes the Mattu Pongal, the worship of cows. The cow is a form of God. She is like a mother. She gives us milk. Cow dung is used as manure for crops in the field. When this had been the practice in farming, cultivation flourished and industries prospered. There was affection among human beings. They led happy lives. People used to walk on foot. There were few vehicles in use. People didn't suffer from sugar problems. Doctors advise several medicines to cure diseases. One doctor advises the patient to undergo an operation, while another advises against it. In ancient times, there had been siddha medicines. They found natural cures for many diseases. The siddhas had the power to diagnose diseases precisely. The worship of the five elements in nature helps cure several diseases. We need to worship the five elements - ocean water, sun, sky, earth (and space) - in nature. In the same manner, we need to worship parents, relatives, and friends. Relationships differ among themselves, but all are based on love and affection. The seeds that we sow grow into plants. The plant bears flowers that turn into fruits. The fruits are sweet, but human beings find it rather difficult to love one another. Man needs to be truthful. If he fills his mind with good thoughts, he can discriminate between what is just and unjust.
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