Kural Chronicles

KURAL 225

ARUTPAAL

ILLARAVIYAL

ADHIKAARAM 23: EEGAI  – GIVING TO THE NEEDY

ஆற்றுவார் ஆற்றல் பசிஆற்றல் அப்பசியை
மாற்றுவார் ஆற்றலின் பின்.

Aatruvaar aatral pasi aatral appasiyai

Maatruvaar aatralin pin

The ability to bear hunger in the name of fasting and prayer is good. It is only second though to the ability to allay the hunger pangs of the poor and needy.

Aatruvaar: he who bears;  Aatral: Capacity;  Pasi: hunger;  Maatruvaar: he who changes;  Pin: after or behind.

Hunger is cruel. Hunger from poverty is doubly so. Very often we undergo fasting – it may be for prayer, it may be penance, it may even be a detox or cleansing ritual. When hunger pangs strike, we call up all our discipline to stay steadfast and continue our fast. Every minute though, we know that we have food ready to consume whenever we are ready.

Think of the plight of those millions who don’t know where their next meal is going to come from! If you have the ability to feed even one needy person, do it. Allaying the hunger of the poor is greater than the highest form of penance.