58.2 Gracious Compassion

 58.2 Gracious Compassion

Question:

How does a benign person handle the serious harm done to him?

 

Answer:

Benign people will drink even the poison given to them

and continue to be courteous.                                                          (Couplet – 580)

பெயக்கண்டும் நஞ்சுண் டமைவர் நயத்தக்க

நாகரிகம் வேண்டு பவர்.                                                        (குறள் – 580)

Explanation:

This suggestion by Valluvar may appear impractical, and hardly anyone can follow it. On the other hand, there are examples of great men who have graciously accepted the harm that was done to them. For instance, Mahatma Gandhi had no ill will or malice toward Nathuram Vinayak Godse, who killed him. The Buddha was accidentally served contaminated food, which caused his death. But he told his disciple Ananda to convince Cunda, who gave him the tainted food, that the meal he ate at his place had nothing to do with his death and that his meal would be a source of the greatest merit as it provided the last meal for a Buddha. Jesus Christ told his followers to forgive those who crucified him. Socrates calmly accepted the poisonous hemlock that was given to him. So, it is possible to practice such compassionate behavior like the great noble souls mentioned above.