Why is feeding the hungry considered the highest form of service? பசித்தவர்களுக்கு உணவு அளிப்பது ஏன் உயர்ந்த சேவையாக கருதப்படுகிறது?

In the 16th Velvi discourse, Gurumahan unfolds a deeply striking episode from the Mahabharata on the Kurukshetra battlefield, revealing the overwhelming power of hunger through the poignant encounter between Gandhari and Krishna.

After people gain wisdom, they do not keep it to themselves. A hungry man walks along the street begging. People at the temple call him and invite him to join Gurumahan, who is observing penance for 21 days without food, speech, or interaction. The man does not ask whether he will gain wisdom, he asks if they will give him food.
Hunger tightens and pains every nerve in the body. So we must feed those who are hungry. When someone asks for food, we should not refuse, we must first offer them food. That is why people honor those who feed others as divine. When hunger strikes, it makes everything else disappear relationships, traditions, affection, and dignity.
The Mahabharata illustrates this truth. Gandhari loses all her sons, including Duryodhana. She stands on the battlefield and cries in deep sorrow. Krishna comes to her and explains that victory and defeat are natural in war. He asks her to calm her mind and return to the palace, reminding her that her tears cannot bring back the dead.
But Gandhari refuses. She blames Krishna and says she will not return to the palace without her children. She feels like an orphan despite giving birth to a 100 sons. She continues to grieve and refuses to leave.
After some time, hunger rises within her. Hunger grows stronger even than sorrow. She looks around for food but finds nothing. Then she sees meat hanging on a tree. Driven by hunger, she loses awareness and judgment. She tries to reach it but cannot. So she places Duryodhana’s body below, stacks the bodies of her sons one over another, and climbs on them to reach the meat.
Hunger strips away all awareness even a queen loses herself to it. Earlier, Krishna had told her that no one can endure hunger and that hunger makes everything else fade. She did not listen then. Now, when hunger becomes unbearable, Krishna appears again and reminds her of his words. He asks her to come with him so he can satisfy her hunger.
Only those who rise beyond the body can transcend hunger. Others cannot escape hunger and thirst. So we must eliminate hunger from the world. That is why sages established the practice of offering food in temples. They also taught that we must feed guests first in every home before we eat.

Let Wisdom Flourish!
Let Peace Prevail!
Let us protect Mother earth!
Let us protect the Universe!

Santhosam

https://universalpeacefoundation.org