Already we met Sri Suki Sivam in another article [ ], where I mentioned that he is a reputed orator in Tamilnadu. Already I pointed out that though he is a highly scholarly person who can present his view very clearly in convincing terms. However, one problem with him which I cannot agree with is his own interpretation on certain Scriptures and the worldview of other religions. As I have already pointed out, most of the Indian scholars will take refuge in the eternal Indian saying: As many souls so many views. So, Sivam would consent that his interpretation might be not acceptable to others, however that is his view which one can accept or reject.
In one of his recent Youtube videos he talked about Prophet Muhamad and His spirit of renunciation. According to Sivam, one day the Prophet returned home after his regular work and business. But when he retired to the bed he couldn’t sleep as he was very much disturbed in his spirit. So, he called his wife and asked her whether she kept any money which he gave her to give to the poor after their need. Because he held the principle that whatever money that he earns in his business after meeting all the household needs, rest should be given in charity not keeping even one paise as savings or to reserve cash to meet any emergency. But that particular evening his wife with a woman’s anxiety spared a little bit of money in case of any emergency. So, she confessed her mistake. Then the Prophet instructed her to go out and give to anyone who is in need. Though she argued who will be there that night seeking any help from anyone. Anyhow, he insisted that she has to do as he told her. So, when she went out she found a stranger who was waiting for someone to help him. And she gave the money and returned and informed this matter with surprise to the Prophet. Then he told her as God has sent someone in need for that money, she need not be anxious about tomorrow as the same God will meet all their needs and retire to bed with much calm and peace managing to sleep well.
After sharing this story, Sivam said: What the Prophet has done is the highest renunciation which no one has ever done. Infact, his renunciation is even greater than that promoted in Buddhism and Jainism. Because [as found in these sampradays and few others] renouncing one time is very easy. But renouncing each day is a great challenge and a true mark of renunciation.
Well, as I mentioned Sivam has his own personal view about renunciation. But according to me and also in other sampradayas like Buddhism and Jainims and also in Hinduism, the real renunciation is the one where one will have left with anything more to renounce further. Even in Jainism by committing religious suicide called ‘sallekhana’! one can give up even the body. In the Digambar sect they don’t even cover even the body. In Hinduism also by committing ritual suicide called ‘Jeeva Samadhi’ one can get buried alive in a grave on which later a temple will be constructed by the followers of that siddha. Few sannyasis give up their body after taking the sanyasi deeksha [initiation] by committing ritual suicide. I think Sivam also knows about all these. Whereas what the Prophet has done is not renunciation but charity. Because still he had a roof over his head to sleep, a wife to take care of him and a place and materials to do business the next day to earn and continue to give in Charity. That is why Ead is called the festival of Charity and I think Islam also emphasis charity. I never read the Quran. But I am not sure whether Quaran or Prophet has ever promoted this kind of renunciation which is practiced in Buddhism and Jainism or even call the act of the Prophet done as charity as an act of renunciation.
We have every right to read any kind of message that we like in any Scripture or religious tradition. But we should be careful when we compare what is promoted in one religion with another one as Sivam has done here.
1…sallekhana, the suicide of the Jaina monks…..— The Collected Essays of Bimal Krishna Matilal: Ethics and Epics, ed. Jonardon Ganeri, New Delhi, Oxford, 2002, p. 157
…The Jain suicide was the culmination of a twelve-year practice which aimed toward it from the beginning. Various vows for the final event could be taken, including the vow of immobility. One Chilatiputta, a Jain, gained fame for lying motionless while his body was eaten by ants….— Thomas McEvilley, Shape of Ancient Thought: Comparative Studies in Greek and Indian Philosophies, Delhi, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, (2002), First Indian Edition, 2008. p. 279
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