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Neetham (Tamil:நீதம்) are the primary virtues to be followed according to theAkilathirattu the holy text ofAyyavazhi. They are found inAkilam one, which is the first section of theAkilathirattu Ammanai, and in the middle of themeta-narrative events of theeight yugas. This shows that the society, its people, and the ruling king once lived in absolute harmony with nature, placing the power of God in all their works, deeds, and activities during early ages.
TheAkilathirattu points this out as an example, and describes how the people should live in the world. It also forms a part ofAyyavazhi ethics. The Neethams are split into three. They are,
TheManu Neetham describes how a person should act in a society. It also describes the correctmoral character of the people, and their way of life in harmony with nature (particularly women) in the early ages.
Followers believe that all the events and actions that happen in their lives are activated byGod. Therefore, they prefer not to seek any individual supremacy for any of their activities or achievements. All faithful followers believe that everyone is equal, in spite of the presence of different castes.
In addition, they do not find anyone inferior or superior to others with respect to the jobs they do. They neither do any menial jobs nor make others do so. In turn, they live with a mutual understanding of others not unlike the innocence of children.
Thus the people of thesociety would live: always striving to be role models for others. Thisethical code is considered by followers to have been given byAyyavazhi scriptures to mankind.
ThisRaja Neetham orArasa Neetham says, how an individual should be to thesociety ornation, and in turn how the nation should be to a commonman. This was derived from the meta-narrative events, one practiced in the society.
The king ruled the country with great care, by giving more importance to individual needs. He respects each and every individual with equal status. The king consider the comfort of the subjects of the nation as the comfort of himself. In all the 1008 Pathis (The place whereGod is) thepoojas were conducted rightly and in timely manner. Thetemples, the watermeans such asponds,wells were supervised and were repaired frequently.Anna Dharmam, the charity on food is conducted frequently at choultries. The people of the nation always respect religious persons andpilgrims, and help them by all possible means, and consider that serving them (religious persons) is like serving God.
The king collects one-sixth of the means of people astax. If any one says that they will not be able to give one-sixth of their means, the king don't use to compel them. If any one pays tax without any pending for about twelve years the King use to discount their tax for two years. The judgement from the king for the judicial cases of people will be accurate. He gives more importance for his people than for himself.
This story tells about a king who follows the Raja Neetham rightly and so his accuracy in judgement.
Once ahunter choose a bird as his target and points his arrow towards it. The bird notes this and flies away and the hunter follows the bird. The bird flew and fell in front of the Chozha king and asked him to rescue from the hunter. Following this the hunter came in front of the king and demanded the bird. He also says, "whole of my today's time is wasted behind this bird. I and my family has to fulfill our hunger by this bird." On the other hand, the bird demanded the king to save it from the hunter.
The king feels that both of them are right from their own view point and sensed both the fulfillment of the hunger of hunter and saving the life of the bird is his duty as a king. So taking care the two subjects, the king cut an equal quantity offlesh to the bird from his limb and gave it to the hunter. So he saved the life of the bird and on the other hand saved the hunter's family from being hungry. As king, he treated both of his subjects equally and also fulfilled both of their needs.
Note: This story is not fully narrated as above inAkilam and only quoted.
ThisDeiva Neetham tells about the thought of people about the Almighty and about their religious harmony during that (old) age, and tells the way by which one should be get divinized. The most important point is, this part says that when the other two Neethams are correctly followed the Deiva Neetham will be automatically fall in the right path. This concept was reveals from themythical narration.
The reign of the king (above in Raja Neetham) was identified as a good rule by theDevas.Narayana,Brahma,Lekhsmi and all devas appreciated this rule. They went tokayilai to meetSiva to tell about this.
They met Siva in Kayilai and told that the King chozha is ruling his country genuinely. They also told Siva about the judgement of the king in the matter of theHunter and the Bird. Also they brought to his attention, other merits of the reign of the king. They also demanded that, since the king is so genuine, talented and accurate in following the principles, he should order the devas to do the duties to his nation correctly. Hearing this Siva ordered theMayon to order the devas to do all duties timidly. As per this Mayon ordered,
As per the order ofSiva all activities were done by devas. Also they made allanimals to live in harmony with each other and with the people. They also made the crops of his nation to give good yield for the people.
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| Akilathirattu | ||
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