Talk:Karma Mīmāmsa or the Science of Karma:Ability of the Doer
By Vishal Agarwal
All religious traditions take into account the ability of the doer in evaluating the moral worth of his actions. For example, a donation of 100 gold coins by a billionaire is morally worth less than a solitary single coin donated by an extremely poor person who has nothing to spare. The sacrifice of the latter is deemed more valuable than that of the former. This evaluation which takes into account the ability of the doer, is emphasized repeatedly in numerous Hindu narratives, especially those which are connected with the Bhakti traditions. An example is given below:
Story: The Temple of Alagi
In the year 1010 CE, Emperor Raja Raja Chola I completed the construction of the Brihadeeshvara Shiva temple, which is one of the grandest Hindu temples ever constructed. The Mandir is 216 feet high and is topped by a giant stone that is several tons heavy. The Shivalinga inside the Mandir is two stories high. A beautiful story is narrated about the construction of the Mandir in Thanjavur about a humble and poor woman, who contributed in her little way.
For constructing the temple, workmen and sculptors were brought in from all over the country. They worked hard all day, digging the earth and chiseling stone. By evening they were completely exhausted. Near the site of the temple, there lived an old woman called Alagi. Although she was weak and in poor health, Alagi wanted to do her bit for her king and Shiva. As she wandered around the site, she saw that the laborers became exhausted under the noonday sun and could hardly lift their heads. Every day Alagi made buttermilk with spices. She poured it in pots and served the artisans with her own hands. Refreshed by the drink, the men found energy to work better, and for longer hours. Many rich merchants and nobles competed with one another to contribute to the temple. Lavish gifts and ornaments were given by the king’s family. Alagi also wanted to contribute. So she went to the chief mason and asked him to use a granite stone she had at the back of the house. Her neighbors laughed at her foolishness, but the mason, who had seen her serving his people for many long years, agreed to use it as a coping stone (stone at the top of the temple).
Six years later, the temple was complete. The king fixed an auspicious day for its inauguration and hundreds of priests, cooks and entertainers were called up for service. The night before the ceremony, however, the king had a dream. Bhagavān Shiva appeared before him and said he would be pleased to reside under the shelter provided by Alagi. The king was astounded. It was he who had planned and executed the temple project. His family, friends and allies had generously gifted money, images and jewels. Who was this Alagi that Shiva was speaking of?
The next day, the King went to the temple, thinking that she lived there. But she was not to be found there. He sent out a search party for her. She was soon found, living in a small hut. The emperor learned of her tireless efforts in taking care of the workers for several years during the hot afternoons, day after day, and her humble offering of a stone. Humbled by her devotion, the King went with folded hands to her hut, and respectfully brought her to the temple himself. He honored her before the crowd gathered before starting the ceremony for the inauguration of the temple. He proclaimed that her simple devotion had won favor in the eyes of the Lord, over and above all the material riches that made up the temple. Alagi accepted the recognition of her services to Bhagavān Shiva with great humility, and chose to spend the rest of her life serving the temple and the temple employees.