Vallalar Teachings – Paropakaram
Param means higher, and Upakaram means helping. Together, Paropakaram means selfless service to others or higher form of helping.
As said by Ramalinga Swamigal, Paropakaram is the expression of Jeevakaarunya, which is essentially helping those in distress. The forms of distress include hunger, thirst, disease, desire, poverty, fear, and violence. Alleviating the suffering of those who endure these hardships is considered Jeevakaarunya.
Among these acts of compassion, feeding the hungry and preventing harm to life (such as killing) are regarded as the highest forms of Jeevakaarunya.
Paropakaram is considered is one of the greatest two tools of Sutha Sanmargam.