What
is so great about certain statements made about Sanathana Dhrama?
Why
are Ramayana and Mahabharatha considered great?
This
sentence in the introduction of Mr. Srinivasan's book
"Hinduism is not subject to any central control or
authority to specify what is correct and what is not correct. It is a way of life evolved over several
generations , which
have been captured in various teachings."
This particular statement above needs some elaborate
explanation as many people tend to have a misconception that since as a group of
people following Sanathan Dharma do not have an institution or central control,
they conclude it is devoid of identity and therefore hovers around in
vagueness.
No it is not so, on the contrary, Sanathana Dharma allows
multiple identities to evolve and exist in harmony.
Identity or identities are inevitable and inherent.
Whereas, institutionalization is not necessary for life and
living.
Though institutions help in monitoring, controlling and
delivering certain things in some realms of human activity.
The unique identity and hall mark of Sanathana Dharma is that
it is not curtailed or constrained or confined by any particular or specific ideology
or identity'
But its philosophy is inherently open to assimilate any
identity or open to incorporate various identities.
This is the essence of Advaitha and it has been very well
explained in English by Swami Chinmayananda as ,"The spirit of
Advaita is not to keep away from anything, but to keep in tune with
everything."
One great western philosopher William
James too has said something similar, “In the end nothing less than the whole
of everything can be the truth of anything at all”.
Everything
in nature intrinsically has some[not specific ] pattern, inherent attribute.
When
we manage to decipher or uncover or discover those patterns and attributes we
assign some term or name to classify or recognize them.
What
enables and how this discoveries happen?
This
process is done by the many intelligences from sensual to emotional to
intellectual to the spiritual [of course, with many nuanced intelligences
between and beyond them] using various methods from intense emotional
connection to devotion to philosophical
inquiry to scientific methods [of course, with many nuanced methods between and
beyond them].
At
times, certain discoveries just happen as a revelation without any conscious attempt .
What
is the need and purpose of those discoveries?
The
things or theories or patterns or laws of life that are discovered have existed
much before human beings managed to discover or to name them.
But
only after discovering and anointing a name human beings feel highly elated as
if they have created something extraordinary or something that is going to
newly inject some new life into their very existence.
Why
this happens ?
What
are the consequences of this?
For
example , let us say gravitation, discovery of number zero, theory of
relativity , black hole ,or neural system etc
All
the above required someone to observe or
to notice and to explain through a medium and in a way that most of us could
understand as well as apply the understanding thus gained to progress further.
Then, based on those we have enhanced our
understanding of functioning of various
domains and also carried out further experiments to come out with multitude of
advancements in many realms of understanding as well as making many technologies
that help our life in many ways.
Gravity
always existed, exists and shall exist on this planet as an inherent
attribute of this planet.
However,
once it is discovered and explained two basic things happen:-
1.
We are able to identify it and
its functions;
2. We
are able to use it as one more frame of reference to
understand .
So,
these two factors are the most fundamental benefits to human beings namely,
identity and frame of reference.
Human
beings basically need these two to tune into specific frequencies, to
concentrate and to focus leading to understand
better and interpret more relevantly.
So,
some sort of identity per se
emerges and evolves and enables to distinguish.
It
gets both internalized as well as becomes a distinct feature for recognition.
Therefore
, there is nothing wrong with it [identity] but when identity veneration moves from
distinguishing to differentiating to discriminating to fighting over
some identities with other identities
and trying to force everyone to accept only some specific identity, only
then, identity becomes a problem.
Identities
could be anything ranging from following
specific ideologies to beliefs to languages to regions to religions to
nationalities and so on.
Frame of
reference determines the scale of
observation which defines the range and the boundary of our perception.
In the book Human Destiny, Lecomte du Nuoy- a
marvelous book that everyone must read – if I remember correctly this comes in
34th page.
It is not often our perception but the scale of
observation and frames of reference which create the phenomenon. The scale of
observation depends on man; it is he who creates it. In nature, different
scales of observation do not exist. There is only one immense, harmonious
phenomenon on a scale which, in general, escapes man. The structure of man's
brain necessitates dividing into arbitrary compartments and cutting up into
isolated pieces. With the aid of several instruments science creates more
phantasmagoria: "on our scale of human observation, as pointed out before,
the edge of a razor-blade is a continuous line. On the microscopic scale, it is
a broken but solid line. On the chemical scale we have atoms of iron and
carbon. On the sub-atomic scale we have electrons in perpetual motion which
travel at the rate of several thousand miles per second. All these phenomena
are in reality the manifestations of the same basic phenomenon, the motions of
the electrons. The only difference which exists between them is the scale of
observation"
“Humans have a need for a stable frame of
reference. Religion apparently fills this need. In effect, humans crave answers
to questions that no other source of knowledge has an answer to, which only
religion may seem to answer. However, a sense of free will must be given in
order for religion to appear healthy. An authoritarian notion of religion
appears detrimental.”- Erich Fromm.
Sanathana Dharma has its identities very well manifested in
both Salience and Substance which are the two vital aspects of identity.
"Samuel Huntington penned a book titled
Who Are We? [Penguin Books, India 2004] to define American's identity as a
“White Anglo-Saxon Christian who speaks English”. It seems contrived since
majority of Americans are not ‘White’, but Huntington is emphatic.?
Huntington's contribution to definition of an identity lies is in seeing the two components of this identity: Salience, which is the importance that the citizen attributes to national identity over the other many sub-identities. Second, Substance, which is what the citizens think they have in common, and which distinguishes them from others of other countries."
Huntington's contribution to definition of an identity lies is in seeing the two components of this identity: Salience, which is the importance that the citizen attributes to national identity over the other many sub-identities. Second, Substance, which is what the citizens think they have in common, and which distinguishes them from others of other countries."
Variety
and plurality are inherent aspects of nature and Sanathana Dharmic philosophy
of existence has it well embedded in all
its manifestations.
"Existence consists in the interplay of a plurality
of elements whose true nature is indescribable and whose source is unknown.
Combinations of these elements instantaneously flash into existence and
instantaneously disappear, to be succeeded by new combinations of elements
appearing in a strict causality." - Earle Ernst, The Kabuki
Theatre
There is no need for control in creativity and human
expression
Even a real rationalist like Bertrand Russell writes in POLITICAL IDEALS (1917)CHAPTER IV INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY AND PUBLIC
CONTROL
“The creative impulses, unlike those that are
possessive, are directed to ends in which one man’s gain are not another man’s
loss. The man who makes a scientific discovery or writes a poem is enriching
others at the same time as himself. Any increase in knowledge or good-will is a
gain to all who are affected by it, not only to the actual possessor. Those who
feel the joy of life are a [source of ] happiness to others as well as to
themselves. Force cannot create such things, though it can destroy them; no
principle of distributive justice applies to them, since the gain of each is
the gain of all. For these reasons, the creative part of a man’s activity ought
to be as free as possible from all public control, in order that it may remain
spontaneous and full of vigor. The only function of the state in regard to this
part of the individual life should be to do everything possible toward
providing outlets and opportunities”.
Taking
off from where we left regarding two important aspects 'identity' and 'frames
of reference' as part of my interpretation of two lines in introduction,
if we
carefully pursue and peruse the plots and characters of Ramayana and
Mahabharatha, we would notice that every happening, issue, event, individual
actions etc delineate great and intrinsically vital lessons for life and almost
all components that help individual life with all inevitable aspects of life
from the worst to the best in various realms of life.
Why am
I jumping to Ramayana and Mahabaratha while reading a book on Sanathana Dharma?
It is
because those two texts give in a nutshell through a narrative of story many
aspects of life as they manifest and it drives home the point that how by
relating to various incidents in those two stories we can maneuver through our
own individual life.
That is
the reason these two texts are being referred to here.
Now,
let us see from the perspective of a global audience, merely as avid students
of literature, philosophy, sociology, psychology, history, culture etc, even as
stories ( even if we leave aside religious, historical, scriptural,
mythological significance and reverence) they carry and convey excellent
things.
Let us
see some of them in the light of what is written and referred to in this book.
Everything
has its own dharma [for people who may not be comfortable with this
terminology] internal dynamics, inevitable structure, inherent patterns etc
based on certain inherent characteristics/attributes and acting according to
situational or contextual relevance. Unfortunately our understanding of them is
limited.
Similarly,
there are certain universal principles one of which is all our actions fall
within these three categories i.e. what we want to do, what we can do and what
we are destined to do. At different times and different situations one or more
of these will or may or must predominate.
Life on
the whole, as a macro issue consisting of multitude of micro elements i.e.
individual lives, cannot be easily over generalized or over simplified.
However,
the human mind because of its inherent limitation has to identify before it can
psychologically get convinced easily by wading through the ABCD of dilemma as
to what to Accept, Believe, Choose, Decide..
So, the
human mind has to engage in categorizing and classifying everything into easily
cognizable units to measure, evaluate and apply.
These
are the basis of scientific approach be it about concepts of time or generosity
or courage etc.
In
addition while doing this measurement one has to ensure maximum adaptability,
verifiability and scientific proofs.
Time is
one such excellently and most exhaustively explained concept in the texts of
Samantha Dharma which are well brought out by the author for everyone to easily
understand.
Besides,
while dealing with human actions the major aspects of human being must be
constantly reminded, namely, the biochemical aspect of body anatomy, the
psychological aspects of the mind or intellect or conscious awareness and the
energy field that enables the functions of these.
All the
above are emphatically reiterated in both Ramayana and Mahabaratha.
Of
course, beyond these, there are dimensions as to how to tune in these or link
these individual Atmas spiritually with the UNI+VERSAL paramathama .
Religion
is inescapable and it is profoundly influential in any culture or society
because beyond its rituals and pompous paraphernalia, beyond its creeds, beyond
its myriad forms, it has been in spirit and in truth a great binding power.
That in fact is the literal meaning of the word Religion from the Latin
Relig(are) : To tie, to fasten. Re-RE +LIG=Bind , tie. That is binding the Part
with the Whole. Integration of the individual Self with the Universal Self;
perception of the presence of Universal Self in all forms of life.
Religion
is understood better by synthesis than by analysis.
Religions
grow better by syncretism than by antagonism.
As
D.J.Mercier, the Archbishop of Malines has said even “Sound Philosophy sets out
from analysis and terminates in synthesis”.
Regarding
religious differences, men of vision and wisdom have explained and warned
repeatedly knowing well that the common man with his limited perception and the
fanatic by limiting his perception may engage in petty fights and arguments
over differences.
The
inevitable fact of life and stark reality is that whatever we may have planned
or planning to plan may not be the plan that unfolds in life in all spheres of
life irrespective of whatever label we may give to that as fate or destiny or
even we may try to ignore it or work hard to justify it.
This
does not mean or need not necessarily lead to the conclusion that we must not
plan and that there is no use in planning.
We are
all co-pilgrims in life’s journey- Inward and Outward [exploring reality in a
variety of ways through a variety of conceptual schemes].
The
journey has to be both ways.
All of
us need to learn the trick of inducing inner expansion to overcome the tedium
and distress of the routine life’. ‘Convert our loneliness into aloneness and make
an inward journey towards absolute aloneness. Even Carl Gustav also felt that
‘God is within us as a psychological reality’. And as Miroslav Holub says
‘Wisdom is the understanding of the self and of the World- One cannot disregard
either ‘. Our destination is the same even as our source is the same. As Swami
Vivekananda says in his speech “THE ABSOLUTE AND MANIFESTATION” in London in
1896 “If you seek a Universal Religion which can apply to every one, that
religion must not be composed of only the parts, but must always be their sum
total and include all degrees of religious development……and the book from which
to learn religion is your own mind and heart.
Ramayana
and Mahabharatha are not so much about prescription but portrayal through
characters and events to practice with clear elucidation of consequences.
In fact
the whole of Bhagawad Gita, one of the reasons why it became more popular among
the 28 Gitas, is that all its 700 stanzas are sand- witched between two words
the starting word 'Dharma' and the last word ‘Mama’.
It must
be actually read as ‘Mama Dharma’= my dharma- does not mean either Krishna’s or
Arjuna’s Dharma, rather when everyone reads it becomes ‘his Dhrama’ and
all these 700 verses [ subjected to all sorts of excellent, enlightening as
well as, often used as tool to justifying traditional practices, explanations
by many] primarily are about attitudes to be adopted, actions to be executed
and reactions to show at different situations taking into consideration the
overall welfare of all [humanism].
This
manual is more about balancing the intellect and emotions and most importantly
through both emotions and intellect, or to be precise in short it talks about
the dynamics of synthesis of human nature and nature of Truth [ define as you
may- it is the inevitable and intellectual perception and sometimes all logic
eluding factor].
Life is
all about movements, actions and reactions which broadly could be defined as
i.e. Karma but then the Laws [Dharma ] of motions [Karma] of life are very
important and therefore prioritized.
Personal
grief, sorrows and miseries are difficult to handle even for some of the most
advanced intellectual giants or highly sane and even balanced souls.
It is
easier to sit and sermonize or pontificate dispassionately as an outsider.
It is
difficult to prescribe rules for any type of crisis in any aspect of life.
However,
if the mind, especially , that of a grown up individual, is equipped with
certain qualities, then,) encountering the crisis becomes a shade more simple
and sane.
However,
the balanced mind, calm soul, caring heart, clever mind will wait and work on
multiple options before resorting to impulsive actions which may more often
result in regret.
Life is
the sum total of many choices and decisions we make/take at every moment and
the concomitant actions and reactions based on them.
But,
does life or our cultures or social systems or religions or education systems
offer us readymade templates to make/to take relevant or correct choices and
decisions with multiple options at every moment?
Broadly
yes, and they are depicted in these two great works Ramayana and Mahabaratha.
They
emphasis that human beings can never shun passion, compassion and dispassion.
Why?
Unless
there is passion there won't be that intense interested involvement to do
anything; without compassion and reciprocation no one can perform anything for
long in society; be it within the family or office or society at large; without
conscious development of dispassion one cannot move away or ahead from what one
has been doing as it is as one may or will get struck with the redundancies of
some routine.
Most
cults ignite one's passion, publicize compassion and make one develop a
selective dispassion towards everything else so that one would remain a loyal
follower of the cult with its well decorated and ornamented cage of identity.
Be it in politics or religion or brand building.
The
cult leaders assiduously develop strategies which pander to these scheming.
That is
the reason, these two Ramayana and Mahabaratha [ like religion in general] are
too voluminous and exhaustive.
The
word cloud on Religion rendered in English would include at least the
following:-
Religion;
God or Gods or Goddesses; Divinity; Worship; Devotion; Prayers; Religious
Scriptures; Sacredness; Sacrifices; Rituals; Traditions; Heaven; Hell; Symbols;
Idols; Statues; Reward and Punishment; Virtue and Vice; Sin and Punya [opposite
of sin]; Supernatural elements; Social Customs; Cultural activities like Music;
Dance; Preaching etc; Great art and architecture; Innumerable literary works;
Reverence for Nature and natural elements; Meaning of Life; Origin of Life;
Universe; Origin of Universe; Creator; Angels, demons, spirits, wizards and
witches; Morality as defined by certain socio religious mores;
Superstitions, Beliefs, Faith, Ferventness, Fanaticism etc; Socially sanctioned
and approved norms; Sacred places or specifically assigned places of worship;
Debates about Origin of life and species; Methods of proper living; Mythologies;
Miracles; Mysteries; Magic; Epics; Philosophical concepts; Benevolence;
Blessing; Grace; Scholarly discussions; Soul; Spirit; Spirituality;
Psychological security; Self –Realization; Social cohesion; Reality; Ultimate
Truth; Authority; Sanctity; Priests; Saints; Sages; Holiness; Omni present;
Omni potent; Scholarly literature; Occult science; Wise men, Popular stars
endorsing religious affiliation; Preaching and Propaganda;
Doctrines; Ideologies; Charity; Love; Fear; Humility; Forgiveness; Non violence;
Service to humanity; Care and Compassion; Mortality; Immortality; Many more
things all ensuring Obsessive Emotional bonding; A Binding Identity so strongly
glued that it assigns the very meaning to existence of the individual in a
particular society; Sanctifying sex; celebrating Births and Deaths;
Justifying Wars and Destruction and Ruins in the name of Religion;
Conversions; Rationality; Scrutiny; Science; archeology; ethnography; history;
evolutionary psychology; cognitive science; Consciousness; Conscious Awareness;
Inner-self; Group Identity; Social bonds; Harmony ; Unknown.
The
above list is common factor for almost all religions. This list is neither
exhaustive nor exclusive to any particular religion.
This
above bunch of words representing a very wide spectrum of emotions, activities
etc including glaring contradictions is because Religion has or has been
allowed to permeate into almost all major areas of human life primarily the
physical, mental and spiritual aspects of the individual being; the social, and
cultural spheres of human beings as a whole; in brief religion is extremely
pervasive.
The
stories of Ramayana and Mahabaratha also give a broad guideline to great
story telling technique.
While
the book in the first few pages itself has a easily understandable design on
fear and its associated emotions I wish there was one on love too, because,
almost all human emotions and actions are the manifestations of with various
degrees of intensities of the two predominant emotions-LOVE and FEAR.
You may
do a self verification.
FEAR-the
two way hinge
LOVE