Sadhana Panchakam - Post 7

 Here are four characteristic Features of the Vedas:

 

1. Knowledge is Graded: Vedic knowledge is administered in doses, exactly like a graded course at school, according to one’s age and capacity to understand, as well as one’s need. For this reason, it may be split into Karma Kanda, Upasana Kanda and Jnana Kanda to cater for people in different stages of evolution.

 

2. Secular & Spiritual in Content: The Vedas refer to all knowledge, both secular and spiritual, i.e. Apara and Para Vidya. 

 

In modern times, “secular” in India has been gravely misunderstood to mean “nothing to do with religion”. It should in fact mean “connection with all religions.” The movement of growth is always from the secular to the spiritual, and there is no conflict between the two. 

 

Secular knowledge is about the laws that govern the manifested external world, while spiritual knowledge is about the laws that govern the un-manifested spiritual world.

 

3. Includes Ethics and Morality: The Vedas blend the study of the sciences with Dharma or the Science of Ethics. Dharma is very much a part of the teaching of every subject.

 

A strong element of discrimination is built into the Vedas. A student is taught to understand that whilst he may be free to do as he likes, it is better to choose correctly use the knowledge taught for the good of man rather than for his harm. Making the correct choice is very much part of his education.

 

4. Has a Scientific Approach & Flexibility

 

It is grossly incorrect to say that the Vedas are outdated or archaic. The Vedas have a scientific approach to knowledge, both secular and spiritual. They focus on the fundamental principles that relate to a particular field of study, and deal with them in an integrated and concise manner. This style of the Vedas needs to be grasped.

  

We have the Advaitic philosophy of Sri Shankaracharya which dates around 800 AD; the Visisht-Advaita philosophy of Sri Ramanujacharya dates around 1100 AD; the Dvaita philosophy of Sri Madhvacharya dates back to 1300 AD. 

 

All of these systems are based on the Vedas, and they all have some useful role to play in the evolution of mankind. There is a freshness and vitality in the Vedas that renders them open to such treatment.

 

The Science & Art of Studying

 

Adheeyataam: The use of this word for study is very significant. When broken down the word means “to chant, listen and reflect”, i.e. Parayana, Sravana and Manana combined.

 

It is a very scientific process. Chanting prepares the mind to receive knowledge. Then listening takes in the knowledge. And thirdly, reflection digests and draws out the nourishment from the knowledge. The ancient Indian sages knew the science behind studying.

 

Studying is also an art. Great skill is needed in the process of study. Teachers hold the highest responsibility to see to the spiritual development of the growing generation so that a healthy society can be built up. Indians have a very special reverence for knowledge, whether it is secular or spiritual. A learned person is always adored in the community.

 

A consequence of this is that society's teachers are chosen from the very best minds. Those who have a predominance of Sattva in them are suited to fulfill this role. 

 

We shall conclude the first instruction with an incident which depicts, how to practice and live, not merely learn vedas.

 

Swami always ensured that practice is more important than preaching in life and more  so for spiritual sadhana.

 

He always used to say that His key focus is always on the transformation of humans to realize his innate divinity.

 

He is a hard task-master, intent on maintaining the moral standard of those who claim to be masters of the ancient scripture. 

 

An example of how Baba brings in real change in people is visible from the letter written by Baba to a Pundit from the East Godavari District. 

 

The pundit was desperate financially. In his despair he denied his wife the permission to write to Baba asking for succour. Two days later, he was amazed to receive a letter from Baba who was at Prasanthi Nilayam, 420 miles away. In that Baba severely reprimanded him for it.

 

Swami wrote to the pundit, 

 

"Why did you tell your wife no permission to write a letter to me? Will I not know if she doesn’t write a letter? You went to Ramachandrapuram expecting to collect some little money through discourses on the Gita and that you returned home having incurred loss. 

 

Do I not know that you then started condemning yourself that all your learning and experience was a waste? Is it a burden for me who is provider for all this world, to provide for you and your family? I am placing all these hardships on you only to teach you a few lessons". 

 

"When life flows merrily on, people claim that it is due to own effort and forget the Lord. When failure resists the flow, they grow desperate, start cursing and lose faith. 

 

This is insulting the Atma tattwa, Vedic principle which you really are, that knows no pain or joy. Engage yourself in your duty to practise it courageously and gladly. Strive and experience the highest truth to gain the Purusharthas. 

 

For remember, Sai is in every person. So when you decry another, you are decrying Sai Himself". 

 

Baba closes the letter as "He who resides in your heart, Sai"."Nee Hrudayanivasi, Sai"! "

 

Thus, Swami drives home a key lesson to all His devotees 

 

"Knowledge (here, Vedic knowledge) is for Life, not for living"

 

All the study of vedas (which is the 1st of the 40 instructions) must culminate into the living experience of "ONE NESS" of all which Swami beautifully wrote in His letter as "Sai is in every person".

 

This is the essence of the final part of vedas - the vedanta or Upanishad.

 

It is said - "Vedanta Nama Upanishad Pramana"

 

To understand vedas (vedanta in particular), one has to read, understand, get convinced, contemplate, meditate and absorb the teachings of Upanishad!!!!!

 

Vedanta = Upanishad!!

 

 

Love.