The four goals of human life
Activity (karma) and spiritual wisdom (jnana) are related as cause and effect,
so the sections of the texts and laws that emphasized activity led to the
discovery of new facets of truth and rendered the ideas of a transcendent God
clearer and nearer. So too, the discovery of clearer concepts of God through
spiritual inquiry along the path of wisdom fed “activity” with better meaning
and higher purpose. The benefit of activity was proportionate to the faith, and
the faith in activity was proportionate to the awareness of God won through
wisdom.
For involving oneself in
good activities, spiritual wisdom is an essential prerequisite. That wisdom has
ultimately to be derived from the Vedas; it is based on the teachings of the
Vedas.
Dharma: the cornerstone of spiritual life
Activity (karma) is, really speaking, the practice
of dharma. The Upanishads give us guidance on what has to be done and what has
to be avoided on the spiritual journey. They direct us to revere the mother as
God, revere the father as God, revere the preceptor as God, and revere the
guest as God. They also warn us that truth and dharma should not be neglected.
So, there are both positive and negative instructions — follow these counsels,
not others. Whatever conduces to your progress in goodness, accept; avoid other
counsels. Thus do the Upanishads instruct.
Fostering the Vedas
meant fostering the Vedic scholars and practitioners. At the present time,
encouragement is afforded and scholarship is honoured in other branches of
learning. Vedic scholars are not given similar encouragement and emoluments.
This important aspect has to be attended to.
Dharma protects those
who protect it (Dharmo rakshati rakshitah),
says the scripture. If people come forward to foster the sources of dharma,
that good act, by itself, will help foster those who do it. Save the ageless
Vedic culture!
The study of the Vedas
has become today the task of the economically weak. People have reconciled
themselves to this situation. They associate the study with such a sad and
pitiable picture. Vedic studies have come down to this deplorable pass.
The very pundits who
have attained scholarship in the Vedas are using it as a commercial item that
can be sold. They do not demonstrate the value of Vedic study in the peace and
harmony of their lives and thus win reverence for the Vedas by personal
example.
The Vedas are being
misused by them for earning a pittance, rather than for liberation and peace.
This is why dharma is receiving a setback and anxiety and fear are spreading
among people. The world can win back peace and harmony only when such people
are persuaded to practise the ideals laid down in the Vedas and thereby serve
as beacon lights to guide mankind aright. Otherwise, downfall is inevitable.
The Indian (Bharathiya) spiritual stream has, until
the present times, fertilized Vedic learning and practice. Its message has
always been, “Journey forward along the Vedic path.” One may dilate on Vedanta
and Vedas, but unless one holds forth the value of these ideals on the basis of
one’s own experience and practice, it is a waste.
This truth has been
forgotten by these people. Let them awake in time and save the traditions and
values of the ageless Vedic culture.
Love.
PS - Since these posts
are self-explanatory, further essence has not been given for the same.
