Sathya Sai Vahini - Post 32

The four goals of human life

 

Whatever may be the diversities in contents, commentators agree that the essential teaching of all four Vedas is the same. The sections dealing with rites, modes of worship, and conclusions of inquiry help to achieve the four goals of life: dharma, wealth (artha), desire (kama), and liberation (moksha). 

Since it is very hard to master the Vedas, we have developed a vast literature on traditional laws (smrithi) to expound these texts that were “heard” and passed down orally (sruthi texts) — the epics and historical legends (puranas and ithihasas). Farsighted seers composed these out of historical and legendary incidents and events.

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.

In these centuries, the King himself studied in hermitages at the feet of Upanishadic sages and helped others to study by granting economic aid profusely to the centres of learning that shone as repositories of Vedic lore. As the king, so the subjects. 

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.