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Folks,
this article is written by my talented friend Ninad Varkhede, who expressed his
desire to be guest author on my blog few days back. I’m sure you’ll enjoy this
article.
India is a country with
rich social, cultural heritage and with enormous diversity in all aspects of
life. From many years, India is a place for studying and following philosophy, morals
and values. There are many heroes in history who established the Indian culture
with respect to ‘way of life’, ‘way of worship’ and ‘way of thinking’. These
three things together make a culture, of which ‘philosophy’ is inevitable part.
Vallabhacharya, Adya Shankaracharya etc. in ancient times to Ramkrishna Paramhansa,
Swami Vivekananda etc. in modern era, there are many legends who made their
lives sublime in growth of these great thoughts.
Indian philosophy enunciates about the
supreme power above all of us.If one studies the human body, it is very well
structured as well designed and everything is in its proper place. Even 21st
century modern science cannot produce whole human body (cloning is not original
creation, it’s copy of already present organism). This provokes one to think
that, the creator exists who has created the human body as well as whole world.
Vedas accept that, the world is created by God. While, some people say that,
there is one ‘power’ which governs the world.
It has been said in Vedas that,
‘Om Poornamadah
Poornamidam Poornaad Poornamudachyate;
Poornasya Poornamaadaaya
Poornamevaavashisyate’
(What is God, is God; What has come
out of the God is also God; When the God is taken out of the God, the God still
remains God)
This, in short, is the essence of
the Indian belief in God. Humans can become ‘God’ through their good deeds. If
God is big packet of energy, then I am also a small packet of energy, which
belongs to God and has ability to transform in to a bigger one.
Although
Vedas have explained certain concepts about the existence of God, Indian society has always been liberal and tolerant to accept other
theories.
‘Dwaita’ (Duality: Strict
distinction between individual and God) stream of philosophy was pronounced by
Shri Madhvacharya. While, ‘Adwaita’(Non-duality:
Existence of ‘Higher self’ within human beings (‘Lower self’)) philosophy was explained
by Shri Gaudapadacharya. Actions or behaviour towards other person is
determined by the relationship with him/her. Similarly, the relationship between
human beings and the ‘Higher self’ or ‘God’ is very important, which was
proclaimed marvellously by the Indian philosophers, in three stages. First is ‘Ten twamasi’ (You are due to ‘Him’), i.e. all our actions, thoughts are due
to the God. Second step is ‘Tasyatwamasi’(You
are ‘His’). I am God’s something, but what? If I always demand God for carnal
things, then I am a Beggar; I can be a Slave or I can be a Friend, or even I
can be a Lover, or I can be a Son of God.The relationship between ‘God’ and
‘me’ changes as per my ‘condition’ and ‘outlook’ of thinking. Third step is ‘Tattwamasi’ (You are ‘He’), which means
I am God. While, the concept of ‘Aham brahmasmi
’is the insight or realization of feeling that ‘I am God’.
Lord Krishna has said in one verse,
‘Mamaaivaanshojeevloke.....’(Bhagwatgeeta, Adhyay 15,
Verse 7)
(My part is in every form of the life)
This means, God is in every human
being as well as any other form of life. In 20th century, Einstein
gave the concept that, every atom has energy (E=mc2). But, Indians
accepted presence of ‘Chaitanya’
(Power/energy) in everything many years ago.
The greatest gift given
by Indian philosophy is ‘idol worshiping’, which is absolute ‘science’ or ‘shaastra’,
because it is inviolable through the ages. It was applicable thousands of years
ago; it is applicable now and will be applicable afterwards. It is much easier
for common person to see the God in an idol which has particular shape. But,
there are lot of misunderstandings among people regarding idol worshiping. Many
of them think that idol worshiping is only to devote flowers to it and so on.
But, real idol worshiping is to concentrate one’s mind on theGod. The state of
mind, when there is no other thought than God, is performing an idol worshiping.
It has been proved scientifically that, only one fourth of the mind is in our
control and rest three fourth is not in our hand. This three fourth mind is unknown
to us and is very much unpredictable. This unknown mind decides whether our
actions will be good or bad.The purpose of idol worshiping is to train this
three fourth mind. Idol worshiping creates an image of God in mind along with
positive, moral thoughts and good actions of God, so that our mind becomes powerful,
progressive and sensitive.Due to idol worshiping, purpose of our every action will become rational and based on
moral values, with higher goals inclined towards God.
If it is accepted that
God is in every human being, then all humans are divine brothers irrespective
of their castes, creed, religions or regions. India has always revealed the relation of divine brotherhood among all
humans. This concept can solve many economic and social problems in the
society. In fact, many deadly and stubborn issues such as, dispute between religions
or castes, issues between countries etc. can be solved with the help of this
idea. These thoughts can unite all humans from different economic or social
backgrounds. Divine relationship between all humans can bring peace in the world.
Social and economic aspects of life cannot progress without God. God is not
only in temple, we should accept presence of God at every place and situation.
If I understand that God is always with me, then I will act morally.
Once upon a time, King of
England went on a round of his country by disguising his appearance. He became
a poor farmer and went near a big fighting ship, where the Captain of ship was
sitting relaxed on a chair, and was smoking. Farmer asked him a way to go ahead
forthe village. The captain felt an insult, that a small farmer is asking me a
way! He got angered and gave a mighty kick to the farmer. Poor farmer fell
down, but again woke and asked the same question. Meanwhile the Captain was
humiliated and asked him ‘Do you know who am I’? Farmer said, ‘Are you a
soldier?’ Captain said, ‘No, above that position’. Farmer said, ‘then... a
sergeant?’. Again Captain said ‘above that’. Farmer asked, ‘Are you a lieutenant?’,
again the answer was same. ‘Brigadier’, ‘Commander’ were the next answers of
farmer, but every time Captain said above that. Then farmer said ‘are you a
Captain?’ That time, the Captain was happy. Then he asked the farmer, ‘who are
you?’ Farmer said, ‘you only identify’. Captain then asked, ‘whether you are military
person or social person?’ Farmer replied, ‘military’. Then the Captain said,
‘Hmm...You might be a soldier somewhere...’ Farmer said, ‘no, above that’.
Captain then answered all the posts until a Captain, and again farmer replied
‘above that’. This time the Captain stood up, and gave his revolver to farmer
and asked, ‘are you a Colonel?’ Again farmer said, ‘above that’. The Captain
asked, ‘are you a Chief Marshal then?’ Again the answer was same by the farmer.
The Captain was very ashamed, because, above this there was only one position,
which was of King. The Captain asked farmer to shoot him, as he insulted the
King of England. But, the King replied, ‘I do not want to lose a Captain like
you. But, take this locket in which my photo is embedded. You will always
remember that The King is with you, and you will not act in wrong manner.’ In
similar way, if we understand that, God is with us; our actions will always be
good and rational.
Lord Krishna has said in
Bhagwatgeeta that,
‘Sarvasyachahamhridisannivishto...’(Bhagwatgeeta, Adhyay 15,
Verse 15)
(I leave in your hearts)
This concept of ‘indwelling God’ can bring confidence, fearlessness in man. This
one thought restrains man from boasting and excessive pride. Because, man
realizes that, in his all actions, God is a partner. God has helped him in
every situation. Due to realization of presence of God inside us, we will not
act in wrong way.