Need to heed call of the Vedas

The Vedas, the treasure-trove of Hindu religion, tradition and culture, containing codes of righteous conduct, were taught by god himself thousands of years ago and have been preserved carefully and handed over to us. They are absolutely essential for building moral integrity and being eternal, the norms are applicable to all persons even to this day.

Sri sengalipuram Anantarama Dikshitar in a discourse said their study, which was absolutely necessary for everyone, would cleanse the mind and make it pure, help mould character and aid achieve mental equanimity. The contents in the Vedas have been broadly divided into three branches, dealing with the paths of the action, knowledge and the devotion (Karma, Gnana and Upasana kandams), treading which, one can reach the ultimate goal—the Supreme. The Karmakandam prescribed the rites the one should do and explains how by observing them, materialistic tendencies can be wiped out. Their performance will bring prosperity not only for the individual but entire universe. The Do's and Dont's should be strictly adhered to the works like Vidhura Neethi and the answers by Sri Sankara for the 181 questions put by the disciple should be mastered. The chanting of Vedic hymns would automatically make us shed bad thoughts just like a snake casting off its skin at the time of moulting itself being un-ware.

Rites should be observed with interest and avidity, anticipating absolutely no reward. On sacred days like Amavasya and Ekadasi, one should remain pure and not indulge in prohibited acts. Charity should be given liberally and without any mental reservation. Nothing dedicated to god or said in praise of his glory would go waste.
                                                                   September 9, 1965

Supreme authority of Vedas

When we realize that we are but the servants of the Almighty, we will never retain arrogance borne of our pelf and possession, Servitude to god is the slave should never be idle. He has to carry out the master's bidding. The lord says that we must obey his commands, worship him and offer all our belongings to him. “Dasatva” increases our faith in god and provides us strength and eradicates our chief disease—arrogance.

Sri Vidyamanya Thirtha of Palimar Math in a discourse, pointed out that human beings are living in a grand inn, called the “Samsara”. The builder had originally put up a notice prescribing certain conditions for those desirous of occupying it.

With the efflux of time, others claiming to be its owners, super-imposed other notices containing stipulations which they felt were proper, reasonable and conductive to man's happiness. The trouble arises as to which of these directives are correct and to be adhered to. The very first notice contains the mandates of the Vedas prescribing the Do's and the Dont's. human reasoning cannot settle, by using the powers of thinking, what is right and wrong. For instance, a school of thought may hold Ahimsa as an absolute virtue. But under certain circumstances, it may not be valid. To kill an individual suffering from an incurable and excruciatingly painful disease, may not be a sin. The authority of the Vedas alone will hold good in distinguishing the Good from the Evil.

The duty of a devotee is to obey these injunctions and live according to them. Sri Madhwacharya has defined the good acts as those which are prescribed in the Vedas. The ultimate fact that determines the morality of an act is the approval of God. Arjuna contended that killing his cousins and teachers was sinful but the Lord, by a chain of matchless logic, cleared his legitimate doubts.
                                                                   January 23,1980

Vedas relevant for all ages

The holy utterances and the foundation for Hindu religion, termed the Vedas, are unique in that the revelations therein are not only relevant for all ages but they have raised several doubts which a commoner may harbour within him and have provided suitable and valid explanations. They are classified as exoteric and esoteric, the former dealing with the ceremonial acts and the latter with the acquisition of spiritual knowledge.

It may surprise the atheist who questions the existence of God and the significance of rituals, that more than 2,000 identical queries had been raised in the Vedas. Of what purpose is the offer of oblations in sacrificial fire and what is the guarantee that they reach the concerned--the usual challenge thrown by many--have been answered convincingly. The token of offerings multiply themselves when handed over on religious values  through the medium of fire(agni) even as a few seedlings sown in a tiny field result in a bumper harvest.

Vedas were recited, in days of yore, to ensure the prosperity of citizens, Scholars did not chant them for personal gains alone. God provided them with what they needed. The three monthly showers which used to regularly pour, were intended to honour the Vedic pandits, the rulers who administered the kingdom efficiently and to women of chastity.

With faith in the Vedic rituals, emperor Dasaratha, who had no child, --conducted a sacrifice, invoking divine blessings. Contemporaneously, celestials appealed to the Lord to descend to the world and save the pious who were being tortured by evil forces.

In his discourse Sri Mukkur Lakshminarasimhachariar said God was born as Sri Rama to establish moral order.
                                                                   June 3, 1981

Elevating teachings of Saints

Even as a physician of the indigenous medical system first purges a patient of all impurities before commencing the treatment, the people of India, which is now beset with problems, should first be reformed and then exposed to the message of the Vedanta contained in the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita and the teachings of Ramakrishna and Vivekananda. This will make them heroic and enable them to develop character.

Other nations too experience worse problems --of extreme materialism and some kind of inexplicable despondency and lack of genuine love even between man and wife. People all over the world look to Indian philosophy for guidance The Srutis explain eternal truths and remain authoritative statements for all time. The Smritis are like coins of a previous regime not recognised by subsequent rulers. India can claim that its Vedanta is based on human dignity. The message therein provides the inner strength making a person adopt a positive attitude. For this, a proper technique in unfolding the dormant energy should be adopted.

Swamy Ranganandana, pointed out in a lecture that the stirring words of vivekananda could make people ideal. India is endowed with a philosophy that could take it to great heights but was in the same plight as that of a man seated on the banks of the ganga and yet seeking water to quench his thirst. For all its maladies India has the remedy. Not only the external but the inner personality of individuals should be developed.
                                                                   June 17, 1981

Violation of Dharma angers God

The prosperity enjoyed by some and the agony experienced by others, make devotees wonder whether God showers His compassion only on those whom He likes and is unkind to those who incur His displeasure. These sceptics should just analyse the causes that make God appear to show such a differential treatment If God appears to be angry towards some and dislikes them, the reason lies only with the people themselves because of their defiance of the directives given by Him. God has prescribed a Constitution for mankind and if its laws are violated, naturally He will be unhappy. Hence people should not blame the Almighty for their own defaults; if so, they can be likened to youngsters who, refusing to be disciplined, not attending to their study and disobeying their parents, complain that the latter are not favourably disposed towards them.

In a discourse, Sri Abhinava Vidya Thirtha, Sringeri Sankaracharya said every man, to the extent possible and with sincerity, should follow the injunctions contained in the Sastras. He should abide by the Law of Dharma, undertake to carry out the specific duties enjoined upon him and refrain from doing prohibited acts. For this, he should know what constitutes Dharma and what Adharma means. What is good for him and what is to be abjured as evil and vice are laid down in scriptural texts. One of man's essential duties is to respect his aged parents and attend to their comforts instead of neglecting them, considering them as a burden..For this, certain rites and austerities ought to be conducted by him, daily and on specified occasions, certain deeds are to be practised, like helping a brilliant but poor student. All his acts should be considered as a dedication to God.
                                                                   January 20, 1982