Preservation of our culture vital

The fact that the Vedic revelations have survived the tides of time so long testifies to some divine phenomenon catering to the material and spiritual aspirations of the people. Institutions engaged in the analytical study of these divine statements have been fascinated by the wealth of information, touching all aspects of society as well as human behaviour. Digging into the mine of Vedic knowledge has resulted in unearthing several secrets which the scientific talent has discovered at a later stage.

It may surprise many to know that a reference to the atom and nuclear fission is contained in this treasure of ancient wisdom. Generations of scholars who studied God's utterances, have provided details of various truths embedded in them in Sanskrit. It is a misfortune that this Divine language is now being described as a 'dead' one. On the other hand, since it has eternal value and relevance, it should be called 'never dying' one. The Divine revelations were rendered in Tamil by subsequent masters and this language is compared to 'honey'.

Sanskrit and Tamil have been given equal importance by our forbears who considered them as the eyes of a person. Apart from integrating all parts of the country, they brought out the hidden values. In their outpourings, apostles have rendered the translations of these Divine revelations and hence people vied with one another in mastering both the languages. There has been a gradual decline in the standards of spoken Tamil but in its pure state, this language, particularly in the written style was admirable. The Saiva Agamas and the Pancharatra and other texts spelling out the systems of spiritual knowledge reflect the glory of these two languages.

Explaining how town planning in ancient days received society's attention. Sri Andavan Swami in a discourse said, an ancient Tamil text compared the formation of a city to that of a lotus with its central stalk surrounded by eight  petals and containing the pollen grains, a few within and some fallen down. They represent the central portion of the city, the streets, the houses and the human beings.

Likewise the texts mention about the natural smell of Mother Earth. Granite dug out of it may not give any smell but when powdered, these will emanate a fragrance. The Mahabharata reveals how a Tamil emperor supplied food for the army engaged in the Kurukshetra battle. The works of Kalidasa and Chanayaka provide enormous details about cultural ethos and political sagacity. Samudragupta's strategy in war bewilders one. It is hence necessary to preserve the sanctity of these two eyes and bring out, through research, more vital facts governing the State and the society.
                                                                   October 11, 1995

Man reaps the fruits of his deeds

The guidelines for an ideal life contained in the Divine Law are being faithfully followed by many sincere people But, at times they too are baffled by challenging problems They get distressed and wonder why they are being punished for no fault of theirs Scriptures provide explanations for such riddles and prescribe acts of atonements to mitigate their sufferings. As Hinduism is founded on the principle that pious acts will fetch good results while wicked deeds will results in unpleasant consequences, comfort can be derived that some mistakes in the past might be the cause of their grief.

To avoid getting involved in worldly activities and refrain from indulging in prohibited acts, those who 'rely on scriptural authority have been asked to abide by the Law of Virtue The measures needed to lead a peaceful life, have been placed before them, in the form of the Vedas When any clarification is necessary people can seek their guidance or from those who are well versed in them. Men of merit acquire spiritual powers and saintly qualities by virtue of the study of the Vedas daily for about 15 years from a very young age.

For others not privileged to memorise the Vedic commandments, the teachings have been made available in the Epics and the Puranas. The characters in these scriptural texts are symbols of virtue. In the. Ramayana, the hero is portrayed as the replica of righteousness. Even His foe certifies that He would never violate the law, under tempting circumstances too. In the other Epic, the chief villain wants to know who will win the war. When it was stated that success was assured for those who stand by the moral law, he acknowledged that his opponents were the genuine upholders of the Divine Law. The two epics bring out the consequences of avarice and passion.

In his discourse, Sri N. Babu Dikshitar said, the Mahabharatha, called the fifth Veda, is full of morals. It is a misconception that the poem is not to be studied at home. While pointing out that human life is a precious gift of God. Scriptures describe all men belonging to the four divisions as friends. The Pandavas placed total reliance on the advice of men of wisdom, never swerved from the path of righteous conduct and depended on the support of God in every move they resorted to. Hence success was theirs in the war between good and evil.

Their cousins, who stooped to demoniac deeds to achieve their goal were revengeful, cunning and showed scant respect for the suggestions of experienced elders and disobeyed Divine rules. Dhritarashtra instead of curbing their heinous designs abetted their wicked schemes. In the clash between virtue and vice, the former was vindicated and truth triumphed.
                                                                   April 16, 1996

Material pursuits enslave man

All human endeavour can be broadly classified into two types of pursuits. The constant struggle to procure things of the material world, maintaining and using them, and becoming totally dependent on them is the kind of existence which we commonly see in man's life. This is known as 'Preyas'.

The other is the pursuit of 'Sreyas', when realising the futility of leading a life dependent on comforts which only enslave man, efforts are made to overcome dependence on material things. This independence can be achieved through the process of Self-discovery. By discovering the Self man is liberated from the dependence on worldly objects and isliberated from bondage.

Here we have to learn to differentiate between using a material object when it is available and the process of becoming totally dependent on it. A life of Preyas is one when man becomes subservient to material things and a life of Sreyas is one in which he continues to lead a life in the world, but in total freedom, without becoming servile to material needs. This distinction in man's life hinges on the discovery of the Self.

Scriptures deal with both these aspects of man's life and the primary scriptures are the Vedas which are four in number -Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva. The Purva (beginning) portion of the Vedas explains the manner in which the Self can be discovered. The Vedas have been elaborated in the Smriti texts, the Puranas and the Itihasas.

In his lecture Swami Paramarthananda said, the Vedas do not enforce anything on man. They elaborately deal with both the ends that can be pursued and leave the choice to man. Man has the freedom to lead a life as he chooses. i.e. whether to pursue a materialistic existence and remain engrossed in it or choose the goal of liberation which will give him freedom from the shackles of bondage.

The scriptures have been elucidated and commented upon by the Acharyas and they have all written treatises in their respective traditions giving in succinct form the scriptural teachings. The glory of the tradition of Adi Sankara lies in its teaching of attaining liberation while living in the world. Among the works Sankara has written, the Tattvabodha is a prose work giving the quintessence of Vedanta.

Sankara in this work mentions that the two factors of self-effort and Divine grace must go hand in hand for success in any human enterprise. One cannot replace the other. Without making any effort one cannot bank on Providence to achieve something. Likewise God's grace is necessary to bring ourefforts to fruition.
                                                                   June 18, 1996

Scriptural study ensures God's grace

One of the best methods to please God and win His grace is to learn the Vedas, which are His revelations as they describe His supreme power. The Vedas clearly indicate what constitutes righteousness and what are the acts prohibited. When transmitted orally by a master to a disciple when he (the latter) is young, the contents of the Vedas remain indelible in his memory. The Vedas reveal not only knowledge about God's compassionate qualities making the scholar who masters them to get himself engaged in divine service but will also provide material gains. More significant is that Vedic study will enable a person who has memorised its various branches to realise that he cannot act according to his own desires nothing can happen without His guidance and approval

While the Ramayana itself is a text that propagates the message of  the Vedas and how to uphold the teachings therein, two instances have been specified by Valmiki to bring out the superior status given to them. As he was preparing to leave the capital to spend 14 years in the forest Rama denoted all his property and belongings. At that time he said, “Here are many celibate pupils who learn the recensions of the Vedas and they do nothing else the day long, being wholly devoted to the Vedas and too tired of anything else. Give them provisions and other requirements. A large number of students who have completed their studies are waiting on My mother's pleasure to provide them with the largesse they need.”

Likewise, on the death of Ravana, his brother Vibhishana eulogises his great qualities and extols his Vedic knowledge and other attainments. But he refused to conduct his brother's obsequies because, in spite of all his merits, he had yielded to passion and lust, and had committed a heinous crime (of abducting Sita).

The Jeeyar Swami of Ahobila Math in an address to school students urged them to equip themselves with Vedic knowledge also, Referring to certain classics and poems, the Swami explained how Vedic scholars, by virtue of their reluctance to be lured by worldly gains and their stoic attitude, might not be considered wise, since all their attention would be riveted on Divine service and engaged in godly activities only. The spiritual power gained was utilised only for executing the Divine directives in the Vedas because they were firm in their view that God would be with those who obey His orders. Emperor Dasarata who ruled the country efficiently For several years  had one desire in his life that remained unfulfilled. He wanted to 'create' one 'non-believer' in God and unlettered person', reminding us of the worth f acquiring Divine knowledge and maintaining spiritual discipline.
                                                                   December 5, 1996