Utmost Humility fills my heart when I attempt to pen down a few thoughts out of the OCEAN OF WISDOM generated by great spiritual saints and philosophers of HINDUISM and other spiritual followings over past 5000 years or so. They have poured their experiences into some of the sacred scriptures brought out by them. To me, these are GUIDING LIGHTS for spiritual seekers, who continue to deep dive into their SACRED MESSAGES for the benefit of mankind and humanity at large. let me begin the subject with an inspiring Quote -
Right from VEDIC AGE (1500 BCE or earlier), throughout the growth of human civilization, the subject has been the center of attention of the scholars and philosophers. Each spiritual following or way of life like HINDUISM, JAINISM, BUDDHISM OR SIKHISM have evolved their experiential insights on concept and interpretation of DHARMA and ETHICAL LIFE. Broadly, Dharma in all faiths, has been considered to be MORAL LAW combined with SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE.
In Vedic Age, ETHICAL LIFE was more concerned with performance of RITUALS to please Vedic Gods-- Agni, Vayu, Indra, Surya, Chandra, Grahas, astrological deities including Devas, Rishis and even Asuras ( Rahu & Ketu ). Then came earth bound Gods like Asuras, Nagas and Yakshas. Rituals were in the form of Yagnas and the period was also known as Age Of Rituals.
Patanjali (400 BCE-150 BCE), in the Upanishads era,in his Yoga philosophy, has expressed virtues like NON-INJURY(Ahimnsa), SAT YA or truthfulness, CHASTITY or Pavitrata as well as DETACHMENT from materialistic objects. In all likelihood, these virtues were considered to be integral with ethical living. DHARMA, by Patanjali, is expressed in the form of YAMA(Restraints) and NIYAMA(Observances). The Yamas to be followed for ethical living were:
Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your DESTINY.
-Unknown Right from VEDIC AGE (1500 BCE or earlier), throughout the growth of human civilization, the subject has been the center of attention of the scholars and philosophers. Each spiritual following or way of life like HINDUISM, JAINISM, BUDDHISM OR SIKHISM have evolved their experiential insights on concept and interpretation of DHARMA and ETHICAL LIFE. Broadly, Dharma in all faiths, has been considered to be MORAL LAW combined with SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE.
In Vedic Age, ETHICAL LIFE was more concerned with performance of RITUALS to please Vedic Gods-- Agni, Vayu, Indra, Surya, Chandra, Grahas, astrological deities including Devas, Rishis and even Asuras ( Rahu & Ketu ). Then came earth bound Gods like Asuras, Nagas and Yakshas. Rituals were in the form of Yagnas and the period was also known as Age Of Rituals.
Patanjali (400 BCE-150 BCE), in the Upanishads era,in his Yoga philosophy, has expressed virtues like NON-INJURY(Ahimnsa), SAT YA or truthfulness, CHASTITY or Pavitrata as well as DETACHMENT from materialistic objects. In all likelihood, these virtues were considered to be integral with ethical living. DHARMA, by Patanjali, is expressed in the form of YAMA(Restraints) and NIYAMA(Observances). The Yamas to be followed for ethical living were:
- Ahimnsa, Non-Injury or Non-Violence---Abstaining from injury to any living creature.
- Truthfulness---Abstaining from falsehood in life. In today's context, truth has been talked of in several frames of reference---Objective Truth; Subjective Truth; Logical Truth; Intuitive Truth; Cultural Truth and Universal Truth. Some of these are based on EVIDENCE while some are based on FAITH. Maybe, the Yamas talked of SAT, the UNIVERSAL TRUTH, absolute and perfect in every way, independent of any frame of reference, essential for ETHICAL LIVING.
- Non stealing or ASTEYA---focusing on honesty in dealings.
- Non lust---Abstaining from sexual cheating on one's partner. In today's context also, non-following of this YAMA probably leads to several matrimonial conflicts, divorces and creation of SAMSKARLESS CHILDREN.
- Aparigraha--- Abstaining from unauthorized appropriation of THINGS OF VALUE from others. May be, it included expecting or accepting gifts from others. In today's context also, non following of this YAMA leads to corrupt practices and unethical life styles.
- Purity and Cleanliness---It included eating pure food. Quoting Spiritual Saint KABIR( 1398-1518 AD) ,who gave several ethical messages to the world in simple day to day language:
जैसा भोजन कीजिए वैसा ही मन होए।
जैसा पानी पीजिए तैसी वाणी होए ।
He conveyed that consumed food affects your mind and your thinking pattern. Moreover, your voice is the reflection of kinds of drinks you have. Several Saints and Philosophers of ancient past, yesterday and today have been preaching adoption of VEGETARIAN DIET as an essential ingredient of ETHICAL LIVING. Going a step further, PURITY IN THOUGHTS and removing IMPURE THOUGHTS like ARROGANCE, JEALOUSY or PRIDE are essential for Ethical living. Again quoting Saint KABIR on EGO:
कदै अभिमान न कीजिए कहे कबीर समझाए ।, i.e. conveying to never have ego since ego makes one restless.
- CONTENTMENT in one's means. May be, contentment needs to be qualified in the context of GROWTH of individual, community, society and the nation. Excessive contentment with today may lead to stoppage of flow of curiosity or even generation of ideas and consequently block the GROWTH. Discontentment at all times in life, may, lead to FRUSTRATION, lack of peace with oneself and unhappiness in life. Nevertheless, some discontentment is also essential for creativity and growth--- both frustration and hope are essential for GROWTH.
- AUSTERITY( Tapas), MEDITATION and SILENT REFLECTION.
- STUDY & PURSUIT of knowledge from Vedas, Upanishads and other sacred texts---SVADHYAYA. In today's context too, knowledge is key to GROWTH and SELF DEVELOPMENT, which generates inner drive, is of utmost importance.
- LIVING WITH THE AWARENESS OF DIVINE AND DEVOTION TO THE SUPREME TEACHER or GURU TO ACHIEVE PERFECTION. May be, at that point of time, knowledge was available with only few TEACHERS since neither language was developed nor technology to disseminate the knowledge to masses. Most of the information was passed from one person to another by SRUTI medium ie. speaking and listening & absorbing. Today, the fields of knowledge are no longer limited to SPIRITUAL, ASTROLOGICAL or DHARMA of King and Praja--- the fields are vast, requirement of knowledge is diverse and wide and scores of technological modes/mediums are available for acquiring, assimilating and dissemination of knowledge. YET, THE NEED OF GENUINE TEACHERS or MENTORS/ GURUS IS THERE.
परहित सरस धर्म ऩही भाई, पर पी डा सम ऩही अधमाई । ,there is no bigger virtue like benevolence and no bigger meanness( adharma) like oppressing others. DHARMA is the first word in another sacred scripture BHAGVAD GITA. Each of its characters BheesmPitamah, Arjuna, Yuddhishter, Dhritrashtra, Karna or Vidur express their interpretation of DHARMA while carrying out their tasks or assigned duties. Lord Krishna, however, conveys true meaning of DHARMA in progressively deeper ways, shedding light on genuine ethical life and spiritual growth.The whole GITA is a model for righteous conduct.
GURU NANAK, saint and philosopher(1469 AD) practiced and preached Service, Humility, Meditation and Truthful living for an Ethical life. His pious spiritual writing " Shri Guru Granth Sahib" conveys thoughts on Ethical Living and Dharma;
ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD, THE NAME IS TRUTH. TRUE IN PRIMAL BEGINNING, TRUE THROUGHOUT THE AGES, TRUE HERE AND NOW, O NANAK, FOR EVER AND EVER TRUE.
Some of the questions which may need attention and a refreshing look are;
Summing up the blog, I shall like to share another great thought by famous educationist, philosopher and saint figure Sri Aurobindo;
- Is Righteous Conduct alone one's Dharma? Is Dharma and Ethical Living synonymous ?.
- Do Spiritual-Religious practices a must for Ethical Living, particularly in today's context? Are intentions of soul like Harmony, Peace, Sharing and love integral part of Ethical living ?
- What kind of IMPACT the CHANGE creates on Dharma and Ethical living ? Considering the fact that human life and social fabric is continuously evolving and facing the challenge of GROWTH at all times, what kind of PATTERN is emerging in ETHICAL LIVING?
- Finally, what will be the essential elements of this EVOLVING PATTERN for a sustainable ethical Living?
Summing up the blog, I shall like to share another great thought by famous educationist, philosopher and saint figure Sri Aurobindo;
THE SEERS OF ANCIENT INDIA HAD, IN THEIR EXPERIMENTS AND EFFORTS AT SPIRITUAL TRAINING AND THE CONQUEST OF THE BODY , PERFECTED A DISCOVERY WHICH IN ITS IMPORTANCE TO THE FUTURE OF HUMAN KNOWLEDGE ,DWARFS THE DIVINATION'S OF NEWTON AND GALILEO.
