Prominent Learnings from Golden Age of Hinduism II

Hinduism is an inheritance of thought and aspiration, living and moving with the movement of life itself. 
                                                                                        Dr S Radhakrishnan.                    

                                                                                                           
Continuing the thought flow from my earlier blog on major learnings from Golden age Of Hinduism or the period of Gupta empire, let me consolidate the threads on Dharma and ethical living during this period of around 500 BCE- 400 CE. During this period, people had religious freedom, generally people were pious and adhered to Dharma, which was considered to include meeting the requirements of  laws, performing prescribed duties and attempting to follow truth and morality in daily life. Societal norms prescribed eternal values such as honesty, mercy, purity and self restraint for leading an ethical life. This period galvanized Hindu synthesis and first Purana were written during this period.

Brahmanism with two branches Shaivism and Vaishnavism reigned supreme. Old Gods of Vedic period like Surya, Varuna and Indra receded into background and new Gods Prajapati( Brahma ), Vishnu and Mahesh came to the forefront. Since most of Gupta kings were Vaishnavaites, Vishnu became the central figure of worship.Vishnu Purana, a scripture of this period has scores of legends about Lord Vishnu, who was also worshiped as Vasudeva, Janardan and Gobind. Bhagwat Gita became the source of inspiration in this period.

 A code of Law called Vishnu Smriti, also known as DHARMASUTRAS was compiled for aiding both the KING and the Praja in their duties. It spelled out Rituals to be performed by an individual, Punishments for various offences ; Crimes & Penances like fasting, performing ablutions to get out of bad Karma's and crimes etc. Sanskrit language was patronized and several well known scholars flourished during this period. Kalidasa, the great Sanskrit poet & playwright, Vishakhadutta,  Harisena and Bharavi are few such names, who, with their poetry, playwright or lyrics, impacted Dharma as well as Ethical living in the society.

One of the Dharmic literature of around 400 CE titled ABHIDHARMA KOSHA by Vasubandhu on Satvastivadin Buddhism convey requirements of Ethical Living indirectly. It says that individuals are deluded by four evil desires of their views of Self as real, Ignorance of self, self pride and self love. He stressed on positive ethical mental requirements like belief, sense of shame, modesty, absence of coveting, energy, mental peace, equanimity and non injury. A few evil/ negative or unethical mental functions conveyed were hatred, attachment, arrogance, covetousness, false view, anger, enmity, concealment, envy, deception, fraud, pride, injury, high mindedness, disbelief, idleness, forgetfulness, distraction etc.

It is worth sharing a few Ethical Guidelines on DHARMA in a Tamil Classic 'The Kural' by Tiru Valluvar of around 400-500 CE (This Tamil Classic included 133 chapters covering traditional Hindu goals of  DHARMA, ART HA and KAMA.

• Sweet words with a smiling face are more pleasing than a gracious gift.
• Self Control takes one to the Gods, but its lack to utter darkness.
• Always forgive transgressions, but better still forget them.
• The height of wisdom is not to return ill for ill.
• Bear your pain and not pain others.
• Venegence even against a wanton insult does endless damage.
• Punish an evil doer by shaming him with a good deed and forget.
• Do not do to others what you know  has hurt yourself.
• Even at the cost of one's own life, one should avoid killing.
• The world is secure under one whose nature can make friends of foes.
• All virtues are said to be natural to those who acquire character as a duty.
• The pillars of excellence are love, modesty, altruism, compassion, humility and truthfulness.

Let me now share about a major stride in spreading Dharma and Ethical way of living during the period of Great Mauryan Emperor Ashoka in around 269 BCE in an innovative method of that times. These were known as " Set of Edicts or Dhamma ", a kind of generalized norms of social behaviors and expectations from people, which were a kind of direct communication on views of the Emperor with his subjects. Pillar Edicts, Minor Rock Edicts and Major Rock Edicts were placed at sites that were accessible to large no of people. Ashoka's policy of DHAMMA stressed social responsibility and his own commitment to Dharma & Way of living in society thru these edicts.

Though Ashoka himself, a Buddhist, he never imposed Buddhism on his subjects, which again speak of higher ethics. He also prophesied vegetarianism and stoppage of animal sacrifices as well as celebrations/ ceremonies which generally led to wastage, indiscipline and flow of superstitions. Rock Edicts conveyed all the above besides ethical messages like Tolerance  in life, Importance of maintaining unity, Shunning violence of all kinds, undertaking of Dharmayatras, Practicing morality, Behavior towards friends/ relatives, Observing respect towards Brahmins and seniors etc. He also recruited a new cadre of officers called DHAMMAMAHAMATTAS to implement his policies cited above. The famous ASHOKA CHAKRA is considered as the Wheel of Righteousness.

Shvetashvatara Upanishad, presumably composed by Sage Shvetashvatara in Mauryan period, in around 300 BCE, has several verses on Dharma and Ethical Living. Quoting verse 1, chapter 2;
प्रथमम् मनस्तत्वाय सविता धियम् । ie first harness the mind and the senses to realize the truth. In other words, purity of mind and a life of self control in accordance with rules of Righteousness  is essential for ethical living. Further verse 2, chapter 2 states;
युक्तेन मनसा वयम् देवस्य सवितुः सवे । सुवर्गेयाय शक्त्या ।।
With our minds controlled so as to manifest the self luminous soul, we shall vigorously endeavor for attainment of the supreme bliss.

Another verse 1, chapter 5 conveys  that IGNORANCE is the greatest enemy of practicing Ethical Living  and WISDOM leads to immortality. It further adds that Ethical living demands one to choose the path of DHARMA and GYANA or KNOWLEDGE and shun the path of  ADHARMA. There is a lot of focus  on role of  SELF in ETHICAL LIVING. Quoting verse 12, chapter 3;
महान प्रभुवै पुरूषम सत्यस्यैष प्रवतर्कः सुनिर्मलाभिमाम प्रापि्तमीशानो ज्योतिरव्ययः ।
It conveys that SELF is the mighty LORD. He is the imperishable light that controls everything. He guides the intellect of all beings so as to enable them to achieve the extremely pure state of MUKTI. The chapter 6 of this great text ends with the famous PEACE INVOCATION;

पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदम् पूर्णात् पूर्णमुदच्यते । पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ।। It conveys that the whole universe has come out of whole BRAHMAN, WHO is always full. Ethical living demands faith in BRAHMAN, irrespective of the pressures of time.

Let me end the blog by conveying that this was a consolidation phase of Dharma as well as Ethical Living, besides implementation of several innovative ideas on spread of Dharma/ Ethical living like Edicts during Emperor Ashoka's rule. The next blog is planned to cover the period of Circa 500 CE to Circa 1200 CE, also referred as CLASSICAL PURANIC HINDUISM. To end, let us draw inspiration from the following Quotes on the period of Great Ashoka;

Beloved-of-the-Gods thinks that even those who do wrong should be  forgiven where forgiveness is  possible.
Dhamma is good, but what constitutes Dhamma---- little evil, much good, kindness, generosity, truthfulness and purity.