Friday, July 19, 2019

190714 - AGAMA SHASTRA

श्री  गणेश  मंदिर   -  शिक्षा वाणी
Serene Sunday Reflections

05MAY19 - HINDU’s SANATHANA DHARMA
12MAY19 - Sanathana Dharma in Vedic Views
19MAY19 - Vedic ways of PURUSHARTHA
26MAY19 - PURUSHARTHA The Blue Print of Practical Life
02JUN19 - Moksha
09JUN19 - MOKSHA & SWARGAM : POORTHA & ISHTA
16JUN19 - 
PARAM DHAANAM – Best Offering
23JUN19 - RITUALS
30JUN19 - TEMPLE RITUALS
07JUL19 - TEMPLES AND ITS POWER
14th July 2019
AGAMA SHASTRA


KEYWORDS :: Temple, Construction, Agama Shastra, Energy Preserve, Distribution
Last week we reflected on the Power of Temples and mentioned about Agama Shastra, the science of temple design. Now let us delve a bit deeper into Agama Shastra.

Shastra in Indian tradition means that which is useful for human beings (lokaanam upakaraya). The system of the temple and the social gathering with religious practices are around for many years as people found them useful and thus temples played a significant role in making a better life for people.

Sthapathya Veda has two parts – Vastu and Agama Shastra. Temples are constructed as per Agama Shastra and houses are constructed as per Vastu.

Agama means tradition or "that which has come down" from generations; it also means the energy that came down from God to us. Agama Shastra is a combination of cosmology, epistemology, philosophy, texts on meditation and practices, yoga, mantras, deity worship etc. and Sthapathy is a person who can design the temple to pass on these energies to devotees effectively. Thus, in order to build a temple as a first step, a Sthapathy will be consulted to design the temple understanding the local needs. Brahmarishi Mamuni Mayan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamuni_Mayan) is one of the Guru (Master architect) who developed this science during ancient times and authored MAYAMATHAM.

Basic Principle states that the energy generated through Yanthra, Manthra, Thanthra and all rituals in the temple will be densified, preserved and distributed to the visitors because of the temple design based on Agama. As per Agama Shastra temples are of different styles for - Shaivism (Shiva), Vaishnavism (Vishnu), Shaktism (Devi), Ganapathya (Ganesha) and Soura (Sun God).

Depending on the God, no of sub-deities, size of the idols, direction, sanctum, number of visitors expected, special religious functions etc., the layout and construction will be planned. All the cosmic powers and pancha bhootha (5 basic elements – earth, water, air, fire, space) are unified to energize the temple. The Kshethra meaning temple is also understood as the body of God.

The temple satisfies the Indriyas (Sensory organs) of the devotees. This is where the Agama Shastra plays an important role. Thus it is vital for the temple to be located in a place where it is having a good support of the electromagnetic energy all around. As the energy gets densified inside the sanctum sanctorum with all the rituals, once the doors are open the energy from the sanctum gets injected into the devotees.
The science of temple, installation, energy creation, and reaching up to devotees is described under “Thanthra Samuchayam”.

Having discussed the Agama Shastra, specific architecture that can conserve and distribute energy, now we shall reflect next week on the Energy Created in Temples.
----- Next Week 21st July 2019 – Energy Created in Temples -----
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190630-TEMPLE RITUALS

श्री  गणेश  मंदिर   -  शिक्षा वाणी
Serene Sunday Reflections

05MAY19 - HINDU’s SANATHANA DHARMA
12MAY19 - Sanathana Dharma in Vedic Views
19MAY19 - Vedic ways of PURUSHARTHA
26MAY19 - PURUSHARTHA The Blue Print of Practical Life
02JUN19 - Moksha
09JUN19 - MOKSHA & SWARGAM : POORTHA & ISHTA
16JUN19 - 
PARAM DHAANAM – Best Offering
23JUN19 - RITUALS
30th June 2019
TEMPLE RITUALS
KEYWORDS :: Temple Rituals, Offering, Agama Shastra, Anushtana, Achara
Last week we reflected on the rituals as Dharana done in full SRADDHA (concentration) and BHAVA (understanding the inner meaning). Temple rituals are only intact in India whereas places like ancient Egypt, where all such rituals once were highly active, has lost and forgotten all its richness in heritage.

Hindu Temples in and outside India still keep and continue rituals which are older than the oldest that exists in this world. Hindu temples are mushrooming all over the world, numbering in hundreds of thousands in structures like luxurious and rich palaces, rustic abandoned warehouses, simple halls with just a picture of God or granite stone in a jungle or roadside.

To participate in the temple rituals, one should dress modestly, respect the priests and other visitors, refrain from gossip and worldly talk to enjoy a spiritual time. The Hindu worship service follows certain procedures- rituals called puja, literally adoration with mantras (verses/hymns) and hand gestures (mudras), ringing bell etc. These procedures are mostly based on Vedas which are modified to fit in the temple as described under Agama Shastra. There are special occasions like yearly mega festivals (like Utsavam etc) where specific procedures are followed apart from the daily temple rituals.

Following are the steps followed in the daily Temple Rituals as prescribed in the Agama Shastra
  1. The Priest should purify himself
  2. Sanctify the place of worship
  3. Spiritualize the precious substances to offer the Deity like - water, uncooked rice, holy ash, sandalwood paste, Kumkum and the lamp to be lighted
  4. Light the lamp
  5. Invites God/Goddesses to come and dwell in the lamp/deity/image
  6. A ritualistic bath, called abhishekam, in which water, sesame oil, turmeric, saffron, milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, lime juice, vibhuti, sandalwood paste, panchamritam (a mixture of five fruits), coconut water and rosewater, is given for the Deity
  7. Deity is dressed in new clothes and beautifully decorated with flowers, etc.
  8. Incense, oil lamps and food will be offered
  9. The Priest offers flowers while chanting 108 names of the God and devotees may also sing bhajans to please the God
  10. At the highest point of the puja, a large lamp is waved before the Diety and bells are rung loudly as God sends His power through the holy image of Himself that is absorbed by the water, food, flower, ashes (vibhoothi)
  11. When the lamp is lowered, everyone prostrates to the Divine.
  12. The lamp is then carried out to bless the worshipers, who often leave a donation on the tray (or later in the temple offering box).
  13. Finally, depending on the tradition, sacraments such as sacred ash, blessed water, sandalwood paste, kumkum, fruits, sweets and flowers are passed out to bless everyone who is present. These include a portion of the offerings--flowers, cooked food and more--brought by devotees.
  14. Devotees may then sit in meditation, relaxing in the blessings invoked by the puja.
  15. Make God to sleep, devotees may sing devotional songs during this time.


What we described here as the ritual is called ANUSHTANA and varied versions of this may be in practice at different places with variations acceptable to the locals which are called ACHARAS. Having reflected on the temple rituals, we shall see the Temples and its Power in the coming week.
----- Next Week 7th July 2019 – TEMPLES AND ITS POWER –-----
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190623-RITUALS

श्री  गणेश  मंदिर   -  शिक्षा वाणी
Serene Sunday Reflections
05MAY19 - HINDU’s SANATHANA DHARMA
12MAY19 - Sanathana Dharma in Vedic Views
19MAY19 - Vedic ways of PURUSHARTHA
26MAY19 - PURUSHARTHA The Blue Print of Practical Life
02JUN19 - Moksha
09JUN19 - MOKSHA & SWARGAM : POORTHA & ISHTA
16JUN19 - 
PARAM DHAANAM – Best Offering
23rd June 2019
RITUALS
KEYWORDS :: Rituals, Ishta Poortha, Offering, Dhyaanam, Yoga, Pooja, Kriya, Temple

Rituals when we say, it is Pooja that comes to everyone’s mind. Pooja is the Offering for/to God. Last week we reflected upon Best offering to mankind as Vidya-dhaanam (Education). Rituals are also called Service/Dhaanam. Thus, rituals are the thanksgiving service offered to God, by which one gets into the Dharana level among the Ashtanga Yoga (Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi). After Dharana one can get to the Dhyana and then may attain Samadhi (Meditation).

We reflected earlier on ISHTA POORTHA as SANATHANA DHARMA. In ISHTA Karma Agnihothram is most important which is Ritualistic thanksgiving to SUN, the prime GOD. Here a part of His (SUN) blessings – a bit of rice and ghee – is offered back to him saying it is all due to him (SOORYAYA SWAHA, SOORYAYA IDAM NAMAMA).
agnihothram thapa sathyam vedaanaam chaanupaalanam
aadithyam vaisyadhevam cha ishta ithyabhitheeyathe

All VAIDIKA ACHARA (offering to fire) with SWAHA (let sun eat this) offering HAVIS (material) is a major ritual at home and temples too. But mostly in Temples, PAURANIKA ARADHANA on VIGRAHA (Deity) is what is followed. Vaidika is more Veda mantra oriented, where self and the universe is part of the ritual, while Temple / Pauranika / Kshethra Aradhana are more of a public and utility oriented ritual.

While rituals conducted by the priest for the society, the dharana is that the rituals are done by Him, due to Him, for Him as explained in the following slokas:
कायेन वाचा मनसेन्द्रियैर्वा बुद्ध्यात्मना वा प्रकृतेः स्वभावात्
kayena vacha manasendriayirva bhudhyathmana va prakruthe swabhavath
करोमि यद्यत्सकलं परस्मै गुरुवरायेति समर्पयामि
karomi yadhyathsakalam parasmai gururvarayethi samarpayami

Meaning:: All these rituals I am into with my Body, Speech, Mind or Sense Organs, using my Intellect, Feelings of Heart or (unconsciously) through the natural tendencies of my Mind, I do all for others (i.e. without the sense of attachment to the results), and I Surrender them to YOU Supreme Guru (MOSTLY for the GOD/GODDESSES that you are keeping in SANKALPA).

While and when all the rituals are done as POOJA with manthra and the activity of offering (KRIYA) with full BHAKTI (devotion) there could be errors in the rituals; here it says it is all DUE TO HIM (THE GOD Thyself).
मन्त्रहीनं क्रियाहीनं भक्तिहीनं जनार्दन  यत्पूजितं मया देव परिपूर्णं तदस्तु मे
manthraheenam kriyaheenam bhaktiheenam janardhana yath-poojitham maya deva paripoornam thadasthu me

This sloka unambiguously says Rituals are Godly affairs and needs to be done with utmost SRADDHA (concentration) and BHAVA (understanding the inner meaning).

Unfortunate that these days Rituals became a synonym for anything that one does casually without attention. Most of the Rituals done in the temples too are without this Sraddha (concentration). Thus, next week we plan to reflect on the Temple Ritual in Brief.
----- Next Week 30th June 2019 – TEMPLE RITUALS –-----
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190616-PARAM DHAANAM – Best Offering

श्री  गणेश  मंदिर   -  शिक्षा वाणी
Serene Sunday Reflections

05MAY19 - HINDU’s SANATHANA DHARMA
12MAY19 - Sanathana Dharma in Vedic Views
19MAY19 - Vedic ways of PURUSHARTHA
26MAY19 - PURUSHARTHA The Blue Print of Practical Life
02JUN19 - Moksha
09JUN19 - MOKSHA & SWARGAM : POORTHA & ISHTA
16th June 2019
PARAM DHAANAM – Best Offering
KEYWORDS :: Dhaanam (offering), Annadhaanam, Vidyadhaanam, Food, Education

Last SUNDAY we reflected on ISHTA POORTHAM and made it clear that POORTHA karma is important as it is serving others. Among the Best Service, here we are reflecting on PARAM DHAANAM – analyzing the merit of Annadhaanam (Offering Food) and Vidyadhaanam (Educating).

Annadhaana or the gift of food is one kind of service (paropakara). We talk of service to the poor, social service and so on. Today all this is done with much fanfare and publicity. In the past, the needy were served naturally, without making any advertising and was an everyday routine. Earlier before closing the kitchen, mothers were supposed to go to the entry gate and ask loudly “is there any around who require supper?”.

Many slokas indicate the importance of annadhaanam. It says annadhaanam is greater than donating many horses, elephants, gold ornaments, vessels, land, kanyadhanam etc.
Gaja turaga Sahasram Gokulam koti danam
Kanaka Rajatha patram Methini sagarantham
Upaya kula vishuttam Koti kanya pradanam
Nahi nahi bahu danam Annadanam samanam

Feeding is a good philanthropic activity. But educating is much higher. The food will get digested soon. Education will remain for the whole life.
अन्नदानं महादानं विद्यादानमतः परम् 
अन्नेन क्षणिका तृप्तिः यावज्जीवञ्च विद्यया 
This probably was the source for the saying 'Give a man a fish, you feed him once. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for life'.

With the education, we purify our intelligence, with meditation we purify our mind, with shlokas or poetry we purify our speech, by exerting ourselves in the service of others one must purify the physic or body; that is why the DasaMahaVidya is prescribing Dasami / Navarathri (10 days / 9 nights) rituals. The Tenth Day (Dasami) is for Saraswati with Education and Learning, everyone at home sits together to demonstrate their learning.

Rituals has been so mechanical these days in the religious activity. Many of the offerings are done without even knowing the meaning. The word ‘ritual’ itself became a synonym for anything we do with out proper understanding. Thus giving knowledge and gaining knowledge (VIDYADAANAM) is the best offering that will be leading to best RITUAL.  Understanding the inner meanings of RITUALS as offering will be our next week’s reflection.

Slokas are referenced from Subhashita Ratnakara
----- Next Week 23rd June 2019 - RITUALS –-----
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190609-MOKSHA & SWARGAM : POORTHA & ISHTA

श्री  गणेश  मंदिर   -  शिक्षा वाणी – 9th June 2019
Serene Sunday Reflections


MOKSHA & SWARGAM : POORTHA & ISHTA

KEYWORDS :: Sanathana Dharma, Swarga, Moksha, Ishta, Poortha, Dharma, Karma

Bharatheeya Dharma talks about two activities - Ishta and Poortha; Or to be precise Sanathana Dharma is Ishta-Poortha. Ishta will take people to swarga and poortha can give moksha.
ishtathelabhathe swargam poorthe mokshamavapuyeth

Ishta karma is the activity that one does for the self, salvation, peace, better life, prosperity etc.
agnihothram thapa sathyam vedaanaam chaanupaalanam
aadithyam vaisyadhevam cha ishta ithyabhitheeyathe
Agnihothra (Fire Offering), Thapa (Penance), Reading Vedic Texts, Welcoming Guests, Developmental Activities in Society are all ISHTA Karma.

The Poortha karma is more of a Social Commitment, caring for the Environment, Protecting Earth for Future Generations etc. Service comes under “poorth karma” and it includes digging wells and ponds, feeding the poor, building temples for the spiritual well-being, laying out gardens. Excavating wells and ponds have been mentioned first. Next comes Annapradhanamudhyannam which means Fruit Bearing Trees – Meaning one should plant fruit bearing trees that will serve all animals, flies, birds apart from humans – to get Mokhsa.
vaapee koopa thadakaani dhevathanayathanani cha
anna pradhanamudyannam poortha ithyabhitheeyathe

Swargalokam - heaven is the place of the world after death for the good people and naraka – hell for the bad ones. The swargaloka is not the place of gods. The gandharvas used to be some time at the swarga loka too as guests from their gandhrvaloka.

Moksha (Freedom or Salvation) from the cycle of birth and death is the ultimate goal of Hindu religious life. Moksha is the state of supreme bliss and there is no quest beyond it. Moksha releases from all attachments. It is a state in which the self remains ever in untrammeled freedom and blessedness to be in bliss. The chief purpose of religion is to teach us how this supreme state may be attained.

The mention of feeding and educating are not seen as poortha karma directly, but had given much importance and could be rated as higher than many of the other karma. Thus, reading between the lines and analyzing the relevance in today’s context poor feeding and educating are to be considered as the greatest Dhana Dharma and added into the Poortha Dharma.
----- Next Week 16th June 2019 – PARAM DHAANAM – Best Offering -----

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Previous editions of Serene Sunday Reflections can be found below:
02JUN19 - Moksha
26MAY19 - PURUSHARTHA The Blue Print of Practical Life
19MAY19 - Vedic ways of PURUSHARTHA
12MAY19 - Sanathana Dharma in Vedic Views
05MAY19 - HINDU’s SANATHANA DHARMA

190602-MOKSHA

श्री  गणेश  मंदिर   -  शिक्षा वाणी – 02nd JUNE 2019
Serene Sunday Reflections
MOKSHA

KEYWORDS :: Purushartha, Karma, Artha, Dharma, Moksha, Yoga, Meditation, LIFE
 
In Hindu tradition, moksha is the ultimate aim to be attained during a life’s journey through Dharma, Artha and Kama - called Purushartha.  Moksha is a psychological & emotional stage as understood by Religious Philosophical discussions related to death.

Moksha in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism discusses on mukti (detachment) from karma (doesn’t mean NO ACTION, but take it easy and be devoted), liberation from Dharma (it is being for Self-Family-Social-Whole World; realizing you are part of the single entity – GOD and again get devoted), emancipation from life (Samsara/Prarabhda is only a temporary stage and all have to go one day, understanding everything is temporary will give a relief), and self-realization, self-actualization, self-knowledge or enlightenment. Happiness / Liberation / Freedom attained in LIFE is practically Moksha. Moksha is also known as Jeevanmukti / vimoksha / vimukti / kaivalya / apavarga / mukti and nirvana. Life’s greatest pursuit is not happiness; LIFE itself is Live In Full Enjoyment.

According to Hinduism, Moksha (Physical – bhautika, Mental – manasika, and Spiritual – adhyatmika) is a result of past karma, own actions and God’s grace.  The impediments on Moksha are actions (karma), desires (kama) egoism (aham), ignorance (avidya), impurities (malas), delusion (maya) and attachments (pasas). Many ways of circumventing these impediments are chosen by a variety of practices under Hinduism based on selected paths. These paths are called Yoga Paths. Yoga is the ultimate union in bliss, that is Moksha.

Raja Yoga or Ashtanga/Classical Yoga (BG Chap – 6 verses – 45 & Hathayoga Pradipika Chap 4 Verses – 1 & 7)with eight-limbs; 1. Yama- Morals 2. Niyama- Ethics 3. Asana- Posture 4. Pranayama- Control of the breath 5. Pratyahara- Control of the senses 6. Dharana- Concentration 7. Dhyana- Meditation 8. Samadhi- One-pointed absorption is another strong way to be in Moksha. Samadhi these days are mostly understood as Meditation and a silent inactive state, but in Vedic structure samadhi is Meditative Action.

Bhagavad Gita (BG) prescribes Karma Yoga or the Path of Action, Bhakti Yoga or the Path of Devotion, and Jnana Yoga or the Path of Knowledge. Karma practiced in a yogic style leads to Creative Brahma. Most popular brief – end of all the chapters of BG, as an essence it says – Upanishatsu Brahmavidyayam yogasastre Sri Krishnarjuna samvade ….. Thus, ‘Sri Mad Bhagavad Gita’, leads to MOKSHA Sanyasa Yoga.

----- Next Week 9th June 2019 – MOKSHA & SWARGAM : POORTHA & ISHTA -----


190526-PURUSHARTHA – The Blue Print of Practical LIFE

श्री  गणेश  मंदिर   -  शिक्षा वाणी - 26th May 2019
Serene Sunday Reflections

PURUSHARTHA – The Blue Print of Practical LIFE
KEYWORDS –Purusharthas, Kama, Artha, Dharma, Moksha, Satisfaction, Happiness
Purushartha is Kama-Artha-Dharma-Moksha. KAMA is that desire which makes the world to develop. Each human must be unsatisfied in life and must be an embodiment of desires. The more the desire is, the more is the self, family, social and world development. But the desire must be based on DHARMA. If the desire is undesirable to the family, society or nature - it is Adharmic and he who is in desire gets himself into a selfish desire that will bury him in sadness (NO MOKSHA).

Who doesn’t want happiness? But, should it be temporary or permanent happiness? Purushartha gives balanced ways of being happy. KAMA - desire practically means dissatisfaction. Unsatisfied doesn’t mean not happy. One can be unsatisfied and be happy – that is the essence of life and MOKSHA. It is that state of happiness where he always lives in the present and aspires for a better and brighter future – not for the self but for a larger community. Ultimate Desire for a human being as he proceeds for a better life prescribes him to get educated and be creative. A creative happiness-filled balanced-life brings meaning to spiritual development. Physical fitness, Emotional Balance, Intellectual Sharpness, Socially active too; to gain long term happiness.

Education and creativity are the blessings of Saraswathi and Brahma. For any KARMA(Action), ARTHA is a must. God of ACTION is VISHNU; thus, got the pair LAKSHMI, the god of ARTHA (WEALTH). MOKSHA is the stage of bliss, the samadhi level and what is needed for anyone at that stage is health, energy. Provided and supported by Sakti (Parvati) and Shiva. Thus, Purusharthas are the inherent values of the Universe working with the help of Trinity.

Assume I want to go for a site-seeing trip. That desire is KAMA for which I must get the ticket and make all the arrangements. That can be a sponsored trip from my relative/friend, my payment from my savings – whatever is the means is the ARTHA. Assume I am not able to arrange these resources and I am to take some wrong ways of making the money needed for the trip, that is ADHARMA. If my means is ADHARMA, even after having everything which can make me enjoy, the inner feeling will be of the guilt and I will not be enjoying it fully. If my ways are Dharmic, I will enjoy in full. That enjoyment is called MOKSHA.

Let LIFE be Live-In-Full-Enjoyment, where soon after doing anything, let the self not tell to yourself; ‘Oh, I should not have done it’ – or for not doing any action; let self not tell yourself; ‘Oh, I should have done it’. RIGHT ACTION (KARMA) at the RIGHT TIME is DHARMIC, that gives MOKSHA as prescribed by PURUSHARTHA

The blue print is drawn following the footsteps of Srimad Bhagvad Gita (BG) from Chapter 2, Verse 7 (BG – 2/7) where Arjuna’s Kama is on desire and was confused in his Dharma. Lord Krishna leading to Moksha (BG – 18/66-72) through Bhakti and Karma (Artha) through chapters 2nd to 18th for e.g. BG – 8/16, 9/28, 11/55.

--   NEXT WEEK  -  2nd June 2019 --  MOKSHA  --
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190519- Vedic Ways of PURUSHARTHAS

श्री  गणेश  मंदिर   -  शिक्षा वाणी
Serene Sunday Reflections

Vedic Ways of PURUSHARTHAS

KEYWORDS –Purusharthas, Vedic, Sanathana Dharma, Kama, Artha, Dharma, Moksha, Brahmacharyam, Grihasthyam, Vanaprastham, Sanyasam, Four Stages of LIFE

Purushartha is an objective that deals with ways and feelings which are the results of a human pursuit in a lifespan. Purushartha is based on Sanathana Dharma as it defines the ways of life and is defined in Vedas.

Purushartha describes the starting spark of everyone’s life as Desire (KAMA). To satisfy the KAMA one need to get the ways and means; that is ARTHA (WEALTH - it could be economic, power, position, fame, relationship or any such that can support). DHARMA (righteousness, moral values etc. defined by the space and time as per the culture, law of the land and practices as defined by Sanathana Dharma) is what one must follow in KAMA and ARTHA as prescribed by Veda.

Sanathana Dharma says this way of life should be acceptable to the neighbourhood/environment; which means live for others, as all are the sons of the same Brahma, by spreading happiness around. To do this one has to be happy by self, called MOKSHA (attaining this is only possible through liberation and spiritual values).

Generally, these four aspects are said in the order Dharma – Artha – Kama - Moksha. These Purushartha are to be seen and enjoyed in all the FOUR STAGES OF LIFE – Brahmacharyam (Student), Grihastha (House-holder), Vanaprastha (Retirement), and Sanyasa (Renunciation).

During BRAHMACHARYAM strong KAMA (desire) focused for KNOWLEDGE (Jnaanam) is must; so that he can grow to attain ARTHA to be a GRIHASTHA in his next stage of life. Grihastha Dharma is to attain ARTHA to support self and the family and give back to society. During VANAPRASTHA, one has to be in the family to guide the Brahmachari’s and Grihastha’s to follow Dharmic ways. The last stage of life is when the family responsibilities are done and get to into the society - social service by getting rid of all attachments – SANYASA (ultimate Dharma of being human).

-- NEXT WEEK  -  19th May 2019 -- PURUSHARTHA – The Blue Print of Practical LIFE –

190512 - Sanathana Dharma in Vedic Views

श्री  गणेश  मंदिर   -  शिक्षा वाणी
Serene Sunday Reflections

Sanathana Dharma in Vedic Views

KEYWORDS – Vedic, Sanathana Dharma, Karma, Jnana, Sankalpa, God, Purusharthas
Vedic literature starting from Brahmanas until Bhagavad Gita, including Upanishads, Aranyakas, Ithihasas, Puranas and all the studies on these literatures are all dealing with Sanathana Dharma. Hinduism is almost like a synonym for Sanathana Dharma, the way of life since Vedic time. To a large extent, it is followed even today.

It explains not just the Eternal Laws which governs the life of a human but also delves with his relationship with the world. Sanathana Dharma is always ready to get redefined based on the demand of activity, place and time and hence it changed over millions of years.

The basic character of Sanathana Dharma is Karma (Action). It is understood that Action comes only from Jnaanam (Knowledge). For example, if someone confuses a rope with a snake, he will not be able to act. As he won’t be able to go forward by thinking it as a snake and might not want to leave the place thinking it as a rope. One must acquire the knowledge to distinguish and thus comes the firm decision making capability.

To proceed not for a short time, but for a long way ahead in life – the path is Dharma (right decision) - acceptable to larger group around us based on culture and the law of land. It all depends on the way people look at it and could interpret it as they wish; thus, Dharma is undefined, so is Sanathana Dharma, a way of life. Thus, it is all SANKALPA (imagination) – similar to the concept of GOD in Hinduism.

Living in harmony and limiting life to its bare minimum is what all the Vedas (Rig – Yajur – Sama) prescribes (Adharva is different in its views). Purusharthas (life requirements for happiness) are dealt with systematically in Vedic lifestyles, which defines Sanathana Dharma pitching to its root. It is one that you need to run a life that will take you to the ultimate happiness, self-actualization, realization, yoga with God – Samadhi, etc. – It enables to Reach THE ULTIMATE in a Spiritual Path.

--- NEXT WEEK -  19th May 2019 --- Vedic Ways of Purusharthas ---