Hindutva: Reality, Self Expression and Core Strength

Dr. Manmohan Vaidya

Once a II year college student while introducing himself said he writes short stories. What kind of short stories? I asked. He narrated a recently written story. Those were election days. Obviously the subject he chose was election. The story goes:
The elections were declared in a state and four candidates filed their nominations. The candidates were Air pollution, Soil pollution, Water pollution and Food pollution. Interestingly all of them insisted on same election symbol “Human Being”. Electoral officials were puzzled. Why would they want the same symbol? Logically it could be given to only one of them. They were summoned to discuss the issue with the electoral official. The official explained his predicament to them. To find the way out he said the candidates will have to justify as to why they deserve the symbol? The most convincing answer will win the symbol. Others will have to choose different symbols. Every candidate put forth the same argument. Every one said he is grateful to human being as it is this very Human being that has created, nourished and developed him. The Human being is the root and cause of his existence. Therefore he only deserves it.
It is such a heart-rending truth that the story unfolds so easily. Today not only the entire mankind but also the mother earth is getting diabolically devoured by the problems of air, land, water, food pollution and the consequent Global Warming.
It is therefore a matter of great concern to all of us. The irony is that the societies who are at the root of this are not uneducated, undeveloped and backward but contrary to that they are (so called) highly developed, advanced, educated and modern one. In spite of this why did this happen? The reason is, they have now realized, that this (so called) modern, developed human civilization’s outlook towards nature, mankind, and rather entire life was fractured, incorrect and incomplete. Due to this in the name of progress they started racing, with great speed towards destruction rather than development.

Mr S.K. Chakraborty notes:
“The march of modern science & technology derived from it, coincided with an era when the human race was beginning to snap its ties of personal feeling level relationship with earth and nature.
One need not stop for a moment to consider the right or wrong of any action regarding something to which there is no relatedness. No doubt numerous aspects of external physical life benefited from the sci-tech combination -through control and subjugation of matter, air, water, time, distance and so on. Yet, the keynote has been the shift from harmony to highhandedness from awe and reverence to petulance & arrogance. If man-nature alienation has been the chief cause of unethicality towards ecology and environment, this same alienative ethos began to evade all dimensions of human society. This process leads to a gradual weakening of ethical sentiments, which are seen to be soft and fuzzy. Not only has nature come to be treated as a resource, as a means, but man too unethically emerges as an inherent property of this clever techno centric outlook.
From tool to machine to automation to chip- this progression seems to have made the human race increasingly less human.
Because of this attitude man is getting distanced and detached not only from nature but also from society and fellowmen. Hence, he is becoming more arrogant, more cruel and more violent in his dealing with surrounding nature, aliens and fellow-beings. And the societies that hold this mindset, are the (so called) “developed, modern” societies and human communities.
Considering the roots, lineage, insufficient knowledge and comparatively minimal experience of life of this”progressive- developed” society, it can be comprehended that their inferences are incorrect, incomplete and incongruent. But their tendency to shout from the roof top that ”Only We have realized the ultimate truth and only We own it”, especially when they have achieved or known only a little or partial indicates sheer immaturity.

Sai Makarand Dave Notes:
“In our Puranas we have, a story about the birth of “Arun” the charioteer of Lord Sun. Kashyap Muni, the sage, had two wives: Kadru and Vinata. Kadru bore many serpents.Vinata laid two eggs. Vinata was told, after a prolonged period two luminous and valiant sons would be born out of the eggs. Since nothing happened for quite sometime, she broke one egg. A premature baby “Arun” was born. At an appropriate time, a luminous and most valiant Garuda was born from the other egg. Arun cursed his mother for taking him out of the egg prematurely. Garuda freed Vinata from this spell.

“Arun” symbolizes brightness of premature light. It is a situation in life of mankind when the darkness of ignorance has not vanished completely and the sunrise of revelation has not totally appeared on the horizon. If a man impatiently begins to believe that he has achieved everything, when he is yet to see the full luminance of divine light, and realize spiritual blessings, then it is possible that he may be reverted back to confinement instead of experiencing liberation. Therefore, dawn ( Arunodaya) is the time for serene, deep contemplation. It is a moment of quiet and composed rumination. It is not the time to dance around in ecstasy of “I have achieved everything in life”. Thus at this juncture, if one starts hopping and shouting from one’s roof top with self-complacency that “I have realized the ultimate truth”,then he will be in the same plight as that of “Arun”. Either he will fall into the pit of illusion or he will completely lead people into entirely wrong direction. “
The (so called) “progressive-developed” societies or nations which, in spite of not having found the whole truth-having just the glimpse of it- and yet bragging and foisting upon the world that “they” have found the ultimate truth remind us of half grown, under grown ‘Arun’.
This attitude of the front liners of these “progressive societies” can still be understood. But the enormity of the issue is their obstinacy and vehemence towards their insistence that their incomplete and incorrect doctrine is the ultimate truth and has to be universally accepted. The obstinacy regarding their social, political, economical religious and related systems emerging out on the basis of this incomplete partial truth and justifying the required oppression, violence and conflicts to make it universally accepted and establish their hegemony is the real issue.

Winin Pereira and Jeremy Seabrook note:
“The Western technological and scientific system that developed in symbiosis with its colonial expansion underpinned and made more efficient the process of expropriation. The unsustainability and injustice of this project can now be seen, though at the time of the “discovery” of distant lands and new trade routes, neither moral nor ecological limits to the accumulation of wealth occurred to them, mainly as a result of the cultural imperatives embedded in the fabric of European society.
The West now claims the moral high ground as it castigates other countries for their failings in human rights, for their inability to control population growth, for their corruption and mismanagement. But the West has attained its apparent pre-eminence only after passing through brutal and merciless phases of human rights abuse, the widespread practice of tyranny and genocide, slavery and colonialism. Without the exploitation of occupied territories, the Industrial Revolution would have been aborted before takeoff. The West’s enormous structure of affluence has been constructed upon the sands of unsustainability and injustice".
(It should be noted that the term”West” does not refer solely to any geographical region, neither does it include all the people there. It refers mainly to the agents of Western-style development, in the West or elsewhere, particularly the TNCs, the politicians and academics. Their beneficiaries encompass much of the populations of the West, knowingly or unwittingly, with the exception of perhaps the impoverished.)”
By following the above agenda have these “progressive-developed-modern” societies been able to solve all of their problems? No. That’s not even in sight. In spite of all round prosperity and affluence of all kinds there is no peace, happiness, contentment. Mind is in turmoil. They are experiencing the heat of its social, familial and psychological adverse outcome. But they are unable to find the way out. Because their very conception of universe, nature, society, and human being is incomplete, distorted, superficial and incorrect.
Fritjof Capra notes:
“The paradigm that is now receding has dominated our culture for several hundred years. During which it has shaped our modern western society and has significantly influenced the rest of the world. This paradigm consists of number of entrenched ideas and values, among them the view of the Universe as a mechanical system composed of elementary blocks, view of human body as a machine, the view of life in society as competitive struggle for existence, belief in unlimited material, economic and technological growth, and last not the least- the belief that a society in which the female is every where subsumed under the male is one that follows a basic law of nature. These entire assumptions have been fatefully challenged by recent events. And indeed a radical revision of them is occurring.”
“The new paradigm may be called a holistic world view, seeing the world as an integrated whole rather than a dissociated collection of parts. It may also be called an ecological view, if the term ecological is used in much broader and deeper sense than usual. Deep ecological awareness recognizes the fundamental interdependence of all phenomena and the fact that as individual and societies we are all embedded in (and ultimately depend on) the cyclic process of nature.
Ultimately, deep ecological awareness is spiritual or religious awareness. When the concept of the human spirit understood as the mode of consciousness in which the individual feels a sense of belonging, of connectedness, to the cosmos as a whole, it becomes clear that ecological awareness is spiritual in its deepest essence. It is therefore, not surprising that the emerging new vision of reality based on deep ecological awareness is consistent with the so called perennial philosophy of spiritual traditions.”
SATYA : The Reality
Now this new alternative paradigm that is coming forth is the same that the Indian (Hindu) visionaries and thinkers propounded thousands of years ago.
The salient features of this age old paradigm are :
· The same One Divinity is present everywhere, be it living or non-living. It has manifested itself in many forms. Hence apparently diverse forms are inherently one and the same. Unity in diversity. Oneness in multiplicity
Eeshaavaasyam Idam Sarvam Yatkincha Jagatyaam Jagat I
Reality is one but is known by various attributes. It can be achieved through various ways, some close, some far, some twisted, some straight.
Ekam Sat Vipraah Bahudhaa Vadanti I
This creation is one live organic unit which is mutually connected. There is mutual coherence, not conflict. Everything is mutually complementary.
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam I
The nature is form of Motherhood and we are Her children. The Earth is our mother and we are its off springs. Therefore milking the nature is appropriate, but exploitation is not.
Maataa Bhoomih Putroham Pruthivyaah I
Earning wealth and enjoying sensual desires are the principle objects of human endeavor and should be pursued by righteous ways according to ‘Dharma’. However by limiting our needs and wants, one should lead a simple and disciplined life. The residual wealth and efforts should be used for the welfare of the society and mankind.
Tena Tyaktena Bhunjeethaah I
Divinity is omnipresent, whether animate or inanimate. It is more prominently manifested in human being. This divinity within can be manifested completely by one’s own efforts. It can be done by controlling nature internal and external to become “free”. Revealing the omnipresent divinity and being “free” is the ultimate goal of human life and pursuit. This spirituality is the basic foundation and essence of social systems, dispositions and human life.
Vayam Amrutasya Putraah I
Man and woman are complimentary to each other. Both are equally important and responsible for betterment of the society. Both have equal right and opportunity to evolve spiritually and get liberated.
Based on this Hindu or Indian world-view, highly advanced, educated, cultured, affluent life, individual as well as social, prospered here since thousands of years. Many foreign travelers have noted and recorded this. Hindus (Indians) were the first to reveal, comprehend, understand this mystery of creation and life and hence is known as “Hindu World-view”. Hindus are naturally pleased and proud to see that the modern Western world has started to reveal, accept and appreciate this “Satya” or reality, this view of life.
SWATTVA : Self Expression
In the light of this holistic, organic, connected, spiritual world-view a way of life was created, developed and established here since ages. To follow, establish and practice this world-view in individual and social life policies, systems and life-values were created. To propagate and establish this value system many people have staked their entire life and performed penance, thus creating ideals in the society. As a sum total of this a unique culture-Hindu culture-got evolved here. To share this view and way of life, the sages, saints, cultural ambassadors went throughout the world with the sole intention of enlightening the people all over. The affection, love, compassion, patience, approach and ways adopted by these cultural ambassadors to disseminate their knowledge and share their experience are the salient features of Hindu culture. Nowhere, never coercion, force and violence were adopted by anybody. This culture has become the identity, the expression, the soul (Swattva) of Hindu society. If one desires to have a world living together in peace, free from conflicts, with mutual understanding and cooperation, with harmony among the diverse people, sustaining the ecological balance one has to resort to this holistic, organic, interconnected, spiritual view and way of life or Hindu view of life.
Hence it is the paramount duty of the Hindus spread all over the world to protect, nourish and nurture this Hindu way of life, their own expression(Swattva) by putting it in regular practice and present a live example of the “global and noble” culture.
Salient features of Hindu Culture:
Mother, Father, Teacher and Guest should be revered and treated as Godly personalities.
Maatru Devo bhava I Pitru Devo Bhava I Aachaarya Devo Bhava I Atithi Devo Bhava I
Personal gains can be relinquished for the sake of family; family’s gains for the sake of town; town’s interests for the sake of country and everything can be renounced for the freedom of the soul.
Tyajedekam Kulasyaarthe, Gramsyaarthe Kulam Tyajet I
Graamam Janapadasyaarthe, Aatmaarthe Prithiveem Tyajet II
Worshipping land, water, light, trees, Sun, Moon as divine manifestations and worshipping machines, tools, weapons, deity of our home with a feeling of larger connectedness.
To spend for the betterment of others is a great virtue. One who sacrifices his self interest is elevated.
To work, toil, spend, share for the betterment of others in the society is ‘Dharma’ and is virtuous.
Variety of religions from worshiping formless Almighty to a God with a specific form all lead to the same realization. Even in one family the members can adhere to different forms of worship.
Rucheenaam Vaichitryaat Riju Kutila Naanaa Pathajushaam I
Nrunaameko Gamyastvamasi Payasaamarnava Iva II
Worshipping female form of divinity, Goddess as a symbol of “Shakti”. There have been women contributors of Vedic hymns that speak of, mundane and spiritual knowledge and wisdom.
Man and woman are complementary to each other. One is incomplete without other. To perform any religious ritual, wife is inevitable companion by the side of the performing husband. Highest and ultimate gratitude is expressed by revering in the form of “Mother”.
Gomaataa, Bhoomaataa, Lokamaataa(river), Tulasi Maataa .
Rebirth and Karma Siddhaant.
Unique concepts of Pilgrimage, Punya, Dharma.
Considering every woman (except one’s wife) in the form of mother.
Maatruvat Paradaareshu, Paradravyeshu Loshtavat I
Aatmavat Sarvabhooteshu, Esha Dharmah Sanaatanah II
One should take food only after feeding the birds and animals in near surrounding.
SATTVA : Core Strength
India- the abode of Hinduism-has a role to perform to help the Hindus-spread all over the world-protect self identity, self expression (Swattva). This role is in augmenting its core strength (Sattva or essence).This “Sattva” lies in:
India being militarily strong and invincible. It has been a universal experience till date that if any nation in the world grew in its military strength it utilizes its power for invading other nations, fighting wars to expand their territory, exploit or plunder. India is the only honorable exception which never used her strength to extend her boundaries. India did fight wars but only in self defence, for cultural protection and to establish righteous social order (Dharma). That is why Shri Ram and Shri Krishna are ideals and apostles of Indians. They fought and won wars but not for territorial expansions.
India being economically prosperous and self-reliant. We may surely undertake trade and business with the world around but not at the cost of our self-reliance.
The purpose and content of our school and university education being based on Bharatiya philosophy that reflects our soul. New ideas and achievements around the world shall be welcome if they stand true to the test of our extensive, rich experience.
Our social systems being founded on our holistic, spiritual, interconnected Hindu vision where standard of life is not determined on economic parameters only but on the basis of one’s life values and quality in life.
In establishing a social value system promoting simple living, moderate spending and relinquishment in spite of abundance of resources.
Having socio-centric multi-power centered social systems instead of politico-centric mono-power centered social systems,
The augmentation or strengthening of Hindu’s “Sattva” shall help protect Hindu’s “Swattva”, facilitating the influence of Hindu holistic world-view (Satya) bringing happiness and betterment of each and all throughout the world.
Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah Sarve Santu Niraanyaah I
Sarve Bhadraani Pashyantu Maa Kashchit Duhkhamaapnuyaat II
References:
S. K.Chakraborti: Rising Technology and Falling Ethics?; Journal of Human Values 3:1(1997), P.104
Sai Makarand Dave: Sooryani Aamantran Patrika, Arunnu Aagaman (Gujarati), P.16
Winin Pereira and Jeremy Seabrook : Global Parasites, Preface
Fritjoff Capra : The Web of Life, P.6,7