Sanatana Dharma – Humanism
Earth is turned into heaven by those
Who keep away from retribution and violence,
Who foster thoughts of love and equality.
Potana’s writing is a song from his soft heart.
It is a mental blossom that personifies the trinity
of qualities (Satva, Rajas, Tamas)
It is a writing that pertains to the trinity of times
(past, present, and future)
It is a royal path that leads to liberation.
Embodiments of Divine Atma, Girl Students and Teachers!
Veda had established sacred ideals of Bharateeya culture. Bharateeya culture is the essence of all Vedic knowledge. The path of our life has the essence of this culture. This is known as Sanatana Dharma (Primal and eternal law). This Veda had been divided into three Kandas (main texts). These are also known as Yoga Trayam. But gradually, man’s heart is getting narrower, and his selfish thoughts are on the increase; with the result that ethical values and human etiquette are decreasing. Selfishness is embedded to the core in individuals. The glorious, divine and soft humanism is forgotten; and man is wasting his humanism by developing devilish thoughts. Humanism should not be confined to the heart alone. Education is not meant for eking a livelihood. It is for seeking the Supreme goal.
If one does not worship Shiva until the hands
strain
If one does not praise Hari until tongue pains
If one does not think of compassion and truth
For what else is he born other than destroying
mother’s womb?
Practice Is Needed, Not Propagation
There is the essence of all Vedas in these three lines.
Vedas have been divided into three texts known as
Karmakanda, Upasanakanda, and Jnanakanda.
Worship Shiva with hands – This is Karmakanda.
Praise Hari with tongue – This is Upasanakanda.
Think in terms of compassion and truth – This is Jnanakanda.
Only when these three Kandas are reflected in humanism, man's life can be considered successful. Otherwise, it is a mere painful experience of conception by mothers. While Upanishads are the essence of Vedas, Bhagawadgeeta is an essence of Upanishads. Bharateeyas are now endeavoring to enhance the prestige of Geeta. Popularization is not a great thing. Practical expansion is important. Practice is the key to its success. ‘Practice makes man perfect.’ There are 18 chapters in the Bhagawadgeeta. The Mahabharatam war took 18 days. In it, 18 divisions of the army were involved in a fight. Potana used 18 Telugu letters in expressing the invaluable and eternal subject pertaining to man’s duty. Puttani, chavani, trova veduku konuta dodda buddhi – A great intellect is one which seeks the path that leads to a birthless and deathless state, the state of no birth and no death.” All this is contained in just 18 letters. Where has man come to earth from? "Shrunvantu vishve amritasya putrah.” Man has come from an immortal origin. Krishna said in Bhagawadgeeta, “All living species have emanated from My ‘Being’ only.” Therefore, all are sparks of divinity only.
How to realise this divinity, which in fact permeates the entire cosmos? What name to adopt when all names belong to this divinity? What form to be conceived when all forms belong to Him? In order to realise such divinity, we must take recourse to proper education.
Prahlada said,
“Teachers have taught me; I studied the essence of
Dharmic texts.
I learnt many things; I studied the secret of all learning,
Oh father.”
What is the education that Prahlada mentioned? Education is that which helps to realize God. True education is that which helps in realizing divinity in humanity. Reading textbooks does not constitute true education. Why read, read and read until you die? You must read only that which leads to immortality. In essence, education is the recognition of oneness in diversity. People say, “Swami, show the path.” You must travel back to the place from where you had come. This is what the Bhagavatam had told us. You must keep God in mind, cling to the path, and must tread carefully. One who travels a long distance requires to stop and stay at some place or the other on his way; but the next day, he must leave the place and proceed on his journey. He cannot afford to stay on the way for long. The same is the situation with our body. Our body is like a hotel (or a guest house) on the way to salvation. "Anityam, Asukham Lokam” – the world is temporal and troublesome. This is the gist of Bhagawadgeeta.
It is but natural to all beings to go back to the place from where they have come. All beings have come from the Supreme Soul. They must go back and merge into that Supreme Being. It is like rain that has its origin as also its final destination in the sea. A pot of mud has earth as its origin and its final destination too. Similarly, all the basic elements of life, namely earth, water, fire, air, and ether, must finally reach the place from where they had come. Man is endowed with intellect. He must use this intellect to realize this fundamental truth and to make sincere efforts to return to his Goal, the Supreme Bliss. The main aim of education has to be this pursuit of spirit and Bliss.
An avowed vegetarian had once been to a hotel and ordered food specifying his choice. He was told by the bearer that the items of his choice were not available in the hotel. On query, this customer came to know that this particular hotel happened to be a non-vegetarian restaurant. When he went out and looked carefully at the signboard, he realized his mistake of entering the wrong hotel. Similarly, all of us must first look at the signboard pertaining to this world. It reads, “Anityam asukham lokam – this world is transient and troublesome.” Without reading this signboard, if we enter this world and wish to have permanent peace, is it plausible? Acquiring things is man’s wont. But, what you must struggle to acquire is sacredness in order to present an ideal life to the society. This is real education. In the present times, there is thirst for everything – thirst for money and thirst for power.
Mati (Mind) Needs Miti (Limit)
This kind of thirst has reached such a height that even a semblance of peace does not exist. Everything must be in limits. When 'miti-limit' is exceeded, then 'mati-mind' gets damaged. Take, for example, the great rivers. These great rivers irrigate vast fields. They merge into the sea. These rivers and the sea keep themselves within their bounds. They do not exceed their limits. Because of this, life around them is comfortable. Upon exceeding limits, people are prone to face calamities. In the same manner, our desires must be kept under check, lest they lead to disastrous results.
Death is certain for any being that is born on earth. It can occur either in the town, in the forest, or in water. No one knows when and where death occurs. The limit of life is said to be a hundred years, but one cannot rely on it. No one knows whether death occurs in youth or old age. It is said in Puranas that one Yama Dharma Raja is there who uses Pasam (binding rope) to take away the lives of people. If he uses one rope per person, then how big his rope factory must be? No, it is not Yama Dharma Raja that pulls our lives. He is also known as Kaludu. We are tightening the noose ourselves through our own actions. Our attitude and conduct are important aspects. We must display sacred qualities so as to keep up the honor and fame acquired by the sages and noble people of yore. Girls must bring fame to their parental as well as in-laws’ families.
This is the most important ideal for girl students. All the learning and degrees earned become useless when this ideal is lacking in girls. This world is known as Jagat. Ja means to be born. Gat means that which changes. Therefore, that which comes and goes is Jagat. Nothing is permanent here. Births are the result of our deeds caused by desires. Therefore, you must endeavor to do all work without aspiring for benefits or other selfish ends. Selfless work results in the destruction of desires. All other actions will bring forth rebirth and the inevitable death. The eternal truthful and pure principle of immortality can be achieved only through Spiritual Education. You must endeavor to learn this type of education and subsequently you should be able to teach these ideals to youngsters. Age is of no consequence for this pursuit. Age pertains only to body, but not to Atma. Atma (soul) has no age or form. The Atma is pure Bliss. This principle of blissful form can be realized only through noble desires but not through desires of power and pelf.
Ideal life is not something like eating food that gets digested in a few hours’ time. It requires careful and perseverant nurturing that fosters a sacred atmosphere all around. This human birth is given to us in order to fulfill Karmic duty through this body. Human birth is a rarity among living species. This great opportunity should not be wasted. This is a chance to turn life into an immortal life. Eating, sleeping, etc., are common for all animals. Man should not be contented with these things. Keep the burden of family on your shoulders and keep God in heart. A close relationship between these two must be maintained. As you expand your worldly knowledge through the college education, you must also expand your heart. Without this expansion, life becomes narrow and dark. Where did you study? From which family did you come? What is the degree you possess? Such questions pertain to the mundane world.
But, the question 'from where did you come?' seeks and demands a different kind of answer. The correct answer is 'I came from Atma'. The form of Atma is attributeless, blemishless, dispassioned, eternal, full of truth and knowledge, and is ever liberated. Even in mind, there is consciousness. During the chariot ceremony, some people look at the chariot, some people look at the entertainers who perform in front of the chariot, and some people look at the idols present inside the chariot. This chariot called body is the temple of God. This itself is a sacred place. We must seek the right thing from this sacred place. When you visit a sacred place and indulge in purchasing materials forgetting the temple, your friends will call you a foolish man. It is the same with your body. If one forgets the indweller and indulges in external purity, then life is a waste.
Oh Krishna! Mind is fickle. It is formidable and dangerous. It is formidable indeed. It can be put into proper line only through constant practice. Monkey can jump from one tree to the other. But, mind can jump from one world to the other. It is so fickle and formidable as also capable. When bad is removed from the mind, it becomes a formidable positive force.
Example Of A Wise Girl
Along with education, discrimination, wisdom, and willpower must be developed. Our scriptures say, “Atmavidya Vidyanam”- of all the types of education, Atmic education is supreme. Atmic principle is important for us. All of you had seen the drama enacted by our girls two days ago. Once the king of a country had arranged a grand exhibition of valuable art pieces. He invited all citizens to visit the exhibition. He was so generous that he even said that anybody could take away any article he or she liked. Thereupon, everyone was taking one article or the other from the place. There was a young woman among those visitors who went round the exhibition. She was returning without taking any article. The king, who was closely observing the visitors, was surprised at this girl's attitude. He then questioned her, ‘Girl! Don’t you find any article of your liking in the whole exhibition? Why are you going out empty-handed?” The girl replied, ‘Oh King, the display is great indeed. But, when I wish a thing, my desires multiply, and I may be tempted to take more and more.’ The king was pleased with her reasoning and said, ‘I am pleased with your reply. However, I want to give you some special gift. Whatever you ask for, I am ready to give you. Now, tell me your wish.’ The bright girl grabbed the opportunity and said, ‘Oh King! Do you really mean it?’ The King said, ‘Yes. By all means.’ After getting confirmation from the king, she said, ‘oh the benevolent king! I want you only! I will not accept anything else.’
The king was astonished at her intelligence as much as her looks and at once granted approval and declared before all present there, ‘Henceforth she is my queen!’ Instead of possessing one single article free, the girl had become the owner of the exhibition itself. Like this analogy, God’s creation is all a great and grand exhibition. Crores of people keep visiting this exhibition of life and take with them things of their liking. But, the girl known as Vairagyam (detachment) says, ‘Oh God! I do not aspire for any of these worldly things. I am interested only in the person who created all this.’ God gives Himself to such a person.
Take another analogy. A fisherman throws his net in a river and all the fish of the area get caught in the net. But those fish near his feet will escape the net. God throws His net of maya (illusion) into the river of life. When we are attracted towards this maya, we are caught in its hold. On the other hand, if we keep ourselves close to His proximity, the impact of maya is mitigated. It is not wrong to have desires and to aspire for enjoyment. But, desires should be within certain limits; otherwise, life turns into a boat that is incessantly tossed in the ocean of life. Food is no doubt needed to sustain life. But we should not live for eating food. You must lead life without hurting anybody.
You get water in the tap only when there is water in the tank. So the reservoir of merit has to be acquired before aspiring for anything. Otherwise, the Karmas keep rebounding on you. When you put your parents to trouble now, you will receive the same treatment from your children in the future. All these troubles are due to a narrow outlook. Therefore, broaden your outlook and broaden your heart so that your life becomes joyful. As for Myself, I do have one selfish desire, that is the thought, “Lokaah samastaah sukhino bhavantu – May all people live happily!” Nobody can afford to stay aloof in the desire to have happiness. Only when your neighbors are happy, you may remain happy. Society is a cluster of individuals. Love is its binding force. As love increases, selfishness decreases. It is the principle of love that has to be increased and the principle of ego has to be curtailed. As the ego increases, humility decreases; and vice versa. Ego clouds divinity. Ego makes man a frog in the well, no matter how big a person is in education, wealth, or position. Education does not make a mean person pure. Only character makes him pure. It is not education but the essence of education that is important. Our behavior, our integrity, and our humanism must be worthy of emulation, and endeavor to improve the condition of society unmindful of hurdles or troubles on the path and unaffected by praise or blame. Equality and tolerance are essential requisites in this pursuit.
Follow The Example Of Draupadi
Duryodhana was lying on the battlefield with broken limbs; with blood covered all over his body, and was about to die; when Ashwatthama went to him and said, “Oh King! Do not grieve. I shall cutoff the heads of all the Pandavas and bring those heads to you even before you are dead. Then you may have a peaceful death.” But instead, he could only kill the innocent sons of Draupadi. At this inhuman act, Arjuna seethed in anger and told Draupadi that he would cutoff Ashwatthama’s head and bring it before her in a minute. With this resolve, Arjuna went and brought Ashwatthama in no time and was about to kill him in front of Draupadi. Poor Draupadi lost not one but five sons, all at once, while they were asleep. Her deep agony was understandable. Yet she spoke to Ashwatthama in a composed manner, “All my husbands had learnt archery from Dronacharya, your father. You are equal to their Guru. Is it fair on your part to slay the sons of the students without the least consideration or attachment?” What an amount of tolerance Draupadi had displayed in the face of the worst type of calamity!
“They had not come to the battlefield holding arms.
They did not harbour thoughts of conspiracy.
They were cute kids not initiated in any warfare.
They were asleep! Alas! With what heart did you slay them?”
Then Bheema said, “She is not angry at the killer of her sons. She is pleading to forgive him who is unfit to be called a Brahmana. Why should we spare such a one? I shall kill him myself by a blow of my fist.”
But Draupadi did not allow her husbands to do any harm to Ashwatthama, a Brahmana and the son of Guru. What a display of Sattvika quality! She stands out as an exemplary Sattvika woman. ‘Stree’ (woman), when split into its syllables (Sa, Ta, Ra), means a combination of all the three qualities of Satva, Rajas and Tamas. A woman should possess Satva-guna (quality) in abundance. Then comes Tamo-guna which consists of obedience and humility. She should be prepared for any type of sacrifice indicated by Rajas.
At such a moment, Arjuna poses a question saying, “I took an oath to kill Ashwatthama. How can I go back on my word?” Then Draupadi gave a fitting advice to Arjuna. “You tonsure his head and push him out of the house. This is equal to killing.” This kind of patience and presence of mind are great qualities that every woman must emulate. The country prospers in its full glory when such qualities are displayed by women. I conclude my discourse with the blessings that our college students emulate such noble qualities and stand in the forefront of the country’s progress.