Tuesday, January 11, 2011

11.01.2011

Vedic Philosophy and Holistic Human Development

Dr. Satyapal Singh


 

According to millions of years old and most ancient Vedic lore, the structure of the universe is perfect, from the human body to the revolving planets. Modern science has also come to the same conclusion that the universe is orderly, beautiful, purposeful and purely scientific. No scientist can ever improve the constitution of human body. This is why scientists are engaged in unfolding the mysteries (intrinsic laws) of nature.

What is the purpose of creation? For what is the human created? The Vedic philosophy states that the world was created for the manifestation of not only God's powers but also of nature, in an artistic, myriad way as well as for rendering the justice of one's actions and the realization of the ultimate goal i.e. (salvation) of souls. There can not be any other purpose of the world being created.

To undergo the consequences of our own acts honorably without any tension and moving forward to our well-cherished aim of getting liberated, we - the human beings - require guidance and the lessons in true knowledge. This true knowledge, a divine revelation is called 'Veda'.

It has been the unanimous opinion of all the seers and sages of India that the Vedas were revealed by the Omniscient, Almighty and Almerciful God in the beginning of the universe, for guiding mankind. It is like a manual of knowledge, variantly called the Noor of Allah (Quran), the first word of God (Bible) and the beacon of light. Not accepting it is akin to a foolish father/mother with a large business empire sending their young child into the jungle to live with the beasts till he attains adulthood and comes back to take care of business. Our Vedic seers have traditionally maintained that the Vedas are the source of all knowledge, all religions and the past, present and future all are illuminated through the Vedas. Vedas form the bed rock of culture. Their authority is supreme, self-evident and final.

    In recent times Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati had emphatically echoed, among the Ten Commandments of Arya Samaj, that God is the source of all true knowledge and all the material known through different sciences. And Vedas are the revealed books of all true sciences. There have been many scholars who have been unbiased in their approach like Prof. Heeren who said "the Vedas stand alone in their solitary splendor standing as beacons of divine light for onward march of humanity".

    Therefore, every minute and meaningful knowledge of the Universe, guidance or instructions for individuals, domestic, social, national or international harmonious, sustainable and holistic development is provided in the Vedas in seed forms. No aspect of human activity and no sphere of world knowledge (Apara and Para vidyas – material and spiritual knowledge) are beyond the confines of the Vedas. The holy books of four Vedas( Rigved, Yajurved, Samved, Atharvaved), four Up-Vedas (Ayurved, Dhanurved, Gandharvaved and Arthaved), six Vedangs (Shiksha, Kalpa, Vyakarana, Nirukta, Chhanda, Jyotisha), six Shastras (Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshik, Mimansa and Vedanta) and many other Brahamans, Aryanyakas, Upnishadas have detailed knowledge about education; arts and crafts (Dance, Drama, Music, Paintings) health and humanities, agriculture, science, technology, aeroplanes and satellites etc. Vedas are encoded with scientific and technological insights, experiments and riddles.

    As Veda is eternal and true, its religion, its philosophy is also true. The foundation of man's true happiness is Dharma. Vedic Philosophy defines Dharma (religion) as the means and measures which provide man an all round development in this world and ensures his salvation thereafter. Vedic Philosophy underscores the importance of simultaneous worldly and spiritual development of man.

    The holistic development of man starts from even before its birth. What precautions and rules the parents must observe to have the best progeny is detailed in Vedic scriptures. The vitality and wisdom of scrupulously following the sixteen sacraments (Samskaars) from conception to cremation, for macro and micro development of man and his environs cannot be over emphasized. The four Ashrams (Phases of life) –Bramhacharya (studenthood), grihastha (married life), Vaanprastha (retired life) and Sanyas (life of renunciation) – is not only for individual betterment and contentment but for the larger social benefits.

Student phase is the formative stage to acquire the capacity and build capabilities for physical and intellectual well being to successfully face the world. The Vedic education has four pillars in Gyan (knowledge), Sabhyata (civilization), Dharmikata (righteousness) and Jitendriyata (self-restraint and control of mind).

The householder phase is to repay the three debts (social obligations), every human being is born with. Marriage is not only for recreation and procreation but for the ultimate satiation of all desires for material pleasures and progress so that one advances spiritually in later life and secures the break from the endless cycle of birth and death. Earning wealth and its enjoyment and charity for good cause is also a part of married life.

Vaanprastha is retired life for guiding the family and society with one's knowledge and experience and slowly moving away from the bonding of familial ties and attachment to the material world. The last and the optional phase of life – Sanyas – is to work for the society without any prejudice of any caste, class, creed, community or country and also to focus on one's inner illumination.

    All the problems in the world can only be because of four reasons either in their individual capacity or the combination of them. They are Agyaan (ignorance), Anyay(injustice), Abhava (deprivation) and Aalasya (lethargy). To challenge and redress these problems, the Vedic philosophy classified the society into 4 Varnas (classes) – Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra – for it could be the best division of labour. The varnas are classified on the basis of one's ability, nature, profession and deeds and not based on the house of their birth. Varnas are changeable and they provide scope for social mobility. Shudras are not untouchable or a despicable class as depicted in medieval and modern India. They were an integral part of society in ancient time just like the legs in human body.

    Simultaneously, the Vedic philosophy states that there are 4 ingredients of Dharma viz. (truth, compassion, charity and dignity of labour). And to protect these pillars, the concept of 4 Varnas was divinely ordained. The Brahman (intellectual) will protect the 'truth' through his study; Kshatriya (warrior) will ensure 'compassion' through fairness and justice; Vaishya (businessman) will keep the tradition of 'charity' alive through earning wealth and Shudra will provide sustenance to the dignity of labour.

The acceptance of Vedic version of Classes would have ended the fragmentation and fracture of society and the world at large in the name of thousands of castes, sub-castes and scores of religious beliefs. Vedic wisdom believes in only one religion and one caste of humanity.

The five Yamas (non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy and non-covetousness) and five Niyamas (cleanliness, contentment, austerity, self-study and surrender to God) of 8 fold path of Yogic system are the moral codes of conduct for social harmony, well being and individual spiritual upliftment ( macrocosm and microcosm development).

Fourfold goals of life (Purusharth) – Dharma( Righteousness), Artha (Wealth, acquiring material goods), Kaam (Desires, Pleasures, Enjoyment etc.) and Moksha (Liberation) are also aimed to inspire and drive the man to make the fullest use of this life, enjoy without attachment, achieve an internal state of balance and harmony and earn an almost permanent bliss here and after. Sometimes it is also called a Pancha koshi Yatra (5 miles spiritual journey) from Annamaya kosha to Anandmaya kosha.

Vedic philosophy propounds the principle of Karma (action) and its inevitable consequences based on Cause and Effect law and conservation of energy. Man is free to act the way one likes but is bound to face the result of its actions without any option. Therefore it puts a deterrence on wrong doings. A dip in holy river or pond, the worship of any god or goddess or a faith in any lord or prophet can't absolve a person from the fruits of its deeds.

    Vedic philosophy, though universal in teaching, has also emphasized on nationalistic spirit and patriotism. Vayam Rashtre ... let us be vigilant about our nation. We should conduct ourselves in nation's interests. Satyam Brihat Ritam Ugram--- to build a strong nation through quality education, military prowess, righteous judicial system, commitment and sacrifices, science, technology and experiments and common well being.

    For keeping the environment (air, water and soil) clean and pure vedic philosophy preached the preservation of eco-system through vegetarianism, tree plantations (raising the status of trees to sacred levels) and daily mandatory individual and periodic community Yagnyas. The problems of pollution and global warming would never occur in such a culture. The Vedic philosophy does not subscribe to the dictum of Darwin that the fittest and strongest only has the right to survive. It believes in the spirit of cooperation, co-existence and ensures the protection to the weakest. It is firmly for the sustainable development without harming the environment.

    Vedic being a divine philosophy – (it cannot be improved but expanded with human efforts) – has to be universal in its applications. It cannot be confined to any caste, colour, creed or country. It always emphasized on one earth and one humanity. In this age of one chemistry, one physics one maths, one architecture, one medicine – how can we have more than one Dharma or philosophy of life? Vedic philosophy believes in one omniscient supreme power (God) as the parent of all beings and therefore inspires universal brotherhood.Vedas preach "matrah bhoomi putroaham prathivya"– "earth is my mother and I am her son; the whole world is like a nest (which is better than the modern global village concept); the whole earth is my family and let us see every being (not just human) with the eyes of a friend."

    At last, I would like to quote and appreciate what even a highly distinguished but biased scholar, one of the best European indologists, Professor Max Mueller had to write in his famous book "India, What can it teach us that " in order to make our (inner) life more perfect, more comprehensive, more universal, in fact more truly human, a life not for this life only, but a transfigured and eternal life—again I should point to India…"


 

The Vedic seers thus proclaim "Pashya Devashya ….---" see and follow the sweet poetry (Veda) of God which neither dies or decays". There is no philosophy even worth the comparison. All streams of thoughts in the world started from this but with the passage of time got polluted on their journeys. Let us give a clarion call to all the people to learn from the time tested, divine and universal wisdom if we want to have an all round development from individual to society level; from family to global community and get rid of all the simmering discontent, discords, tension, criminal acts, communal riots and the depredations of terrorism in the world.    


 


 

E mail address: allsatya@gmail.com

11.01.2011

Vedic Philosophy and Holistic Human Development

Dr. Satyapal Singh


 

According to millions of years old and most ancient Vedic lore, the structure of the universe is perfect, from the human body to the revolving planets. Modern science has also come to the same conclusion that the universe is orderly, beautiful, purposeful and purely scientific. No scientist can ever improve the constitution of human body. This is why scientists are engaged in unfolding the mysteries (intrinsic laws) of nature.

What is the purpose of creation? For what is the human created? The Vedic philosophy states that the world was created for the manifestation of not only God's powers but also of nature, in an artistic, myriad way as well as for rendering the justice of one's actions and the realization of the ultimate goal i.e. (salvation) of souls. There can not be any other purpose of the world being created.

To undergo the consequences of our own acts honorably without any tension and moving forward to our well-cherished aim of getting liberated, we - the human beings - require guidance and the lessons in true knowledge. This true knowledge, a divine revelation is called 'Veda'.

It has been the unanimous opinion of all the seers and sages of India that the Vedas were revealed by the Omniscient, Almighty and Almerciful God in the beginning of the universe, for guiding mankind. It is like a manual of knowledge, variantly called the Noor of Allah (Quran), the first word of God (Bible) and the beacon of light. Not accepting it is akin to a foolish father/mother with a large business empire sending their young child into the jungle to live with the beasts till he attains adulthood and comes back to take care of business. Our Vedic seers have traditionally maintained that the Vedas are the source of all knowledge, all religions and the past, present and future all are illuminated through the Vedas. Vedas form the bed rock of culture. Their authority is supreme, self-evident and final.

    In recent times Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati had emphatically echoed, among the Ten Commandments of Arya Samaj, that God is the source of all true knowledge and all the material known through different sciences. And Vedas are the revealed books of all true sciences. There have been many scholars who have been unbiased in their approach like Prof. Heeren who said "the Vedas stand alone in their solitary splendor standing as beacons of divine light for onward march of humanity".

    Therefore, every minute and meaningful knowledge of the Universe, guidance or instructions for individuals, domestic, social, national or international harmonious, sustainable and holistic development is provided in the Vedas in seed forms. No aspect of human activity and no sphere of world knowledge (Apara and Para vidyas – material and spiritual knowledge) are beyond the confines of the Vedas. The holy books of four Vedas( Rigved, Yajurved, Samved, Atharvaved), four Up-Vedas (Ayurved, Dhanurved, Gandharvaved and Arthaved), six Vedangs (Shiksha, Kalpa, Vyakarana, Nirukta, Chhanda, Jyotisha), six Shastras (Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshik, Mimansa and Vedanta) and many other Brahamans, Aryanyakas, Upnishadas have detailed knowledge about education; arts and crafts (Dance, Drama, Music, Paintings) health and humanities, agriculture, science, technology, aeroplanes and satellites etc. Vedas are encoded with scientific and technological insights, experiments and riddles.

    As Veda is eternal and true, its religion, its philosophy is also true. The foundation of man's true happiness is Dharma. Vedic Philosophy defines Dharma (religion) as the means and measures which provide man an all round development in this world and ensures his salvation thereafter. Vedic Philosophy underscores the importance of simultaneous worldly and spiritual development of man.

    The holistic development of man starts from even before its birth. What precautions and rules the parents must observe to have the best progeny is detailed in Vedic scriptures. The vitality and wisdom of scrupulously following the sixteen sacraments (Samskaars) from conception to cremation, for macro and micro development of man and his environs cannot be over emphasized. The four Ashrams (Phases of life) –Bramhacharya (studenthood), grihastha (married life), Vaanprastha (retired life) and Sanyas (life of renunciation) – is not only for individual betterment and contentment but for the larger social benefits.

Student phase is the formative stage to acquire the capacity and build capabilities for physical and intellectual well being to successfully face the world. The Vedic education has four pillars in Gyan (knowledge), Sabhyata (civilization), Dharmikata (righteousness) and Jitendriyata (self-restraint and control of mind).

The householder phase is to repay the three debts (social obligations), every human being is born with. Marriage is not only for recreation and procreation but for the ultimate satiation of all desires for material pleasures and progress so that one advances spiritually in later life and secures the break from the endless cycle of birth and death. Earning wealth and its enjoyment and charity for good cause is also a part of married life.

Vaanprastha is retired life for guiding the family and society with one's knowledge and experience and slowly moving away from the bonding of familial ties and attachment to the material world. The last and the optional phase of life – Sanyas – is to work for the society without any prejudice of any caste, class, creed, community or country and also to focus on one's inner illumination.

    All the problems in the world can only be because of four reasons either in their individual capacity or the combination of them. They are Agyaan (ignorance), Anyay(injustice), Abhava (deprivation) and Aalasya (lethargy). To challenge and redress these problems, the Vedic philosophy classified the society into 4 Varnas (classes) – Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra – for it could be the best division of labour. The varnas are classified on the basis of one's ability, nature, profession and deeds and not based on the house of their birth. Varnas are changeable and they provide scope for social mobility. Shudras are not untouchable or a despicable class as depicted in medieval and modern India. They were an integral part of society in ancient time just like the legs in human body.

    Simultaneously, the Vedic philosophy states that there are 4 ingredients of Dharma viz. (truth, compassion, charity and dignity of labour). And to protect these pillars, the concept of 4 Varnas was divinely ordained. The Brahman (intellectual) will protect the 'truth' through his study; Kshatriya (warrior) will ensure 'compassion' through fairness and justice; Vaishya (businessman) will keep the tradition of 'charity' alive through earning wealth and Shudra will provide sustenance to the dignity of labour.

The acceptance of Vedic version of Classes would have ended the fragmentation and fracture of society and the world at large in the name of thousands of castes, sub-castes and scores of religious beliefs. Vedic wisdom believes in only one religion and one caste of humanity.

The five Yamas (non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy and non-covetousness) and five Niyamas (cleanliness, contentment, austerity, self-study and surrender to God) of 8 fold path of Yogic system are the moral codes of conduct for social harmony, well being and individual spiritual upliftment ( macrocosm and microcosm development).

Fourfold goals of life (Purusharth) – Dharma( Righteousness), Artha (Wealth, acquiring material goods), Kaam (Desires, Pleasures, Enjoyment etc.) and Moksha (Liberation) are also aimed to inspire and drive the man to make the fullest use of this life, enjoy without attachment, achieve an internal state of balance and harmony and earn an almost permanent bliss here and after. Sometimes it is also called a Pancha koshi Yatra (5 miles spiritual journey) from Annamaya kosha to Anandmaya kosha.

Vedic philosophy propounds the principle of Karma (action) and its inevitable consequences based on Cause and Effect law and conservation of energy. Man is free to act the way one likes but is bound to face the result of its actions without any option. Therefore it puts a deterrence on wrong doings. A dip in holy river or pond, the worship of any god or goddess or a faith in any lord or prophet can't absolve a person from the fruits of its deeds.

    Vedic philosophy, though universal in teaching, has also emphasized on nationalistic spirit and patriotism. Vayam Rashtre ... let us be vigilant about our nation. We should conduct ourselves in nation's interests. Satyam Brihat Ritam Ugram--- to build a strong nation through quality education, military prowess, righteous judicial system, commitment and sacrifices, science, technology and experiments and common well being.

    For keeping the environment (air, water and soil) clean and pure vedic philosophy preached the preservation of eco-system through vegetarianism, tree plantations (raising the status of trees to sacred levels) and daily mandatory individual and periodic community Yagnyas. The problems of pollution and global warming would never occur in such a culture. The Vedic philosophy does not subscribe to the dictum of Darwin that the fittest and strongest only has the right to survive. It believes in the spirit of cooperation, co-existence and ensures the protection to the weakest. It is firmly for the sustainable development without harming the environment.

    Vedic being a divine philosophy – (it cannot be improved but expanded with human efforts) – has to be universal in its applications. It cannot be confined to any caste, colour, creed or country. It always emphasized on one earth and one humanity. In this age of one chemistry, one physics one maths, one architecture, one medicine – how can we have more than one Dharma or philosophy of life? Vedic philosophy believes in one omniscient supreme power (God) as the parent of all beings and therefore inspires universal brotherhood.Vedas preach "matrah bhoomi putroaham prathivya"– "earth is my mother and I am her son; the whole world is like a nest (which is better than the modern global village concept); the whole earth is my family and let us see every being (not just human) with the eyes of a friend."

    At last, I would like to quote and appreciate what even a highly distinguished but biased scholar, one of the best European indologists, Professor Max Mueller had to write in his famous book "India, What can it teach us that " in order to make our (inner) life more perfect, more comprehensive, more universal, in fact more truly human, a life not for this life only, but a transfigured and eternal life—again I should point to India…"


 

The Vedic seers thus proclaim "Pashya Devashya ….---" see and follow the sweet poetry (Veda) of God which neither dies or decays". There is no philosophy even worth the comparison. All streams of thoughts in the world started from this but with the passage of time got polluted on their journeys. Let us give a clarion call to all the people to learn from the time tested, divine and universal wisdom if we want to have an all round development from individual to society level; from family to global community and get rid of all the simmering discontent, discords, tension, criminal acts, communal riots and the depredations of terrorism in the world.    


 


 

E mail address: allsatya@gmail.com

11.01.2011

Vedas : The Divine Order for World Peace

                                        Dr. Satyapal Singh

                                        allsatya@gmail.com


 

    In this age of knowledge explosion, communications' super highways, and proliferation of religions, peace has become a distant dream. Individual stress, family tension, communal/racial riots, and terrorist strikes, have shattered even the semblance of World Peace.

    Almost every religion claims to have a divine origin and was to be started. for social solidarity, communal co-existence and global peace and bliss. But today, despite the plurality of religions, we are in an age of conflict and confusion, discords and disputes, bickering and battles among various communities and countries. In the name of religion so much blood has been shed in the world that all wars put together could not devour so many lives and properties, Many caste and class leaders and religious preachers and missionaries have turned, at least covertly, into merchants of hate. Many acts of terrorism and suicide bombings are also taking place in the name of religion. Global peace has become a far cry for world leaders.

    The peace depends on individual happiness and co-existence. Co-existence implies two things – diversities and mutual love. It is unfortunate, as Maxim Gorky has mentioned, that man has learnt how to fly in the sky, how to sail on the sea but not learnt how to live together on earth.

    Any religious order which can ensure individual holistic development, foster mutual coexistence and lead to world peace must satisfy 3 acid tests. It has (i)to be divine in nature, (ii) equal in behaviour and (iii) deterrent in character.

I    

A.
Divine Nature:

     In fact, the peace resides in divinity. Individual peace is achieved when one realizes his/her divine nature and the world peace will be possible only when most of the intellectuals would believe in divine common or cosmic consciousness

    I have no intention here to analyze the different religions in the world, but it would be necessary to understand the characteristics of anything called divine. There are many things in the world like air, earth, sun, water and other acts/arts of nature, which are considered to be of divine origin. Divine creation is a product of choice and not of chance,

as many people believe.


 

  1. The divine things are generally beyond the concept of time and space. It is given in the beginning of creation.
  2. Anything having divine origin is pure and perfect, different and distinct, serene and scientific.We cannot improve it or find fault with it. e.g. human body. About 7 billion people (world population), having 70 billion fingers and none matching another.
  3. Any material of divine origin has multiple and multifarious utilities (like stone, sugar cane, flower) while a man-made material has limited uses (like brick, sugar, scent).
  4. The deletion of a name or contribution of any historical personality is not material to a divine religion.
  5. Any divine origin/thing will necessarily have an Universal appeal irrespective of caste, class, colour, community or country. It cannot afford to be sectarian or sectoral/regional.
  6. A divine religion must give a plan for harmonious development of man from conception to cremation or from birth to burial.

B.Test of Equality:

     In God's domain, everything is pure, perfect, beautiful and purposeful. One creation cannot be belittled in comparison to other. The thread of equality runs through the whole creation. For growth and peace, no one should be dubbed as inferior or junior and all should be given equal importance and opportunities. A few religious denominations do not embrace equality even between the co-religionist man and woman. The origin of their philosophy stems from the misconceived belief that inherently a woman is soulless and sinful. In medieval ages, even Hinduism also harboured such notions.

    A true religion must talk about love, harmony and co-existence in the environment. It has no place for competition or violence but co-operation, collaboration and co-existence. The Darwin's theory of survival of the fittest has no place or support here. On the contrary, it must ensure the survival of the weakest.

    In the matter of faith, tolerance must rule supreme. Harbouring hate towards non-believers runs contrary to the spirit of co-existence and peace. Compassion, love and help for the weak and small are the essential ingredients of equality and co-existence.

    The sacred places of prayers, worships, rewards, bilss, heaven or salvation of a true religion cannot be discriminatory or partial for men and women; so called higher or lower categories of human beings based on birth, wealth and status.

    Such religions, which do not believe and practice equality, tolerance and compassion towards others, can not foster co-existence and world peace though overtly they might pretend to profess and preach to do so.

C. Factor of Deterrence:

    Why do have people tensions or disputes? May be due to some lurking fear in their minds. Why do some people commit crime? Either due to extreme poverty, or greed, selfish-material pursuits, carnal, communal or religious motives. We have two types of religions in the world – one believing only in one human life and the concept of faith and forgiveness. If one has committed many crimes and sins, but has complete faith in his/her prophet or local lord/deity he/she will be forgiven, all sins washed away and heaven rewarded. Similar are the beliefs about a dip in holy water and worships, prayers in temples, mosques, churches, mazars or japs by others.

    The other cagtegories of religions believe in the theory of Karma (action) and transmigration of soul. The theory of Karma dictates the inevitable and unavoidable consequences of one's actions – whether wrong or right and no pardon. One has to face the consequences sometime immediately or later either in this life or the next one. This is the insurmountable law of divine justice everywhere. This kind of religion acts as a deterrent for wrongdoing.

    The religion of faith and forgiveness indirectly induces one to violate the principles of humanity, the rules of co-existences, norms of good civilized society and ideals of peace.If a Court/Judge starts forgiving criminals the whole society will be chaotic and unsafe. Who would not like people to be subjected to laws of land? If all people of world embrace the religions of faith and forgiveness, the world would be full of crimes, sins and disturbances.

    Based on the above 3 criteria, the claims of most of the religions that they exist and work for co-existence and peace get non-starter. There is only one religion called Vedic Dharma, which can stand to these tests. The 3 tests of divinity, equality and deterrence also amply prove that Vedic religion only is the true religion of humanity - irrespective of Caste, Class, Creed, Community or Country. It must be emphasized that all the religions have some elements of truth in them but no religion is perfect. The commonality of different religions, where they all agree meaning the essence/core of all religions is called Dharma – the true vedic religion.

    Vedas are eternal and their appeal universal. Nowhere in Vedic literature, it is mentioned that this knowledge is meant only for Bharat / India or to a particular Caste or Class. Vedas talk about equality, universal brotherhood, harmonious development of life and a rational thinking. Its teachings are eternally relevant and capable of ensuring world peace. That is why our seers and Vedic scholars of yore announced - Vedas are source of true religion. A true religion sustains the world, preserves the humanity and binds the society together. As Yogi Aurobindo has stated "experiences of the seers and experiments of the scientists are two pillars of world peace".

    Vedas form the bed rock of culture. Their authority is supreme, self-evident and final. The Vedas have been regarded as divine revelation to humanity since time immemorial. The truth seekers and truth personified seers of yore never doubted this basic premise. In fact, they presented irrefutable arguments to satisfy the anxious minds. The many modern 19th 20th and 21st Century) Sanskrit, Archaeology, language and history scholars who tried to find holes in this claim have worked with preconceived notions and prejudiced minds. Fact is that most of them are not even qualified to understand the Vedic language and philosophy.

    In July, 2007 one book titled "Invading the Sacred: An Analysis of Hinduism studies in America" edited by Krishana Ramaswamy, Antonio de Nicolas and Aditi Banerjee was released in Mumbai. The book has stated, "Unlike in India, the academic study of religion is an important undertaking for intellectuals in America and a few hundred scholars study Hinduism and other Indian religions. Many of them have continued to perpetuate myths and biases about Indian culture and religion through misinterpretation and mistranslations. These are in line with the colonial and missionary caricature of India." The book is the product of a multi-year research project that uncovered shoddy and biased scholarship driven by certain power cartels, its authors said.

    I pose a question to all the distinguished scholars and the other intellectuals of world. Should we believe our seers and forefathers, who always practiced and preached truth. Satyam Vad Dharm Char" was the life breath for them. Or should we believe the modern scholars and professors many of whom work for publicity or money, mortgage their talents, sell their conditioned and borrowed knowledge like other professionals, and carry out biased, selfish or sponsored research.

    "To understand the Vedas", in the words of Pandit Gurudutt Vidyarthi - one of the most profound Vedic Scholars of 19th Century, "one must be a complete master of the science of morals, the science of poetry, and the sciences of geology and astronomy; he must be well-versed in the philosophy of Dharma, the philosophy of characteristics, the doctrines of logic or the science of evidence, the philosophy of essential existences, the philosophy of yoga, and the philosophy of Vedanta; he must be a master of all these and much more before he can lay claims to a rational interpretation of the Vedas. Such then, should be our Vedic scholars though adepts in science and philosophy, unprejudiced and impartial judges and seekers after truth. But if impartiality be supplanted by prejudice, science and philosophy by quasi-knowledge and superstition, and integrity by motive, whereas predetermination takes the place of honest inquiry, truth is either disguised or altogether suppressed." (The Terminology of the Vedas and European Scholars, page, 29-30).

    Vedic religion has always stood for peace from individual enduring happiness and eternal bliss to world peace. Vedic seers have, therefore, laid greater emphasis on education, justice, prosperity and physical/mental alertness to defeat the four eternal enemies of peace (i)ignorance (ii)injustice (iii)insufficiency/deprivation (iv)lethargy/ complacency. All these four singly and conjointly disturb the mind, prompt one to feel fearful or unconcerned, harbor hate, commit crime, kill others and endanger the local and global peace.

    In the words of Swami Dayanand, "The learned men among the followers of every religion should free themselves from prejudice and believe in a religion based on universal and all embracing principles……… Such religion based on truth and all embracing principles can only be the primeval eternal Vedic religion. There is no other way of elevating the human race and building world peace."

    I would like to sum up as all Vedic rites and rituals end with prayer for peace. Even daily prayers end with invocation to Almighty for peace and only peace, not for self or one creed, community or country but for the entire humanity.

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    ¹ãðãä©ãÌããèÍããã䶦ãÀã¹ã:Íããã䶦ãÀãñÓã£ã¾ã:Íããã䶦ã ý

    Ìã¶ãÔ¹ã¦ã¾ã:Íããã䶦ããäÌãÃÏÌñãªñÌãã:Íããã䶦ãºãÆÃÙ½ãÍããã䶦ã:

    ÔãÌãýãá Íããã䶦ã:Íããã䶦ãÀñÌãÍããã䶦ã:Ôãã½ããÍããã䶦ãÀñãä£ã ýý (Yaj 36.17)

May the celestial regions, the firmament, the earth, the waters, herbs and vegetables, the divine powers, the infinite cosmos – all grant us peace. May there be peace and only peace.

    A child get the highest happiness, joy and peace in the lap of his /her mother. So let us sit in the lap of divine mother Veda to attain harmonious development and ensure peace in the environment.

    Let us all behold the divine poetry of the Lord which is beyond decay and death.

    ªñÌãԾ㠹ã;㠇ãŠã̾ã⠶㠽ã½ããÀ ¶ã •ããè¾ãÃãä¦ã
(Atharva 10.8.32)