Modern man is now in a crisis. He is
trying to apply scientific knowledge to all phases of his life and trying to
make it more glorious and happy. The triumphs that science and technology have
brought to our life are really astonishing and amazing. New realms of knowledge
are being unfolded before us day by day. But still there is no peace or
happiness. What is the secret of happiness? Even today it is a sealed book to
the masters of Science. Here we are trying to break up that seal and find out
that secret which is really lying deep in our own values, culture and
civilization because an enquiry into peace can be conducted only by looking
within ourselves.
Values are as a frame which holds us
together and gives shape to what we are. A person without values is like a
paper rose without fragrance. It will be interesting to notice that value are contained
in our scriptures and unless we draw nourishment from them value based life
will remain only an illusion. The Upanishadic vision of the ultimate reality
and how it underlies all spiritual and moral values, forms the foundation of
all our value systems. These value systems permeate all the cultural forms and
attitudes prevalent in India today. Thus we can say that Indian culture and
Upanishads are inseparable. A careful study of Upanishads shows us how that
they are the basis of Indian culture and civilization. No one can ever
understand or appreciate the essence of Indian culture without making a study
of the Upanishads. Every subsequent development of philosophy and religion in
India has drawn heavily from the Upanishads. Hence to have a better
understanding of Indian culture and society, we have to study more about these
wonderful texts.
In Indian Philosophy and culture, the
Vedas are of paramount importance, as they are the earliest literature of our
country. The word ‘Veda’ means ‘revealed wisdom’. The Upanishads, the fourth
and the last stages of Vedic literature represent the culmination of the Vedic wisdom.
Why are they called Vedanta? They are the concluding portions of the Vedas and
therefore called Vedanta. It also represents the end or goal of the Vedas. They
contain the essence of ancient Indian Philosophy and they are the starting
point of all our darshanas. What is the ideal the Upanishads hold before
us? To realize the Eternal Truth within
oneself and feel its presence in the whole of universe. We have to adjust all
our activities in such a way as to reflect that principle of oneness in life.
This is the dharma kept before every human being. The final aim of dharma is
self realization. This constitutes the essence of Upanishadic knowledge. Hence
it is possible to say that they provide an insight into what men seek and can
attain ultimately.
Swami Vivekananda observed that Vedanta was
alienated from the common people. It was he who first brought the message of
Vedanta to the common people. He emphasized the need of re-interpreting Vedanta
in accordance with the demands and needs of the time. So he presented its
essential features in a simple way and worked out the means to apply these
principles to daily life. He showed how Vedantic principles form the basis of
genuine spiritual life and natural morality. Thus Swamiji discovered the real
meaning of Vedanta and interpreted it properly in the contemporary context. He
showed how Vedanta has great potential for restructuring our society.
Today, many years after Swami
Vivekananda, India again is beset with many problems like corruption, terrorism,
communalism, casteism etc. When we try to analyze these problems we will
understand that many of these problems have erupted because of the
disappearances of our moral and ethical values. Younger generation and also
many of us are perplexed by the question “Why should I be honest when every one
is dishonest these days?” My answer to this question points to the relevance of
the philosophy of Upanishads. Today, the world is struggling to discover peace
in the midst of turbulence and chaos and we will have to find ways attain peace.
Vedanta shows us how this can be attained through its positive message of inner
strength. It is a living philosophy and it also fulfils the need for a
universal philosophy. It is rational in its approach and embraces the whole of existence.
This Vedantic message practiced in India proclaimed the principle of harmony
between science and humanism, and also between the sacred and the secular. It
has discovered the unifying force behind the whole universe and it does not
discriminate anyone on the basis of sex, color, caste or creed. Thus it gives
us hope and strength, fearlessness and same sightedness.
In my opinion, imparting this
philosophy of spirit and wisdom to our younger generation will have a deep
impact on their minds. It will also help them to strengthen their character and
serves as a safeguard against all the temptations of life. I bet, a person
fortified with such values of life will develop capacity to withstand all the
immoral pressures of life and can thus be a noble person himself and an asset
to the society and the country. That is why the teachings of Vedanta become
essential. The role of Indian civilization in the future will be determined by
how closely our polity is guided by the philosophy of Upanishads.
Dr.P.I.DEVARAJ
pidevaraj@rediffmail.com
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