Spirituality is fully scientific

31 January 2014

[On the 7^th day of the Aatma Tattva Sameeksha Discourse Series
based on Ashtavakra Samhita in Thrissur, Kerala.]

Life is experiential. I exist and the world also exists; I am awake, I slept; I dreamed. I do not remember, now I do remember; I am old. I am sick. All these are one’s own experiences. Our life is a stream of experiences.

Spirituality, adhyaatma, is self experiential not external perceptible; that is spirituality is self experiential. It is recognizable by anyone else.

In the study of external objects instruments and gadgets are unavoidable. But these are merely instruments to help us in the study. It is our eyes, mind, intellect, which perceive the objects through these instruments and learn about them.

In the study of one’s self no instrument or accessory is needed. Spiritual knowledge is to be gained through the direct employment of one’s mind and intellect.

The information that comes through the senses is analyzed using the mind and intellect and conclusions are arrived at with conviction. Spiritual knowledge which is also similarly arrived at through self introspection and self analysis and is self experiential is thus unquestionable; this has to be acknowledged and accepted.  

Ashtavakra Mahrshi makes the process of Self-realization facile and certain. The entire world is gross and insentient. All the objects around are modifications of the five ‘elements’ namely earth, water, air, fire and sky. I am not any of these objects; I am the one seeing them, perceiving them. It is common knowledge that the one who is seeing cannot be the seen. One is the subject and the other is the object. The subject cannot be the object and vice versa.

I who am the witness of the pancabhootas am separate, different from them. Since I am able to include the vast expanse of the sky in my perception, I have the spatial dimension. The extent of ‘I’ is infinite!

It is the same eye that sees a mustard as well as the vastness of the sky as well as all the planetary bodies hovering in the sky. It is when all these are imprinted in my mind that I begin to experience them. Imagine! What could be the expanse and potential of such a mind that can imprint the entire cosmos within itself?

We are not ‘seeing’ the world; the world shines, is revealed as an imprint in us! This light does not belong to the external objects. It is from the inner power. None of the external objects can or do ever enter our within. All of them are merely imprints made by our mind in our mind.

It is only through vichara, introspection and analysis that we can understand the magnitude and power of this ‘I’ in us.

‘I’ who is the witness of the universe exceeds the universe itself! The universe floats in ‘I’ like bubbles in water. ‘I’ am the basis of these bubbles; and so this perceptible universe also resides in ‘me’ and is dependent on ‘me’.

He who knows this will not have any fear or concern about the universe. He will have no attraction or dislike for the Creation. That is why a spiritual knower, knower of truth, is able to function magnificently. He will always be competent, skillful and glorious in his actions.

The world is a servant in the eyes of a Knower, a Jnaani. ”I” am the Lord.

It is such self conviction and self confidence that is gifted by spiritual knowledge and realization.

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Enrich the greatness and sweetness of Malayalam!

29 January 2014

[On the 5^th day of the Aatma Tattva Sameeksha Discourse Series
based on Ashtavakra Samhita in Thrissur, Kerala.]

Each and every Malayalee, each and every Keralite, has the obligation and onus to  nourish and embellish the mother tongue Malayalam and make it more relishing. This should be reflected more in speech than in Literature. However when the usage of Language becomes greater and greater there may occur a decrease in norms of usage. Constant vigilance against this tendency must be shown.

Clarity of the spoken word must be ensured. For instance the Malayalam word ‘Irinjaalakuda’ becoming ‘IrinjaalakuDa’ results in loss of melodic sweetness. So also it must be ensured that sounds such as क ट त प (ka,Ta, ta,pa); ख छ ठ थ फ (kha ccha THa, tha pha); घ झ ढ ध भ (gha Dha dha bha) are emphasized correctly with appropriate force and resound and practiced. Only when one is able to look and write as also listen and write, will the usage of language become meaningful. There should never arise a need to ask if the word Daśaratha has ‘tha’ (थ) or (ध) dha in it! These distinctions and nuances must be mastered well.

Such a practice calls for close attention to speech  and regulation of the organs of speech. Regulation of the senses and sensory organs are of utmost importance in Spirituality.

We often find the word ‘bhayankara’ (Malayalam) being used indiscriminately. This word which should mean ‘fearful’ is now being liberally used by Malayalees to express just the opposite emotion – namely high appreciation of anything. Such oxymoronic usage of words create confusion of meaning and intention in Malayalam, apart from insulting the language itself.

Similar is the error in usage of soft and hard consonants combinations which often result in total distortion of pronunciation. For example the Malayalam word for Lotus is Padmam. This is seen to be corrupted as ‘Palmam’ which carries no meaning really speaking. In the same way Valmiki cannot be written as Vatmiki as is being done even by the News papers. Valmiki originated from Ratnakara being reborn from anthill called Valmeekam in Sanskrit.

It is said in the Mahabharata that even before 5152 years, the people of Kerala had acquired the nature and stature of ‘Arya-hood’. When considering classical status for Malayalam this fact was not taken into account it seems. How can such a slur on Malayalam be allowed in this State which claims 100% literacy and excellence in education?

We should not delay anymore in employing words according to their pronunciation.

Teachers alone can with love for the language and close attention raise the language from its downfall. It is the learning done in the first four classes of a child’s schooling that determines its language skills. The authorities and teachers should wake up to this fact. The parents can do little in this matter.

The audio-visual media too must take great acre to ensure purity of the usage of language. These may need a separate regulatory mechanism. Constant vigilance is called for in media broadcasts.

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Protection of Dharma unavoidable in code of Law

28 January 2014

[On the 4^th day of the Aatma Tattva Sameeksha Discourse Series
based on Ashtavakra Samhita in Thrissur, Kerala.]

1.      The founders of Indian Constitution have not cared to mention India as our Motherland anywhere in it. Not only that, instead of displaying pride and honour for the greatness and glory of our ancient culture which is thousands of years old, they have upheld as examples the so called Western cultures which are barely a few hundred years old. This only shows the shallowness of their awareness and concern for our great culture and cultural heritage.

2.    The Law and its enforcement though unavoidable, have great sanctity, sublimity. The ultimate authority, the final word and assurance for independence and upkeep of individual, family, society and government rests with the Law and its principles. All people are subject to Law of the land, including the guardians of Law as well as the Government.

Though Law and its system of rules are supreme in their importance, it becomes meaningful only when purity and rationality is ensured in its observance and implementation; else it will be the unfortunate condition of the fence eating the crop.

Recently in case, the court found that the charge sheet filed by the prosecution, after prolonged investigations, was unfounded; the court then rejected it. In some other instances, the court ordered re-investigation finding that the investigations were not based on facts. Such instances only serve to agitate the mind and unsettle the confidence of those who are eager to abide in Dharma. The people will begin to feel orphaned coming to know of these instances. The confidence of common people is gradually declining in the nobility of Law and in the measures to implement it.

This demotes the status of the Ministers who advise the law administrators on policy.

The case charge-sheet and charges were rejected as false by the court, only after the poor innocent victims had already undergone physical and mental torture for nine long years in jail. This incident in which the upholders of Law had themselves become the accused is no credit to any civilized Nation.

Legal ideology, surely does not permit such blatant unruliness. It was right before the wide open eyes of the department secretary, the higher officials including the Minister, that such dirty actions were taken, like a cat stealthily drinking milk with its eyes shut.

In imposing untenable accusations and allegations, in the different stages of investigation, how did the senior officials choose to be indifferent, turning a blind eye? Does our system of Law permit this? Is not such a state of affairs the result of hanging on to inefficient traditionalism? This is a question that all thinkers on Dharma ask. Such lapses and mistakes are a great slur and challenge to the legal system which is supposed to protect and uphold civil rights and liberties in out Nation.

3.       It is an unquestionable fact that everyone, including the Legislative Assembly, the Government, and the courts of Law, are subject to Law. The Laws passed by the Legislative Assembly must conform to the principles of Law. The decisions of the Courts too must follow the same principles. This is an un-negotiable requirement as much as it is for the citizens.

It must be fully acknowledged that the State Legislature is the supreme authority to pass Laws and bring them into effect. Creating obstacles to this in the name of Religion and Faith is to sabotage the Rule of Law. We do not have a government based on Religion; nor do we want it. Just as we have a common criminal code, it is imperative that we have be a common civil code also to protect the rights of women and ensure their equality in society. This has been promised by the Constitution itself. Only if the commitments made by the Constitution are fulfilled by resolving all objections and reservations on this through honourable negotiations, discussions, and peaceful means, will the integrity of our Nation be secured. Any delay or indifference towards this will only be exhibition of impertinence and audacity towards the Constitution of India.

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It’s time we reestablish Sanskrit

27 January 2014

[On the 3^rd day of the Aatma Tattva Sameeksha Discourse Series
based on Ashtavakra Samhita in Thrissur, Kerala.]

It is our literary creations like Ashtavakra Samhita, that represent India’s culture more than any physical remnants in our country.

It is because the Vedas, Upanishads and allied scriptural compositions were composed in the scientific and refined Sanskrit language that we are still able to read and understand them with the same clarity, meaning and force, with which they were written ages ago. That is why Sanskrit is named Devanagari, something extraordinary and supraworldly!

All the sounds and words arising from the human mouth have been codified and sequentially arranged to form the string of alphabets in Sanskrit language. The manner of blending, like milk and water, the hard-soft, and soft-hard consonants in Sanskrit, is extraordinary and extremely interesting. Sanskrit language, which has been reigning for countless millennia without any mutilation or decay, is vibrantly alive even today.  To think of it as a dead language even in dream would only be sheer ignorance downgrading oneself.

Sanskrit was the official language in our country, years ago, just as in a way, Hindi and English are today. Sanskrit was the means of communication between the Kings and Rulers of the different regional cultures and languages in our country.  Yes, it was the inter-kingdom and inter-regional language of India.

The manner in which British Rulers plucked out Sanskrit from the midst of our people and thrust their English was a governing policy, to entrench themselves in our land.

Mandarin, which is their common language, is the main strength of unity among the people of China, which has a population more than India’s.

We are happy that we have imbibed English language so well.  But we cannot agree to let our own Sanskrit, the backbone of our culture and traditions, be dislodged from amongst us.

Sanskrit language is rich in words, expressions, ideas, view points, subtle meanings, scientific outlook and in such other aspects.

Any language can survive long only if its constituents and core are preserved carefully. We should have extreme alacrity in preserving the clarity of pronunciation, the rules of conjuncting words and letters, care and attention in choice of words, attention to formation of sentences, above all adherence to grammar. 

Teachers of language and the audio-visual media must pay particular attention to this.

Our debt to Sanskrit language and Sanskrit culture, will be repaid only when we are able to build a cultural city somewhere in India, with all modern amenities, where at least about two lakhs of people who speak Sanskrit and communicate in Sanskrit in the country can live together and conduct their affairs in Sanskrit, and thus re-establish Sanskrit as the official language there!

Children, there, will learn Sanskrit in a natural way as their mother-tongue. In due course a Sanskrit University should materialize there.

People there should be able to study ancient Sanskrit texts and also produce contemporary Sanskrit Literature, Poetry, Dramas and hold competitions that will draw worldwide attention. The contemplated City of Sanskrit should be built and developed facilitating these objectives.

If the lovers of Sanskrit and the Government of India begin to contemplate on these lines, that would be the greatest tribute to their cultural patriotism and allegiance.

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Household children are the future citizens

26 January 2014

[On the 2^nd day of the Aatma Tattva Sameeksha Discourse Series
based on Ashtavakra Samhita in Thrissur, Kerala.]

The security and strength of any Nation consist in the love and feeling of integrity that arise in those born there. The effort to instill fondness for the Nation and citizenly awareness in young people should come equally from parents, teachers, people and the Government.

Food, clothes and house are the primary needs of body alone. Values and principles constitute the nourishment for the mind.

Spiritual truths alone can empower a person to act with confidence, stability and conviction, in any critical situation or circumstance, by grasping and assessing the facts and compulsions around.

The behavioural characteristics of people based on spiritual truths themselves form the cultural traits. Only the first part of this is begotten from birth; the other is developed through education and interpersonal interactions. It is necessary to establish methods for instilling spiritual values and truths through lessons and practical sessions in homes and educational institutions.

This is where Central and State Governments should discharge their individual responsibilities with discretion. However, the story so far has been of failure only.

Programmes on the lines of Five-Year Plans of the country, should be formulated and launched to educate the young students in National fondness, fidelity and cultural values. Methods to monitor the efficiency and utility of the scheme and to take timely measures of correction to make them fruitful should also be instituted. This should be taken up with the sense of immediacy.

In providing the cultural education, there should be no unnecessary religious overtones. Our culture has always been one of self refinement, self invigoration and self-empowerment, to remain devoted to the service of others. These virtues are imbibed from spiritual truths and values, all of which relate to and rest upon the emotional mind and rational intellect. So much so that they allow no rejection on grounds of religion or religious practices.

Culture itself is the artful expression of the intellectual achievement of a society, regarded and practised collectively by its members. Its strength and inevitability come from the people themselves, their thoughts, aspirations and ideals. The term ‘intellectual achievement’ instantly makes culture rational and scientific.

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