Monday, 23 June 2025

Upanishads - An investigation -2.

            Methodology of research 



It is the second part of our process of being familiar with Upanishads. 
वैदिक वाङमय अपनी बातों को आँख मूँद कर मानने के लिए नहीं कहता। निर्धारित मापदंड ----- पाँच प्रमाण और उन्हें जाँचने के लिए तीन सुत्र (formula) । 
शब्द या शास्त्र प्रमाण, आप्त प्रमाण (time tested), आत्म प्रमाण (साधना से जाना), साक्षी प्रमाण (औरों ने वही जाना साधना से), प्रत्यक्ष प्रमाण। इन पाँचों की व्याख्या अलग - अलग मिलती है इसीलिए तीन सुत्रों का प्रयोग अवश्य करें। And for that :-
There are three formulas for judging the authenticity of any Vedic scripture which may include a part or the full scripture. They can also be used for seeing the sangati and deciphering, as and where required. They are as follows:

1. श्रुति, युक्ति तथा अनुभूति or study, reasoning and experience.
2. पक्ष (the side who will prove own point), प्रतिज्ञा (oath), हेतु (cause/reason), दृष्टान्त (example), निगमन (conclusion/QED). In the books one can see two or three more steps but no need to be afraid. Some will say hetu before oath or thing required to be proven separately but that is the part of the oath which will be taken by the side who wants to prove their own point. The books are sometimes published like that. Personally didn't take पक्ष separately. While discussing the example, analysis is done by both sides which is the inbuilt part of the process. 
3. Pancha Adhikarana: विषय (subject), संशय (doubt), पूर्व पक्ष (against), उत्तर पक्ष (for), निगमन /प्रयोजन (conclusion/need).


The word श्रुति of the first formula is related with, the study of those scriptures which are needed to understand a particular subject. It is just like the academic syllabus and the meaning must not be limited to any particular scripture(s). As soon as one hears or reads this word, the meaning is related with veda. It is not a book and authoritative in nature. It provides information and never forces its content on others. The other formulas are needed to help the first one and may be preferred where the authentic material is either not available in one place or it is full of contradictions. This trio must be followed sincerely. Running after one or two will misguide,create confusion and promote contradictory interpretation in the name of conclusion. 

   In order to make the technique (process) clear (digestible) word(s) is /are added but that must not manipulate the process. Like there isn't any separate or independent thing as atma but the word is used in the Vedic literature which points towards the absolute reality. If the teacher talks directly about nothing but Brahman (ब्रह्म) exists and there's no need to quarrel in the name of dualism, non dualism, etc, most of the students will remain confused. For the person who isn't from the classical tradition of गुरुकुल and is self taught either via net or reading hard copies or just running after surface meaning will search the added word in the texts. Like the sutras of all the schools of Indian philosophy were scattered (directly or indirectly in codified way) in the Vedic literature and were later categorized under different heads. 

Now if any person quarrels by saying that the names are absent in the literature so Indian philosophy isn't present in the Vedic literature, is just wasting time. In the same way the use of the word *प्रतिज्ञा (oath in the English) talks about the specific statement which is taken as correct by one side and gives the reason (hetu in which words of प्रतिज्ञा वाक्य) can't be used. And like this debate goes till the conclusion is reached. One must follow the process and stop scratching head for the word used to denote the steps. The experienced person will not use them (terms) and there are cases where even hetu isn't said separately or oath stays silent in the starting. The formulas are meant to show the way of working. 

While saying something about any word used in an ancient scripture, one must give priority to the period when it was used. A human mind gives meaning and form to every word, that is why, meaning changes from time to time and place to place. In the case of the same language and in the same period, changes can be easily noticed. It happens with every language. A reader may have a doubt about the written material of Vedic Literature since they were written in different periods and by different scholars. The surface meaning differs from scripture to scripture and it may be taken as they are rejecting each other. In the society it is often said, sayings of rishis do not match with one another. While presenting a paper on Charvaka Philosophy in BHU in 2013, a scholar from Assam raised the same doubt mentioned above and passed a sarcastic remark via body language. After all, if academicians hear that Charvaka school is not atheist, its sutras/principles are very useful, there will be raised eyebrows since most of them have never decoded the sutras and most probably got a PhD by labeling as a supporter of hedonism. It isn't their shortcoming, their mind is directed by their personal faith towards any cult, sect, 'Guru' who's expert in brainwashing, etc. One professor of Rajasthan University accepted the hurry of getting a degree for a job which prevents horizontal and vertical research in philosophy or ancient scriptures. The urge of decoding the sutras, matching various scriptures and extracting the essence from them never sees the sunlight. In most of the cases a student is unable to imagine these points and just try to support the notes of the guide and if by chance someone tries, a shortage of scholars is noticed. It is an ironical situation where the tradition of proper guidance is in a disappointing position. A fear of losing the chair or even jealousy by seeing the sharp intellect of a student creates a barrier which is harmful for the masses. In India there is only one example in the field of scriptural education where a pupil, Ramacharya logically rejected the book Advait Siddhi written by his teacher Acharya Madhusudan Saraswati and gave the commentary named Tarangini to his teacher as a guru dakshina. And the open-minded teacher blessed him and said, 'I am proud that my shishya (student) has rejected (खंडन) me(my book).' The Vedic rishis who prepared the literature were foresighted and for the convenience of researchers gave three formulas to understand the scriptures. 


 The formulas help in the matching and tuning of the scriptures. The Vedic literature has never asked anyone to follow them blindly and they don't dictate terms. Any statement or saying can be judged and acceptance depends, on the result of, judgment. If the process of judging rejects, the line concerned, is not a part of Vedic literature. The formulas are given for use and they prove the openness of the scriptures. A scripture or its part comes in the list of Vedic Literature, if it reveals or supports the essence of Veda. 

What is that essence? 

The state of realization and staying in that without compromising on swadharma. A swadharma is that which asks a person to perform a course of action, required to be done at a given time and place. This is also done by a terrorist but the difference is, the concept of the welfare of mass is absent. None of the scriptures have ever asked anyone to run away from the assigned role. If home is taken as a monastery, profession or business run in a spiritualistic manner, the essence has been digested and applied. The spiritualistic manner denotes the status of mind where work is performed with a vision of service of the lord and the mass. There is no complaint regarding the standard of the work and this mentality gives due respect to the division of labor. 

There's no need to convert a monastery / ashram in a home or convert spirituality into business. When a person is not prepared from inside, any kind of external acceptance of renunciation is just a drama which brings name-fame and not more than that. Most of the renowned demons/asuras were also realized but their nature didn't change. Therefore realization isn't the final or only thing, one must know the way of proper behavior. After all, the path of spiritualism emerges from a balanced approach towards behavior. Self realization doesn't support the idea of doing as you like. That is why, formulas were given and Upanishads even boldly asked the seekers to take the essence and keep them aside. 

This second part was meant for introducing the formulas which can be used by every student or admirer of Vedic literature. It hammers the orthodox view of not allowing females and people of so called lower caste( as if caste is by birth), to study, chant or even in some cases to listen to the Vedic verses. This vision is the result of 'Inapt Education' where the tendency of controlling society by unfair means is proved.  

Can these formulas be used to judge dharmashastras (धर्मशास्त्र) or commentaries or books published in the name of old authors ? 


The formulas can be used for all kinds of scriptures which are taken as a part and parcel of Vedic literature. Since scores of books are written and published by various cults and so called swayambhu ( स्वयंभू) gurus the society stays flowing in a wild river and cries for peace by saying ignorance is bliss.
Since India was divided into many small kingdoms and the people used to follow the religious belief of the ruler and if the new one followed another tradition the residents were attracted towards that. This change was mainly due to the defeat of the current ruler and the kingdom going in the hands of a ruler who follows something else or the kingdom doesn't have a successor so a new one is choosen who may not follow the same religious track. On the other hand India was attacked several times and the invaders destroyed Nalanda and takshila which were renowned places of education. The libraries of these two places were burnt and later on a part of the literature was destroyed by the various which emerged during Mughal period.

  Since Sanskrit didn't remain the medium of education and the scriptures were all in Sanskrit so it became easy to control the society by manipulated interpretation. With this every cult followed its own agenda and played with the faith of the mass. Instead of going into their history, it is better to use the formulas to follow the scriptures and know the ground reality about those claims which are being made famous in the name of Vedic literature.

The treaties or smritis or dharmashastras were written to meet the requirements of a particular era and none said that they are unchangeable but every kind of torture was done in their name. With this portions were added to them to preserve personal interest. Therefore the formulas are the last option available to open the door.

In the last but not least the mass is misguided by the puranas which are full of contradictions, controversial facts and cooked stories. There's no guarantee of their version so formulas are really an eye opener. If we take the example of Devi Bhagavatam which glorifies female form of the almighty in a horrible manner and there was a chaos of granting a status of purana to this or to the Srimad Bhagavat. The former book proves that sukadeva was married and has tried to create a division in the male - female forms of almighty which is actually formless and nameless. It shows an extremist approach while describing Gayatri which is a meter and a line written on that is called gayatri mantra (for details one can see the post - Gayatri in the eyes of the Upanishads ). It is simply a case of intellectual terrorism. In the case of sukadeva other evidences are opposing the angle of marriage which goes against the desire of Devi Bhagvatam. It is easy to say that this book belongs to another era or another chaturyuga.
  Swami Rajashram wrote Durjanmukhchapetika (दुर्जनमुखचपेटिका) in the favor of Devi Bhagvat is the purana. Kashinath Bhutt opposed and wrote Durjanmukhmahachapetika (दुर्जनमुखमहाचपेटिका) and another intellectual wrote Durjanmukhapadyapaduka (दुर्जनमुखपद्यपादुका) in the favor of Devi Bhagvat. 

It shows the uncontrolled desire of promoting self interest in the name of scriptures. The books written by devotees are taken as proof for all which is absurd because the cult may take it as a proof but if they want to promote in the name of ancient scriptures formulas must be used to check their claim. It may be one or three marriages of hanuman or camel as his vehicle or any other issue.

 The deities may do as they like but there must be uniformity of expression in the scriptures for the mass because by taking them as proof the society is divided and the groups start misbehaving with others by promoting their version. Many temples are built on that basis and huge marketing is done to promote them under every circumstance . 


What about those who do not trust formulas or are unable to work with them??
      Only the required sadhana related with the nature of the query. Conclusion must be discussed with the people of equal or higher frequency related to the topic. Like in science experiments are conducted but conclusions are checked by other scientists related to the same topic. They also do the experiment. If the conclusion is the same, a theory comes for the mass. A common rule. Not going in details 4 a while. Therefore if you want to know the sadhana needed. Here it means oneness with the topic /query. You don't have to follow formulas. Own conclusion may be due to the STM, LTM, upbringing so we ask to have healthy discussion with the people who have done the sadhana for the particular topic on which you're doing. The word sadhana means total dedication, dekegene, determination or meditating on the words (query). Hearty intellect deals with that everytime. In the sub conscious mind also the query is present while doing other physical work. In free time that part also joins the subconscious level. 

Is sadhana needed with the formulas? 
Sadhana is already present in the process which needs dedication, determination and devotion towards the work. There is no need to take any illusionary meaning of the word sadhana. 

✍️✍️✍️✍️✍️✍️✍️✍️✍️✍️✍️✍️✍️✍️✍️✍️✍️

I've personally used them in my research journey. They even took the test of my hearty intellect and never allowed any personal like - dislike to overshadow the conclusion meant for sharing.


Monday, 28 April 2025

সনাতন ধর্ম ও আমরা

সনাতন ধর্ম ও আমরা

তরুণ প্রজন্ম বৈদিক সাহিত্যের দিকে এগিয়ে যাচ্ছে দেখে ভালো লাগছে। ভুয়া গুরুদের বাজার ভরে গেছে যারা বেদের নামে ভুল প্রচার করছে। এটা বহু পুরনো ঐতিহ্য তাই পরিস্থিতি বিশ্লেষণ করা কর্তব্য।

সনাতন ধর্ম কোন বিশেষ খাদ্যের উপর ভিত্তি করে নয়। নিরামিষ ও আমিষের নামে অহেতুক বিশৃঙ্খলা সৃষ্টি করা হয়। দুজনেই হিন্দু। ভারতীয় সাধুরা যারা আমিষ খাবার খেতেন তাদের কিছু নিরামিষ প্রচারকদের দ্বারা অপমান করা হয় কিন্তু সেটা ভুল। আধ্যাত্মবাদ বা আত্মজ্ঞানের সাথে এর কোনো সম্পর্ক নেই। কেন তারা অন্যকে অপমান না করে নিজেদের প্রচার করতে পারে না? বিশ্বব্যাপী এমন অনেক সাধু ছিলেন যারা আমিষভোজী ছিলেন এবং তাদের অপমান করার অধিকার কারও নেই।

 যেভাবে আমিষভোজী হিন্দুদের ঘৃণা করা হয় তা সত্যিই লজ্জাজনক। তারা হিন্দু ধর্ম ত্যাগ করলে দায়ী কে হবে? গত কয়েক দশক ধরে অনেক লোক যারা নিজেকে সনাতনী বলে ভান করে হিন্দু ধর্মকে সম্পূর্ণ নিরামিষ বলে প্রজেক্ট করছে। গীতার উদাহরণ নেওয়া হয়েছে যেখানে খাবারের জিনিস লেখা নেই। যখন উপনিষদ লেখা হয়েছিল তখন মাছ-মাংস খাওয়া প্রচলিত ছিল। দেবীর অনেক মন্দিরে প্রসাদ হিসাবে আমিষ খাবার রয়েছে। দক্ষিণ ভারতের কয়েকটি মন্দিরে আমিষ বিরিয়ানি নৈবেদ্যম হিসাবে দেওয়া হয়। ছাগল কোরবানি করা মানুষরাও সোশ্যাল মিডিয়ায় এর বিরোধিতা করে। কয়েকজন আমাকে বলেছে যে তাদের প্রবণতা অনুসরণ করতে হবে। আপনি আমার চ্যানেলে এই বিষয়ে ভিডিও দেখতে পারেন।

৩৩ কোটি দেবস উপনিষদ সম্পর্কে এর প্রধান প্রমাণ। অন্যান্য শিশুসুলভ কারণ বিশ্লেষণ না করে নিজের মতাদর্শের প্রচারের জন্যই বোঝানো হয়েছে। উপনিষদ স্পষ্টভাবে 33 টি বিভাগের কথা বলে। কোটি শব্দের অর্থ ইংরেজিতে শ্রেনী বা বিভাগ বা বিভাগ। দুর্ভাগ্যবশত কোটির আরেকটি অর্থ বিখ্যাত হয়ে গেল। সনাতনীরাও এটা প্রচার করছে। অন্যান্য অর্থগুলি আরও মজার, ঠিক যেমন কয়েকজন পেঁয়াজ রসুন গাজর কাঁঠালের উৎপত্তি সম্পর্কে বোকা কারণ বলছেন। এটা আয়ুর্বেদ এবং কৃষি পণ্য সম্পর্কিত পুরানো শাস্ত্রের বিরুদ্ধে যায়।
 ব্যক্তিগত ব্যাখ্যা সংশ্লিষ্ট সম্প্রদায়/কাল্ট/মুক্ত চিন্তাবিদ এবং তাদের অনুসারীদের জন্য ভালো। যখন এটি বেদের সরলীকরণের সাথে সম্পর্কিত হয়, তখন এটিকে ভরের জন্য গ্রহণযোগ্য করতে নির্ধারিত সময় পরীক্ষিত পরামিতি ব্যবহার করতে হবে। বৈদিক যুগের ঋষিরা কোন ধর্মগ্রন্থ বা ভাষ্য বা উপস্থাপনের অন্য কোন রূপের সত্যতা বিচার করার সূত্র দিয়েছিলেন।

রহস্যবাদের নামে অনেক কিছু বিখ্যাত। ধ্যানের নিদর্শন, চিত্র, রঙ দেখা প্রায়শই লালন-পালনের উপর ভিত্তি করে যেখানে একটি শিশু ক্রমাগত এই ধরনের সাহিত্যের সাথে থাকে। এটি মস্তিষ্কে এলটিএম (দীর্ঘমেয়াদী মেমরি) সংরক্ষিত থাকে এবং ধ্যান বা গভীর চিন্তার সময় ধীরে ধীরে বেরিয়ে আসে যেখানে অবচেতন মন বিভিন্ন জিনিস দেখানোর খেলা খেলতে শুরু করে। এগুলি প্রায়শই সত্য হিসাবে নেওয়া হয় এবং বইগুলি কেবল রচিত হয় না তবে বৈদিক সাহিত্যের অংশ হিসাবে প্রচার করা হয়।

 অন্যদিকে আমরা বিভিন্ন সভ্যতায় কিছু সাধারণ চিহ্ন, জ্যামিতিক নিদর্শন দেখতে পাই। প্রতীকগুলির বৈশ্বিক মিল একটি কাকতালীয় বা কপি পেস্ট নয় বরং আধ্যাত্মিক উদ্ঘাটন। সবচেয়ে প্রচলিত শতকোনা বা ডেভিড তারকা। আরেকটি সাত নম্বর। সাদৃশ্য দেখার সময় একজনকে সতর্ক হতে হবে। এটা অবশ্যই 'একরকম প্রমাণ' ধারণার ক্ষেত্রে হবে না
 আমি এই বিষয়ে দুটি পোস্ট দেখিয়েছি.


Thursday, 7 March 2024

Charvaka Philosophy


A portion of my published paper. It was presented in BHU in January, 2013.

The base of Indian philosophy is Vedic literature. The recognized schools are – Charvaka, Buddhist, Jain, Samkhya, Yoga, Vaiśeṣika,Nyaya, Mimansa and Vedanta. It is not the final division or permanent division. There are few schools which are either not taught in detail or they were only meant for a particular period. With this few schools are totally lost. Some of them are mentioned in the scriptures. Buddhism and Jainism were converted into separate religions. The former got royal patronage and the society followed the ruler. Slowly – slowly Jainism also flourished as a separate religion. Their scholars and monks claim that they are totally different from Hinduism. Their scriptures are also as old as Vedas. The current discussion is not related to this. After all, everyone wants permanent relief from stress and strain. If they get permanent relief and freedom from the cycle of birth, other views are not important. There is no need to quarrel on name and form.

A period came when the society saw the uprising of Mimansa School. It was a lengthy period in our history. Though it got a slight break in the period of Buddhism, afterwards it again showed its influence. They loved the ritualistic part which was prepared or manipulated by demons. They were pampered and sponsored by the royal class. From another stand point, it seems, every school started working for popularity (preyas).

Among the schools mentioned, Charvaka, Buddhism and Jainism are termed as atheist. The so-called followers of theism keep safe distance from above three schools. Out of these, the Charvaka was termed as totally untouchable. Even other atheist schools do not like this one. According to some scholars, it rejects the authority of the Veda. According to them, the Veda establishes the next world. So, anyone who discards the next world is rejecting Veda. For them it is not proof.

According to the sponsored scholars, atheists are godless people. How can anyone survive without god? On one hand the preachers promote the idea of everything being made and maintained by God. In the end, everything goes in him, therefore, nothing can exist without his knowledge. Human beings do not have any right to decide this matter. They do not have the required authority. Only God can decide, who’s with him and not. The matter related with the next world is an imagination of a few cults. The purpose of Veda is not dependent on that. What’s the ground reality? Are atheist schools really useless? When the sutra of every school is supported by the Vedic literature, there has to be some ulterior motive in underestimating them. The literature won’t promote useless thing. There’s nothing useless in the universe. We might not be familiar or do not want to extract the essence from them.

The sutras in ancient scriptures didn’t name any school directly. They reflected the thought process. While thinking, a person stays at any one of them. The mentality of attachment, took it as a sutra of personal ideology. Slowly- Slowly it developed in a separate school. The concept of having sutras of various natures in the literature is easy to understand. The scriptures follow the policies of caring attitude. They behave like a caring mother, who knows the requirement of every child. When a person’s mind swings among nature, body and society, the Samkhya School is helpful in nourishing his thoughts. With this, if there is a liking towards health, yoga will be helpful. A person totally attached towards rituals and fruits of action, the Mimansa School will be the first choice. This school got too much importance during the rule of different kings. The lust was pampered and promoted in different forms. The scholars of this and the school of yoga got royal patronage easily. Instead of going into surgical operation, it can be easily said, all of them helped in or the other way.

On the basis of the above technique, the process of analytical thinking started. The storm of thoughts brought a shower of questions. It turned into a river of analyses. Everyone is attracted towards this or that ford (ghat). The river flows through them and enters an ocean of solution. Every ford gives temporary relief. We do stay there, for some time. The absence of permanent relief asks for further journey. The analytical process starts again. It goes on till permanent relief is obtained. This is the story of Indian philosophy. The fords denote different schools. One of the unique features of the Indian philosophical trend is; they exist inside and outside. All of them are right in their own place. On the ground of behavioral reality their importance cannot be neglected. The day to day behavior, of an individual, reflects different levels of actions. They are the results of pre-occupied thoughts, arising and capturing the mind immediately after being a part of the scene. The thinking style of every individual is different. The same individual’s style also differs from time to time. The reaction towards the same thing differs. After thinking deeply, an individual may not react in the same way, as it did before.

A common example, given by the lovers of division is, about a few blind people, touching the different parts of an elephant. After that, each person comments on its shape. Among them one person touched the leg and for him the animal was like a pillar. A person touched his tail and said, it was like a rope. Another one touched the trunk and said, it was like a snake. One touched the portion of the body which was above the leg. For him, the animal was like a wall. In this example one must assume that everyone had the concept (idea) of those things which were compared with the parts. Without this, the example will be wrong. On the other hand, this example is suitable only for fanatic people. They keep their inner eye closed and are extrovert. This example is suitable for the cults and not for the philosophical schools. For the purpose of discussion, the word school is used. You can also use it for educational purposes. The only risk is, in the educational system they are taught as the competitor of one another. The educational system is only interested in making you blind. The above example is also suitable for the syllabus of philosophy. The cults and the current syllabus are trying their best, to confuse the masses. They are achieving their goal by broadening and maintaining the division in the intellect. They are not ashamed to play with the faith of an individual.

The values present in the Charvaka philosophy, help in maintaining cordial relation and decorum, with the self and the society. In between there are family, relatives, friends, strangers, flora and fauna. A behavioral pattern emerges from them. Gradually, they become a symbol of identification. According to maturity and grasping power, everyone gets a set of values. The journey of thinking or analyzing starts with the body level. After all, physical body is essential for every level of thinking. For behavior or spiritualism, you can’t reject the need and importance of the physical body. 

An urge to understand the link in the thought process is essential. While migrating from one level to another one, mind and intellect searches for moments of rest. It is a natural process. The Indian system believes in trying and not only on accomplishment. This system, gives space for internal growth. It doesn’t believe in forcing. Every one can’t grow internally in the same speed. They take their own time. Here, the concept of inferior-superior is absent. There’s a common element present in every case. All of us are in search of permanent relief. According to natural laws, the people are attracted and attached to this and that school. You can also call it, as a level of thought or platform of analyses. A feeling of satisfaction arises in the mind. The person takes it as the required solution. Slowly-slowly the tendency of becoming fanatic develops in the mind. Instead of judging self-development, he becomes unreasonable and illogical. The stops are only meant for analysing self-development.

In those cases where the above signs are dull, the person starts this process. Numerous doubts arise in the mind. If the person cares about personal spiritual growth, he’ll start walking on that path. Until and unless, the mind gets permanent calmness, it remains agitated and upset. It may behave peacefully at the level of the gross body but there’s no peace at the subtle and causal level. As soon as this hollowness is noticed, the person becomes restless.

It is the second category, where people are attached with the stops, coming in the process of thinking. They run after names and care about external appearance. It is a natural tendency. The human mind is easily attracted towards a new thing. It searches options. This is cashed by pseudo intellectuals. They wear robes, follow rules in public and chant long prayers. It is nothing else but a show business. You are only using physical and intellectual strength.

In this path there’s a third category. There are few people in this. They may or may not be good in bookish studies but they are awakened towards the path of spiritualism. They do not care about the stops or the marketing techniques adopted by different cults.

For a student of class one, his class is important, useful and for some extent fearful. After promotion, the same scene is seen and the only change occurs is, in the number of the class. Before, it was one, now two and so on. Every class brings some excitement and attraction. After coming to the next class, previous one can’t be rejected. One may laugh on it but can’t negate its importance. None of the class is inferior-superior. Every class contributes something in the carrier of every scholar. In behavior we say, he’s in higher class or in college or in university. A lower class is not meant for rejection. Now, in the terms of syllabus, one dimension can be added. A same subject is taught from class one to ten. The topics are kept according to the grasping power of the students. Even in the case of mother tongue this rule is maintained. If something is needed to be given, it is presented in light or diluted manner. The classical literature is not added directly from upper KG or class one.

The Indian philosophy deals like this. This is an important reason for their survival. Their sutras were written, to maintain the balance in behavior. After all, none can stay without behavior. The balance in behavior is needed everywhere. If you stay in a forest, flora-fauna will be there. You’ll behave with natural things. At the body level you’ll behave with yourself. It may be mentally but it is still a behavior. An action less situation is a fallacy because it is also an action. You’re under the influence of the same kind of thought. We can’t stay without breathing. Though it is automatic but it is also an action. You may not speak from mouth but you’re continuously using sign language. It is also a kind of talking. You will get name and fame. The people will come to see you. That is the only gift you’ll receive for your penance. You’re taking food and liquid from mouth. For that purpose, mouth is opened. Therefore the mouth is in motion. It is not in silence mode. You have gone through Prasthantrai (Gita, Upanishad and Brahma sutra). You might have attended one to four years course on them. You have become a good orator and writer. You may have taken robes or paid lump sum amount and started staying in, any ashram. How much material has gone through you? How much you have digested? In the absence of upasana and karma yoga, digestion won’t take place. It proves the need and the importance of behavior. Here, the upasana is not related with any special category of rituals.

Charvaka philosophy helps the walkers in very positive way. Like other schools, if does not claim anything. In fact, none of them force themselves on others. Their followers (intellectuals, writers, preachers and sponsors),  claim their own superiority on other schools. For establishing themself they went on defaming, rejecting eachother. None of the sutras of any established school says, they are the final things and one must follow, in order to achieve liberation. The sutras are broad minded. After dividing them in schools, scholars have tried to keep them indoors. It is just like playing with fire in which chances of burning fingers are more. The emphasis must be on use and not on the misuse of the sutras. 

This part of discussion can be made clear by the example of Indian educational system. It is a known fact; examples are not a photo copy, of the thing for they are used. One must take the part which is needed for the implied meaning.

When the behaviour is essential, one must keep inner eyes open. By remaining awakened, a person is able to analyze the situation. While analyzing the situation, peculiar situations comes in the picture. It often becomes difficult to take the decision. A common man finds himself / herself standing on a cross road, where different options are available and it 
is difficult to choose the right one. In order to guide the person in taking the required decision, Indian philosophical schools behave like a mirror. This process will be clear when a reader reads this paper.

Spiritualism is nothing but staying in self. Most of the time is invested in behaving with others. How much is invested for ourselves? Here, no one is asking to run away from the assigned duties. Thinking is the official signal of this path. It starts from Charvaka. Why not from any other school? This school deals more with the body and behaviour. To accept or negate a body, you must have a body. It can also be termed as the first step or stop of preliminary investigation, needed in the path of spiritualism.

This is the only school which talks about social responsibility of every individual and talks about democracy in a codified style. It doesn’t favor the idea of determining caste by birth. In fact total Vedic literature is in the favor of gun-karma or the qualities of a person.

It is really a pity where Indian schools of philosophy are taught as atheist and theist. All the three - charvaka, Jain and Buddha are theistic. On the other hand Indian system do not have the western concept of atheism which is God centered and the definition of God is also not crystal clear. 
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There's one post on Charvaka in Hindi in this blog. 

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Charvaka Management - in the Amazon . It also has the sutras in the Sanskrit language. https://images.app.goo.gl/Td7kxdckT8CyNfd79


One kindle edition for Kindle users. 




Tuesday, 22 August 2023

in the name of teaching veda

The game of guruism 


It is nice to see that the young generation is moving towards Vedic literature. The market is full of fake gurus who are preaching wrong things in the name of vedas. This is an age -old tradition so it is our duty of every true sanatani to analyse the situation. The young mind is like a blank paper and any kind of written material results in disaster. The concerned person becomes a fanatic brainwashed follower. In most of the cases they're not even ready to check the received information in the name of blind devotion towards their own guru. Normally every human being is given 5 gurus by birth. Unknowingly or the vision of staying in the comfort zone stops a person from properly maintaining, respecting nature and gifted gurus.
You are invited to listen the experimented and experienced analysis on the word 'guru'.
(links of two live on the word guru is given in the comment. Please listen them.). 

Western atheism, God, spirit, demon, etc do not apply on Vedic literature and Indian philosophy. Bhagvan and ishwar are different and God isn't the right translation. Discussion on these is present in the blog and the channel. Here the example of the word asura will be taken. It is taken as negative energy or negative quality. Whereas Adi Shankaracharya described it as extrovert person in the bhashya of Chandogya Upanishad. It isn't his personal interpretation but it is revealed in the upanishad itself. 
Q - Why this word was taken here? 

A - The river Danube was known as Dānubius in Latin (Dānubiī or Dānubī). Few took it as demon and even translated as asura. The lineage totally follows and defines philosophically when someone asks the reason of calling the river Danube as asura. The essence of their answer is, the river is the pure light and asura is the negative quality. And both are present in all of us. Whereas the river Danube is also known as Istros, Dunaj, Duna, Dunav, Duna, Donau, Dunăre.

Danu (Sanskrit: दनु, romanized: Dānu) is a Hindu goddess mentioned in the Rigveda as the mother of the eponymous race of Danavas. This translation needs to be analysed properly. Just on the similarity of the word Danu few equated it with the river Danube and others with the Celtic goddess Danu of nature and motherhood. In Ireland one can hear people calling themself as the children of that goddess. To prove the connection with India few claim that after the defeat in Das Rajan Yudh mentioned in the Rigveda, the king who worshipped Danu migrated towards Europe. The so-called gurus cleverly called danu as river goddess. That is why European rivers have 'da' in their name. None felt sorry to change the introduction of 'Danu' who was more like a family or community deity. She was promoted as the 'river goddess' which is totally fake. 

Sanatan dharma is not based on any particular diet. Unnecessary chaos is created in the name of vegetarians and non vegetarians. Both are hindus. Indian saints who ate non vegetarian food are insulted by a few vegetarian preachers but that is wrong. It has nothing to do with spiritualism or atma gyan. Why can they not promote themself without insulting others? Globally there were many highly elevated saints who were non vegetarian and no one has the right to insult them. A true seeker won't do this. 

The way in which non vegetarian hindus are hated is really shameful. If they leave Hinduism, who will be responsible? From the past few decades several people who pretend to be sanatanis are projecting Hinduism as totally vegetarian. Examples of Gita are taken where a food item is not written. When upanishads were written the consumption of fish and meat was common. Many temples of devi have non vegetarian food as prasad. Non vegetarian biryani is offered as naivedyam in the few temples of south India. People sacrificing goats also oppose this in social media. Few told me that they have to follow the trend. You can watch videos on this in my channel. 

In this order to prove their own superiority and speciality onion, garlic, carrot, jackfruit are defamed by giving funny cause of their origin. Cooked stories of puranas are also not a proof since their contents are paratah siddha and not swatah siddha - their reliability depends totally on the verification. All the funny reasons goes against Ayurveda and old scriptures on agriculture products. One can listen the videos on this in my channel. 

Regarding 33 koti devas upanishad is the only proof. Other childish reasons are meant for promoting one's own ideology without analysis. The upanishad clearly says about 33 departments. The word koti means shreni or vibhag or department in English. Unfortunately another meaning of koti which is crore became famous. Sanatanis are also promoting this. Other meanings are neither verified nor supported by the upanishads. Since there are various theories on the creation of the universe in Vedic literature one must use parameters to judge them and of course one must do the required sadhana. Now let's see few funny definitions given by the so called sanatanis :-
1 During the time when it was written the population was 33 crore. 
2 A step further another fellow added few words in the previous point. The new version took bhagvan, ishwar as one and said one in every person. Like this the number was adjusted. 
3 There are 330 crore gods. 
4 Now comes the scientific reason. 33 denotes 33 vertebrae of the spinal chord and the nerves are the numbers. Few even divided the nerves on the basis of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral regions of the spinal cord. 31 pairs of spinal nerves branching out from the spinal cord and two from the coccyx, or tailbone. They either avoided every query or started fuming. Since they believed their guru so others must do that. Only the number is common and one must start connecting it with spinal cord. Sometimes a mental disorder develops in the name of science and spirituality. This type of patient starts defining everything on the basis of science or spirituality. The most lucrative way is to relate with authentic Vedic literature without analysing. In fact there is no need to equate unmanifested (33 koti) with the manifested spinal cord and nerves. 

In the name of mysticism many things are famous. Seeing patterns, figures, colours in meditation is often based on the upbringing where a child continously stays with that kind of literature. It is stored in LTM (long term memory) in the brain and slowly comes out during meditation or deep thinking where sub conscious mind starts playing the game of showing various things. These are often taken as true and books are not only written but promoted as the part of the Vedic literature. 

On the other hand we see few common symbols, geometrical patterns present in various civilizations. The global similarity of the symbols isn't a coincidence or copy paste but spiritual revelation. The most common is shatkona or the star of David. Another is number seven. One must be careful while seeing the similarity. It must not be a case of 'somehow prove' concept
I have two posts on this. 

Varieties of absurd views and interpretation are being promoted in the name of the vastness of veda. Personal interpretation is good for the concerned sampradaya / cult / free thinker and their followers. When it is related with the simplification of veda, prescribed time tested parameteers must be used to make it acceptable for the mass. Rishis of Vedic age gave the formulas to judge the authenticity of any scripture or commentary or any other form of presentation. Several sampradayas, modern preachers, free thinkers have sidelined them. Their lineage start presenting hypothetical approach as authentic. Though few talk about fake gurus but they themself are in that trap. For them initiation is the only thing needed. Most of the sampradayas have taken pauranic literature as authentic and older than veda. When children are taught like this they become brainwashed fanatic follower of this or that organisation. Others who are unware of the Vedic contents and run after them due to their reputation are also spoiled slowly.

Wednesday, 19 April 2023

Upanishads - An investigation - 3



The readers may see the post 'Gayatri - In the eyes of Upanishads'  which gives the view of Chandogya and Brihadaranyak Upanishad. It is really irony where those precious views were never promoted nicely.
Mundaka Upanishad (1-1-5) has kept Rig-Veda, Yajur Veda, Sam Veda, Atharva Veda, and other fields of knowledge in the category of Apara Vidya. Their fruit depends on Karma. One has to do something. Without application they are unable to give any fruit. In positive or negative way that is separate issue and while doing, one experiences that every work has got some fault and the fruit is also not permanent. Only the time period is more. The gainer suffers from fear of losing. He/she starts the game of manipulation. The person may be in any uniform, any colour, any chair, anywhere.
 It must not be taken as a rejection of ritualistic part because this part is used as a sweet dish in order to motivate people towards the goal of the Vedic literature which is knowing, remaining in true identity and on the other hand performing the duty or swadharma given at any particular point and place. 

In Paingala Upanishad, it is clearly stated, one who has tasted the nectar, water won’t give any separate satisfaction to the person concern. In the same way; one who has known his self, Veda won’t have any further use. There is no need to jump in the ocean of the scriptures. The knowledge of self is more than enough. Here, it means enlightenment and the thing needed is nidhidhyasan 'निधिध्यासन' or atmabhyasa where a seeker goes on purifying the mind and intellect which is needed because one stays in the behavior after gaining the knowledge. It is only at the level of information and needs experience or reformation in behavior due to the essence received by the Upanishads. 

The rituals are not the final thing. This is the stand point of the Charvaka School. The phrase ‘person relates self with the body’, supports the idea of body is soul.

Other Upanishads sees this in positive, practical and spiritualistic way.

Taittiriya Upanishad 1.3.7: a person having uncontrolled mind is impure. It has nothing to do with the ritual of declaring a person impure (ashouch or sutak ) due to birth or death in the family. When somebody dies in the family other members are quite upset though they have seen this in other's family. It is totally ridiculous to stop them from not doing their daily puja or worshipping in their homes. There's a trend of proving every ritual in a spiritualistic way and this was also loaded with funny reasons. It will be a waste of time and effort on knowing them. 
In the society these two issues are taken as the symbol of impurity. There are numerous do’s and don’ts imposed via these issues.

Maître Upanishad, 2.13.14: Inability to discriminate or delusion or ignorance is taken as mother and knowledge as son. The death of former and birth of later resulted in double sutak (impurity). The death means removal of ignorance about real identity. In the state of impurity, how can one perform the ritual? It is also a tradition to stop good rituals during the period of impurity. Taking sun as consciousness, it is further said; this sun shines continuously. How can on perform the ritual? According to the rules, 3 different phases – dawn, mid day and evening sun are used for performing ritual (sandhya upasana). In this, few separate lines are added to denote timings. When the sun is as it is, ritual can’t be performed. And this became the symbol of creating hatred towards females and people of so called lower caste as if caste is by birth, by forbidding them to chant gayatri mantra. In the name of reform few cults emerged and they allowed everyone to chant and perform sandhya upasana as if they were giving something from their own pocket or have got divine permission to allow everyone to participate in this. None showed the courage to place the facts hidden in the scriptures which were unbiased from starting and Upanishads had their own view on this. 

The knowledge of self is above every ritual. The Bhagavatam, 11.19.4, supports this vision. It openly rejects undue importance given to, pilgrimage, chanting, penance, charity and other forms of noble actions. Other things are attached with nature. They’re related with the body level. The realization or enlightenment takes you above that. The general information regarding self is present in the human beings. The scripture is asking in firm belief and established in that. Before that, knowledge of self is body oriented. This angle is not a personal view but Adi Shankaracharya also said like this while writing the Bhashya on Brahmasutra. 

Shrijabaladarshan Upanishad :
  The one who stays away from the knowledge of self or one's own true identity which is truly holy place (in symbolic sense)  and runs after other holy places is just like holding a glass and throwing a jewel. All the holy places are full of mud, or water or forest or mountains  or their combination so their's nothing great. They may have worshipping symbols or provide peace due to their location but they aren't equal to the status of knowledge of self. 
The one who stays with the knowledge of self which is without attributes or superimposed identity is real Agnihotri because there's continuous  oblation of ignorance which arises due to day to day behavior or contact with the world . This purifies the person and the knowledge is that fire which is needed to do demolish the ignorance which builds its own castle in the due course of time if not checked regularly.

Paramhansa Upanishad warns monks also:
There are cults in which, monk carries a wooden stick wrapped in saffron cloth. In some, it is not wrapped. Without being established in self, which is the real stick, wooden one is meant to fill belly.

Parbrahma Upanishad: According to this, knowledge of self is purest zikhA or lock. It is like a flame in which ignorance finishes its existence. The one, who wears it like a thread, is a Brahmin. Here, wearing means, established in self. The one may have knowledge of self but it isn’t necessary, he’s also established in self. That is why; scripture points this level separately. Naradaparivrajaka Upanishad supports this view.

Even the Bhagavatam, 11.18.17, says: silence is the punishment or stick of speech, doing work without being too much attached with return, is the punishment or stick of the body and breathing exercises (pranayam) is the punishment or stick of the mind. A monk having these three sticks is dandi swami (of cult mentioned before). Without those and having only a wooden stick can’t be the parameter of a monk. 

Tejo Bindu Upanishad throws light throws light on, essence of Vedic Literature, in its own style. It throws light on the  terms of yoga philosophy. It is related with inner healing. A small introduction of first chapter is as follows:

Yama is that, in which one controls all his organs (of sense and actions), through the Vijnana that all is Brahman; this must be practiced again and again. In Niyama, a continuous flow of the same thought mentioned above, takes place and abandoning of thoughts  differing from one another is practiced. The worldly matters are not entertained. The person becomes cautious towards these feelings which take him away, from his goal. The scripture is not talking about the thoughts of worldly affairs because they also may flow in the same way. The difference will be in the topic. It will go on changing. In Tyaga (renunciation), one abandons the manifestation of the universe through knowledge acquired by study, reasoning and intuition. This is practiced by the great and is the giver of immediate liberation. In Mauna (silence), speech returns along with mind, is fit to be attained by the Yogins. By speech one can’t get that level. Making one’s vision full of spiritual wisdom; one must look upon the world as full of Brahman. That vision is very noble. It is (generally) aimed at the tip of the nose; it must be directed towards the level wherein the cessation of seer, seen and sight take place and not towards the tip of the nose. One may talk about Gita where this kind of thing is mentioned. It is not a fairy tale which can be followed in one strock or by an extrovert mind. It is pointing towards concentration and not on any physical posture. 

The Pranayama (the mastering of breathing process) is that, in which control of mind through the cognition of Brahman in all the states of Chitta takes place. The checking the reality of, the universe, is said to be exhaling. The conception of ‘I am Brahman’ is inhaling. The holding on (long) to this conception without agitation is cessation of breath. Such is the practice of the enlightened. The ignorant person closes his nose. 

It is really a pathetic situation where all the universities do not care about these definitions, while teaching yoga.

This Upanishad is helping in understanding the words used in the Patanjali yoga. Few words and their definitions are given above as examples. The demons also practiced them but they didn’t follow the meaning of the Upanishad. They followed the meaning which were meant for ignorant and totally extrovert person. To some extent, yoga techniques improve health conditions but that is not the aim of yoga. Though, it is taught in that way. The people who are trained like this have a tendency of being extrovert and nuisance for the society. By practicing decoded ones, a person can feel permanent change and a chance of become more human.

The scholars or students, who give total importance to shruti pramana or sabdapramana, do not care about the definitions of yam, niyama, etc given by the above Upanishad.

Brahmabindu Upanishad says: take the essence and leave the scripture. It’s just like taking grains and leaving hay behind. It is the lust which results in, feeling of bondage. The one, who is free from it, is liberated. There is no separate existence of bondage and liberation. The one must practice control of mind till it doesn’t dissolve within. When that event takes place, it is known as, knowledge and liberation. The rest is an expansion of scripture. Here, dissolve means, detached from attachment. The wise man extracts essence and leaves the book. It is just like after thrashing the crops; a person takes grains and leaving the hay behind.

   The sadhanas for the materialistic, behavioralistic and spiritualistic progress mentioned in Brihadaranyak, Chandogya, Taitterya Upanishads are remarkable. None of them increases the issue of pollution and poverty of various types. None can say that these are not ancient Upanishads. 

   Just imagine the impact on the society if the above mentioned things were explained and included in the curriculum. All the Upanishads are not so complex as they are labeled and kept aside. Many of them deal with the style of happy management. The society of Vedic age was happy and progressive due to this.

  Many people want to know about the details or the background of that happy life and these three posts will provide the required input. The Upanishads do not talk openly on every issue but give the required hint which can be followed by using the formulas. With this, read the posts on veda and Hinduism in the blog akshaywaves.blogspot.com 
In short but brief this is available in Hindi in the blog akshayaharshudou.blogspot.com 
and in the playlist named वेद और उपनिषद (Veda and Upanishad) in the channel named Akshay Chaitanya in the youtube.