Deivathin Kural Series - 70

Om Namah Sivaya.
Deivathin Kural # 70 of 20 Sept 2006.

1. These e-mails are translations of talks given by the erstwhile Pontiff of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, over more than sixty years, published by Vanady Padippagam, T.Nagar, Chennai, India, in ten volumes, in the Tamil language. The english version is likely to be available very soon. These e-mails are simply an effort on the part of the sender, to share some of his bliss, as it is said, 'Yam perra peru peruga ivvaiyagam'. When he adds any personal observations he uses the phrase, 'KTSV adds'.
2. To-days chapter is from his lecture, titled, 'Unmaik Kalvi', ie., 'True Education', in pages 354 to 356, in Volume 1 of Deivathin Kural. Unless specifically mentioned, he or man includes, she or woman.
3. It has been practically experienced that, greater the peace of mind, greater the level of happiness. That is also the highest goal of human endevour. When peace of mind dissipates, unhappiness results. When people try to do away with their own unhappiness, they create the same in others. Thus when everybody make efforts to reduce their own unhappiness, they end up in causing sadness in others. This becomes multi dimentional, with the increase in the number of people involved. This results in confusion and chaos in the society. To re-establish peace and quiet, this necessitates governmental involvement. They take action by the Acts of Law, using the police force. But the real solution to the problem can only accrue, when people are able to divert their minds away from sensations and have a semblance of control over their minds. The mass can be guarded from being exposed to a feeling of imagined deprivation and sadness, thus. They in turn will be prevented from causing unhappiness to others. This can only be achieved by good education, which causes inner equanimity in Man at the micro level and outer peacefulness in Society at the macro level. Such peace has been intrinsically prevalent in India, for eons of time.
4. The Education in Bharath, that is India, has always been aimed towards making, 'peace of mind' available to the masses. There is nothing wrong in expanding scientific knowledge in ever advanced areas. But the benefits out of such knowledge, to the society should be available only in its disciplined utilisation. Only then the individual and the Nation can attain a high level of peace and prosperity. If you run after instant gratification of the senses, however advanced the education and scientific knowledge; it can only increase bad thoughts and unclean desires. This will lead to problems galore.
5. True Education is one that helps towards 'atma gnana' ie., self knowledge. At the outer worldly level, self-knowledge increases Man's efficiency in all his actions. At the inner level, it raises Man from 'inane ordinary existance' to 'effulgent immortality'. The true and real education gains to Man, that highest utility, not available in anything worldly. All other education gives worldly benefits. Even that education can progressively take Man towards divinity. But generally fruit of education is wrongly construed to be ability or access to get more and more money. I am not saying that money is useless. It has it's purpose. Money can be used to do Dharmam, such as giving alms, looking after poor relatives, caring for guests, one's family and self. Even worldly dharma is contributory for attaining 'Brhma Gnana'. By sincerely doing one's duties, by obeisance to God, by constant endevour, one can realise 'Atma Gnana', says Adi Sankara.
6. Education that gives this supreme knowledge is called, 'Para Vidya'. All other education comes under the name, 'Apara Vidya'. Para Vidya or Brhma Gnana, imparts that knowledge of the purest truth directly, which is completely hidden from us now. It removes the present darkness of not comprehending. That which is not discernible to the five senses now, can be understood, only through Vedas and Smruthis. Knowledge is obtained by the process of, direct observation, detection, investigation, examination, perception, logical deduction and such. Adi Sankara adds Vedas and Personal Experience, or 'Anubhava or Anubuthi', as two additional means of obtaining knowledge. Modern education pays sole attention to Objective Knowledge, gained through the five senses aided by human comprehension. It is useful in many ways. But it ignores the important aspect of Subjective Knowledge beyond human comprehension. Both types of Education are required. Objective knowledge for the worldly life and the Subjective Knowledge for the beyond.
7. In making a mix of these two types of education, we have to be extremely careful. Our inner cleanliness, purity and morality, should be a part and parcel of education. All matters of sensual tittillation, should have no place in the syllabus. If we adopt wholesale western dress, style, attitude,food and speech; we will gradually become alien to our own culture and value systems. We will not only hurt ourselves, but harm the Nation's future. In this country now-a-days, people are moving away from our character, culture, discipline, belief in daily prayers to God, visit to temples, meditation, Yoga and so on. They are not only learning about modern sciences, but adopting the western way of life, to the detriment of one's own. This should be a matter of concern to all National Leaders. It is our foremost duty to enable the children of this country, to know about the avenues for, 'Atma Gnanam' and not become alien to one's own heriditory cultural assetts. Because, otherwise India will be equally a prey to the modern ills of materialism and moral degradation.
Sambhomahadeva.