Deivathin Kural Series - 78

Om Namah Sivaya.
Deivathin Kural # 78 of 02 Oct 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. On line version of this book in Tamil is available at 'www.kamakoti.org'. 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, 'Ahimsa Soldiergal Tevai', ie., 'Ahimsa Soldiers Required', in pages 384 to 389, in Volume 1 of Deivathin Kural. Unless specifically mentioned, he or man includes, she or woman.
3. Some people wonder as to why should we bother about Religion and Rituals, when we can develop our facilities and comforts through modern science. Yes it is true that modern science can provide a plethora of conveniences. But can they provide happiness? 'Anandam' is a matter of satisfaction and contentedness. The tendency is to keep on adding to the list of things required for a comfortable life and feel bad when you cannot get the next. Desire can never be satisfied because, the more you feed it, the more it grows. The dissatisfaction then leads to digust, competition and hate. True happiness can only be arrived at by reducing desire. Religion shows the way as to how this can be done. So with the increase in scientific appliances, there is more the need for Religion!
4. Worldly scientific advancement does not pave the way for 'Atma Shanti' or real peace. America and Russia are indicative of this. Russia made the first space craft Sputnik and sent it around the world. It is a communist country. Religion is forbidden there. Technology alone has not given them the satisfaction. They have taken the Mahabharatham, translated it into their language and included it in the syllabus in schools! Similarly people of USA are more amenable to Yoga, Vedanta, and Classical Music steeped in Bakthi, as evidensed by the popularity with which Musicians, Yoga teachers and Swamees of various disciplines are recieved there. When rest of the world far advanced in applied science, are turning towards India, for these things; it will be pathetic if, we let our religious practices and dharma, go by default, and stoop down to mere sensory pleasures.
5. In our country, even if materialism, atheism, and irreverance to religion, take roots, we can believe that the perennial life force of Sanatana Dharma will never perish. I must emphasise in the same breath, that it is our duty to see that Sanatana Dharma never perishes. How to do this?
6. Should we fight with agnostics and non-believers? No! Hindu religion has no history of progress and expansion by fighting. Neither has it ever happened that, we have lured others by any other means. That is, we have never gone to war on grounds of religion, and have never undertaken any social service for the purpose of conversion. But what we see is that, it has stood the test of time against all opposition and thrived beautifully. How is this? Should we say that it is due to the intrinsic truth of its ideals and principles? No doubt, they are truely great. But it has a vast following of uneducated common folk, who do not understand a thing about its ideals and principles! So I will be the last one to claim greatness to Hinduism on the grounds of Theology.
7. Then what is the 'secret of it's success', that it has flourished against opposition, without propoganda; without a powerful central organization of a Pope or Caliph or Lama? So many crores and crores have remained faithfully loyal to it, even when ruled by people of other religions, despite the efforts to convert them, by force, lure and propoganda. To my understanding, the reason is that, instead of verbal explanations of the high philosophies and principles, India has had, Hindu Religion has had, an abundant flow of Mahatmas, Rishis, Munis, Gyanis, Sants, Saints, and so on; who taught by being, living eminences unencumbered by caste or creed or language. Mostly they taught through the silent influence of their exemplary character, while some spoke too. With utter devotion to God, love towards one and all, clear mind and heart, they have been there in each generation, in every nook and corner of India! Not seeking publicity or popularity, they have been influencing even wild animals let alone man; by their very proximity, let alone speech! The common man was motivated and thrilled to follow such a religion which could give birth to such greats, so frequently in such great numbers!
8. Now when we are faced with the relentless ingress of atheism, materialism and consumerism, there is a dire need for such a person to be born amongst us. We need not worry about the eventual fate of Hinduism. No need for a physical fight against the forces which are anti-hinduism. Without resorting to fighting, we should have an attitude of, 'come what may, I shall stick to my duties as required of me as per my religion, and I will live my my role'. It is such soldiers that we need. I am using the word 'soldier', because he would not mind sacrificing his life even. Not a person who takes up arms and fights. A person who is ready to die in keeping up to his ideals of 'Swadharma'. As long as there are people who are endevouring ti attain to divinity by the purity of their hearts and win the affection and respect of others, by their very being loving and kind; the darkness that is enveloping will dissipate automatically. Without narrow selfishness, and desires, as they strictly abide with the, 'Karma Anushtanam', as required of them with discipline, cleanliness of heart and mind will accrue. Everyone does not have to reach such high levels. Does not matter if only one amongst Lacs becomes a Mahatma. But the very process will throw up a continuous stream of such greats. Looking at them the whole world will sit up and take notice.
9. Our religion which has grown in longivity, should continue like that only, by the copying of exemplary role-models. If we sincerely make efforts, God will help us! Never to be afraid of opposition and atheism. Let us realise that, it is to test and correct ourselves, that God creates such opposition. Our religion of 'Sanatana Dharma', has endured much worse. Everytime there is opposition, it has revived with renewed vigour and effectiveness. Let alone pre-historic times of Ravana or Hiranya Kasipu, even in recent times, from somewhere comes a Sankara Acharya or a Thirugnana Sambandar, or Appar or a Manikkavachagar, when non-vedic religions became too predominant. When Aurangazeb tried to dominate Hindus. a Sivaji and Ahalya Bai, came up and made the religion stronger than before. There is no need to feel, 'Hinduism' is in peril. In Vishnu Sahasranama, God is addressed as, 'Bhaya Krut' and 'Bhaya Nasanah'. These two words come one after the other. God is the 'creator of fear' and He is the 'destroyer of fear' too. To correct us, he becomes the, 'Bhaya Krut'. Once we correct ourselves, He becomes the 'Bhaya Nasanah'.
10. Let us try and do this, without a fear or worry. Not to antogonise those who are anti-religion. Not to argue with them. Let us make up our minds, that we shall strictly adhere to what is required of us, as per our religion. Let each one of us try to become the 'Ahimsa Soldier', of our religion. Let us show the world, as to how such a person will be. As a soldier will not be ready to surrender even an inch of ground, let us live by our religion with courage without any compromise. Our sincerity in correcting our own attitude and behaviour, will be blessed by God, that Hinduism will never be at askance.
Sambhomahadeva.