Skip to main content

Bhagawat Gita shows the way for the attitude to life and desirable goal of life

By NS Venkataraman* 

When a mother delivers a human body, this body has no identity. Then, parents, relatives, friends consult each other and discuss the alternate appropriate names and arrive at a suitable name for this human body and this body is known and identified by this name.
This human body, which steadily grow just like animals, plants and others and after experiencing the pleasures and pains of worldly life alternately for several years, perish one day, for the body to be burnt or buried.
This body, bearing a name as it’s identity, comes in to the world and goes away from the world and the name that is the identity for the body also goes away along with the body. This is the scenario for several thousands of years that have gone by.

The question:

One question that does not seem to be still “convincingly explained” in a way that will appeal to the brain in the human body, is as to whether this human body only consists of flesh, bone and blood with well structured different design that make different human body behave and think differently at different times or, is there anything more to it? Is the purpose of human body in any way different from that of animals and other creatures?
The prevailing view and “logic” is that any object need a creator just like a pot needs a potter to be created and by this logic, there should be a Creator for the human body as well as other creatures also. Then, the inevitable question is as to where is the Creator and who is He? Why has He created the human body?
Millions of people for several thousands of years have been asking this question.

The answer:

In the last thousands of years, large number of scholars, intellectuals, philosophers and saints and out of the box thinkers have been trying to find an answer to this vexed question and several explanations have been advanced. Such explanations differ between one another leaving millions of individuals to remain confused and uncertain for thousands of years.
The laboured explanation is that an individual is not merely a human body but must be something beyond this.
When further explanation is demanded, the answer given by saints, philosophers etc. are that the purpose of human existence is beyond the capability of the human brain to understand and appreciate as to why this physical structure of human body is repeatedly happening?
The final consensus explanation after protracted debate over several centuries seem to be that the Creator is an entity beyond the capability of human brain to understand and it cannot be explained due to the limited capability of the human brain and the human body and therefore, let not anyone make even an attempt to” discover” this Creator. Let everyone simply accept that entity known as Creator is existing. This should be so, as according to human intelligence, “any object cannot be created without a Creator”.
Therefore, everyone is advised to assume and believe with faith that there is a Creator. Then, various techniques are suggested such as sustained meditation and prayers to identify the Creator. So many mythological stories reflect on the existence of Creator, with various case studies and narratives and examples.

The confusion:

Scientists now claim that they have made animals and creatures in the laboratory ( cloning) and claim that they can modify the behaviour of the laboratory created creatures in the way they want.
While the scientists would argue that a human body happens because of the chemical and biological reactions in the womb of the mother, still the scientists cannot explain beyond this phenomenon.
Further, there is lot of confusion due to the discussions and claims about miracles, fate, astrology, rebirth, heaven, hell and so on with none of them having any proof but again only assumptions and are the result of the figment of imagination and belief.
Non believers have now a field day, questioning every idea about the origin and end of life. But, they too do not have anything to explain convincingly but only focus on criticism and negativism. It is known that in the fag end of life when the death is imminent, several non believers have helplessly become believers and perhaps die with confused state of mind.
Now, where do we go from here?
To explain the behavior of the human mind, in Mahabharat, Yudhishtira told the Yaksha, when asked about the greatest wonder, that “everyday, people die but the rest live as if they are immortal”. This clearly shows that human mind and thought process about the content of the so called life have not changed at all from time immemorial.
While the uncertainty as to from where the life come and where it goes continue for thousands of years with conflicting advocacies and theories, Bhagwat Gita, Vedas and Upanishads lay down certain guidelines, that have stood the test of time.
Vedas proclaim that Supreme Brahma is beyond the human thought and the scriptures and simply declare that human spirit is eternal and not the flesh and not the material world. The body decays and dies and the body rises only to fall.
Bhagawat Gita too proclaims that everyone should be conscious of the Supreme Being in mind and thought throughout the life. Obviously, Bhagawat Gita insists that everyone should accept this Supreme Being readily and unquestioningly and there cannot be any compromise in this.
Bhagawat Gita shows the way for the attitude to life and desirable goal of life.
A verse in Bhagavad Gita enunciates the principle of Nishkam Karma as:
“Thou hast a right to action, but only to action, never to its fruits; let not the fruits of thy works be thy motive, neither let there be in thee any attachment in inactivity.”
Certainly, such concept as enunciated in Vedas and Bhagawat Gita would facilitate peace in thoughts and life style for human body.. Further, the practice of compassion, truthfulness and detachment as prescribed in Bhagawat Gita would represent the ideal way of life for the human body that comes and inevitably goes.
Finally, there seem to be no other alternative way of moving on in the world stage with the human body for an individual, other than to accept the idea about Supreme Brahma, even though that may be unacceptable to human brain due to lack of “ logic “.
For thousands of years in the past , no one has explained the process of life in any better way than what it has been done so far and what is likely to be done in future.
Considering thousands of years of experience that generations of human beings have gained, it is obvious that the best way of living is to believe in God, have faith in God and lead a truly honest life full of compassion and with absence of hate, as per the dictates of one’s conscience. Ofcourse,     this conscience may be the voice of Supreme Brahma.
Let not anyone question anymore. But, surrender to God as there is no other path known or available.
It would be peaceful for a person to breath his /her last as a believer rather than as a non believer, whatever may be the further direction of the way out.
---
*Trustee, Nandini voice for the Deprived, Chennai

Comments

TRENDING

देशव्यापी ग्रामीण भारत बंध में उतरे मध्य प्रदेश के आदिवासी, किया केंद्र सरकार का विरोध

- हरसिंग जमरे, भिखला सोलंकी, रतन अलावे*  15 और 16 फरवरी को निमाड के बड़वानी, खरगोन और बुरहानपुर में जागृत आदिवासी दलित संगठन के नेतृत्व में आदिवासी महिला-पुरुषों ग्रामीण भारत बंद में रैली एवं विरोध प्रदर्शन किया । प्रधान मंत्री द्वारा 2014 में फसलों की लागत का डेढ़ गुना भाव देने का वादा किया गया था, 2016 में किसानों की आय दुगना करने का वादा किया गया था । आज, फसलों का दाम नहीं बढ़ रहा है, लेकिन खेती में खर्च बढ़ता जा रहा है! खाद, बीज और दवाइयों का दाम, तीन-चार गुना बढ़ चुका है! किसानों को लागत का डेढ़ गुना भाव देने के बजाए, खेती को कंपनियों के हवाले करने के लिए 3 काले कृषि कानून लाए गए । 3 काले कानून वापस लेते समय प्रधान मंत्री ने फिर वादा किया था कि फसलों की लागत का डेढ़ गुना भाव की कानूनी गारंटी के लिए कानून बनाएँगे, लेकिन वो भी झूठ निकला! आज जब देश के किसान दिल्ली में आपको अपना वादा याद दिलाने आए है, तब आप उनका रास्ता रोक रहें है, उनके साथ मारपीट कर उन पर आँसू गैस फेंक रहें हैं, उन पर छर्रों से फायरिंग कर रहें है! देश को खिलाने वाला किसान खुद भूखा रहे, क्या यही विकास है?

नफरती बातें: मुसलमानों में असुरक्षा का भाव बढ़ रहा है, वे अपने मोहल्लों में सिमट रहे हैं

- राम पुनियानी*  भारत पर पिछले 10 सालों से हिन्दू राष्ट्रवादी भारतीय जनता पार्टी (भाजपा) राज कर रही है. भाजपा आरएसएस परिवार की सदस्य है और आरएसएस का लक्ष्य है हिन्दू राष्ट्र का निर्माण. आरएसएस से जुड़ी सैंकड़ों संस्थाएँ हैं. उसके लाखों, बल्कि शायद, करोड़ों स्वयंसेवक हैं. इसके अलावा कई हजार वरिष्ठ कार्यकर्ता हैं जिन्हें प्रचारक कहा जाता है. भाजपा के सत्ता में आने के बाद से आरएसएस दुगनी गति से हिन्दू राष्ट्र के निर्माण के अपने एजेण्डे को पूरा करने में जुट गया है. यदि भाजपा को चुनावों में लगातार सफलता हासिल हो रही है तो उसका कारण है देश में साम्प्रदायिकता और साम्प्रदायिक मुद्दों का बढ़ता बोलबाला. इनमें से कुछ हैं राम मंदिर, गौमांस और गोवध एवं लव जिहाद. 

Only 15% businesses provide employees real-time sustainability dashboards: Study

Kyndryl in collaboration with Microsoft has released the findings of The Global Sustainability Barometer study. The study, conducted by Ecosystm, finds that while 85% of organizations place a high strategic level of importance on achieving their sustainability goals, only 16% have integrated sustainability into their strategies and data. A Kyndryl note: *** Kyndryl (NYSE: KD), the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider, in collaboration with Microsoft , today released the findings of The Global Sustainability Barometer study. The study, conducted by Ecosystm , finds that while 85% of organizations place a high strategic level of importance on achieving their sustainability goals, only 16% have integrated sustainability into their strategies and data.

How the slogan Jai Bhim gained momentum as movement of popularity and revolution

By Dr Kapilendra Das*  India is an incomprehensible plural country loaded with diversities of religions, castes, cultures, languages, dialects, tribes, societies, costumes, etc. The Indians have good manners/etiquette (decent social conduct, gesture, courtesy, politeness) that build healthy relationships and take them ahead to life. In many parts of India, in many situations, and on formal occasions, it is common for people of India to express and exchange respect, greetings, and salutation for which we people usually use words and phrases like- Namaskar, Namaste, Pranam, Ram Ram, Jai Ram ji, Jai Sriram, Good morning, shubha sakal, Radhe Radhe, Jai Bajarangabali, Jai Gopal, Jai Jai, Supravat, Good night, Shuvaratri, Jai Bhole, Salaam walekam, Walekam salaam, Radhaswami, Namo Buddhaya, Jai Bhim, Hello, and so on.

Laxmanpur Bathe massacre: Perfect example of proto-fascist Brahmanical social order

By Harsh Thakor  The massacre at Laxmanpur-Bathe of Jehanabad in Bihar on the night of 1 December in 1997 was a landmark event with distinguishing features .The genocide rightly shook the conscience of the nation in the 50th year of Indian independence. The scale of the carnage was unparalleled in any caste massacre. It was a perfect manifestation of how in essence the so called neo-liberal state was in essence most autocratic. 

Disgusting: Isha Foundation converted Shivratri into dance show Bollywood style

By NS Venkataraman*  Maha Shivratri carries profound spiritual importance ,serving as a time for devotees to fervently pray and meditate and seek divine blessings of Lord Shiva.

International award to Assam docufilm on older than Sanskrit Assam folk rendition

By Prantik Deka  In a heartwarming news, 'Dhulia Culture of Old Kamrup (Assam)', a 26-minute long documentary, based on the traditional folk-art form of Assam, researched, produced and directed by Dr Aparna Buzarbarua under the banner of Rohini Production, has won the Best Documentary Award at the International Short Film Festival Award, which took place at the Swami Vivekananda Auditorium in Kolkata, recently. The award comprises a trophy, a memento, a medal and a certificate. 

भाजपा शासन और भारतीय प्रजातंत्र व संविधान को खतरे: चार सौ पार की जरूरत क्यों?

- राम पुनियानी*  सत्ताधारी भाजपा के नेता इन दिनों 'चार सौ पार' की बात कर रहे हैं. उनका मानना है कि आने वाले आम चुनाव में भाजपा 370 से ज्यादा सीटें जीतेगी और उसके गठबंधन साथी 30 से ज्यादा. और इस प्रकार एनडीए 400 पार हो जायेगा. यह संख्या किसी चुनाव विशेषज्ञ की राय या किसी वैज्ञानिक सर्वेक्षण पर आधारित नहीं है. यह प्रचार केवल राजनैतिक उद्देश्य से किया जा रहा है.

સમાજસેવી, ધર્મની જડતાને પડકારનાર, ઉદારવાદના સમર્થક રમણભાઈ નીલકંઠ

- ગૌરાંગ જાની   ગુજરાત અને અમદાવાદના જાહેરજીવનમાં મહાત્મા ગાંધીના આગમન પૂર્વે સમાજ સુધારા અને સમાજ ચિંતન ક્ષેત્રમાં શિરમોર વ્યક્તિત્વ એટલે રમણભાઈ. ધર્મની જડતાઓને પડકારનાર અને એ દિશામાં સાહિત્ય સર્જનની ઉજ્વળ પરંપરાના અગ્રણી એવા રમણભાઈ નીલકંઠ વિશે આજે વાત કરીશું.વીસમી સદીની પ્રથમ પચીસીમાં અમદાવાદને વૈચારિક રીતે બદલનાર બે વ્યક્તિત્વ. એક ઇન્દુલાલ યાજ્ઞિક અને બીજા રમણભાઈ .ગુજરાતમાંથી સૌ પ્રથમ વિદેશગમન કરનાર અને એ માટે નાગરી નાતનો દંડ અને વિરોધ સહન કરનાર મહીપતરામ રૂપરામના પુત્ર રમણભાઈની માતાનું નામ રૂપકુંવર હતું. આજથી ૧૫૪ વર્ષ પૂર્વે વર્ષ ૧૮૬૮ ના માર્ચની ૧૩ તારીખે અમદાવાદમાં વડનગરા નાગર પરિવારમાં રમણભાઈનો જન્મ થયો હતો. રસપ્રદ એ છે કે રમણભાઈની મૂળ અટક મહેતા હતી પણ તેમના એક પૂર્વજ નામે નીલકંઠ મહેતા દિવાન હતા એથી રમણભાઈની અટક મહેતા નહિ પણ નીલકંઠ પડી.

नेपाली वास्तुकला शैली से सज्जित इस मंदिर को बिहार का खजुराहो या मिनी खजुराहो कहा जाता है

- सुमन्त शरण  INTACH (Indian nation trust for art and cultural heritage) के सौजन्य से नेपाल और भारत के सांस्कृतिक/धार्मिक सहमेल के तक़रीबन चार सौ पुराने एक अनूठे प्रतीक तथा काष्ठ वास्तुशिल्प के मामले में अपने ढंग के संभवतः इकलौते अप्रतिम नमूना - नेपाली छावनी मंदिर - के परिभ्रमण का अवसर मिला। वैशाली जिला मुख्यालय हाजीपुर के गंगा-गंडक नदी के संगम के कौनहारा घाट पर स्थित इस मंदिर को बिहार का खजुराहो या मिनी खजुराहो भी कहा जाता है।