Rising above dogmas, rituals and gurus

Jan 12, 2010, 12.00am IST
SWAMI PARTHASARTHY.

Vedanta is known as Sanatana dharma, meaning eternal principles. It helps you identify your divine Self to attain an absolute state of peace and bliss.
Vedanta is known as Sanatana dharma, meaning eternal principles. It is systematic knowledge that gives the seeker true insight into life. It draws you towards your innermost core, provides you knowledge that reveals your real Self. Saint or sinner, your self is essentially divine. Divinity is the core of every person. Vedanta helps you identify your divine Self to attain an absolute state of peace and bliss. That is the goal of all religions, to discover your true nature. Unfold your real Self. Draw the Divinity out of the layers that veil It.
Etymologically, the word religion means that which binds one to the origin. In Sanskrit also, the term yoga means to unite with the Self. Vedanta excels in its scientific exposition. It expounds the truth methodically, logically. It does not rely on the authority of a preceptor. Its truth is its authority. No master or messiah can claim it. No religion has a hold on it. It belongs to one and all without distinction of communities or geography. Its universal application appeals to all lovers of truth.


Vedanta trains you to think independently. It helps you probe into the essence of the human personality, directs you to study, reflect and realise the fundamental truth of life. In the past, generations put in effort to discover the real Self. Later on, some spiritual enthusiasts brought out their own abridged versions of truth. They were well meant but their reading of the original truth was feeble. People began to follow their teaching blindly. They lost their independent reflection and judgment. Spiritual education was no longer liberal, but led by the opinion of others. This has plunged people in ignorance, and the world is steeped in sorrow and suffering.


The root cause of suffering is that people do not look within. They hardly investigate the truth of life nor exercise their own judgment. They rely on outside forces to do their thinking. And they function predominantly on blind faith and mechanical ritual. This is spiritual suicide. Castes, creeds and sects are ghosts haunting us. The role of Vedanta is to free you from infatuation with celebrities and educate you on the eternities.


Religion ought not to be reduced to mere allegiance to personalities. The present religious systems are governed by maxims and mandates. There is a saying: “Grammar is the grave of language.” Try to save the grammar, keep it invariable, and the language will be dead. Just so, the rigidity of preceptors and precepts saps the vitality of religion. The intelligentsia, particularly the youth the world over, detest rigidity. They do not wish to be dictated to by doctrines and dogmas. They revolt against such unnatural education.

The young ought not to be pestered with ‘Thou shalts’ and ‘Thou shalt nots’. Whatever is forced is never forceful. Dos and don’ts are not designed for human beings. Desire for anything increases with restriction and prohibition. Static precepts, superstitious beliefs and mechanical rituals ought not to be thrust on people. It frustrates them. Rather, they need to be educated with the knowledge of life and living. The higher values of religion have to be presented systematically and logically to modern intellects. The philosophy of Vedanta provides answers to seekers of truth. The process may take time but is sure to elevate.

Extract from The Eternities: Vedanta Treatise by the writer. Website: www.vedanta-edu.org