Vedic Culture-II ; Pujya Gurudev

Fundamental Tenets of Vedic Culture

=Pt.ShriRam Sharma Acharya

That spirituality was the core of the Vedic way of life does not mean that we had neglected or looked down upon healthy progress in the worldly pursuits. Our history bears witness to the fact that our religion, our science, our archaeology, our sculpture, our architecture, our astronomy, our mathematics, our arts, our commerce, trade, economy, etc were all at the top of the world and this had made fundamental contributions to the growth and enrichment of human civilization and culture. Celebrity Greek scholar Arian has mentioned thus about ancient Indians - "The Indians who had travelled up to Greece and had inhabited and ruled over (influenced) the people here were very prosperous. 

They appeared to be the descendants of cherubic powers. They possessed lots of gold and jewels. They used to wear gorgeous silky shawls and precious pearl-necklaces". Many of the Greek historians have also recorded similar observations - "The Indians who migrated to this land (ancient Greece) were very intelligent and talented. They propagated knowledge and taught medicine; they helped civilizing the natives here and won their confidence and respect.". The Indian Culture has given an ideal philosophy and mode of life to mankind where there is no place for hatred, malice, mutual struggle, exploitation or oppression.  

The social system of Varna and Asharma:

  Asharma : Four phases of one's life for ideal combinations of duty-bond, cheerful, prosperous and progressive life; each of about 25 year for an average span of 100 years of life. The first, Brahmcarya Asrama was supposed to be the age of education and personality development in the Gurukuls; the second, the Grahasth Asrama was meant to be for worldly growth, marriage, and contribution to the healthy progress of the family and society.

TheVanprastha and Sanyasa, Asrams of the later phases of the life were set for dedication to social welfare after completing the familial responsibilities and for spiritual enlightenment and evolution of one's life. Established here is an excellent model of ideal development of one's personality and harmonious collective progress. Our family system still remains a peerless example of cultivating love, peace and cooperation in every domain of human life. The democratic, federal and republic systems of governance in ancient India added to its glorious expansion and stability. The so-called liberal philosophy and socialist system was successfully adopted in our way of life since the time of yore. 

The divine majestic mottos of "Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah" (may all beings be happy), "Sarveshama Avirodhena, Brahmkarma Samarabhe" (performing noble duties without any conflict with anyone), "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (treating the entire world as a family), etc, had originated here and continue echoing in people's life here. Injustice, selfishness, discrimination and cruelty were not allowed in the Indian life in any respect. Those disturbing the social harmony and collective cooperative life were penalized as criminals. The concept and design of a system for safe, terror-free, tussle-free, and stress-free, peaceful and happy progress of personal and social life was founded and first implemented under the auspices of the Vedic Indian Culture. The Indian Culture does not approve of a dry, isolated, dull life or escapism in the name of spirituality, sadhana, etc.( Countinue)

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma