Miscellaneous - Religion   

Pragmatic teaching

CHENNAI : Scriptures have survived the onslaught of time and continued to guide mankind in the practice of Sanatana Dharma. It is believed that the Lord incarnated as Sage Vyasa in the role of the divine preceptor of spirituality to enable the regeneration of Sastras by revealing the scriptural knowledge in simple terms. A guru becomes effective only when he is able to impart the force of conviction that lies beyond mere learning. The knowledge he wants to convey must have the warrant of experience. Sage Vyasa is noted for his encompassing vision and knowledge and could see the past, the present and the future at one stroke.

Since the common people could not comprehend the Vedas, he wrote the Mahabharata and the Puranas that contained the meaning of the Vedas, and the Bhagavad Gita that brought out the essence of the Upanishads using very simple language. The realism, wisdom and compassion present in these works help to establish the path of righteousness, pointed out Sri B. Damodara Dikshitar in a discourse. Just as a tree loses its strength as it grows older, with time, there has been a decline in the standard of dharma in the different Yugas. Moreover training in the Sastras is difficult in Kali yuga. What the Rishis and sages in earlier Yugas such as Krita, Treta and Dwapara had directly apprehended had become difficult to grasp in Kali Yuga.

The Vedas are referred to as Prabhu Samhitas since the dharma is revealed as commands to be followed. The Itihasas and the Puranas are called Suhruth Samhitas since they teach the same dharma of the scriptures in the bhava of concern of a friend or a loving wife so that people in Kali Yuga find it easier to comprehend and follow.

But the simplicity does not indicate any dilution in the dharma as is evident in Vyasa's Mahabharata. The valuable truths and dharma relevant for all times gain precedence over episodic sequence. Yaksha Prasna or Vidura Nithi deal exclusively with the myriad nuances of dharma pertaining to the innumerable contexts that individuals are likely to find themselves in.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Cartoonscape
The Hindu Crossword 8835
Solution to Puzzle 8834
Pragmatic teaching
dated February 13, 1957: Polling programme
dated February 13, 1957: Madras-Delhi deluxe train
Weather

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu