Reminder of unity in diversity
PREMA NANDAKUMAR
INCREDIBLE INDIA — Traditions and Rituals: Muthusamy Varadarajan; Wisdom Tree, 4779/23, Ansari Road, Darya Ganj, New Delhi-110002. Rs. 695.
What is it that has made Indian culture endure through millennia of internal changes and external aggressions? The answer is not far to seek. Our ancients had the vision to teach the common man the virtues of adaptability. Laid on the strong foundations of the Vedas and the Upanishads, the Itihasas and the Puranas, the Sastras and the Sutras, India has continued to be unified and vibrant. Incredible India is a sensible and colourful reminder of this unity in diversity.
Naturally, Hinduism takes the lion's share in the book, being the most ancient. Muthusamy Varadarajan, making a choice use of Sanskrit terms with instant English translations, has produced a richly tapestried volume. The emphasis is on the unique place given to the initiation from a spiritual guru that opens a disciple's creative faculties, during brahmacharya. The section on `upanayana' with its telling photographs on gurukulas is thus vital to the understanding of Indian culture. It is good that the 20th century has revived the gurukula system (with suitable modifications) which teaches the students to obey and thereby transforms them into perfect workers and leaders.
The ashramas
The book's ground plan is based on explaining the four Ashramas that have continued to be active. If bramacharya equips the youth for an active and useful life, the duties of the grahastha (householder) make him the very backbone of the society. After being on the go for some years, he could cultivate a certain detachment by being a vanaprastha: "he retires as a recluse, with his wife, to the vana, forest, and living off herbs, roots and fruits of the forests, spends all his time in contemplation of the Divine, and reflecting on the verities of life."
Finally, sanyasa. The life of a sanyasin is very difficult, as he is hemmed in by severe discipline and self-denials. Yet, with his spirit free, he becomes the beneficent spiritual leader of the community.
With this lay-out on hand, the author has explained the variations with regard to traditions and rituals in different regions. These sacraments that received a definite form in the Vedic Age have also been influenced by "kula dharma" and "guru paramparas" in later times. But whatever the changes, Vedic rituals continue to play a vital part in the Indian's life as they are the first steps in his life's journey of self-discipline that leads ultimately to "chitta suddhi, purification of the mind consciousness."
Fascinating
Almost every page of the book is fascinating. The chapter on traditions lists several legends, beliefs and practices like having a tulsi plant at home, avoiding the cutting of nails on Fridays and making a vow to seek Divine intervention. The author's summing up puts it all in perspective: "Traditions are the salt and spice of life. The traditions of respect to elders, particularly the parents and the guru, hospitality, regard for women, loyalty and friendship, compassion, love and mercy, honesty, concern for ecology and environment, kindness to animals, equality of mankind, respect for and non-deviation from justice and, most of all, the acknowledgement of the intrinsic equality of all religions, are what can rightfully and legitimately be called our own inalienable traditions."
"Parallels in Other Religions" is revelatory of the unifying thoughts and traditions that knit the Indians together. "Prayer" brings up the rear of this practical volume with its conclusion that more things are wrought by prayer equally for the Hindu, the Muslim, the Christian, the Jew, the Buddhist, the Jain and the Sikh. A visual treat, a literary delight, a solemn entreaty. Such is Incredible India.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Book Review
