vidya bhushan gupta passing on the vedic heritage vidya bhushan gupta

Vidya Bhushan GuptaVidya Bhushan Gupta

Passing on the Vedic Passing on the Vedic HeritageHeritage



Vedic HeritageVedic Heritage

LOVE OF TRUTH – LOVE OF TRUTH – satyameva jayatesatyameva jayate MORAL AGENCY - MORAL AGENCY - manurbhavamanurbhava EGALITARIANISM - EGALITARIANISM - amritasya putrahamritasya putrah SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS – SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS – shata hasta samhaara sahsra shata hasta samhaara sahsra

hasta samkirahasta samkira MORAL ACTIVISM - FIGHTING FOR INJUSTICE MORAL ACTIVISM - FIGHTING FOR INJUSTICE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSCIOUSNESSENVIRONMENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS AFFIRMATION RATHER THAN NEGATION OF LIFE - AFFIRMATION RATHER THAN NEGATION OF LIFE -

SELF-REALIZATION WHILE CARRYING OUT WORDLY SELF-REALIZATION WHILE CARRYING OUT WORDLY DUTIESDUTIES

GLOBAL WORLD VIEW – GLOBAL WORLD VIEW – vasudheva kutumbakumvasudheva kutumbakum


LOVE OF TRUTHLOVE OF TRUTH

Jigyasa Jigyasa or curiosity -or curiosity -“adhato dharma jigyasa“adhato dharma jigyasa.” .” ShradhaShradha or or astikyaastikya budhibudhi - positive-attitude- - positive-attitude-

oriented reason, not cynicismoriented reason, not cynicism SadhanaSadhana - - BhaktiBhakti to create a positive mood, to create a positive mood,

then shravan, manan, nidhidhyasa, dharanathen shravan, manan, nidhidhyasa, dharana NyaayaNyaaya – logic, method to ascertain truth – logic, method to ascertain truth Willingness to discard untruth – change as truth Willingness to discard untruth – change as truth

unfolds unfolds


Balance Faith and ReasonBalance Faith and ReasonNo absolutes in metaphysics – personal constructions - No absolutes in metaphysics – personal constructions -

answers to the existentialist questions - diversity answers to the existentialist questions - diversity Metaphysics or inner sciences (Metaphysics or inner sciences (paraa vidyaparaa vidya) are ) are

intuitive and experiential.intuitive and experiential.Balance para vidya with apara vidya Balance para vidya with apara vidya Andhuntamah pravishanti ye avidyaam upaasateAndhuntamah pravishanti ye avidyaam upaasateTato bhuyah eva te tamo ye u vidyaayaa ratahTato bhuyah eva te tamo ye u vidyaayaa ratahArise and awake aryas, find learned teachers to get Arise and awake aryas, find learned teachers to get

knowledge, and then assimilate that knowledge and knowledge, and then assimilate that knowledge and skills in your life. (skills in your life. (uttishthata, jaagrit, praapya uttishthata, jaagrit, praapya varaahneebodhatvaraahneebodhat))


EclecticismEclecticismAa no bhadra kritvo yantu vishwatahAa no bhadra kritvo yantu vishwatah

““I neither accept the demerits of different faiths, nor I neither accept the demerits of different faiths, nor reject what is good in them.”reject what is good in them.”

““At present there are many learned men in all At present there are many learned men in all religions. If they give up prejudice, accept those religions. If they give up prejudice, accept those broad principles on which all religions are broad principles on which all religions are unanimousunanimous, reject differences, and behave , reject differences, and behave affectionately, much good can be done to the world”affectionately, much good can be done to the world”

Arya is not a Arya is not a vedantivedanti or or mimaamsac, mimaamsac, but draws the but draws the best from all of them.best from all of them.


Moral AgencyMoral Agency

Satyam brihata ritamugram deeksha tapoh Satyam brihata ritamugram deeksha tapoh brahma yajyam prithveee dharyantee brahma yajyam prithveee dharyantee (Atharveda 12.1.1)(Atharveda 12.1.1)

Truth, broadmindedness, righteousness, Truth, broadmindedness, righteousness, fortitude, consecration of all acts as sacrifice to fortitude, consecration of all acts as sacrifice to God, penance, brahma-yajna (contemplation God, penance, brahma-yajna (contemplation and meditation) sustain the earth.and meditation) sustain the earth.


Dharma (Manu/primal man)Dharma (Manu/primal man)

Dhriti, kshama, daamo, asteyam, shaucham, Dhriti, kshama, daamo, asteyam, shaucham, indriya nigrah,dhih, vidya, satyam, akrodho, indriya nigrah,dhih, vidya, satyam, akrodho, dashkum dharma lakshnum.dashkum dharma lakshnum.

Patience, forgiveness, restraint, non-stealing, Patience, forgiveness, restraint, non-stealing, clean body and mind, control of the senses, clean body and mind, control of the senses, knowledge and wisdom, truthfulness, and knowledge and wisdom, truthfulness, and anger control are the ten signs of dharma. anger control are the ten signs of dharma.


Vedic CommandmentsVedic Commandments

Yama (Restraint): nonviolence, not lying, not Yama (Restraint): nonviolence, not lying, not stealing, not lusting, and not possessing beyond needsstealing, not lusting, and not possessing beyond needs ahimsaahimsa or nonviolence, an injunction against physical, or nonviolence, an injunction against physical,

mental, or financial transgression against others (mental, or financial transgression against others (himsahimsa or or violence). violence). Ahimsa paromodharmahAhimsa paromodharmah

Niyama (Observances): cleanliness, contentment, Niyama (Observances): cleanliness, contentment, discipline, self‑study, and surrender to the Lord discipline, self‑study, and surrender to the Lord self-restraint, self-restraint, damah,damah, or limiting personal good for the or limiting personal good for the

greater good. Controlling the senses greater good. Controlling the senses (vijit atma jitendriya(vijit atma jitendriya)) is a prerequisite for emancipation or realization of God. is a prerequisite for emancipation or realization of God.


Personal IntegrityPersonal Integrity

Chod deven chhal kapat koChod deven chhal kapat ko Straightforwardness Straightforwardness (Aarjava)– yathaa (Aarjava)– yathaa

chittum, tathaa vaachah, yathaa vaachah chittum, tathaa vaachah, yathaa vaachah tathaa kriyaa, chitte vaachi kriyyam cha tathaa kriyaa, chitte vaachi kriyyam cha saadhunaam ekruptaasaadhunaam ekruptaa

Sense of personal responsibility irrespective of Sense of personal responsibility irrespective of an ulterior benefitan ulterior benefit (karma-nishtaa) (karma-nishtaa)

Vaachum nah svadatuVaachum nah svadatu Sarve bhadrani pashyantuSarve bhadrani pashyantu


Family Values Family Values (Atharva Veda)(Atharva Veda)

Anuvratah pituh putro maataa bhavatoo sammanahAnuvratah pituh putro maataa bhavatoo sammanahJaayaa patye madhumateem vaacham vadatoo Jaayaa patye madhumateem vaacham vadatoo

shanteevaanshanteevaan ““May the son act in accordance with the father's May the son act in accordance with the father's

wishes; may he be of one mind with the mother as wishes; may he be of one mind with the mother as well. May the wife talk to her husband in soothing well. May the wife talk to her husband in soothing words as sweet as honey! Behaving properly toward words as sweet as honey! Behaving properly toward the elders and the others, considerate, pleasing each the elders and the others, considerate, pleasing each other, and working for common good, may you never other, and working for common good, may you never part company. Come here each talking affectionately part company. Come here each talking affectionately to each other.” (Atharveda 3.30.2)to each other.” (Atharveda 3.30.2)


Family ValuesFamily Values

Atharvaveda says that “O, family members! May you Atharvaveda says that “O, family members! May you live together amicably for the sake of common goals live together amicably for the sake of common goals like the spokes of a wheel which are all equal and like the spokes of a wheel which are all equal and converge to the core. converge to the core.

Do not have conflict. Talk with civility and respect to Do not have conflict. Talk with civility and respect to each other, and render assistance to each other. O each other, and render assistance to each other. O family members! May you partake of the same food family members! May you partake of the same food and drink in this family. May the commodity, goods and drink in this family. May the commodity, goods and services by enjoyed equally by you all!”and services by enjoyed equally by you all!”


Family ValuesFamily Values

Sah hridyam saamnasyam vidvesham kronomee vahSah hridyam saamnasyam vidvesham kronomee vah

Anyo anyamabhi haryat vatsam jaatam iva aghnyaaAnyo anyamabhi haryat vatsam jaatam iva aghnyaa I ordain affection, harmony and non-hostility for you. I ordain affection, harmony and non-hostility for you.

Show affection for one another as a cow shows Show affection for one another as a cow shows affection to her newborn calf. (Atharveda 3.30.1)affection to her newborn calf. (Atharveda 3.30.1)

““Let not brother hate brother, nor sister, sister; Let not brother hate brother, nor sister, sister; becoming accordant, of similar resolve, speak becoming accordant, of similar resolve, speak auspiciously and sweetly to each other.”auspiciously and sweetly to each other.”


Respect for WomenRespect for Women O bride! May you enter this house to become its guiding light! O bride! May you enter this house to become its guiding light!

You are endowed with intelligence and understanding. You are endowed with intelligence and understanding. ((subudhaa budhyamaanaasubudhaa budhyamaanaa) Make the children of this house ) Make the children of this house intelligent and knowledgeable. By observing the rules of intelligent and knowledgeable. By observing the rules of hygiene assure the health, happiness and long life of all the hygiene assure the health, happiness and long life of all the people in the house. May the Lord also bless you so that you people in the house. May the Lord also bless you so that you may live long! (Atharveda xiv.2.75)may live long! (Atharveda xiv.2.75)

O bride! With the intention of increasing my family, I, knowing O bride! With the intention of increasing my family, I, knowing your personality, willingly embrace you. While living together your personality, willingly embrace you. While living together as man and wife in the householdas man and wife in the household I will never seek pleasures I will never seek pleasures without your knowledge. I even expunge any such thoughts without your knowledge. I even expunge any such thoughts from my mind. Within the constraints of religion and righteous from my mind. Within the constraints of religion and righteous behavior I will enjoy my life by working hard. behavior I will enjoy my life by working hard.


Noble Intentions Noble Intentions (bhaav ujjawal keejiye, chhod devene chhal (bhaav ujjawal keejiye, chhod devene chhal

kapata)kapata)Om, Yaj jagrato doora mudaiti daivam tadu suptasya Om, Yaj jagrato doora mudaiti daivam tadu suptasya

tathai vaiti durangamam jyotishaam jyoti rekam tathai vaiti durangamam jyotishaam jyoti rekam tamne manah shiva sankalpam astu tamne manah shiva sankalpam astu

O Lord make that mind of mine (O Lord make that mind of mine (tanme manahtanme manah) that ) that goes far in the wafeful state (goes far in the wafeful state (jagrito durmudaitijagrito durmudaiti), and ), and likewise in the state of slumber, and one that knows likewise in the state of slumber, and one that knows about objects far and wide, full of noble resolve. about objects far and wide, full of noble resolve. (Yajurveda 34.1) (Yajurveda 34.1)

Bhadram no api vatay manahBhadram no api vatay manah (Rigveda 10.20.1) (Rigveda 10.20.1) Inspire our mind toward good worksInspire our mind toward good works


Affirmation of LifeAffirmation of LifeMaterial SpiritualismMaterial Spiritualism

Vayam syaam apatayo rayinaamVayam syaam apatayo rayinaam Jeevema sharadh shatam vardhamanahJeevema sharadh shatam vardhamanah Icchanti devaah sunvantaama na swapnaay Icchanti devaah sunvantaama na swapnaay

sprihyanti yanti praamaad matandtaahsprihyanti yanti praamaad matandtaah (Samaveda 721)(Samaveda 721)

Natures bounties favor those who are active in Natures bounties favor those who are active in work and do not sleep excessively. They bless work and do not sleep excessively. They bless those who realize the ecstasy of life.those who realize the ecstasy of life.


SalvationSalvation Salvation is not eternal absorption of soul in God (Salvation is not eternal absorption of soul in God (mokshamoksha). The ). The

soul comes back to bear the fruits of its actions. No soul comes back to bear the fruits of its actions. No individualistic pursuit of individualistic pursuit of siddhi/siddhi/ jivan mukti jivan mukti disregarding the disregarding the society. society.

The purpose of life - spiritual (The purpose of life - spiritual (nihsreyasanihsreyasa) and socio-material ) and socio-material ((abhyudayaabhyudaya) well-being ) well-being

AbhyudayaAbhyudaya occurs by righteous conduct (Dharma) and by occurs by righteous conduct (Dharma) and by performing one’s duty performing one’s duty (varna-ashrama-dharma)(varna-ashrama-dharma)..

NihsreyasaNihsreyasa or heaven can be achieved by yoga and or heaven can be achieved by yoga and yajnayajna.. ““HomaHoma are not the alpha and omega of religion and salvation does are not the alpha and omega of religion and salvation does

not depend exclusively upon them” - yajna covers all good actions not depend exclusively upon them” - yajna covers all good actions done selflessly,”done selflessly,” for duty’s sake. for duty’s sake. YajnaYajna dharma palnen, pitri, dharma palnen, pitri, deva, brahma, balvaishvadeva, atithideva, brahma, balvaishvadeva, atithi


EgalitarianismEgalitarianism

Ajyeshthaso akanishthasa ete samhrato vavridhuh Ajyeshthaso akanishthasa ete samhrato vavridhuh saubhagaaya.saubhagaaya. (5.60.5) (5.60.5)

Like brothers in whom no one is elder and no one is Like brothers in whom no one is elder and no one is younger, they grow up together for their mutual younger, they grow up together for their mutual prosperity.prosperity.

In mankind nobody is higher or lower nor is anybody In mankind nobody is higher or lower nor is anybody of middle status. Everybody with concerted effort of middle status. Everybody with concerted effort toils along the path of progress. All these men who toils along the path of progress. All these men who are naturally diligent and possess by exploiting are naturally diligent and possess by exploiting natural resources from the mother earth and utilizing natural resources from the mother earth and utilizing them for progress.them for progress.


Social ConsciousnessSocial Consciousness

9th principle of Arya Samaj - No one should 9th principle of Arya Samaj - No one should be content with promoting his/her good only; be content with promoting his/her good only; on the contrary, one should look for his/her on the contrary, one should look for his/her good in promoting the good of all. good in promoting the good of all.

1010thth principle of Arya Samaj - Individuals principle of Arya Samaj - Individuals should restrain themselves and follow the rules should restrain themselves and follow the rules of society made to promote the well being of of society made to promote the well being of all; while in following the rules of individual all; while in following the rules of individual welfare, all should be free. welfare, all should be free.


Social SpiritualitySocial Spirituality

Applying the Vedic concepts of collective Applying the Vedic concepts of collective consciousness to empathize with other consciousness to empathize with other person’s pain and sorrow is social person’s pain and sorrow is social spirituality. Parental affection is naturally spirituality. Parental affection is naturally greater than filial love, and one should take greater than filial love, and one should take care of oneself and his family. But the love care of oneself and his family. But the love of self and the family should be moderated, of self and the family should be moderated, because excess of parental love can be because excess of parental love can be ruinous as happened in Mahabharata.ruinous as happened in Mahabharata.


Swartha vs. parmaarthaSwartha vs. parmaarthaPersonal good versus common goodPersonal good versus common good

Swartha bhaav mite hamaara prem path vistaar hoSwartha bhaav mite hamaara prem path vistaar ho

Idanna mum ka saarthak pratyek mein vhavhaar hoIdanna mum ka saarthak pratyek mein vhavhaar ho

““We are one of multitude, and when we prefer ourselves We are one of multitude, and when we prefer ourselves so shamefully to others, we become the proper objects of so shamefully to others, we become the proper objects of resentment. Resigning theresentment. Resigning the greatest interest of our own, greatest interest of our own, for the yet greater interest of others is love of what is for the yet greater interest of others is love of what is honorable and noble. Preferring himself so much as to honorable and noble. Preferring himself so much as to hurt or injure others is more contrary to death. (hurt or injure others is more contrary to death. (Adam Smith, Adam Smith,

the founder of American Capitalism, in The Moral Sentiments, VI.2.46the founder of American Capitalism, in The Moral Sentiments, VI.2.46) )


Community (Community (samaajsamaaj))

The individual salvation contingent upon The individual salvation contingent upon individual realizing the essential unity of all. individual realizing the essential unity of all. “I am ever present to those who have realized “I am ever present to those who have realized me in every creature. Seeing all life as my me in every creature. Seeing all life as my manifestation, they are never separated from manifestation, they are never separated from me. They worship me in the hearts of all, and me. They worship me in the hearts of all, and all their actions proceed from me. Wherever all their actions proceed from me. Wherever they may live, they abide in me” they may live, they abide in me” (Bhāgvad Gitā (Bhāgvad Gitā 6:30).6:30).

Environment Prithvi Sukta in Atharva Veda

• Mata Bhumih putroham Prithivyah: Earth is my mother, I am her son.

• Aham bhumin adadam aaryaya : I have bestowed this earth upon Aryas - A covenant that Aryas shall secure the Earth against all

environmental trespass and shall never let her be oppressed. • Vayam tubhyam bali hyaritah syaam• We shall become bearers of tribute to thee. • Respect Mother Earth, tranquil (shantivaa, fragrant (surabhi),

pleasant (syonaa), with sweet milk in her udder (keelaal uudhrinee) (58) – Do not to hit its vitals nor its heart. Maa te marma vimrig varee, maa te hriydam aripapum (35).

Earth is a ‘Sacred Space'•For the endeavors and aspirations of humanity and for the practice of restraint and responsibility. •Maa kakambiram udbriho vanaspatim shasteervihih neenashah•“O provider of nourishment, may you not let anyone uproot the forest trees, with host of crows and other birds on them. Living in harmony with Mother Nature, we should see God in the grandeur of dawn and the flow of rivers.” (Rig Veda) •Aisha shubhraa na tanvo vidaanordhveva snaati drishye no asthaat. Apa dvesho baadhmana tamaansyushaa divo duhitaa jyotish aagaat (Rigveda 5.80.5)•Showing herself like a well-attired woman, she stands before our eyes, inclining like a woman just out of bath. Dispelling dark gloom, dawn, daughter of heaven comes with radiance.

Vidya Bhushan Gupta

Global WorldviewGlobal Worldview

• Vasudheva kutumkum

• Sam jantu sarve amritasya putrah

• Mitrasya chakshushaa samikshaamahe

• Bhadrum karnebhi shrnuyaam, bhadrum pashyemaksha abhiyajatrah

vidya bhushan gupta passing on the vedic heritage vidya bhushan gupta

Documents

apara vidya balance

truth willingness

inner sciences paraa

truth nyaaya logic

praapya varaahneebodhat

positive mood

negation of life

learned teachers