Vedic Wisdom - Misconceptions

Vedic Wisdom

Misconceptions

Due to wrong , incomplete , unscientific and defective understanding of the cosmic truths certain misconceptions have crept in into the concept of God realization and the routes to achieve it. Though the proponents of such myths claim that it is meant only for human emancipation, these misconceptions have done more harm than good for the purpose of God realization and human upliftment. Therefore it has become very necessary to clarify and remove these wrong notions so that real progress is possible in the journey to ‘eternal bliss’.

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Wrong Notions- 1 -Sanyasa

First we need to understand that this cycle of births and deaths are only pleasurable journeys (excepting for normal hiccups) if we adhere to the eternal laws. Only if we violate, problems arise.

Like in any journey there can be moments of happiness and moments of unpleasantness. If you take the total time of the journey and calculate the time span you were happy and the time span you were unhappy you will normally notice that the happy moments were high unless your karmic bondage is that bad.

If you further analyze the bad patches you would realize that much of it was because of your mindset and its attitudes.

If you would have been initiated into the principles of cosmic wisdom in young ages, these bad patches would have been avoided or overcome.

Therefore to say that this cycle of birth and death is painful or unwanted is incorrect.

Because of the fact that, somebody violates the traffic rules and therefore suffers a punishment cannot be the reason to say that we don’t want to undertake the journey at all.

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This world is full of happiness and is meant for happiness only. The Mayavadis, Pessimists, Nihilists, or Fatalists who advocate renunciation are people who have not understood the principles of “ishta”, “rta” and ‘satya” of the Godhead.

These people advocating renunciation of life as the remedy have misunderstood the concept of “sanyasa”-renunciation as propounded in Vedas.

What is to be renounced is the “Avidya” and it’s attendant evils viz., Ego, Lust and Greed. Without giving them up, by renouncing life you will achieve nothing. Conversely if you give them up, then there is nothing more for you to give up.

There is a nice story on what is renunciation by Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. A Guru and his disciple were walking along the beach. The Guru has taught several times the moral and ethical values and issues in dealing with ladies because it is one of the three deadly traps which can cause steep fall in life (the other two being gold and land).

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One day while they were walking along a beachside they found a young and very beautiful girl in the sea somewhat deep into it, apparently struggling to rescue herself from the waves but not being able to and perhaps getting drowned.

The guru expected the shishya to venture into the sea and save her , thinking that he is young and therefore more agile whereas he – the guru- is old and of lesser physical strength.

But the shishya was standing like a stone unconcerned and unmoved.

So the guru jumped in to the sea and struggled his best and got her back to the shore.

She was almost unconscious and was in a semi naked condition thanks to the waves.

The guru called the locals who had assembled there, to take care of her now and get her reached safely to her home and thereafter continued his walk. The shishya also followed.

After completing the beach walk they were returning to the ashram which was a two hour travel and it was evening twilight time. During the entire journey the boy did not speak a word.

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The guru thought maybe he is on his evening prayers and so he did not disturb him and instead the guru went into his own meditation.

The ashram was about to come. At that time the shishya spoke to the guru.

Guruji you should not mistake, I have a serious doubt on a very important matter. Guru said please ask.

The boy said that you have taught us several times that we should stay away from girls and ladies other than our mother, sisters and wife. But today you touched and handled a very young and beautiful girl and that too when she was semi naked. Have you not violated the moral law?

The guru asked ‘is this what you have been thinking for the last two hours’. I thought you were on your prayers.

Listen- I have offloaded her from my mind the moment I put her down on the sea shore whereas you have carried her in your mind this far.

Understand from me now- ‘mental renunciation is the most important thing and therefore control of mind is what is required’.

Physically abstaining out of some activities out of fear but mentally getting engaged is not renunciation, it is hypocrisy and it will only create more problems than solving any.

We must get this moral registered well in our mind so that the Vedic concept of ‘sanyasa’ is appreciated.

Also these ‘Mayavadis’ have misunderstood the Vedic concept of “tyaga” - sacrifice - which is sacrificing their ego into the altar of firm will and not the external hypocritical sacrifices.

They have not understood the science of ‘Cosmic laws’ but are applying human laws to the cosmic order. Therefore it will take you neither here nor there.

Therefore the right way is to enjoy the journey of life in full, with all it colors and pleasures to the extent of our rightful share and permit our fellow humans and other species to enjoy their share without hindering it.

Similarly we should perform our ordained duties in accordance with the cosmic laws without fail.

To simply put it, no need to give up any pleasure- but- no right to grab others share.

In this way you will not only have complete bliss in this life, but you will also have an opportunity to have more and more number of such blissful lives.

This article is a snippet from the Book Vedic Wisdom, Authored by Pandit Sri Rama Sharma. Vedic Wisdom is available online at www.giri.in and across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture and Tradition.