Vedic Wisdom - Shastras

Vedic Wisdom

Shastras

After the dawn of the cosmic wisdom through the Vedas and Upanishads and after the realization of the true relationship between Brahman and Atman – i.e., God and Man, the quest for a route to ascend and reach that state of God head arose so that human can remain in eternal bliss.

Origin of Shastras

While Vedas have laid a road map, the seekers realized that to travel in that road and achieve success an orderliness in self and the society is a must and without that, the objective of eternal bliss can’t be achieved. Therefore they started working out the rules and regulations for the human conduct within the overall cosmic rules revealed in the Vedas and elaborated in Upanishads.

This lead to the propounding of ‘shastras’ – the ways and means of life- the do’s and don’ts.The proponents of the shastras wrote the rules in verses called ‘Sutras’ which varied from place to place and time to time. Shastras are like any man made laws subject to change as the situation warrants within the overall cosmic law unlike Vedas which is unchangeable. The major authors of sutras are Apatsthambar, Bodhayana etc.,

Objectives

They defined the code of conduct for happy and peaceful coexistence of all human beings along with all other beings. They codified the conducting of life from birth to death for an individual, as well as joining hands and parting as friends as a society. It codified the duties and responsibilities of each profession stressing the need for high levels of integrity, commitment, honesty, being purpose oriented and being service oriented etc., The shastras very clearly posited that the duties and responsibilities are far more important than benefits and rights.

Manu Smriti

One of the major such Shastraa is by Manu called ‘Manu Smriti’ which is quoted even today. Unfortunately the Manu Dharmam has been totally misunderstood despite being relevant even today. It provided for the vertical and horizontal alignment of people for human development as well as for peaceful and happy coexistence; the horizontal alignment called as ‘the varnas’- different but equally respected professions; and the vertical alignment called as ‘the ashramas’- the stages of mind evolution.

It postulated the varnas, the division of labour, as four main categories (with many sub categories within that)- the intellectuals, the warriors, the facilitators (traders) and the implementers (service).It clearly stated that it is not by birth one belongs to a profession (varna) though it could be easier for him to prefer it but essentially it has to be by his choice and it was advised that he has to choose a profession what he is capable of performing. Actually it suggests that one should choose which will suit him mentally, physically and intellectually. It abhorred compulsion of any one into any profession, for reasons of birth or economic reasons and insisted upon exercising of one’s own choice.

It made it very clear that unless a person chooses a profession of his choice and enjoys doing it, he will not be in position to deliver his best and if he is not happy with his worldly duties he won’t be able to discharge his cosmic duties. Manu smriti fully realized that lack of a meaningful profession can lead to personal disaster and societal unrest- what we are seeing today.

It suggested the ‘ashramas’, for the ascent of human beings from ‘bhoga’ – physical pleasures –to ‘yoga’-mind upliftment. It defined the life styles to be adopted as a student, family man, elderly man and finally if he so likes as a recluse. It laid the detailed and relevant rules and regulations, but permitting it to be elastic as may be warranted by time and context.

But it stressed the need for discipline, non violence, truth, austerity, noble thoughts and charitable deeds, responsibility etc., at a personal level as well as at the collective level to ensure mutual cooperation, peaceful co existence etc., It also codified the duties of the man vis a vis plants, insects, birds, animals in addition to fellow human beings. It codified the human obligations to nature, environment, elders, sick, incapacitated, destitute, poor and downtrodden.

It spoke at length about the obligations of each of the four varnas and the level of social responsibilities they have to discharge. It also talked about how people in each varna and each ashrama has to keep his body and mind fit and capable. It talked about and codified rules regarding matrimony, partnership, ceremonies etc., for an orderly life from conception to cremation.

We can’t but admire the great wisdom of these seekers so early in the human history to have been so clear and candid in their thoughts and outlook towards personal and societal order.

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.