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Foundational elements of indian culture (Bharatiya Sanskriti Ke Âdharabhuta Tatva): Vangamaya Vol-34

The Indian culture is described as “Saa Prathamaa Sanskrati Vishvavaaraa” – the first and the supreme culture in the world. It is honored as a divine culture. Today, when the country is undergoing haywire transformations on cultural front and facing cultural diversion and adulteration – the influence of occidental civilization and commercialization has over shadowed the way of life of even those who vaunt for the great cultural heritage of India…., it has become more important to review the original form and expansion of the Indian culture, analyze its foundation-principles in scientific light and present in detail its different aspects which deal with the day to day life of people and are useful for the righteous progress of the world…..
The global expansion of ancient Indian culture and its contributions to human civilization and evolution of intellect are discussed in the next volume of this series. The present volume focuses at the basic philosophy, original structure, value system, traditions and modes of practices of upaasana associated with psychological and spiritual refinement. Social aspects and relevance of this culture in the modern circumstances is also highlighted in these two volumes. Both the volumes together make comprehensive treatise on the Indian Culture.
This volume describes in detail, the divine elements of the Indian cultural values and its linkage with human psychology and spirituality. The philosophical and scientific foundation of this culture set the basis of culmination of human life and ultimate evolution of the conscious faculties of human self….. It encompasses all possibilities of global welfare and righteous progress of the entire world – of all beings and everything existing on this earth. The central theme behind the development of Indian culture as shaped by the revered rishis was – “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, treating the entire world as our own family – reflecting universality of serene love, altruism, sharing of responsibilities and caring for all beings…..
The central theme of Indian cultural development has evolved from the Indian philosophy of continuity of life and realization of the soul as a manifestation of divine impulse…. Successive refinement of human consciousness by elimination of animal instincts and evil tendencies of the mind and enlightenment of its inner cores was therefore given maximum importance by the rishis. The system of shodash sanskaaras was devised by them for this purpose.
The shodash sanskaaras, performed at different stages of human life, aim at continuous refinement and escalation of the individual self. The methods of performing these sanskaaras and adoption of associated disciplines in personal and social life constitute an important component of Indian cultural system. Comprehensive description of the philosophy, scientific basis, methods and positive effects – especially in the present state of the world, of the shodash sanskaaras is given in the previous volume (no. 33) of this series. The present volume would focus them in contextual reference to the eternal conjugation of Indian cultural philosophy with human life.
It is a culture of this type which produces true saints, altruist social reformers, martyrs, great personalities, intellectuals, scientists and spiritual masters of the kinds of the rishis, who, like angels, bestow the world with divine grace through their noble deeds and ascetic characters….. The purity of intrinsic faith and arousal of inner sentiments are regarded most important for the realization of divinity existing in the inner self. The methods of upaasanaa prescribed under the Indian cultural principles lend excellent support in this direction. The source of aspirations and happiness and the ultimate core of sentiments – the inner self too gets refined and charged by the devotional practices of upaasanaa and it experiences absolute peace and blissfulness.
The principles pertaining to – ascetic control of mental tendencies and adoption of honesty, generosity, mutual trust, healthy cooperation, morality, integrity of character and deeds, altruist service, sincere fulfilment of moral and social responsibilities towards the family, society, nation and the world, courageous attitude and endeavors to fight against injustice, immorality, exploitation, superstition, communalism, castism and similar tendencies and effects in the personal and social domains, constructive efforts for healthy maintenance of ecosystem and purification of the environment of life, etc – are fundamental to the creative practices propagated under the banner of Indian culture.
How the above mentioned ‘virtual idealism’ could be naturally assimilated in the activities and behavioral transactions of daily life? This has been the focus of what constitutes the ‘traditions’ of the Indian culture. In the present volume, Acharya Sharma has eloquently guided the practicalities of the above disciplines and traditions. He has also described the scientifically viable methods of suitable conditioning of mind for this purpose.
The word “culture” is a literal translation of the word “sanskrati” in Sanskrit language. According to Sanskrit grammar, the word “sanskrati” means – that action, method or system which has (or which pertains to) virtuous tendencies…. Restraining of the agile mind and cultivation of virtuous tendencies in it is emphasized in the Bhaarteeya Sanskrati (Indian Culture) because mind is the sole source of orientation of one’s attitude, deeds and character. The subtle impulses of consciousness are expressed in the intellect, thoughts and sentiments via the medium of the four inner layers of mind – namely, mana, buddhi, chitta and ahamkaara.
Because of its sound footing on the in-depth knowledge of human psychology and science of spirituality, the Indian philosophy adequately deals with unlimited expansion of different aspects of human life – including those at the most personal to those at the global levels….. Because, Nature and every form of existence has also been treated here as a manifestation of universal consciousness, the materialistic domain of the world and the nature, functions and activities of the gross body too fall within the consideration of this philosophy. The original structure and relevance of the Indian culture is therefore regarded as universal….
The logic behind the traditions of – multiple manifestations of God, worshiping of idols, wearing sacred thread (yagyopaveet), keeping hair knot (shikhaa), putting a tilaka (sacred mark on the forehead), using a rosary while chanting mantras, etc, is discussed in the present volume perspicuously and with the information on the purpose and educational and social implications of – celebrating different festivals, fasting, pilgrimages, performing the rituals of shraaddha – tarpana for the dead members of the family, etc.
It is possible only for the trenchant intellect of a spiritual saint and eminent scholar like Acharya Sharma, to present the vast expansion of the principles and practices of Indian culture so precisely and completely in a compact volume. Most importantly, the scientific basis and nature of above practices and other components of Indian cultural system are also deciphered here to enable the reader distinguish between superstitions and devotion or between the deformed traditions and the original nature of the Indian culture… and help him follow the righteous and scientifically justified mode of life accordingly.
The systems of varna and aashram prescribed by the rishis are often subjected to the criticism of rational thinkers and intellectuals of the modern age. This is because, the popular interpretations and the information available on these aspects of Indian culture indicates them as nurturing castism, social discrimination, evasion from responsibilities, etc…. Acharya Sharma has paid special attention to these important issues. He has cited excerpts from the original scriptures and given authentic references and explanation of what is exactly meant by the terms Braahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shoodra described as the four varnas. The fundamentalists, the orthodox scholars and the advocates of castism will not find any reasonable counter-argument to reject his interpretations and adept analysis. Acharya Sharma has clearly pointed out that the classification of the varnas has no connection with one’s birth, creed, caste, religion or social status…. He has given adept guidance coupled with live examples from the ancient as well as the modern history of the world to elucidate – “How the varnas are associated with one’s attitude, character and deeds?”, “How anyone can become a true Brahmin?”, etc.
How the division of average span of life in different aashramas can be modified to have creative implications in the modern way of life – has been impressively guided by the author. After reading his authentic and reasonable interpretations of the terms vaanprastha and sanyaasa, it will become clear to the readers that these aashramas have nothing to do with escaping from the world or evasion of social responsibilities. On the contrary, these imply expansion of the interests and efforts beyond the peripheries of selfish attachments to the wider domains of noble service and welfare; the creative use of one’s knowledge, experience, talents and resources is emphasized during these later phases of life.
After going through the deliberations of Acharya Sharma, one would also realize the scientific basis of natural maintenance of bodily, mental and spiritual health and excellent development of personality by proper observance of Brahmacharya aashrama. The life and works of the author and his wife Smt. Bhagawati Devi Sharma illustrate that Grahastha aashrama is the best phase of life for ascetic training, testing self-restrain, endurance, hard work along with happy sharing of sentiments and responsibilities in married life and contributing towards progressive elevation of the family and the society. Who else could then give a better guidance on creative traversal through this phase of life where one gets a rare opportunity of enjoying serene love and cooperation of the life partner, fulfillment of worldly duties and simultaneously refining and escalating the personality at the sentimental and spiritual levels too.
Guru – spiritual mentor, Gaayatree – the Gaayatree Mantra, origin of all Vedas, Gangaa – the holy Ganges, Gau (cow) and Geetaa are the five fundamental elements which lie at the core of the development and practices of the Indian culture. It is through these roots that the stout tree of divine Indian culture had blossomed in the ancient times of yore and has maintained its ‘greenery’ age after age despite turbulent fluctuations in people’s faith, convictions, cultural values and modes of living….. Implementation of the divine cultural principles becomes possible in every dimension of life with the support of Guru, Gaayatree, Geetaa, Gau and Gangaa at the spiritual, philosophical and worldly levels. Focused discussions on these aspects in scientific light – keeping in mind the intimate relationship of the above elements with human life, and the description of the eternal boons bestowed by them on the world – are other significant features of this volume.
This volume also gives information on the constructive efforts inspired by the author for the revival of the divine Indian culture…. The programs of his mission for this purpose are being implemented within and outside India by the members of Gayatri Pariwar under the auspices of Shantikunj, Hardwar. This volume together with the volume nos. 33 and 35 would serve as an encyclopedia of detailed knowledge and a precious treatise for the researchers of Indian Culture. It should be read by those who care to know why the Indian culture was attributed such a great honor and also those who are looking for viable solutions for happy survival and glorious progress of humanity for ever….