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Evolution of the self by true knowledge (Atmotkarsha Ka Âdhara — Gyana): Vangamaya Vol-58

Gyana – absolute depth and expansion of righteous knowledge, contains the source of deciphering the ultimate truth…. Acharya Sharma had devoted his exceptionally bright intellect, sagacious eloquence and spiritual talents for the noble purpose of enlightening people across the globe by the noted glow of Gyana. He aimed that righteous knowledge be adopted in action, in every dimension of life, rather than being confined within the peripheries of philosophical deliberations and abstract intellectual discussions. For him, propagation of Gyana was meaningful only if it could enable the masses learn the art of living a happy, progressive and serene life and motivate the ‘social animal’ to rise and gradually reach the glorious state of a ‘divine being’. Different volumes of this Vangmaya series express the gamut of different domains of Gyana elucidated by him for this purpose.
The present volume represents the complete meaning, eternal existence and universal nature of Gyana. It may be identified as the foundation stone of the edifice of the “Vichar Kranti Abhiyan” initiated by Acharya Sharma for creative materialization of his noble purpose of distributing the nectar of Gyana to improve the quality of life on the earth. This volume also gives the details on the programs implemented under the above abhiyan (mission) of refinement and creative orientation of people’s talents and thoughts.
Elimination of evil tendencies of mind, perverted mentality, untoward thoughts and negative attitude by positive thinking and righteous knowledge is among the fundamental objectives of this “Vichar Kranti” mission. It is indeed remarkable to note, how Acharya Sharma has made this movement perfect in terms of suitability for people with different psychological, educational and social backgrounds, who are living under different circumstances of life.
Shiksha and vidya are the principle modes of propagation of knowledge (ref. vol. no. 49 of this series). These two are mutually complementary components of absolute education. Shiksha deals with school education, which begins with literacy and endows one with the knowledge, rather information, about the external activities of life and the visible world. It makes one ‘qualified’ for self-reliance in earning his living and developing skilled talents and expertize in specific disciplines of worldly knowledge.
Vidya deals with what could be attributed to the knowledge and realization of the inner world. It goes far deeper from the behavioral science of human mind and enables self-analysis, refinement and development of personality with integrity of character, and arousal of virtuous tendencies, which set the foundation of human dignity. There may be little hope of materialistic development and attainment of worldly comforts of life in the absence of shiksha. But, there certainly appears no possibility of viable progress and persistence of peace and happiness in human life, without vidya. In fact, cannot serve its true purpose without being accompanied by vidya.
Illumination and escalation of human life at personal as well as social levels, depends upon inculcation of vidya. Comprehensive evaluation of one’s personality should therefore be done with respect to his vidya rather than vhiksha. Negligence of this aspect in the modern times has given rise to what Acharya Sharma calls – “a crisis of faith”. The heat of this crisis might evaporate the nectar of intrinsic faith in divine values of humanity and dry up the spring of the soothing sentiments of love and compassion, if the shower of Gyana offered by vidya is stopped completely.
SadGyana is that stream of righteous knowledge, which arouses the divine sentiments hidden in our inner selves. It is SadGyana, which inspires the driving force for upward journey along the ideal path of truth. It also inspires true devotion. It is like a ‘paras’ which illuminates every sphere of life with divine glow and bestows the boons of prudence and righteous attitude, which open up the treasures of peace, happiness and prosperity. Acharya Sharma’s words and deeds illustrate how SadGyana can offer realistic solutions to every kind of problems being faced by the human society today.
Acharya Sharma’s literature is unique not only in terms of its volume and depth, but also, in its vivid expressions and its intimacy with the internal and external domains of life and the world as a whole. His thoughts represent every impulse of human knowledge and his inspirations can reach every core of our minds and hearts. This visionary had affirmed “propagation and adoption of SadGyana” as the crucial need of the day and had declared it as the motto of the revolution motivated by mahakala – the eternity of time, supreme order of thou and divine spirit of nature, as part of the resurrection of divine culture in the new era…..
“Nahi Gyanena Sadrasham Pavitramahi Vidyate” – this quote of holy Gita recognizes Gyana as the most pious source leading to the ultimate goal of life. This message is recalled in the present volume with practical guidance on how the piety of righteous knowledge eliminates the malice of our thoughts. The author emphasizes the inversion (upright change) or the inverted (untoward) mentality of the masses by the creative force of sadGyana, which is presented to the formers in an easy-to-grasp and inspiring manner.
Acharya Sharma had set live example of the authenticity and feasibility of the above endeavor – of refining people’s faith, convictions, attitudes and mode of living, by promoting “Gyana Yagya” as integral part of the creative programs of altruist service and social reformation undertaken by his organization at Shantikunj, Hardwar. This volume gives details on the meaning and methods of performing Gyana Yagyas and cites information about the centers, spread across the globe, which guide, support and implement these noble activities under the auspices of Gayatri Pariwar, Shantikunj, Hardwar.
The Vedic hymn “Aroha Tamaso Jyotih” inspires us to come out of the dark well of ignorance and move towards the sacred glow of Gyana…. One’s ignorance about himself is described here as his nearest and biggest enemy. The term “Atma Gyana” refers to the true knowledge and realization of one’s own self, its origin, internal character, eternal existence and ultimate goal. Atma Gyana is affirmed as the highest state of Gyana in the science of spirituality.
“How and why to attain Atma-Gyana?” – this natural question, existing in the mind of almost every seeker of knowledge, is adeptly addressed by Acharya Sharma. Because of his perfect understanding of people’s psychology, value systems and philosophies of life, the methods of swadhyaya, satsanga and pragya-yoga, suggested by him for self-realization, self-analysis, self-evaluation, and self-elevation, are most suitable for today’s society.
The importance of Gyana cannot be described in words…. Gyana is the source of development and illumination of the physical, mental and spiritual domains of life. It penetrates the smog of the evil tendencies of mind, which gather because of illusion and ignorance. Gyana assimilated in one life is said to move in the form of divine sanskaras (inherent tendencies) with the individual self in successive lives of the latter. Sadgyana is the power of the soul and the basis of spiritual eminence and greatness of human life.
The edifice of the divine culture of ancient India was built by the rishis on the stout foundation of Gyana. The remarkable influence of Gyana on the lives of the great personalities is seen in the later ages too. Unfortunately, in the modern times, the excessive use of only few dimensions – namely, those pertaining to the science of matter and knowledge of the perceptible world, of Gyana has narrowed down its impact in people’s life. Prejudiced dominance of extrovert attitude and shiksha has waned out the relevance of vidya in today’s world. Therefore, Sadgyana has practically become an abstract philosophical concept for most of us….
The present volume is like an oasis in the desert of the buried sentiments, among the mirages of ‘wise’ ignorance found in our lives today. Sincere practice of swadhyaya, satsanga and pragya-yoga, as described here and attainment of vidya would enable us fetch the nectar of Sadgyana from this oasis for making the ancient tree of divine culture blossom again…. .