Tuesday 18 July 2017: Council of Religions

The flaring problem of drug addiction & trafficking in Mauritius

Full paper of presentation by Bramdeo Mokoonlall of Arya Sabha Mauritius

The Vedas emphasises on the need for one and all to be of virtuous conduct (Dharma)
and shun wickedness, immorality, vice… (Adharma.)

Om pari māgne duscharitādbādhasvā mā sucharite bhaja |

Udāyushā svāyushodasthāmamritām anu || (YajurVeda 4.28)
The above hymn edicts that mankind should shun evil behaviour and be noble in
thoughts, speech and physical actions. That is the one and only way to reach salvation.
Effort (Purushārtha), i.e. 100% application of our physical and mental aptitudes should
precede prayers. People should lead by example (walk-the-talk).

Madiram (Sanskrit) in the Vedas, more fully explained by sages as madah or mādak
dravya or madya (Hindi) refers to intoxicating / addictive substances.

Addiction / substance abuse is characterized by impairment in behavioural control,

craving, inability to resist the use / abuse of intoxicants. One simply fails to recognise problems
with his behaviour and interpersonal relationships. It is a recurring compulsion by an individual
to engage in a specific activity, despite the harmful consequences, as deemed by the individual
himself to his individual health, mental, or social life.
Addiction is a social problem encouraged by the greater artificial life-style of our
culture. It reveals a deep-seated weakness in our cultural life-style with low or no connection
to spirituality and/or introspection.

Drug usage
The recreational use of drugs or otherwise as intoxicants by addicts is strictly prohibited
in the Vedas. Ayurveda (treatise on wellness, medicine) accepts the value of drugs to treat
physical health and psychological problems, in which the patient is in danger of losing control
of his faculties, under strict medical guidance /prescriptions. However, drugs are more as a
secondary and temporary tool for health, not the first line or primary approach.
Physical Health is determined by the primary factors of our physical existence: what
we eat, drink, breathe, practice as physical exercises, rest, relaxation, how we adapt to climate,
seasonal and age changes in life, our actions or karma, ...our lifestyle.
Psychological Health is the outcome of the primary factors of our mental existence,
the type of sensory impressions we take in, the emotional states we are involved with, our basic
values, relationships and associations in life. It is a matter of our own actions or karma, how
we think, speak and act in day-to-day life. A good psychological health relates more to how
we live in relation to nature and spirituality (spiritual reality).

The practice of yoga (āsanas / postures; prānāyāma / breathing exercises / breath

control, meditation / silencing of the mental and emotional activities; prayer, mantra jāpa /
recitation of Vedic Hymns), a sāttvic diet, natural foods, and the balance of the five elements
(earth, water, fire, air & space) in day-to-day life are more important for long term physical
health than any drug, however useful these may be at certain times for extreme conditions.

Dharma (Virtue): the Holistic Approach to Wellness / Well-being

“Dhriti-Kshama-Dama-asteyam-Shaucham-IndriyaNigrahah-Dheer-Vidya-Satyam-
akrodho-Dashakam-Dharma-Lakshanam” (Manusmriti)
This aphorism of Sage Manu, the universal lawgiver, describes the 10 essential rules
virtue: (1) dhriti (patience); (2) kshamā (forgiveness / compassion / empathy); (3) dama
(fortitude / self-control); (4) asteya (non-stealing); (5) saucha (external & internal cleanliness);
(6) indriya nigraha (control of senses); (7) dhee (sense of reasoning); (8) vidyā (knowledge);
(9) satya (truthfulness); and (10) akrodha (never to lose temper).
The path of Dharma helps the seeker as well as indirectly governs the welfare of the
society. The precepts, not only elevate the soul to attain Moksha (salvation) but first and
foremost serve as a code of conduct to both enjoy the worldly pleasures and attain divine
happiness.

Universal values in Ashtanga Yoga: Yama-Niyama

Yama and Niyama, the first two processes in the 8-fold process of Yoga, are the do’s
and the don'ts pertaining to social and personal discipline, to be applied throughout life and
succeed in both material and spiritual life.
The living values of Yoga are universal. They empower us to realise happiness, peace
and prosperity in the long run: the opportunity cost - foregoing fleeting pleasures. Prioritising
on goals and renunciation of inferior alternatives are part and parcel of life. (Example: Working
towards a better adult life involves relinquishing many of the immediate pleasures that one is
often pushed to pursue in youthful life.)
The five Yamas are: (1) Ahimsā: non-violence; (2) Satya: truth; (3) Asteya: non-stealing;
(4) Brahmacharya: the learning phase of life (including the study of the scriptures), coupled
with control of the senses; and (5) Aparigraha: the non-accumulation of superfluous thoughts
and things.
The five Niyamas are: (1) Saucha: internal & external cleanliness; (2) Santosha: be
content with the fruits of one’s actions after putting our utmost efforts; (3) Tapah: penance,
resilience to adversity; (4) Svādhyāya: study of the scriptures, contemplation & introspection;
(5) Ishvara pranidhāna or submission to God & the laws of nature.
Application of the universal values
Yoga prescribes that we should abide to these universal values at the level of:
(1.i) thoughts (manasā), (1.ii speech (vāchā) and (1.iii) physical actions (karmanā); and
(2.i) what we do, (2.ii) what we share as ideas / opinions and as instructions / orders, and (2.iii)
what we consent even by remaining silent as “he who says nothing gives his consent.”

Education is the master key /tool to tackle social evils.

Values need be inculcated since tender age, as the mother’s lap is referred in the Vedas
as the highest university of the world. Parents are the first / primary educators of the child.
Their paramount duty is to protect the child, care for his physical, moral and social
development …which includes moral education empowering him to resist adverse peer
pressure and not fall prey to social evils.
Regrettably, children nowadays are like the table tennis ball batted by the players on
each side: the informal educators, parents simply shun their responsibilities and fail to inculcate
values in their children, passing the ball to educators who in turn argue that this ‘noble’ task is
outside the scope of their duties and responsibilities

Cleanliness (saucha) is generally referred to external hygiene. The Vedic edicts

emphasise on the need for internal hygiene which involve living the universal values on 24x7
basis, daily meditation, prayers, mental exercise (self-analysis). The end-result will be
harmony between thoughts, speech and actions – moving away from the baits / pitfalls in life.
With the wit to differentiate between truth and untruth, virtue and vice, duties and
responsibility and negligence and irresponsibility, such a person will be ever alert and resilient
to lures from peers and friends.

Education, per se the Kautilya Arthashāstra (treatise on economics & social development)
Education should be for the holistic development of the person. Ultimately it empowers
the learner to achieve self-control and control of the senses, the barrier to be lured into
unbecoming conduct and deeds (3.5, Kautilya Arthashāstra, treatise on economics & social
development). Such a person is unlikely to fall prey to the fleeting pleasures of intoxicating
substances. It corroborates with Varjayenmadhu (Manusmriti 7.47) which elaborates on vices,
amongst others madah or mādak dravya or madya, i.e. intoxicating substances – alcohol,
opium, cannabis, hemp …psycho-active herbs, chemicals, etc.
Varjayenmadhu in Manusmriti 2.177 strictly prohibits the use of madah / mādak
dravya / madya since the tender age and throughout life. This aphorism forms part of the key
teachings when the child is initiated to formal education at the age of 5 or 8.

So-called modern education

Unfortunately, in the name of secularism and the likes, moral / civic education, which
was in very informal, through stories in prescribed text for languages, have been deleted.
Economic development has been prioritised to the detriment of the development of our human
capital.
Learning from our neighbours, Singapore’s educational curriculum is imbibed, since
the beginning of its ‘modern development’, with civic education to sensitize one and all to be
ethical throughout life, hence its reputation as a successful nation both in terms of human
capital and economic progress.

Meditation, prayer time, spirituality are very important elements for long term
psychological health, often termed as more important than what any drug or therapist can do
for us, however necessary these drugs may be in extreme conditions.

Madiram (RigVeda 6.20.6; 6.69.6-7) elaborates on food, fruits and herbs as essential to
wellness in life. Psycho-active herbs and their derivatives are to be used under strict medical
guidance. Preceding and subsequent hymns emphasises on the duty of rulers to ensure that
sound education (both material & spiritual) be disseminated to all, people who indulge in
unbecoming conduct should be dealt with accordingly.

In spite of some people pointing out that a number of Hindu sadhus indulge in the
recreational use of intoxicants as a means to deal with the bodily discomforts of their austere
lives, the Vedas – the ultimate authoritative scriptures of mankind, the shāstras and smritis
(allied Vedic knowledge compiled by Rishis / sages) prohibit the use of drugs / intoxicants and
defines their uses for spiritual purposes as non-yogic approach. Ayurveda uses specific dosage
in the formulation of drugs for alleviating pain and psycho-somatic related issues.

The use natural mind-altering drugs, practised across several sects is NO sacred way to
spirituality and do not even form part of rituals. Usage, if any is practised, is NOT different
from recreational usage of drugs for personal pleasure as well.

There are no particular reference to synthetic drugs (composites of chemical

substances) in the Vedas and ancillary literature. Intoxicating substances whether derived
from plants and herbs or chemical and metallic nature are to be regrouped under mādak dravya,
which are toxic to the body as a whole.

Psycho-active herbs and their derivatives as well as chemical formula, are not entirely
avoidable in life. Our duty is to live as per the edicts of Dharma and Yama-Niyama which
prescribes the minimum: cleanliness (saucha), control of the senses (indriya nigraha), NOT to
expose ourselves to the recreational use of drugs and intoxicants as the short term pleasure
more-than-often result in addiction, weakening the nervous system and impeding on our
faculty to find natural happiness and contentment, with ensuing long term health problems and
shortening of life span.
 Drugs and intoxicants are not the sole or main factor to physical or psychical well-being.
Ayurveda, the science to overall wellbeing is about mastering our existence / destiny, achieving
our goals which are in our hold …our food and drinks be sāttvic (earned or given to us in line
with the precepts of Dharma and Yama-Niyama) and more importantly on our own attitudes,
values and actions

The Vedic knowledge offers a holistic approach to wellness - an inner technology of

yoga, mantra and meditation to access higher states of consciousness, peace and happiness.
Unless we integrate these universal values in our daily lives, we should not be surprised if
society, in particular the youth follows the ways of today’s culture which thrives on indulgence
/ addiction …food, drinks, drugs …etc.

Dealing with drug addicts and drug trafficking

ManuSmriti, the masterpiece of the universal lawgiver Sage Manu provides guidance:

Drug addiction is adharma, contrary to virtue. It is not a worthy conduct and needs to
be discouraged. Therefore sensitisation on the ill-effects of intoxicating substances and
addiction thereto should be part and parcel of formal and informal education.
The appropriate approach is to emphasise on virtue which would serve as eye-opener to
weigh the pros and cons of such addiction. The Scriptures and ancillary literature speak clearly
on the havoc caused by intoxicating substances – ill-health (physical and mental suffering),
shortened life span.
Drug addiction is a reprehensible act. People should initially be dealt with compassion
and empathy and given rehabilitation opportunities. However other crimes committed for the
purpose of ‘purchasing his dose’ should be dealt with accordingly. Those obstinately
uncooperative attitude towards authority or discipline or with recurring history (recalcitrant)
should be dealt with in stricter ways.

Manusmriti chapter 7 on “The Science of Government” and is profusely quoted in the

Satyartha Prakash under “The duties of the State”’. Below are some excerpts on the
administration of justice:
» Law should be applied thoughtfully, thus give happiness to people. Applied
inconsiderately, it ruins the people and the country. Without law enforcement, societal
norms would be defiled and destroy the whole purpose of being law-abiding citizens.
» Law duly enforced will be a deterrent for people to indulge in folly and live happily,
provided that it is not applied in a biased manner (innuendo: no preferential status to anyone
due to position, etc. as we are all are duty bound to be ethical in all dealings).
» Use of intoxicating substances is top-listed among the evils arising out of lust. In fact it is
the worst of evils. (innuendo: drug peddlers / drug trafficking are in worse off situations!!)
» He who has bad habits is worse than the dead …he dies several times in the eyes of his
peers, relatives and friends before he departs this world. It behoves all to shun evil and
adopt virtue. (innuendo: People should be given opportunities through rehabilitation.)
» Under good governance the state is duty-bound to rise up to the challenges and fight all
evils that ruin society. (Social evils include drug addiction and drug trafficking).
» Meritocracy (equal opportunities) implies that people be given office on the basis of their
qualifications and competences; for that reason, all should have access to education for the
holistic development of the individual, a creative process unfolding latent potential.
» Obstinate offenders (recalcitrant) ought to be given harsher punishment so that the state
remains well-protected. However the ruler who keeps his subjects weak and depressed
weakens the country. Punishment meted out should serve as a warning, because leniency
would encourage others to indulge in evils.
» In dealing out punishment due consideration should be made of the time, the occasion, the
agent, the magnitude of the offence, the amount of fines are indicative. Whatever crime
causes one price fine to an ordinary man should be raised to a thousand times as much in
the case of offenders who are learned and / or fully aware of the consequences of such
crime; the higher the hierarchy as an educated person or as an officer, the harsher the
punishment to be meted out. (Drug dealers / trafficking should attract very harsh penalties,
as the offenders are fully aware of the havoc caused / to be caused by their business).
» Justice should be dispensed in an impartial way with no consideration for relationships,
friendship, posts, etc. He who has given up righteousness and kills innocent people (drug
peddlers) should be dealt with at the earliest. Dilatory measures should not be allowed in
dealing with offenders; justice delayed is justice denied.

Bramdeo Mokoonlall, Arya Sabha Mauritius

Tel: 5795 0220; 212 2730
Email: bmukundlall.arya@gmail.com