DHARMA: OUR LIGHT; OUR WAY FORWARD IN HINDUISM

By Dr. Cheetanand Mahadeo

 Tirteeye dhaamann Adhyaira-yantraa (Yajur Veda 32:10)

In the state of emancipation, liberated souls roam at will, enjoying the bliss of god

We have a common goal!

The preceding mantra explained by the Rishis attest to this fact We all desire Moskha, Nirvana,Emancipation, Vaikuntha or Heaven or whatever we want to call it We convince ourselves that we have earned that right and its a natural progression of things But, I ask you today to journey with meis this so for you?

Advaita of Truth
Truth is simple Truth is singular Truth may have many faces Truth is explained in many ways Man often changes truth to suit himself Distortions are common findings Truth is ADVAITA only

What is this Truth??

Hinduism reached its peak 5000 yrs ago Success was both spiritual and material The greatest soul to ever step on this planet departed to higher abode This pivotal juncture was the epicenter of our deterioration This quake rippled through the foundations of Hinduism Failure was now imminent, the fate of the Religion trembled; we were under attack

2 Key Questions
Was this process was subtle or obvious? Was there an imperceptible thread of destruction or was the attack blatant? The simple truth: Yes to both questions Obvious was obvious, but the subtle was so subtle, it defied the scholars for 3000 years Our way of life (Dharma) changed and the ego of Hindu Scholars weakened the religion

Who or What is to be blamed??

Challenge your minds to generate causes for the subtle deterioration Is it the Mogul invasion? The Persian invasion? The Muslim warriors of Akbar? The Dravidian hypothesis failure? Good Christian preachers and money? No one wants to blame himself/herself for the collapse.

How are we Guilty?

We have reduced our religion to good singing and ability to play instruments We have allowed EGO to become greater than Hinduism We have accepted that Hinduism must be taught with metaphors, mythology and clichs. We now believe do as the preacher says, not as he does absolute nonsense

What is (are) the Solution(s)?

Curb the EGO!! No one is an expert at this and there can be more ways to do this beyond the scope of this lecture There will be no single best method Hindus have separated/segregated themselves because of differences of opinion very sad. Our failure of Coalition of is the failure of the religion

The Answers
Enough methods are prescribed in the Vedic Literature Sometimes too many methods this caused Gautama Buddha to comment thus do not be swept away by the flowery words and rituals of the Vedas We have to stop arguing over elaborate rituals and begin to teach fundamentals Strengthen the Philosophy, not the Pantomime of ill understood rituals

Commitment to Dharma
Commit to a prescribed method and purposefully step forward. Challenge yourself and make a better human person. You are first and foremost a spark of the Paramatma and then a human being, Doing the correct thing is inherent in your genes, its in your blood. Education is of Paramount importance

Lets Define Dharma

Sa vai pumsamparo dharmo Yato bhaktir adhoksaje Ahaituky apratihataa Yayaatmaa suprasiidati (SB. 1.2.6) The dharma for all humanity is that by which men can attain loving devotional service to god. Such devotional service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted to completely satisfy the self.

The Balance of Duties

This spiritual dedication is a balance in material life. We must perform our material duties and perform them well in order to attain any real spiritual merit. Neglect of material welfare will defy the prescribed panchmahayajnas, thus it is foolish to think we can neglect all material duties as the message is read many times.

Actions in Materialism are Deeds

Kurvanneveha karmani Jijivishe ca tam samaha Yv. 40:2 Desire to live for 100 yrs or more and perform ones deeds Devom vaha savita prarpayatu Shreshtamaya karmana(Yv. 1:1) O lord, creator of all, inspire us to perform good deeds!

Lost!!
The verses are clear, but yet we do not comprehend We have not lived a Prescribed Life for so long it seems strange We have allowed the influence of personal glorification and titles to hamper the progress of Satya Sanatan Vedic Dharma We look at the answers and do not recognise them we have lost our chance to bask in gods glory as promised in the Rig Veda.

The Promise!
Tad vishnoh paramam padam Sadaa pashyanti soorayah Diveeva chakshur aa-tata (Rv. 1:22:30) In his abode, liberated souls come face to face with god the way we on earth see the sun shining in the heavens.

Rising the Bar

Demand leadership by example! A leader who cannot live by example is defined as a Hypocrite Remove all Hypocrites from influential positions they are dangerous and poison us Tolerance of a hypocrite makes us equally guilty Promise ourselves to clean up our act live by the Example of Sri Ram, Sri Krishna, Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati! They believed, why cant we?

Dharma Equals Togetherness

Balance as prescribed in the Vedas ergo the nivrtti-maarga or the path of renunciation and religious sacrifice Follow the tenets of Dharma as laid out by the Manu Smriti and other Vedic texts We will wake up alone in a cold harsh reality that we have a huge temple and only air to fill it. aggregate under one umbrella and worship with shradha and bhakti

The Greater Picture; Whats our Guide

Tasmaac saastram pramaanam te Kaaryaakaarya vyavasthitau Jnaatvaa sastras-vidhaanoktam Karma kartum ihaarhasi (BG. 16:24)

One should understand what is duty and what is not duty by the regulation of the scriptures. Knowing such rules and regulations, one should act so that he may be gradually elevated.

Vedic Dharma, Our Life, Our Way

Share the common goal Live a prescribed Vedic Life Live and Lead by Example Teach Hindu Philosophy Elevate the standards of Hinduism Recognize Advaita of truth Accept responsibility of action Commit yourself to vedic dharma Togetherness is dharma Lets worship together with Faith and Devotion Namaste

Questions? Comments?

Closure: How important is Dharma?

Dhaaranaad dharma ity aahur dharmena vidhrtaah prajaah, Yat syaad dhaarana sanyuktam sa dharma iti nishchayah Mahabartha 12.110.11 "Dharma upholds both this-worldly and otherworldly affairs" (Mbh 12.110.11).