Transcript FORWARD WITH VEDAS HOW?

GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS OF
VEDIC VALUES
• DHARMA: Following Moral Actions in Life
that Nurture and Sustain Physical, Mental
and Spiritual Well-being of a Person
• ARTHA: Earn Wealth and Prosperity
• KAMA: Fulfillment of Righteous Desires
• MOKSHA: Find Ultimate Bliss
Vedic Values: What are they?
• They Start with Following
Dharma in Life.
• Yama and Niyama are also
Integrally Related to Dharma
Definition of Dharma
Dhriti kshama damo-asteyam
shoucham indriyanigrah,
Dhee-vidya satyam akrodho
dashkam dharmalakshnam.
(Manusmriti 6: 92).
Just the Way Good Food is Important for
the Well-Being of the Physical Body,
Following Dharma—Vedic Values are the
Good Food for the Mind, Intellect and
Soul. The Vedic Values Help Us Become
Strong, Courageous, Determined and
Acquire Wisdom so that We may Follow
the Path of Truth and Finally Attain God.
Dhriti: Steadiness, Thoughtfulness with
patience and strength, Equnimity.
All important decisions in life must be made
after calm, considered and thoughtful analysis
and never in an impulsive way. It is crucial to
try to make wise decisions since they all have
consequences. Further, once a sound decision
has been reached, it is important to remain
steadfast and not be swayed by people’s
critical or threatening comments. The goal is
not to please others but to have the patience,
strength and courage to do the right thing.
Think before you act.
Kshama: Forgiveness. Kindness.
One must learn to forgive other people’s
mistakes. Forgiveness teaches us
kindness and love toward others. It also
shows us that all human beings are alike.
Forgiveness reminds us that we could
easily have made a similar mistake.
To err is human to forgive divine.
Kshama: Forgiveness, Kindness.
Forgiveness is generally reserved for the
unintentional harmful acts of others
towards us as a result of ignorance or
change of circumstances. Intentionally
harmful or criminal acts, on the other
hand, always deserve appropriate
punishment by people in authority to deter
others from similar actions. God is
immensely kind, but God also is just and
punishes sinners. His punishment is His
kindness.
To err is human to forgive divine.
Dama: Mental Discipline.
It is important to learn to discipline the
mind to concentrate upon important tasks,
especially those at hand, and not allow the
mind to wander aimlessly seizing upon
whatever presents itself. The goal is to
channel the mind to think good and
positive thoughts both towards oneself
and others. A major way to achieve this is
to reduce material or worldly desires.
Disciplining the mind is crucial to both
meditation and to the attainment of bliss
(Moksha).
Think good thoughts and not make
castles in the air.
Indriya-nigrah: Controlling the senses
(jnanaindriya) and motor organs
(karmindriya).
Controlling the information the mind obtains about
the outside world is received through our sensory
(or perception-jnanaindriya) organs which include
ears, eyes, skin, tongue and nose. The information
is processed by the soul (via the mind) and then
controlling the response that occurs via the action
(motor-karmindriya) organs which include mouth,
arms, legs. sex organs and excretory organs.
Indriya-nigrah: Controlling the senses
In Kathopanishad, the human body is compared to
an excellent chariot, the senses to powerful
horses, the mind to reins, the intellect to a skilled
charioteer and the soul to the owner, who via the
charioteer and the reins, guides the direction the
horses should take (Kathopanishad 3: 3-6). One
would certainly want strong and powerful horses
instead of weak ones, but one would also want
them to be properly controlled rather than run
amuck. Similarly, one should aim at having sharp
and strong senses, but they must be directed by
the soul to the right direction.
Indriya-nigrah: Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no
evil and do no evil.
Asteya: Not coveting, Finding Contentment
The common meaning given to asteya is simply,
“Do not steal what belongs to others.” This is
punishable by law in most countries and
cultures. A more important meaning however,
forbids the desiring of another’s property for
any reason. The first step involves learning to be
content with what one has that was earned by
honest effort. Equally important is learning to
reduce one’s desires and to acquire only what
one needs rather than what one wants. Lastly,
one must learn to become generous and share
with others, especially those less fortunate.
Do not covet what belongs to others.
Shouch: Cleanliness, Purity.
Shouch refers to being pure and clean
both inside and outside. External
environmental cleanliness and peace
and quiet are essential for physical and
mental well-being. Inner cleanliness is
even more important. It requires selfexamination, the acknowledgement of
bad habits and their correction,
overcoming pride, greed, lust, anger,
jealousy, envy and laziness and
acquiring honesty and integrity.
Shouch: Cleanliness, Purity.
God is always pure and radiant, but
the soul may often be obscured by
impurities. It is only when these
impurities are washed away that the
soul may know itself and God and
achieve bliss. Manu said that the body
is cleansed by water, the mind by truth
and the soul by austerity, selfreflection and spiritual knowledge
(Manusmirti 5:109).
Cleanliness of mind is next to
godliness.
Akrodh: Overcoming anger.
Anger is a terrible vice that may cause even
reasonable people to lose all sense of
logical thinking and perform acts that at
most times would be unthinkable. Anger
provokes the tendency to be cruel rather
than to be kind and non-violent. During a fit
of anger, whether or not the angry person
succeeds in harming the other party, he
harms himself the most, Overcoming anger
eventually makes people happy and
improves physical and spiritual well-being.
Akrodh: Overcoming anger.
Conquering anger does not mean
suppressing it, as it will smolder and then
burst forth later on. The Vedic Hindu
religion points out that anger will persist
until one understands the reasons for the
anger and deals with the root problem. The
major causes for anger include the inability
to fulfill one’s desires (right or wrong),
jealousy, vanity and pure blind ego. Ways to
reduce anger include reducing desires and
wants and learning to think of other
people’s needs as well as one’s own.
Anger burns from inside and provokes
cruelty
Dhee: Intellect to discriminate
between right and wrong.
Dhee refers to intellect with the power to
discriminate and separate right from wrong,
truth from falsehood and propaganda from
correct information. It also helps one
understand moral responsibility and the
need to act accordingly. Dhee is the intellect
that helps a person follow the path of virtue
even when tempted to do otherwise.
Without being able to discriminate between
right and wrong one is less than full human
Vidya: Knowledge
both secular and spiritual.
The Vedic religion considers knowledge
far more important than money or
material treasures. Knowledge is that
kind of treasure that thieves cannot steal,
and yet, requires no guards to protect it.
The more one gives it away, the more it
increases for the giver. The only caveat is
that knowledge be transferred to a
deserving person rather than to someone
who will use it for evil or exploitative
purposes.
Vidya: Knowledge, both secular and
spiritual.
Secular knowledge of the material world and
physical universe is useful in finding a vocation
or in better understanding the universe.
Spiritual knowledge is beneficial in progressing
toward God and attaining bliss. Knowledge
exists at two levels: Superficial knowledge
involves memorizing a lot of information
without attaining a personal positive impact.
Deep or discriminative knowledgeenlightens a
person allowing him to see things as they really
are and to follow truth and virtue in life.
Knowledge is a better treasure than wealth.
Satya: Truth.
Truth is that value that transcends all
other moral values. Truth is the
foundation on which all human
interaction is based. Even liars use the
pretense of truth in their dealings with
others. It is necessary to always be
willing to accept that which is true and
discard that which is not in every
aspect of life.
Satya: Truth.
To be scrupulously honest may require
giving up financial or personal security or
social position. Discarding cherished
beliefs may be necessary, and in the final
analysis, sacrificing one’s life too. Because
of the fear of giving up their security or
beliefs, most people at times are willing to
lie. Also, they are more afraid of getting
caught in a lie than actually lying. The
inner joy and strength that a completely
honest person feels can never be
experienced by a liar.
Satya: Truth.
It is important to make a diligent effort to adhere
to the truth in thought, word and deed. One Veda
Mantra states: “Your inside should be the same
as what you state outside” (Atharva Veda 2: 30:
4). When a person says the right words, but the
action betrays the words, it’s a deception.
Because of this people are judged by what they
do rather than by what they say. One must walk
the talk and thought. God is considered the
Eternal and Ultimate Truth in the Vedas and
Upanishads and truth is frequently emphasized
as the most important aspect of dharma.
Truth always ultimately prevails.
Eesha vasyamidam sarvam yadkincha
jagatyam jagat. Tena tyaktena bhunjitha
ma gridhah kasya swidhanam.
(Yajur Veda 40:1)
Eesha
God, the Master of all
vasyam
dwells
Idam sarvam
here around you everywhere,
in every spot you can imagine
Eesha vasyamidam sarvam yadkincha
jagatyam jagat. Tena tyaktena bhunjitha
ma gridhah kasya swidhanam.
Tena
Therefore, you should
tyaktena
without attachment or craving
(share with others),
bhunjitha
enjoy the riches which God has given you and
which you have earned by your actions
Yastu sarvani bhutani atmanyev
anupashyati (Yajur Veda 40: 5)
Yastu
atmanyev anupashyati
Whoever
realizes that his true self is
his soul, sees a similar soul
Sarvani bhutani
in all living beings
In a Sanskrit shloka—verse, the
same thing has been stated as
Aatmanah pratikoolaani pareshaam
na samacharate i.e. “Listen! The
essence of virtuous living is: Do not
do unto others what you wound not
like done unto you.”
In Christianity it is called the ‘Golden
Rule’ “Do unto others as you would
like them to do unto you.”
GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS OF
VEDIC VALUES
• DHARMA: Following Moral Actions in Life
that Nurture and Sustain Physical, Mental
and Spiritual Well-being of a Person
• ARTHA: Earn Wealth and Prosperity
• KAMA: Fulfillment of Righteous Desires
• MOKSHA: Find Ultimate Bliss
Prajapatay na tvat-aytani-anyo vishva jaataani
paritaa babhuva. Yat kamastay juhumastanno
astu vayam syama patayo rayinam.
(Rig Veda 10: 121: 10).
Prajapatay
Master or Lord
of all people, God
paritaa babhuva
is protecting and
controlling
na tvat anyo
none other than You
i.e. You Alone are,
aytani vishva jaataani.
this entire created
universe.
Prajapatay na tvat-aytani-anyo vishva jaataani
paritaa babhuva. Yat kamastay juhumastanno
astu vayam syama patayo rayinam.
(Rig Veda 10: 121: 10).
Yat kama
tay juhuma
With whatever desire
we worship you
Tat na astu
vayam syama
May that be fulfilled.
May we become
patayo rayinam
masters of wealth and prosperity.
Shathast samahar sahasarhast
samkir (Artharva Veda 3: 24: 5).
Dear Man, Work and Earn as though
You have a Hhundred Hands and then
You should Share the Earning with
Others as with a Thousand Hands.
GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS OF
VEDIC VALUES
• DHARMA: Following Moral Actions in Life
that Nurture and Sustain Physical, Mental
and Spiritual Well-being of a Person
• ARTHA: Earn Wealth and Prosperity
• KAMA: Fulfillment of Righteous Desires
• MOKSHA: Find Ultimate Bliss
Moksha refers to the soul attaining God
and experiencing infinite bliss and deep
enlightenment. The absolute goal of all
souls is to eventually attain moksha.
According to the Vedas and Upanishads,
after the death of the physical body, almost
all souls are reborn as a human being or
some other life form, however, a select few
are liberated from the cycle of rebirth for a
very prolonged period and attain moksha.
In the state of moksha, the soul is always
consciously aware of God who is
Anandswaroop Blissful), and
Jnanswaroop-Prakashswaroop (True
Knowledge or Light that enlightens). The
soul in moksha, as a bandhu or a
mini-companion to God enjoys infinite
bliss and deep enlightenment. Moksha,
however, is not a physical place called
heaven or swarga where virtuous souls
go after death according to the
Abrahamic faiths and many Hindu
Sampradayas respectively.
The means for attaining moksha is to live i.e.
perform karmas according to dharma,
practice meditation with faith and devotion,
further one’s spiritual knowledge and do
selfless deeds (Nishkama Karma) i.e. helping
others . Over time, when these practices
become so intense that a person totally
devotes his or her life to seeking God
(Eeshwar Pranidhan) then during his/her life
time, the person attains kaivalyam (counter
part of moksha—in a living person) and after
the death of the physical body the person’s
soul is liberated i.e. moksha is attained.
Tapah swadhyayay
ishwarpranidhanani
kriya yogah. (Yog Darshan 2:1)
THE EIGHT-STEP (Ashtanga) YOGA
YAMA:
NIYAMA:
AASANA:
PRANAYAMA:
Self control, abstention from vices
Moral practices and discipline
Postures for the practice of yoga
Control of the breathing and the
body’s vital energy
PRATYAHARA: Withdrawal of the mind from
sensory stimuli
DHARANA:
Concentration
DHYANA:
Deep meditation
SAMADHI:
The superconscious state of
enlightenment
The five Niyamas are as follows:
AHIMSA (or AHINSA): Nonviolence,
Absence of doing harm,
Love for everybody
SATYA: Truth
ASTEYA: Not coveting
BRAHMACHARYA: Chastity
APRIGRAHA: Non-possessiveness,
Control of desires.
The five niyamas are as follows:
SHOUCH: Internal and external purity
SANTOSH: Contentment
TAPA: Austerity
SWADHYAYA: Scriptural study and the
study of self or introspection.
EESHWAR PRANIDHAN: Surrender to God
Just the Way Good Food is Important for
the Well-Being of the Physical Body,
Following Dharma—Vedic Values are the
Good Food for the Mind, Intellect and
Soul. The Vedic Values Help Us Become
Strong, Courageous, Determined and
Acquire Wisdom so that We may Follow
the Path of Truth and Finally Attain God.