One performs an action in order to enjoy the desired result. The problem is that the doer cannot completely determine the out-come. Otherwise every action that we do would produce what we want.
Expectation of a result is a projection on the basis of our knowledge of means and ends. But there are so many hidden variables (unknown factors) over which we have no control. Even the means employed by us to achieve a result, need not prove to be the correct means for achieving that end. We may have overlooked something, or our efforts may have to be aborted. Thus human being does not have the power to control even the known variables. What hope do we have of controlling unknown variables? What is unknown is greater than what is known? Only with reference to known variables, can one plan and do. We can take precautions. We can be cautious and very alert. But how are we going to control the unknown variables? We cannot, because we do not know what they are. That is why there are called hidden variables. Therefore in all cultures there is something called prayer (Prarthana) which is meant to take care of the hidden variables. If anybody says he does not require prayer, it means that he is not pragmatic.
One needs to live intelligently. Intelligent living is to seek help when one needs it. I know I have limited knowledge, and limited power. I don't control all the variables, and I can't determine the outcomes (results). Therefore I need to seek help. I seek the help of Isvara (God). This is how human life is lived intelligently.
I perform a prayer to neutralize the Papa gathered in this life or in previous lives that I have brought along with me, or I can also perform this karma (action) to earn grace. It is a nice way of understanding the role of a prayer as karma. It produces punya to control many hidden variables by neutralizing papa. By being prayerful, punya can be enhanced and papa can be neutralized. By being prayerful what could cost you your neck may cost you only your hat as it happened to Arjuna when the nagastra (Serpent missile) was released by Karna.
How To Pray?
Water may be available under ground, but one can have it only by the effort of tapping. The grace of the Lord is always for everyone, but one has to earn it. The sure way of earning it is by prayer in the form of Puja (worship), recitation and also mental Japa.
Prayer is an action (Karma) which has to produce a result like any other action. Ritualistic Prayer produces the most punya because 1) it involves materials and an Altar, entailing physical action 2) Mantras are involved, so the speech (vak) is used and 3) the mind, of course, is necessary for the successful execution of action (karma). Since all the organs (Karanams), mind, speech, hands and legs are involved; a ritual is the most efficacious of the actions (Karmas) in producing punya. Many other religions have lost ritual worship because they do not worship forms. Their prayers are primarily oral, meant for the congregation.
(Compiled from 'Prayer Guide' -Swami Dayananda Saraswati)
PURPOSE OF PRAYER
Without an object of desire, there is no prayer. I can pray either for the sake of achieving something for myself or for the sake of some one else. Yet even when I pray for the sake of another person, the prayer is still my prayer. I want the person to be happy, which really means that I want to be happy. Therefore a prayer for others is also for the sake of my own happiness.
The Two results of prayer:
One result of your prayer is immediate (drstaphala). By praying for something, such as mental clarity, you are recognizing another power, a power higher than yourself. You are also accepting the limitation of your own power and knowledge. This is simple pragmatism. To be objective, a person must know his or her limitations. Even when we know our limitations, often we do not want to accept them.
There is also an unseen result (adrastaphala) of prayer, which is where faith comes in. The doer, the agent of the action of prayer, says, "This is what I want". The action and the expressed desire bring about a result which is invisible and purely subtle in nature. This invisible result will manifest in time and is what we call grace. It is produced by the action and accrues to the doer of the action, the one who prays. Life is nothing but a mixture of Punya and Papa. Therefore, we find both the pleasant and the unpleasant happenings all the time.
The Efficacy of Prayer
Prayer is efficacious. You may say, "I have been praying, but nothing happens." But I would say, "If you did not pray, a lot of other things may have happened".
Prayer definitely produces some result according to the law of karma. All we have to do is pray. Thus prayer is a part of an intelligent person's efforts, an intelligent person being one who takes all the factors into account before doing something. When we take our limitations into account and offer a prayer, the law takes care of the results.
(Compiled from 'The purpose of Prayer'-Swami Dayananda)
Any religious pursuit becomes meaningful only when you understand Ishvara (God) properly. For Concept of Ishvara please refer Page 4 'Discourses on Certain important Topics' by Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
YASHASVEE BHUYASAM
MANIKANTAN – State Organiser
Dharma Rakshana Samithi under the presidentship and guidance of H.H. Swami Dayananda Saraswathi has conducted Yashasvee Bhuyasam (A programme to achieve success and excellence) on 1st October 2006 all over Tamil Nadu for the benefit of 10th and 12th standard students in particular and for the entire student community in General. In Chennai a good number of students and parents have participated in the said programme at Vaishnava College, Arumbakkam. Sri Sukumaran Nambiar a trustee of Dharma Rakshana Samithi took Sankalpa for conducting Saraswathi Homam. Immediately after Homam, Sri. Guruji Selvan of Clinical Yoga, Coimbatore has taught simple techniques of yoga on breathing exercises etc. for the physical and mental health of students. Later Dr. K. Subramanyam former Principal of National Defense Academy gave very effective clues to students on development of intellectual skills and explained how to receive teachings with rapt attention, retain and reproduce it effectively in the examinations. A separate session was conducted for parents by Sri Krishna Jagannathan in order to explain the need for ensuring conducive atmosphere in the house for the students to concentrate on their studies.
The final session was presided over by the Chief Guest Sri Jayalal, Deputy Director General, South Zone, AIR. He stressed the need for preserving Indian culture. Swamini Pramananda Saraswati disciple of H.H. Swami Dayananda Saraswati has highlighted the need for self effort and God's grace for the success of any human pursuit. Swamini has unfolded the Vedic vision by explaining that the entire world is the manifestation of God (Ishvara). That is why we are not praying many Gods but praying the only God in different manifestations. Vedas contain two types of knowledge, 1) knowledge about Material world and 2) Spiritual knowledge. Both are required for leading a successful life. Goddess Saraswathi is the embodiment of entire knowledge whether it is Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Spirituality or whatever knowledge it may be. Saraswati is the Adhistana Devata for speech. Without Goddess Saraswathi, the entire creation will be mute and will be dead for ever. Swamini taught Sarada Stotram to the students. The following wonderful Sanskrit Sloka on self effort was explained to the students and made them to get it by heart within minutes.
Udyamaha sahasam dhairyam buddhihi saktihi paraakramaha !
Shadete yatra vartante tatra devaha sahayakrit !!
"Effort, initiative, courage, intelligence, resourcefulness and perseverance - where these six qualities exist, there the Lord will always be helpful."
At the end of the function each participating student was given a C.D. containing teachings on Yoga, intellectual skills and spirituality from the above said eminent personalities. A wonderful book of treasure 'Discourses on certain important topics' containing the vision of H.H.Swami Dayananda Saraswati on important topics such as Concept of God, and God's grace etc. was also given to the participants of the above said Maha Yagna.
Dharma Rakshana Samithi under the presidentship and guidance of H.H. Swami Dayananda Saraswathi has conducted Yashasvee Bhuyasam (A programme to achieve success and excellence) on 1st October 2006 all over Tamil Nadu for the benefit of 10th and 12th standard students in particular and for the entire student community in General. In Chennai a good number of students and parents have participated in the said programme at Vaishnava College, Arumbakkam. Sri Sukumaran Nambiar a trustee of Dharma Rakshana Samithi took Sankalpa for conducting Saraswathi Homam. Immediately after Homam, Sri. Guruji Selvan of Clinical Yoga, Coimbatore has taught simple techniques of yoga on breathing exercises etc. for the physical and mental health of students. Later Dr. K. Subramanyam former Principal of National Defense Academy gave very effective clues to students on development of intellectual skills and explained how to receive teachings with rapt attention, retain and reproduce it effectively in the examinations. A separate session was conducted for parents by Sri Krishna Jagannathan in order to explain the need for ensuring conducive atmosphere in the house for the students to concentrate on their studies.
The final session was presided over by the Chief Guest Sri Jayalal, Deputy Director General, South Zone, AIR. He stressed the need for preserving Indian culture. Swamini Pramananda Saraswati disciple of H.H. Swami Dayananda Saraswati has highlighted the need for self effort and God's grace for the success of any human pursuit. Swamini has unfolded the Vedic vision by explaining that the entire world is the manifestation of God (Ishvara). That is why we are not praying many Gods but praying the only God in different manifestations. Vedas contain two types of knowledge, 1) knowledge about Material world and 2) Spiritual knowledge. Both are required for leading a successful life. Goddess Saraswathi is the embodiment of entire knowledge whether it is Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Spirituality or whatever knowledge it may be. Saraswati is the Adhistana Devata for speech. Without Goddess Saraswathi, the entire creation will be mute and will be dead for ever. Swamini taught Sarada Stotram to the students. The following wonderful Sanskrit Sloka on self effort was explained to the students and made them to get it by heart within minutes.
Udyamaha sahasam dhairyam buddhihi saktihi paraakramaha !
Shadete yatra vartante tatra devaha sahayakrit !!
"Effort, initiative, courage, intelligence, resourcefulness and perseverance - where these six qualities exist, there the Lord will always be helpful."
At the end of the function each participating student was given a C.D. containing teachings on Yoga, intellectual skills and spirituality from the above said eminent personalities. A wonderful book of treasure 'Discourses on certain important topics' containing the vision of H.H.Swami Dayananda Saraswati on important topics such as Concept of God, and God's grace etc. was also given to the participants of the above said Maha Yagna.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
VALUES
VALUES IN SANATHNA DHARMA
1. Human beings have growth at 3 levels 1) Physical growth 2) Intellectual growth (cognitive growth) and 3) Emotional growth.
a) Physical Growth: We have Hunger and food is also given. Therefore nature takes care of our physical growth.
b) Intellectual Growth: Parents, educational institutions & the society or surroundings in which one lives provide required information and help Intellectual (cognitive) growth.
c) Emotional Growth: Emotional growth is influenced by many factors including understanding of values, of attitudes and society in which one lives (Satsanga).
2. Ishvara himself manifests (appears) as the entire Jagat. Therefore Ishvara is in the form of law & order of the universe. He has given common sense (which is commonly available to all) to sense what is right and wrong - Samanya Dharma which governs all human interactions. Hence Knowledge of right and wrong is universal and commonly sensed by all. It is like monkeys born to live on trees. Who taught them the law of gravity? If that knowledge was not given to Monkey, then that would have been defect in the creation.
It is our priorities which make us to act against our common sense. Our Physical body which is common to all is Dharma Kshetra. Mind is Kurukshetra (with conflicts between Dharma & Adharma)
3. Human beings are born with unique faculty of choice. So one can choose one's course of action. Where choice is involved, one cannot avoid right & wrong because choice can be proper or improper. That is why human being alone can do Adharma. In our tradition, we don't say good and bad. We say Right action born out of Knowledge & Wrong action born out of Ignorance. When one chooses a means of action or performs an action, one must necessarily see whether it will hurt oneself or hurt any one else or anything else.
Seeking securities and pleasures is a common fact. Desire for money as an end is not a sin. But the means alone is important here.
4. Common Sense born values: I do not want to be the target of anyone's anger, hatred or jealousy and no one wants to be the target of my disturbing emotions. Non injury, speaking truth, compassion, sharing, humility, the absence of deception, the absence of jealousy, hatred and so on are gathered by common sense. No education is required to know these values which form moral order of the creation. Problems arise because of our priorities.
5. Universal Values Vs Individual likes and dislikes: Common sense born values are universal. That is why everyone wants to be loved and protected by the other irrespective of the culture, religion or traditions to which one belongs. They form the universal order for a smooth conduct of life in the world.
No harm in liking particular thing more than the other. There are no scriptural injunctions as to what one should generally prefer when there is choice. Preferences do not come into conflict with values which are universal.
6. Universal values Vs Cultural values:
Values enjoined by the tradition or culture are applicable subject to various factors such as domicile, age, gender, stage in life and so on. These specific values are meant to help a person live a disciplined life. Fasting helps one to gain mastery over one's senses and mind. (Self denial). No negative results if one does not adhear to such values. Cultural values (Specific values) cannot contradict the universal values.
7. Personal values of universal nature:
Value for money, power and pleasures help to satisfy the fundamental urges in the human beings to live, to live happily. There is no one on earth who does not place any value on money or power. These values have to be in keeping with the universal values because it affects the interest of others.
8. Universal values are not absolute:
Universal values such as truthfulness, non-hurting, love and compassion are not absolute but relative in nature. Being relative, values are to be interpreted according to each situation. However one should not go against the universal values while pursuing individual or cultural values.
9. compromising values:
We are always ready to compromise if we can get something which is valuable enough to us or avoid trouble, we are facing right now. One has to focus attention on how much he loses by compromising what is right.
10. Assimilation of values:
When universal values are not well understood, one's personal values can conflict with them and override them. Universal values become personal assimilated values only when one recognises the immensity of the loss in compromising them.
11. Straight forwardness:
When one tells a lie, he knows he is telling a lie and as a thinker, he knows that one should not tell a lie. So a split is created within oneself. One cannot do a wrong action without a conflict inside and every conflict creates a split. Being in conflict, a person is also potentially moody and is subjected to psychological problems. It ultimately results in loss of self esteem and leads to self condemnation. Therefore avoid thinker and doer split.
Dharma should be the substratum of every value. When one rubs against Dharma he gets rubbed in the process.
By Mr.Prabakar. Dharma Rakshna Samithi. Tamil Nadu.
1. Human beings have growth at 3 levels 1) Physical growth 2) Intellectual growth (cognitive growth) and 3) Emotional growth.
a) Physical Growth: We have Hunger and food is also given. Therefore nature takes care of our physical growth.
b) Intellectual Growth: Parents, educational institutions & the society or surroundings in which one lives provide required information and help Intellectual (cognitive) growth.
c) Emotional Growth: Emotional growth is influenced by many factors including understanding of values, of attitudes and society in which one lives (Satsanga).
2. Ishvara himself manifests (appears) as the entire Jagat. Therefore Ishvara is in the form of law & order of the universe. He has given common sense (which is commonly available to all) to sense what is right and wrong - Samanya Dharma which governs all human interactions. Hence Knowledge of right and wrong is universal and commonly sensed by all. It is like monkeys born to live on trees. Who taught them the law of gravity? If that knowledge was not given to Monkey, then that would have been defect in the creation.
It is our priorities which make us to act against our common sense. Our Physical body which is common to all is Dharma Kshetra. Mind is Kurukshetra (with conflicts between Dharma & Adharma)
3. Human beings are born with unique faculty of choice. So one can choose one's course of action. Where choice is involved, one cannot avoid right & wrong because choice can be proper or improper. That is why human being alone can do Adharma. In our tradition, we don't say good and bad. We say Right action born out of Knowledge & Wrong action born out of Ignorance. When one chooses a means of action or performs an action, one must necessarily see whether it will hurt oneself or hurt any one else or anything else.
Seeking securities and pleasures is a common fact. Desire for money as an end is not a sin. But the means alone is important here.
4. Common Sense born values: I do not want to be the target of anyone's anger, hatred or jealousy and no one wants to be the target of my disturbing emotions. Non injury, speaking truth, compassion, sharing, humility, the absence of deception, the absence of jealousy, hatred and so on are gathered by common sense. No education is required to know these values which form moral order of the creation. Problems arise because of our priorities.
5. Universal Values Vs Individual likes and dislikes: Common sense born values are universal. That is why everyone wants to be loved and protected by the other irrespective of the culture, religion or traditions to which one belongs. They form the universal order for a smooth conduct of life in the world.
No harm in liking particular thing more than the other. There are no scriptural injunctions as to what one should generally prefer when there is choice. Preferences do not come into conflict with values which are universal.
6. Universal values Vs Cultural values:
Values enjoined by the tradition or culture are applicable subject to various factors such as domicile, age, gender, stage in life and so on. These specific values are meant to help a person live a disciplined life. Fasting helps one to gain mastery over one's senses and mind. (Self denial). No negative results if one does not adhear to such values. Cultural values (Specific values) cannot contradict the universal values.
7. Personal values of universal nature:
Value for money, power and pleasures help to satisfy the fundamental urges in the human beings to live, to live happily. There is no one on earth who does not place any value on money or power. These values have to be in keeping with the universal values because it affects the interest of others.
8. Universal values are not absolute:
Universal values such as truthfulness, non-hurting, love and compassion are not absolute but relative in nature. Being relative, values are to be interpreted according to each situation. However one should not go against the universal values while pursuing individual or cultural values.
9. compromising values:
We are always ready to compromise if we can get something which is valuable enough to us or avoid trouble, we are facing right now. One has to focus attention on how much he loses by compromising what is right.
10. Assimilation of values:
When universal values are not well understood, one's personal values can conflict with them and override them. Universal values become personal assimilated values only when one recognises the immensity of the loss in compromising them.
11. Straight forwardness:
When one tells a lie, he knows he is telling a lie and as a thinker, he knows that one should not tell a lie. So a split is created within oneself. One cannot do a wrong action without a conflict inside and every conflict creates a split. Being in conflict, a person is also potentially moody and is subjected to psychological problems. It ultimately results in loss of self esteem and leads to self condemnation. Therefore avoid thinker and doer split.
Dharma should be the substratum of every value. When one rubs against Dharma he gets rubbed in the process.
By Mr.Prabakar. Dharma Rakshna Samithi. Tamil Nadu.
Monday, November 27, 2006
The Dharma of the Lord
PUJYA SWAMI DAYANANDA SARASWATI
I am very happy that I am a Hindu. I can talk about my religion withoutguilt. In fact, I can talk about it for ages. Rama and Krishna are worshipped as incarnations of the Lord within theHindu tradition. They did not found Hindu religion. In fact, they wereborn within the Hindu tradition, and their own lives exemplified thevalues unfolded by the Vedas. You remove Rama and Krishna. Then thereis no Hindu culture. Ayodhya and Mathura are symbols of Rama andKrishna.
The Hindu religion is the indigenous religion of India. The Hindu religion is simply a view and way of life which unfolds Dharma. Hindu Dharma is called Sanatana Dharma which is manifestation of Isvara. Itis the dharma of the Lord and therefore has no worldly beginnings orendings. This Dharma flows perennially and keeps reemerging with eachcycle of creation. If This Dharma had survived all these centuries without any governmental support and despite the support of governmentfor the aggressive traditions, it has something intrinsic.
I thought about the Dharma which has made me what I am today. I want this Dharma is kept up. There are people in the remote villages and those people are not separate from us. We have to accept them as theyare, validate them and protect them. Their worship is our form ofworship. We have to tell the people,' God is everything; God is notsitting in one corner, and all that is here is Isvara. With this understanding, one can worship God in any form. That is the reason whywe can worship a tree, animals and mountain.Hindu Dharma is like a banyan tree which had dead branches, big holesand parasites and the fact that parasites are thriving shows that it isalive. In the current situation, the intrinsic value of our dharma isnot adequate to protect itself.
To protect the dharma, the dharmi had confused, neutralized and non committal people who thought that theywere broad minded and who branded people engaged in the protection workas Hindu fundamentalist. Contemporary (modern & fashionable) Hindus have been totally neutralized, to the extent that they are unable to take a definitestand about their religion or culture. If you want to dismiss the Hindu religion, examine it properly before dismissing it. Only then can yoube considered intellectually honest.
Strength is nothing but knowing your religion and culture. Ignorant of your culture and religious tradition, you are nobody. You are just an assemblage of flesh andbones that some how manage to earn some money. Wake up! Understand your religion! Revel in your own glory.
Swamini Pramananda disciple of Pujya Swamiji says,"Sanatana Dharma is the soul of our nation. If you take away SanatanaDharma, then India is dead"
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