RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL VALUES IN ENHANCING HUMAN VALUES

Dr.K.S.Balasubramanian, Sahaj Marg Spirituality Foundation ,Chennai.

For thousands of years saints, seers, sages, philosophers, founders of religions and

various schools of philosophy have emphasized the need for human beings to lead a

life of harmony, peace, piety and other values. We find many codes of conduct being

prescribed by great men to be adopted by human beings in order to transform them

to become perfect human beings. Moral and ethical values have always found great

importance in the writings of saints. Of course, there are some religious sects which

prescribe certain obscure and occult practices that defy the precepts and practices

advocated by majority of saints. But the society, by and large does not accept these

practices.

The modern concepts, especially those imported from Western countries appear to

pay little attention towards the religious and spiritual values handed down to us from

generation to generation through aeons of time.. The modern educational system also

does not give importance to human values, but only aims at achieving success in

material life.

Spirituality as prescribed by Raja Yoga, on the other hand, insists that the end does

not justify the means as commonly believed. It says clearly that if the means are not

right, the end cannot be right. Therefore we find the noble teachings in our sacred

literature starting from the Vedas, the most ancient literature in this world which

enable a person to lead a complete life in all respects, be it moral, ethical, intellectual

or spiritual. The modern educational institutions produce excellent engineers, doctors,

executives and so on. But do they produce good human beings?

Yoga, on the other hand transforms a person into a better human being and a

perfect human being and thereby a good engineer, doctor, executive and so on .In this

context, the need for such a discussion is of great importance and we should whole

heartedly appreciate the efforts of the organizers of this National conference.

Rev. Lalaji Maharaj, ( Shri Ram Chandraji of Fategarh, U.P.. 1873-1931) and

his successors Rev. Babuji Maharaj ( Shri Ram Chandraji of Shahjahanpur, U.P.

1899-1983) and Rev. Chariji Maharaj ( Shri Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari, President,

Shri Ram Chandra Mission) lay great emphasis on human values through spiritual

practice under a competent guru (master). These masters emphasize that even if a

person advances far in spirituality or in material life, yet lacks moral values, he

cannot be a human being. The world remembers and pays homage to great men like

Gautama Buddha, Jesus Christ, Prophet Mohammed, Guru Nanak and Swami

Vivekananda not for building great monuments like Taj Mahal, but for achieving

spiritual and human perfection and instructing the same to all their fellow beings.

Generally Vedas, epics and other literature are studied by different people from

different points of view. But these literary products also give us instructions to uphold

moral and ethical values which enhance the human life. In India, as can be seen

clearly, all the literature have been written only to impress upon the readers or

listeners that ultimately it is only the good which would prevail over the evil, virtue

over vice, dharma over adharma, truth over untruth and so on. Some moral and

ethical codes are given here to make this point clear, starting from the Vedas

themselves.

Vedas

The Vedas are revered as divine, immortal and free from human authorship. They

throw light on so many aspects of human life, including scientific, philosophical and

spiritual aspects. The Vedas firmly believe that the Ultimate Reality is only one, but the

learned speak of it in many ways. The Rigveda (I.164.46) says:

“ ekam sat vipraa bahudhaa vadanti ”

The Veda also advises us that we should be open enough to welcome noble thoughts

from all quarters.

“aa no bhadraah kratavo yantu visvatah” ( Rigveda I.89.1)

Upanishads

The Upanishads are generally studied and appreciated for their lofty spiritual and

philosophical ideas. But they also contain many passages which give instructions for us

to follow and lead a harmonious life.

The first mantra of Isa Upanishad says:

“ isaavaasyam idam sarvam yat kincit jagatyaam jagat |

tena tyaktena bhunjithaah maa gridhah kasyacid dhanam || ”

“Everything in this universe is enveloped by God. May you enjoy what has been left by

him and do not covet other man’s wealth”. If human beings follow this instruction there

would be no conflict between people or countries.

Another mantra says:

“bhadram karnebhih srunuyaama devaah bhadram pasyema akshabhir yajatraah |

sthirairangais tushtuvamsastanubhih vyasema devahitam yadaayuh || ”

which means,

“O gods, let us hear auspicious things through our ears; let us see good things through our

eyes. Let us live complete span of our life with good health and enter divinity.”

The Taittiriya Upanishad instructs a disciple when he leaves the teacher after the course

is completed. Perhaps this is the first convocation address after graduation of the

students! It goes on instructing many values. For example it says:

“satyam vada | dharmam cara | svaadhyaayaan maa pramadah | ------ prajaatantum

maa vyavacchetsih | ---- matru-devo bhava | pitru- devo bhava | aacaarya-devo bhava |

atithi-devo bhava |----

“Speak the truth; follow dharma; do not shun your studies; do not cut off the chain of

your progeny…. Treat your mother, father, teacher and guest as divine…..”

Such noble thoughts were instructed by the great teachers those days and imbibed by

the disciples. India is held in high esteem even today only for her culture, for her

adherence to Vedic heritage and for her tolerance.

Epics

The Ramayana of sage Valmiki and Mahabharata of saint Vyasa, the two great epics

of India stand unmatched for their contribution in inculcating human values. In

Ramayana, we have ideal father, mother, brother, wife, friend, king, servant and so on

who remain as role models for later generations. Even Ravana, the anti-hero, is portrayed

as great man with abundant knowledge, power, virtues and valour, but having some

weakness, which any one else would also have had. Marica, Vibhishana and others,

though born as demons, speak their heart to Ravana while trying to discourage him from

his immoral ways, while many others were silent and seemed to express their loyalty to

their king. It is worthwhile to quote Marica’s words here. He says:

“ sulabhaah purushaa raajan satatam priyavaadinah |

apriyasya ca pathyasya vaktaa srotaa ca durlabhah ||”

“O King, it is easy to find people who talk pleasant words. But it is rare to find a person

who speaks or listens to words which are unpleasant but show the right path.”

The Mahabharata is replete with words of wisdom, besides containing the gospel of

Lord Krishna viz. the Bhagavadgita. Vyasa, the great saint-poet says, “I go around

everywhere with raised hands shouting the slogan,” ahimsa or non-harming is the

greatest virtue’, but no one listens to me.” It may be noted that according to later texts,

non-harming pertains to action, word and thought.

Smritis

The smritis or dharmasastra texts written by great saints like Manu, Yajnavalkya,

Narada, Vasishtha and Harita deal exhaustively on the codes of conduct to be followed

by men and women from the moment of conception in the womb of the mother till the

person leaves this world. One notable aspect in their writings is the important position

given to women in the family and society. For example Manu says:

“ yatra naaryastu pujyante ramante tatra devataah”|

“All gods dwell there with delight, where women are respected.”

Regarding the speech, he says that though one should speak the truth, it should be

pleasant and palatable and harsh words should not be used just for the sake of speaking

the truth.

“ satyam bruyaat priyam bruyaat na bruyaat satyam apriyam |

priyam ca na anrutam bruyaat esha dharmah sanaatanah ||

Yoga

Yoga gives equal importance to the body, mind, intellect and the Soul and hence

can be called a complete science in itself. Kalidasa, the great and immortal poet of India

says ( Kumarasambhava V.33) that the prime duty of a person is to uphold good health of

the body.

“ sareeram aadyam khalu dharmasaadhanam |”

Yoga prescribes many physiological and mental exercises for leading a healthy and long

life. It also gives universal principles to be adopted by everyone without any barrier of

caste, colour, creed, sex, nationality, religion etc. There are ten such specific moral and

ethical values given by Patanjali in his Yogasutras which he terms as yama and niyama,

the first two steps of his ashtangayoga (Yoga with eight limbs). There are five values or

codes of conduct in each category. They are:

“ahimsaa-satya-asteya-brahmacarya-aparigrahaah yamaah |”

“The five restraints or yamas are non-harming, truth, non-stealing, celibacy and non-

covetousness.”

Ahimsaa means one should not harm anyone by means of action, word or thought.

Satya pertains to speaking about a thing as it is.

Asteya implies that one should not desire other man’s property.

Brahmacarya does not mean abstinence from sex, but utilizing the potential and vital

sexual energy bestowed upon man in proper way and that too only with one’s wife at

appropriate period . It should not be misused.

Aparigraha implies that one should not be greedy over other man’s wealth.

The five niyamas or observances are:

“ Sauca-santosha-tapah-svaadhyaaya-isvarapranidhaanaani |”

“ Cleanliness, contentment, penance/meditation, self-study and surrendering to God”

Sauca includes the purity of body and mind. Only when the mind is cleansed of its

impurities and the tendencies are checked, one’s external activities, i.e. his words and

actions would match the inner activity. This happens only when one performs regular

cleaning exercises which would eliminate the unwanted accumulations in one’s mind. It

is also to be noted here that the scriptures are very clear that no amount of pilgrimage or

taking holy bath in sacred rivers would help one in this regard, for there are many fish

and other creatures who also dwell in the holy waters like the river Ganges, but they do

not attain salvation or go to heavens for their minds have not been cleansed. The old

Tamil adage says, “ Akattin alagu mukattil teriyum”, which means that the inner beauty

would be manifested in ones face. Yoga makes this happen. Lord Krishna defines Yoga

( Bhagavadgita II.48) as :

“ samattvam yoga ucyate |” which means , “ Balance or equilibrium is Yoga.”

That is, one’s inner nature should reflect in his external activities. This is balance or

Yoga.

Santosha means contentment. According to Yajnavalkya and also Darsana Upanishad,

one should feel grateful to God for whatever he obtains through rightful means. Rev.

Babuji Maharaj, while prescribing ten maxims for men to lead a pious and harmonious

life to be in tune with Nature says in his eighth maxim, “ Be happy to eat in constant

divine thought whatever you get, with due regard to honest and pious earnings.”

Tapas literally means heat. It refers to austerity, penance, or meditation. Meditation, it

may be noted here, is not very difficult to practise as commonly believed. One need not

go to forest or any secluded place, renouncing his family or worldly responsibilities to

practise meditation. The Masters of Sahaj Marg system of Raja Yoga point out that

meditation is, ‘to think of an object continuously.’ Patanjali, the founder of Yoga school

of philosophy also opines the same in his Yogasutras (III.2) (tatra pratyaya ekataanataa

dhyaanam). By this practice, one’s mind is focused on a particular object and the mind

gets regulated, leading to balance and moderation in all activities. It is the mind which is

responsible for one’s liberation (mukti) or bondage in this world (samsaara). If it is

attached to worldly objects, it is bondage and if it is not, or if it is attached to

substancelessness, it is liberation.

The scriptures say:

“ mana eva manushyaanaam kaaranam bandha-mokshayoh |

bandhaaya vishayaasaktam muktyai nirvishayam smrutam ||”

Svaadhyaaya means self-study. It denotes two things, viz. the study of scriptures and

secondly to delve deep within oneself and realize the real Self. The science of Yoga says

that, ‘whatever there is in the macrocosm is also in the microcosm.’ So, instead of

searching for the Reality externally, if one searches in his own heart he would realize the

reality behind everything in this universe.

It is interesting to note in this connection the words of Rev. Babuji Maharaj, founder

of Shri Ram Chandra Mission, a world wide spiritual organization. He said. “A scientist

goes from matter to the source whereas the Yogi goes from the source to the matter.”

Isvarapranidhaana implies that one should dedicate everything to God with a feeling of

devotion leading to surrender to God.

Conclusion

While there are man- made values, codes of conduct, law and other rules which are

confined to geographical and other limitations, the spiritual values are universal in their

application. Patanjali, (Yogasutras II.31) while enumerating and defining the moral

codes mentioned above says:

“ ete jaati-desa-kaala-samaya-anavacchinnaah saarvabhaumaah mahaavratam | “

“These great universal observances (vows) are not limited by class, nationality, time

and circumstances.”

Lord Krishna instructs that one should always have balance and moderation in

everything including his activities, food, sleep and so on. For such person, the Lord says,

(Bhagavadgita VI.17) ‘Yoga removes all his miseries.’

“ yuktaahaaravihaarasya yuktaceshtasya karmasu |

yuktasvapnaavabodhasya yogo bhavati duhkhahaa || ”

In fact many texts on Yoga lay great emphasis on selection of proper place, time,

food etc. to practise one’s spiritual saadhanaa. These help a person to have proper frame

of mind to live in harmony with Nature and thereby with all the beings of this world.

When moral and ethical values prescribed by great saints like Gautama Buddha, Jesus

Christ, Prophet Mohammed, Guru Nanak and the Vedic seers are followed implicitly, a

new world would definitely emerge soon, where instead of jealousy, hatred, greediness

and other vice qualities, there would be peace, harmony, brotherhood and love.

Rev. Babuji Maharaj says, “We are all brethren connected with each other morally,

intellectually and spiritually -- the main goal of human life. This and that have gone now.

There remains the purity alone in all His work and environment which weaves the

spiritual destiny of the persons with the Ultimate.”

I may add here that great masters like the Masters of Sahaj Marg, Swami

Vivekananda and others come down to this world only to teach these noble thoughts to

human beings and it is our responsibility to adhere to these principles for our own benefit

and also for the future generations. It is said, “ mahajano yena gatah sa panthaah ”

which means , “ the path trodden by great men is our path.” The life of great men like

my Master Sadguru Parthasarathiji Maharaj, President, Shri Ram Chandra Mission is an

example to us to lead a balanced life without neglecting the spiritual and material

responsibilities. He is always ready to help us to become a better and a perfect human

being, culminating in oneself becoming a divine being. I welcome you all in His fold for

which no one need to pay any money.

I thank the organizers for giving me this opportunity to share some of my views on

this subject and I thank you all for your patient hearing.

// Thank You //