Paap-Karma (Sins)
Unlike most of the
faiths of the world, Vedism does not believe that the sins, committed by a
person can be forgiven by Ishvar. Some people argue that when in the definition
of Ishvar, as described in second golden principle, he is benevolent (dayalu);
therefore why should he not forgive people for all their paap-karma (sins),
especially when they repent and spend their time in worshipping of Ishvar.
Vedism believes that
though Ishvar is kind, but he is Just (nyaykari) too. To forgive
someone is against the rule of Karma and its Outcome (Fal). Forgiving someone
is injustice to others. Ishvar is benevolent because he gives so much to all
the living beings (Jeev), not because he forgives the wrong doing. By punishing
the sinner, Ishvar shows his kindness on him too, otherwise his unsettled sins
will get carried forward for future punishments; as a sin (Paap) cannot be
neutralized by a virtue (Punya).
When we worship and
pray to Ishvar, it is not like pampering Ishvar to get some undue favours; we
do all that for satisfying our own heart and mind and to thank him for whatever
he has given to us.
Rama and Krishna
Vedism respects Rama
and Krishna as the ideal symbols of their times, but only as Great People. Vedism
does not subscribe to the theory of ‘Avtaarvaad’ (Incarnation of Ishvar) as per
which Ishvar had taken the birth in the form of Rama and Krishna. The very
definition of an Avtar defies the definition of Ishvar. Ishvar is neither born
nor does he die. If someone is born and he dies too- he cannot be Ishvar.
Ishvar is Omnipresent, which means present everywhere at all times; can a human
body be present everywhere at all times? The entire definition of Ishvar
rejects the idea of an Avtaar.
As far as the
reasoning given by people about the need of an Avtaar- Vedism believes that a
formless Ishvar has created the shrishti (Universe) without being in
a human body, who is managing the total system of universe- does he need to be
born as a human to kill bad people like Raavna and Kansa. One who gives birth
and death and all pleasures and pains based on their karmas could have easily
destroyed these devils by his omnipotent strength. This is
ridiculous to imagine that Ishvar came on the earth in the human form to kill
some rascals. If this could be the fact, than Ishvar would be required to be
born in different times to kill anti-human people like Idi Amin, Osama Bin
Laden etc.
By calling Rama and
Krishna avtaars (Incarnation of Ishvar), a great injustice has been done to the
history of these great people. In the name of remembrance – the acts of
Ramleela and Raasleela are not approved by Vedism. This is an insulting
presentation of such great people. Will anyone like to see his forefathers
being enacted on a stage by some actors and dancers?
Acchoot
(The Untouchables)
The Unsociability has been the worst curse
introduced by certain so called religious cults in India. The Vedic system of 4
division of the society – Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra was
nothing but a division based on the actual work done by different people. Other
than the Karmas, there was no basis to identify people by these headings.
Unfortunately, our Hindu Pandits of history played up with the words and forced
the division on the basis of the birth. This resuled into creation of Acchoots-
the untouchables. The children born in the families of that part of the society
which was doing the dirty work of the society, were cast into the definition of
Shudras, which became Acchoots in many cases. The atrocities increased
gradually, and such people were denied the basic rights which were available to
others- like entry into their temples, not allowing them to take water from the
common wells of the village. Atrocities further increased and these people were
declared untouchables and not just that even unwatchable too; it was being said
that their shadow falling on others will bring bad omens. They were not allowed
to sit on a chair or higher level in front of so called Savarns. This was the
most heinous crime of Hindu Society, which developed into a reason of self
destruction also.
Many educated and judicious thinkers tried to fight
against this system. Mahatma Gandhi gave a better name to these discarded
members of society by naming them- Harijans, but that did not give much relief
to them and it worked as only a change of label. Many others tried to banish
this cruel practice, but were not successful against the so called hindu
pundits who were misusing the religious scriptures to substantiate their wrong
claims.
In Vedism- everyone is an Arya, if he practices the
principles of Vedism. Vedism recognizes the ancient Vedic social division
system, but on the basis of their works and not on the basis of their birth.
Whatever is ones work, he cannot be discredited in the society. Vedism boasts
of many such great scholars who came from such untouchable backgrounds and
attained the levels of Great Scholars, writers and teachers in the society. Vedism
believes that all children are born as Shudras as they are not capable of any
type of works, but they should be given equal opportunity to get education and
other facilities, so that each one of them gets an opportunity to become-
Brahman, Kshatriya or Vaishya. Those who could not attain the other levels
automatically remain shudras. But again, that does not mean that a different
attitude be adopted against them by the rest of the society.
Swami Dayanand has written in his book (in the
Chapter-4 of) Satyarthprakash – “ All four Varnas should live together with
mutual affection and respect, help, gentleness, sharing each other’s good and
bad times, being helpful in crisis and thus contribute in the progress of
nation with their capacity of health, wealth and thoughts. The shudras, though
they have limitation of education, but not that of different skills should
serve the society and the society in turn should pay them well for their
services.”
Those who support this evil called untouchability
even in todays times, often give their reason as
· Shudras
food habits and life style is not clean and hygienic.
· They
do dirty works of the society.
These arguments do not hold water, as the question
of food habits and hygiene applies to all equally. So called upper casts’
people eat animals, drink the wine and consume other bad drugs- why should they
be not considered the Shudras. The poor life style is not a cause but is an
outcome of the atrocities imposed on them.
The dirty works of the society include cleaning of
toilets, handling human excreta, skinning dead animals for leather etc. A
person remains dirty only for the duration when he is doing the work but not
always. Once he cleans himself up he becomes as good a person as anyone else.
In society people when they attend nature’s call, they are equally dirty but
they become clean after a good wash and rinse. Mothers while cleaning their
small children, nurses while cleaning up their patients, pathologists while
carrying out analysis of urine and excreta – they all become dirty for their
jobs; but they become fully acceptable after their cleaning themselves after
the duty.
As far as the handling of dead animals for leather
is concerned, today these works are being done by huge corporate. Nobody is
boycotting the factories that produce shoes by killing and skinning the
animals.
Unfortunately, Government has been instrumental in
keeping these divisions alive by providing reservations and other facilities on
the basis of these criteria.
Widow-Marriage
While the Hindu Society was against the opportunity
to be given to start a new family to a widow, Vedism has always been proactive
in support of Widow marriages in society. Widows living alone face all kinds of
difficulties in the society, from outside as well as inside of the families.
They have equal rights, same as that to a man to remarry and reestablish her
life with a new life partner. Swami Dayanand established that wherever a
remarriage is suggested for a widower, there is no negation of the same
opportunity to a widow. He was against bigamy of men and women equally. But
after the death of the life partner, every man and woman has the same right to
get married again, if they wish so. Initially Swamiji had suggested the
provision of Niyog also but that was not accepted by the
society at large.
Intercast Marriage
Vedism has always supported Intercast Marriage.
Here are few quotes from Swami Dayanand’s immortal book Satyarth Prakash-
· The
marriage should be a decision of the boy and the girl to be married. Parents ,
even if they have certain alliance in their mind, should leave the final
decision to the satisfaction of the boy and the girl. (Quote from Samullas-4)
· Let
the son or daughter remain unmarried for the whole life; but there should not
be a marriage between two dissimilar people with opposite qualities, nature and
actions. (Quote from Samullas-4)
· In
Indian history there are so many instances of Indian Kings marrying the
daughters of Emperors of other countries like Kabul, Kandhar, Iran, America and
Europe etc. Queen Gandhari, Madri and Ulupi were from different countries
married to Indian Kings. (Quote fromSamullas-10)
Thus the stress in a marriage should be on the
mutual liking of bride and groom apart from the similarity in their nature,
qualities and actions.
Dahej-Pratha (Dowry-Practice)
Vedism opposes the evil of demanding dowry from girl’s
parents by the boy’s parents in a wedding. Quoting from ‘Manusmriti’ – Great
Scholar Manu has mentioned about eight types of marriages out of which four are
termed noble and other four are termed as bad. Noble ones include – Brahm, Daiv
, Aarsh and Praajapatya. The bad examples are – Aasur, Gaandhrva, Rakshash and
Paishach. Manu has described the marriage based on money without considering
the consent of the bride as ‘Aasur Vivah’.
The Brahm Vivah is one in which the father gives
away his daughter to a qualified, healthy and good natured person selected by
the girl, and along with the girl gives her cloths, ornaments etc. as per his
own desire and capacity. Swami Dayanand has described the right way of a
marriage in his book- Sanskarvidhi under ‘Paanigrahan-sanskar’.
The evil practice of negotiating and seeking dowry
has poisoned the very sweetness of the institution of marriage. There are
numerous cases of torture, humiliation and subsequent suicides in India. Vedism
is totally against such evil of society.
Varna-Vyavstha ( System based on Varnas)
Our sages and scriptures made an arrangement of
addressing people by their works and abilities. The idea was that a society
consists of four main types of social groups- The learned group who teach the
society ( Brahmins), the warrior group which fights for the welfare
of society (Kshatriyas) , the traders who provide the necessities of the
society ( Vaishys) and the service providers of the society (Shudras).
Unfortunately a very wrong practice started in India, when this classification
was imposed on people based on their birth. The work and the ability of a
person has got nothing to do with his parents or the house where he is born.
This wrong interpretation divided the society in a very harmful manner. This
division in the society has made the country vulnerable to civil wars and
atrocities. Unfortunately the rulers of Independent India exploited the divide
instead of diminishing it. The deprived groups were targeted to be the vote
banks by offering them special benefits and status like reservation in jobs and
education, even in fighting election etc. Such discriminatory benefits did not
help those groups but only highlighted their being different. Such highlights
further reduced their acceptance in the society.
Vedism condemns this rotten practice of division
based on misinterpretation of Varn Vyavstha.
Aashram Vyavstha ( Different Segments of Life)
Vedas regulated human life by dividing its duration
into four segments , which are as follows-
1. Brahmcharya Aashram:
The first 25 years of human life consists of his birth, his growing up, his
attaining the youth hood. Vedic belief says that this period is for building up
of one’s base strong in terms of knowledge and education, physical exercise and
his sanskars. In this phase of his life he has to attain knowledge from his
mother till the age of 5 years, from his father till the age of 8 years and
thereafter from his Gurus (Teachers). Swami Dayanand wrote that education
should be mandatory in any country for the children over 5 years or 8 years by
the Governments; not only this, the parents who don’t send their children for
education should be penalized by Government. He also recommended separate schools
for boys and girls.
Brahmcharya Aashram is a period of building up of
the future life; hence it is required that the students do not get involved in
sexual activities of any form. The age for marriage should be minimum 25 years
for men and 18 years for women.
2. Grihasth Aashram:
A marriage of a man and a woman brings them into Grihasth Aashram.
Vedic belief stresses that a married man or woman should be loyal to his or her
spouse. Physical Relationship outside the marriage is an act of
violation of Grihasth Aashram.
Married couple should take care of their parents
and other members of the family as their foremost duty. The birth of a child
brings in further responsibilities on the parents; they have to provide best
security, education and sanskars to their child so that he becomes a
responsible citizen in his future life. The men have to earn enough money not
just to feed his family or educate his child but also to perform all other
responsibilities of Panch Mahayagya ( explained earlier).
Grihasth Aashram is one aashram, which has to provide support and help to the
rest of three Aashramas as they are not capable to generate wealth for their
requirements.
3. Vaanprasth Aashram:
Swami Dayanand , with reference to the scripture Manu Smriti, adviced
that when a married couple become grandparent, their hair become grayish and
their body becomes weaker , they should leave the house and plan to stay away
in a jangal or anywhere away from family. If the wife is not willing to join in
this journey, she may be allowed to stay back with the family.The main
activities of Vaanprashth Aashram includes regular practice of
Yoga, Pranayam and Satsang. A Vaanprasth follower can be very useful for the
society at large in following ways-
· The
responsibilities of managing the family and social responsibilities get
automatically shifted on the shoulders of next generation. Gen-next gets an
opportunity to develop and display their capabilities in such situations.
· A
Vaanprasthi Couple can share the experiences of their life with the whole
community and not just their own family.
· Vaanprasthis
can take responsibilities in Social Charitable bodies by contributing their
time.
· They
can also spend time in spreading the truth and awareness against wrong beliefs
of societies.
4. Sanyas Aashram: The final stage of
life. Which starts from the age of 75 years, when a person becomes detached
from worldly reasons of life and becomes physically quite frail, is called Sanyas
Aashram. Though only Brahmins become Sanyasis but others like Kshatriyas,
and Vaishys can also become Sanyasi by completely changing their life style by
giving up all their activities and inclinations associated with
their main line of work.
One should accept Sanyas, only when he attains
absolute detachment from worldly life; in other words he should not be
influenced or attracted by any kind of charm for family, wealth or even social
prestige. A Sanyasi is regarded as superior to even an emperor, because he
becomes a source of betterment of the whole humanity beyond all limits of his
life.
Unfortunately, there are lot of unscrupulous people
who dress up like Sanyasis and are involved in the activities which are
absolutely against the ethics of sanyas aashram. The result is that general
people have become doubtful about all Sanyasis.
Tyohar (Festivals)
Festivals are special occasions to celebrate
special days, either involving historical events or beginning of new seasons.
Festivals bring positive change and pleasure in otherwise routine lives of
people.
Vedism also believes in celebrating festivals but
by remaining within its limits marked by its beliefs . The basic guidelines for
celebrating festivals are –
· Ishvar
is one and only one; hence there can never be another Ishvar in any other form,
hence no other pooja to be carried out.
· No
vulgarity or disgrace in the name of entertainment.
· No
blind faith in the name of commitment.
· No
undue acts in the name of special gains.
Vedism publishes articles in its important journals
on the methods of celebrating different festivals.
Khaan-Paan (Food Habits)
The founder of Vedism Swami Dayanand had to take
the fight against Pakhand ( wrong practices) head on. Another
difficult fight was against the food systems of Hindus in those days, whose
total religion was woven around the food rules.
During his famous Poona Speech, Swamiji once said-
“Nowadays the religion of hindus gets broken faster
than the breaking of a grass blade. Hindus have become so paranoid about the
religion that the religion gets broken if someone does not tie a knot in his
shikha (pony tail) or if someone has worn a long gown etc. Food rules have made
this paranoia more complex.”
Swamiji gave following directives about food habits
and practices-
· Eatables
and Non-eatables are decided by two factors – based on our principal religious
scriptures and based on medical sciences like Aayurveda.
· Food
acquired by violence, theft and cheating is non eatable. Food should be
acquired by non violence in principal.
· Eatables
are those foods which improve health, destroy diseases, enhances brain power,
increases physical strength and enhances longevity of life; example- fruits,
vegetables, milk, ghee, sweets etc. in proper quantity and at correct times.
· Non
eatables are all those things which act against human body.
· Non
consumables are those things which affect the mind adversely; example- wines,
opium, bhang, ganja and other intoxicating drugs.
· Avoid
eating food prepared and touched by those who eat animals and also by
drunkards; as such food will be laced with remains of what they consume.
· Don’t
serve your semi- eaten food to anyone; nor do join in any other persons eating
his food. Do not overeat and must wash and rinse your hands as well as mouth
thoroughly after eating.
· All
people who follow above rules may cook for each other and eat together.
· Things
like honey – though acquired from bees collections; however due to its great
medicinal benefit it is termed as Eatable.
Swamiji has forbidden eating animal flesh or
consuming all kinds of wines and intoxicants in his book Gokarunanidhi which
principally focuses on the utility of Cows in our society. He says that all pet
animals like Cows, Goats, and Buffalos have great utility for mankind as live
animals; and it is crime to kill them for eating their flesh. He has also
stressed that all kinds of intoxicants are responsible for destroying ones
right mind and for pushing the mind into negativity.
Namaskar
Namaskar is the only
method of greeting each other. The meaning of Namaskar is that ‘ I bow in front of you in
your honour’. The word is a sign of expressing regard for each other.
Though Namste is just a word, however in Sanskrit grammar it is a complete
statement.
Namste has been used so many times in Holy
Scriptures Vedas. In other scriptures like Upnishadas, Brahman,
Ramayana andMahabharta , Namste has been used for greeting
each other. This is such a pure way of greeting that it can be said to elders,
youngers or within the same age group. The response to Namste is also Namste;
as the respect is always mutual. The posture while greeting with Namste is two
hands folded with full palms touching each other, arms touching the heart and
the head slightly bowed. This posture suggests that the greeter with complete
knowledge of his mind, complete strength of his arms and complete affection of
his heart is bowing in front of someone and he also responds with similar
feelings.
There are many prevalent methods of greeting in
India like – ‘Jai Ram ji ki’ ; ‘Jai Gopal ji ki’; ‘Jai Jinendra’ ; ‘Sat Shree
Akal’ – all these greetings are connected either to some great personalities or
to some religious groups. People from different religions cannot relate to such
greetings and hence cannot respond properly. More over the feeling of greeting
the person in front is totally absent in such greetings.
A greeting like ‘Jaihind’ is more of a nationalist
call and not a greeting to someone. Such greeting cannot be addressed to
someone who is not an Indian.
‘Salaam’ is an Arabic greeting and does not match
with our rich culture. It does not contain the sense conveyed in Namste.
Western world greets as Good Morning, Good
afternoon, Good evening and Good night etc. ; which are greetings based on
different times of the day. Indians have also adopted this practice greatly.
Such greetings just express a wish for a small period to be good for the person
being greeted. Moreover, someone in India talking to his friend in America is
at a loss whether he should greet him good morning or good evening as they are
in two different time zones at the same time.
The modern ways of addressing each other with ‘
Hello’ or ‘Hi’ are just the words to attract the attention of the person
addressed and does not convey any meaning or sense of greeting.
‘Pranam’ is another respectful address of greeting;
but its limitation is that it can be said to the elders only, the elders need
to reply to such address with some kind of blessings like – ‘Khush Raho’ (Be
happy). In few states even a Pranam is responded with Pranam- which is
erroneous due the very meaning of the word, which suggests that it can be
addressed to the elders only.
Some people have made a variation by calling
‘Namaskar’ in place of Namste. This is grammatically wrong. While Namste fully
conveys that ‘ I bow before you’ ; Namaskar means ‘the act of bowing’. The
complete meaning will come only when one says- ‘Main aapko namskar karta hun’ ;
the one word substitute for this long sentence is ‘Namste’.
Matrubhoomi (Motherland)
When Swami Dayanand founded Vedism, he had two
major objectives in his mind. One was the propogation of Vedas and the other
was Devotion to Motherland. The entire literature of Swamiji reflect both his
insights.
In his great book Satyrthprakash, he has mentioned
that the English rulers allow the shoes made in their country to enter their
offices but not the shoes made in our country. They respect their own shoes
more than the people of other countries. He further said that these Europeans,
in spite of being in our country for more than 100 years are still wearing
their thick woolens which they wear in their countries whereas we Indians have
started copying their styles. A blind followership makes a man stupid and
brainless whereas those who follow and respect their traditions and culture are
wise.
Vedism was the first nationalist group who
emphasized on the use of indigenous cloths and things. In 1883, Vedism in
Lahore passed a resolution that all should start using the textile and other
materials made in India only in place of the imported English goods. Indian
National Congress was not even born at that time. Indian markets were flooded
with imported European goods. Vedism realized the need of protecting India’s
cottage industry.
In his book Vyavharbhanu, there is a
series of questions and answers. One of the question framed by Swamiji is – ‘ If
people have lots of money- what should they do ?’ Swamiji has replied his
own question as this – ‘ People who are rich and have lots of money
should establish mills and factories so that people of our country may get
opportunity to earn their livelihood’.
Swamiji has emphasized that everyone should love
his own nation where ever has he been born. The country which provides us
living, food, shelter and protection; it is our duty to work for the betterment
of such motherland.
Putra aur
Putri (Son and Daughter)
Swami Dayanand has used the masculine gender word Putrathroughout
while discussing various sanskars in his book Sanskarvidhi. It is not that
Swamiji was not aware of two genders. The fact is that he has addressed sons as
well as daughters by calling them Putra throughout. Wherever he had to
genuinely differentiate the two he used word such as Kanya (Girl)
or Stree (Woman). The newborn delivered by a mother is called
‘Putra’ irrespective of its gender. There are ved-mantras which confirm these
facts.
Therefore all Sanskars are equally important and
applicable to Sons and Daughters, except those where the female child is
addressed as Kanya or Stree. Swamiji has been more explicit about his equal
treatment for son and daughter in his book Satyarthprakash; wherein
he has stressed on the need of education for sons and daughters by sending them
to respective schools when they become five to eight years old. He has directed
parents and Gurus to teach boys as well as girls -the Gaytri mantra with its
meaning. There are ample examples wherein Swamiji has mentioned about the
equality of woman with men.
Antyeshti (Last Rites)
Antyeshti is the last
sanskar of a human being as suggested in theSanskarvidhi of Swami
Dayananad. After this there is no sanskar or ritual left for any human being. A
dead body needs to be disposed off in all religions. Vedism does so by burning
the dead body on a wood pyre by offering good quantity of Ghee and Havan
Samgri. The process is performed like a Yagya along with chanting of selected
Ved Mantras for this sanskar.
Vedism believes that every dead body of a human
being should be destroyed by burning in this way because all other methods of
disposal, like burial in the ground or disposal in a river, cause pollution and
contamination to the environment. In the process of burning when the ghee and
Samgri is burnt in good quantity , it takes care of the bad smell and also of
other ill effects. Even without ghee and samgri, the better option is always
burning a dead body.
The house of the deceased should be purified by
performing Yagya in the house. It is right to collect the leftover bone remains
from the place of burning but it is futile to travel to rivers to dispose off the
same. It pollutes the rivers only.
Various post death rituals like dashgatra, vaitarni
crossing and the donations involved with these to the so called religious
priests are meaningless as per Vedism. Vedism strongly believes that once a
person dies, no one on earth can reach him by doing whatsoever rituals. Even
the Antyeshti, which is performed with Ved Mantras is a way of prayer to Ishvar
by the people attending the Antyeshti to bless the relived soul by giving it
the Moksha ; or to grant the soul next birth in better body and conditions.
The family members of the deceased should follow
the good deeds of the deceased and further his good intentions and ambitions.
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