Logic of Vedantic Principles

Have been listening to various lecture series recently, one such speech has been an eye opener to me.

Narrate it here in my own words from my own perspective and the way I understood it: one such is from Adv Puneet Chaturvedi a famous Supreme Court Lawyer.


Here it is:


The influence of Vedanta on Indian thought process has been profound.


Vedanta is the ancient Hindu Wisdom Tradition containing innumerous principles that are timeless piece of creation by the ancient monks and seers through Vedas and Upanishads etc., and find its applicability even on date. Many of the principles have been gradually discovered to have scientific basis and are being slowly found relevant for any age after due research and have been duly popularized in the West. Apparently and without delving into details one may not be able to discover logic behind these principles. However, Adv Chaturvedi by his thorough understanding into the Vedantic domain knowledge has thrown insights which convinces about the rationality of these wisdom traditions and thoughts and he enumerated how it allows us to lead a better quality of life on simple terms.


In the context of contemporary education system in India, like present day examinations, where one usually memorizes the principles, writes on paper next day and forgets about it. Ultimately obtains good marks but no knowledge. The Good marks so obtained don’t help in conducting day to day lives as Judges, Adjudicators, Decision makers don’t bother about your marks when you present or argue your cases before them. This process of modern day ejection without digestion kind of taking examinations (although practiced by only a few) is a shortcut and is not at all prescribed by Vedantic principles and on the contrary Vedanta traditions rather emphasizes to follow three steps as below for fruitful study.


First, Adhayan: that is study by reading, listening, watching and using all sense organs to form a perception. Then,

Second Chintan: that is to do analysis of whatever being studied and thinking about it and churning ideas about the philosophy studied and thereafter,

Third Manan: that is imbibing the entire idea into one’s belief system, so that it works along with while conducting the life.
So if the study cycle follows above process then it could be complete study for sustenance and progress and not otherwise.


Science today has made it possible to provide all kinds of external comforts to us, say for example if the room is hot then it can make it cold and vice versa but what Science does not address is the internal calmness and serenity of the mind for which any scientific gadget is yet to be invented.


Today, we have realised that all problems and issues arises out of the self or Atman and Vedantic principles allows to delve into the Self and analyses the Self, and recognizes a principle called self consciousness, this if well understood makes the situation better to realise and discern the self for betterment. Vedantic principles logically endeavor to understand the self in great details as without understanding and comprehension of the self it can be compared to a blind circumstance. Naturally a blind cannot lead another blind to safety and be far from tranquil situation and prosperity. Thus one has to be aware or enlightened about self to lead others to improved circumstances.


Vedantic principles teach to control and guide self in the right direction through awareness and knowledge about self and individual consciousness. If one understands its own strengths and weaknesses then it becomes easy to mitigate in the external environment thus sustain and prosper.


Dharma as elucidated in various scriptures is not religion but righteousness with a great sense of duty in a disciplined manner.

The Mankind goes through the cycle of birth and death and the intervening period of life in between them is to be utilised with Karma or action which makes all the difference. Good Karma will evoke positivity and ensure prosperity of the environment surrounding the self for pleasurable sujorn in this Universe or amongst the creation. Essences of religion, according the Vedantic principles are sacrifice, passion and compassion for others. A Man does not live the life all for himself but with all others together, then only it is a useful living. There are no activities which can be totally independent of others for us to survive on this Earth.


So it is said men is a social animal. However, Mankind is bound to be made of qualities of good and bad and imperfections are inherent, but God or the principle of God is only complete and filled with perfectness. So in order to achieve peacefulness and serenity it is essential not to aim for extra ordinary perfectness, which is impossibility and can be possessed only by God or Godlike entity or the Principle of God.


Now how to control and calm the mind? Meditation and prayer are one the many ways to calm the mind and self and when the mind is at rest and not restless it will produce better ideas and perform better. Thus Vedantic principles prescribe Dhyan or Meditation and the lecture ended with a Meditative exercise with closed eyes.


Philosophy well understood.


#JaiHind