Hari OM!
Happy Nava-raatri to all!
After opening prayers, we started our session delving deeper in to the significant texts that constitute the study of Hindu Scriptures:
We then returned to the topic for the day - Man's Heritage. We had interesting discussions on the topic, non-attachment.
One participant shared that detachment or not being attached to results, come with time and experience. In the earlier years of one's profession, one gets attached to the outcome of one's efforts in an endeavor. However with time and experience comes the understanding that there are many things beyond one's control that are at play in determining the outcome, and gradually one learns to become detached from the outcome. We recalled the famous message of Gita in chapter 2: "karmaNyeva adhikaaraste maa phaleShu kadaachana", which means you have the right to perform the prescribed action, but are not entitled to the fruits of the action.
Few of us wondered why have children and then be caught in attachment, or get married and be attached, or get attached to pets, etc. The external world entices us time and again with glittering promises of joy and pleasure, which are temporary. It seems that the majority of us get trapped or attached to a point where we lose our balance and discrimination. To that problem, we also discussed that in order to truly aspire for self-realization and eternal happiness, one must experience the pangs of attachment, sorrow, first-hand. Understanding the problem is critical and essential in developing a burning desire to seek for a permanent solution.
How does one attain the state of detachment amidst all the turbulence that exists in the world? The larger question is, when confronted with challenges how do we know what the right course of action is, or, the right direction is?
"The scriptures, like a true compass, always indicate the right direction." - Kindle Life
But someone might ask why should one trust the scriptures. Where do they draw their authority from? The scriptures are based on the collective experience and wisdom of the ancient masters (Rishi-s) and have stood the test of time. However, it is when one studies and understands the scriptures that one will have the wisdom to appreciate it and practice it, rather than follow by blind faith. On a lighter note, in contrast, it only takes an average of 12 years for a drug to travel from research lab to the patient. We attribute enough rigor to that approval process to be able to try the medication on oneself and fellow humans.
With that we concluded the topic of Man's Heritage.
- Summarized by
Karthik Ramakrishnan
Happy Nava-raatri to all!
After opening prayers, we started our session delving deeper in to the significant texts that constitute the study of Hindu Scriptures:
· Vedanga-s, auxillaries of Veda, anga meaning a limb, organ, or a part
shiksha (phonetics), vyakaranam (grammar), chandas (meter), nirukta (etymology), kalpa (rituals, ceremonies) & jyotisha (astronomy)
· Veda-s, the four: Rg, Yajur, Sama, Atharva
Each veda comprises - samhitas(hymns), brahmanas(rituals), and, aranyakas, at whose concluding portion are Upanishads. Upanishads are also referred to as Vedanta. We had discussed a literal meaning of the word Vedanta in the previous session, the end of the vedas, as they are located at the end of the Veda-s. We discussed today that: The ultimate goal or aim of the vedas is contained in the upanishads. Thus the upanishads are the "End" of the vedas, both in the sense of textual presentation and realization of the end goal.
· Purana-s, mythology
· Ithihasa-s, the Epics
Then there are Bhashya-s, commentaries on the various texts, dharma shastras that explain the code of conduct, etc.
[Please note that this is not a complete list.]
Eric ji also made an interesting observation between the Western and the Eastern schools of philosophy. Western approach is based on refuting the prevalent view while the Eastern method is based on building on the existing / prior philosophies.[Please note that this is not a complete list.]
We then returned to the topic for the day - Man's Heritage. We had interesting discussions on the topic, non-attachment.
One participant shared that detachment or not being attached to results, come with time and experience. In the earlier years of one's profession, one gets attached to the outcome of one's efforts in an endeavor. However with time and experience comes the understanding that there are many things beyond one's control that are at play in determining the outcome, and gradually one learns to become detached from the outcome. We recalled the famous message of Gita in chapter 2: "karmaNyeva adhikaaraste maa phaleShu kadaachana", which means you have the right to perform the prescribed action, but are not entitled to the fruits of the action.
Few of us wondered why have children and then be caught in attachment, or get married and be attached, or get attached to pets, etc. The external world entices us time and again with glittering promises of joy and pleasure, which are temporary. It seems that the majority of us get trapped or attached to a point where we lose our balance and discrimination. To that problem, we also discussed that in order to truly aspire for self-realization and eternal happiness, one must experience the pangs of attachment, sorrow, first-hand. Understanding the problem is critical and essential in developing a burning desire to seek for a permanent solution.
How does one attain the state of detachment amidst all the turbulence that exists in the world? The larger question is, when confronted with challenges how do we know what the right course of action is, or, the right direction is?
"The scriptures, like a true compass, always indicate the right direction." - Kindle Life
But someone might ask why should one trust the scriptures. Where do they draw their authority from? The scriptures are based on the collective experience and wisdom of the ancient masters (Rishi-s) and have stood the test of time. However, it is when one studies and understands the scriptures that one will have the wisdom to appreciate it and practice it, rather than follow by blind faith. On a lighter note, in contrast, it only takes an average of 12 years for a drug to travel from research lab to the patient. We attribute enough rigor to that approval process to be able to try the medication on oneself and fellow humans.
With that we concluded the topic of Man's Heritage.
- Summarized by
Karthik Ramakrishnan
The Upanishads are summaries of the philosophic content of the section of the Veda they are found in, and do not necessarily come at the 'textual presentation' of the end of the Veda. Upanishads may be found in the middle or any other physical location within the Veda.
ReplyDeleteThe sense of the word "end" is to convey that they are the summary of the content, and not to indicate positional location, or to conclude the presentation.