Bharatheeyam : ( 08/11/2012. )

THE PERIOD OF VEDAS:-2. We cannot precisely estimate the age of vedas; yet some scholars estimate it to be anywhere around 4,000 to 2,500 B.C. It will be of interest to look briefly into the various developments that took place from the vedic age up to the time of SANKARA who, according to general acceptance by scholars, was born in A.D. 788. A truly religious mind does not bother much for the history of religion, but an imperfect historical treatment of a subject has its own value. For purpose of analysis, the earlier period consisting of about 1,500 years i.e, from 2000 to 500 B.C., may be called as the vedic age. In the period of early hymens there was nothing other than the forces of nature to be worshipped. This led to the personification of these forces. Nevertheless, there was a resolute search for a unity behind these forces; hence, we find so many idols created during this time that one god shades away into another. Some of the popular names include Visvakarma, the chief ...

THE PERIOD OF VEDAS:-1. The vedas are the earliest source of information on Indian thought. They are supposed to have emerged out of "OM". They contain the most astonishing record of the march of the human mind from the worship of the forces of nature to the realization of the absolute spirit. This is indeed, a happy pilgrimage. In the the Rig Veda  we find inspiration in the strength of action; in the Yajur Veda, the power will; in the Sama Veda, that knowledge; and in Atharva Veda, that of the mental functions of life. [to be con----d] BY SWAMI CHINMAYANANDA. 

OUR MODERN GENERATION:-6. The flood of human enthusiasm gushing down the wrong channels is dangerously eroding the peace and joy, equanimity and tranquillity , sincerity and self confidence, tolerance and forgiveness from the human bosom. We can, as an item of the spiritual festival  conduct an attempt some well known pundits of Hinduism,Christianity, Islam, etc; on the same platform. But the function go well off and the its benefits are nil. Unless the very champions  of the various religions themselves are convinced of the glory of their religion and unless such convinced saints and sages have ample compassion for the despairing world, such meetings cannot be helpful to the ordinary citizens.  

OUR MODERN GENERATION:-5. In a recent review it is estimated that few percent of the world population are today suffering from mental diseases while relatively in our own poverty--stricken nation the percentage of people suffering from similar illness is only less. Not that we are religious; and yet, even the confirmed atheist in Bharat unconsciously lives some religious and philosophical values of life. It is time that philosophy and religion walked out of our libraries and temples to serve the age. Even in this age, there are very many unhealthy trends today. The confusions of the era seem to have contaminated even the viewpoint of the various religious followers. Sometimes one is surprised to see the fanaticism, competition, jealous ies, and rivalries  between the champions of different religions, than among the leaders of the nation or proprietors of firms or even among the members of the community.  It is time that the heads of religions come together into a b...

OUR MODERN GENERATION:-4. To realize  this condition of the modern men and women in the modern world is indeed a disheartening reflection, and many are the intelligent persons who had turned cynical in their attitudes-sans courage, sans faith,. The corruptions,  immoralities, cruelties, and general heartlessness of the age, are symptoms of the benumbing influence the educated class. This is a time when all the true saints, and priests, who have the necessary sense of detachment to stand apart from the mad crowd and their weltering sorrows --must plan out a path of redemption for the misguided, suffering humanity. Today Bharatheeyar needs, more than their food,clothing, or shelter, a truer way of life based upon a better understanding of the ultimate purpose in life. Where this knowledge is not available, even though  there is sufficient material progress  the incidence of mental illness is mounting up.  

OUR MODERN GENERATION:-3. Religion , as an institution, serving society through a healthy and wise priest-class, accomplished this essential education of the individual members of the society once upon a time. Those were the golden era of the world, when the benefits of a healthy view of life lived honestly had amply rewarded the communities, even though they had not modern scientific knowledge and its comforts or luxuries. In those days, we can say, a cruder world was peopled by a cruder generation and they lived, perhaps, a cruder life; but they were more cheerful and more happy, less disturbed and less restless. We may boast ourselves to be a more civilized people living in a more beautiful world of greater comforts and joys but, the nobler men and women of the day live in the modern improved world, weeping in their neurotic sorrows, inexpressible agitations and voiceless fears.       

OUR MODERN GENERATION:-2. VIEWING THE WHOLE PROBLEM OF MAN AND WOMAN IN ONE QUIET SWEEPING GAZE, ANY SERENE INTELLECT, IF UN CLOUDED BY PREJUDICES, CAN EASILY PERCEIVE THAT THE WORLD IS PUTTING ITS CART BEFORE ITS HORSE. WITHOUT RECREATING HUMAN'S PERSONALITY THE CREATION OF WEALTHY SOCIETY OF HUMAN CANNOT EVER BE DREAMT OF. HUMAN IN THEIR MUTUAL RELATIONSHIP CREATE THE COMPOSITE WEB OF SOCIETY. IF THE TEXTURE THE THREAD USED IS LOW THE CLOTH WOVEN SHOULD  CERTAINLY BE COURSE; AS THE RAW MATERIAL, SO THE POLISH OF THE FINAL PRODUCT.  IF INDIVIDUAL MEN AND WOMEN ARE PHYSICALLY DEMONIC, MENTALLY SHATTERED AND INTELLECTUALLY CONFUSED, OUT OF THEM, IN THEIR MAL-ADJUSTED INTERRELATIONSHIPS, AN UNHEALTHY AND SELF DESTRUCTIVE  CROWD ALONE CAN ARISE -NEVER CAN WE HOPE TO MEET THEREIN A WELL BALANCED HEALTHY SOCIETY, EVER ASPIRING TO GROW TOWARDS A PROSPEROUS AND PEACEFUL LIFE.