The universe has destructive forces as well as constructive ones. In the microcosm of an individual’s life, the forces that his/her actions are dominated by decide whether he/she would rise or fall. An understanding of the Vedas can lead one to choose the right path, writes Yogi Ashwini
Creation is not linear; it is cyclical in nature. There is childbirth, death, and then rebirth. The Sun rises and sets only to rise again. A seed gives rise to a tree, and then that tree produces more seeds for more trees to grow. The Moon follows a cycle, and so does water. This cyclical pattern is seen in human evolution too. Lighter thoughts, which are aimed at creation and lead to selfless action, make one rise. But heavier thoughts that come with an asuric disposition force one onto the descending path.
The extent to which one rises or falls depends on the influence of asurs and devas in his/her life. While asuric shaktis pave the way for the disruption of various aspects of creation, daivik shaktis aid growth and development.
Ravan, for example, ascended to become one of the greatest pandits of all times who extemporaneously created the Shiva Tandava Stotra. It requires sadhana of several years. Ravan could do it owing to the strong influence of daivik shaktis on him. But as asuric shaktis took over, his descent began.
In economics, it is said that a company whose graph is horizontal, that is, where there is no upturn or downturn, would shutdown in a short while. Even a downturn is considered a growth factor. This law is constant in all aspects of creation. It is applicable even to yogis and to huge empires. Upturn and downturn cycles are very important for growth. With every downturn, one must use its momentum to reach a new high.
Saffron clothes have always been worn by rishis and munis. And the asuras have always tried to attack them. We all know of Lord Ram who went to defend the yagya of Rishi Vishvamitra against the attack of asurs. Yagyas create positivity and asurs thrive on negativity.
In today’s world, there is an increasing influence of asuric forces. It can be traced back to the beginning of invasions by the Nomadic Tribes of the Arabian Peninsula and tribes from Europe. For example: The Portuguese invasion of the West coast of India in the 16th century that brought in its wake large-scale destruction of the temples, burning of ancient scriptures as well as disbanding of yagyas and other spiritual practices in the region or the invasions by Ghori and Ghazni. Mahmud of Ghazni destroyed thousands of temples during his raids, including the Somnath Temple in 1025AD which killed over 50,000 people who tried to defend it. In the early years of British penetration in India, there was an uprising of the saints termed as the Sanyasi Revolt. British fearing the power of these men in saffron and knowing that they would not be able to establish their rule in India till these people are suppressed, killed 150 saints.
In present times, the term ‘saffronisation’ has been coined by negative, asuric forces to uproot the vedic culture and undermine the saints. Corrupt, so-called saints are highlighted in the media repeatedly to pull down the image of saffron, while hardly ever is a saint working for animals or people or environment brought to the fore. Our country is known to have produced saints like Ramakrishna Paramhans, Ramana Maharishi and their modern counterparts, but no one talks about them. No one even talks about so-called saints from any other community, when many are known to have committed crimes against humanity. I wonder why the media handpicks only specific few.
In such times it becomes our prime duty to uphold saffron, by understanding what it is all about, by understanding the The Vedas and what they talk about and not a myopic opinion based on a minority highlighted in the media.
Did you know Rishi Agastya made the first electric cell? Did you know Rishi Kanad described the atom eons before Mendeleev and Bohr? Did you know plastic surgery was practiced in India at the time of Rishi Shushruta? Nasa-sandhana of Sushruta became the precursor of Rhinoplasty and till date all operations which involve replacement of skin from immediate vicinity of loss are known as ‘Indian Plastic Surgery’.
Vedic civilisation is perhaps one of the most advanced civilisations. The kind of knowledge and understanding of various aspects of creation that was possessed by the Vedic seers and is documented at length in ancient texts is unmatched till date. While the rest of the world was inhabited by barbarics as per modern historians, Vedic masters were dispelling the gyaan of shanti (peace), preservation and protection of nature and its resources, compassion to animals and envisioning universes and galaxies far and beyond. To quote from The Rigveda, “The Sun moves in its orbit which itself is moving. Earth and other bodies move around the Sun due to force of attraction because sun is heavier than them.” (RV 1.164.13) “The moving Moon always receives a ray of light from the Sun” (RV 1.84.15). In the 5th century itself, Aryabhata knew that Earth revolves around the Sun, is spherical in shape, rotates on its axis, and is suspended in space. He understood the laws of gravity, the circumference of the Earth, the distance between the planets and the Sun, the revolutionary movement of the earth around the Sun, and so on. At least 1100 years before Galileo and Newton, Aryabhata wrote in Aryabhatiyam, “Just as a person traveling in a boat feels that the trees on the banks are moving, people on Earth feel that the Sun is moving.”
Slowly and gradually, modern science is progressing, only to appreciate and validate the Vedic concepts and the ways of life they propound. This is to say that every Vedic practice and concept is rooted in science and reason, some modern science agrees with in present times, for some others it needs to further develop to understand. This is the heritage of Bharatvarsha, the phenomenal power of saffron and The Vedas. Let us not encourage asuric shaktis in bringing down this glorious culture. Let us delve deeper into our ancient sciences and revive them for the benefit of mankind.
The writer is the guiding light of Dhyan Foundation
