This open letter by Abhishek Jagini is in response to BRIAN from New Zealand (allegedly a god zoned country)
Point on Transactions in Culture :
The very tenets of Chaturvida phala purushartha and the understanding that God is an aspect of substratum makes us practical in the gross world which is all about matter, material and exchange/sharing for value (transaction).
The Chaturvida Phala pursharthas are as follows
1) Dharma - Dhrutih Kshamaa Damo Asteyam Shauchamindriyanigraha
Dhirvidya Satyamakrodho Dashakam Dharmalakshanam. - Definition of Dharma by Rishi Manu (Manu Smriti)
Note: Manu is a policy thinker, his treatise is a law not a religious book.
2) Artha - Economy is purely based on Q=f(K+L) that is production of output/service is a function of capital and labour, coefficient of technology in labour. Then protecting ones goods.
The Model of Chatur Varna -
Masses(Shudras) for production
Mind(Brahmana) for training and technology
Money(Vaishyas) for Capital and Commerce
Muscle (Kshatriyas) for protection
All together maintained and sustained the economy.
Chanakya one of the founding father's of Indian Economy and Strategy in his seminal treatise the Chankaya Pranitha sutras starts with 'Dharmasya Moolam Arthaha', Dharma is the source of Commerce/Economy/Wealth.
Note: The Angus Madison report of the World Economy titled 'The World Economy - A millennial perspective' sponsored by the OECD countries proves based on evidence how India dominated the world trade with 35%> of the world GDP for several centuries until external invasions which destroyed the indigenous practices.
But still stick to the roots despite centuries of Oppression. Yes a large part of the culture and practices have undergone undesired changes yet the core philosophy is the same. Atleast we Indians are better than Parthians, Scythians, Greece, Egyptians, Mesopotamians, Romans of Ancient World.
Turkey, Afghanistan, Iran, several African, American, and other central Asian cultures which are disconnected from their roots. Despite 800+ years of impression we are keeping our value systems.
3) Kama - The western civilization or rather the Christian Narrative finds base in 'The Sin' of Apple and desire, but our philosophy is not based on guilt or victim consciousness, we understand that only desire/thought of actions & wants drives the world.
The third pillar of Kama or desire is acknowledged as essential in a human living not to have any regrets. But any desire in the ambit of the Dharma Shastras and desire when dharmic doesn't bind one in karma.
The same has been beautifully woven into our system. As Chatur Varnas, Desire for anything beyond necessity is given provision only in Gruhasthashram (Family life 25-50 years of Age) the other three stages of life being
Brahmacharyaashram (Student Life 0-25 life for learning serving the teachers),
Vaanaprasthashram 50+ -> Resting and Retiring from Worldly life guiding proginy to run the house),
Sanyaashram (70ish - Focusing on salvation).
Those disinterested in Desire opted for Sanyaas directly after Brahmacharyaashram.
4) Moksha - The quest for the highest attainment, that which is possible only by a Human birth - Moksha or freedom from the birth cycle.
The concept of 'Self', is center to the World view of individuals from the sub-continent.
Caste was never birth based but only matter of choice in high school, until British imposed their laws of succession. Indian system has Varna and Jati which was difficult for the British to comprehend. It is only by British imposition that caste was decided by birth.
Records from the Madras presidency schools and elsewhere show how all the castes students were enrolled in schools. Even what we refer to as SC, BC or OBC were enrolled in schools. Another proof to this is the Indian Education survey report by William Adam, the same report read out by his assistant Macaulay to the British Parliament.
Appointment of educated Brahmin class who acted as Tax collectors has developed the division in the society during British era (not even Mughal, as they had Jagirdari and Mansabdari systems), also in revenue lands department.
The so called oppression could be possible (only in some pockets, as a result of British imposed policy) only post 1857 and pre 1950, that too after 1950 constitutional safeguards were in place for protecting the underprivileged and the minorities.
Point on Temples :
Temples in India, the ones like Sun Temple - Konark, Brihadeshwara temple - Tanjavur, temples in the 18 Shakti peetas, 108 Vishnu Stanas, 4 major Shankara Mathas, 2 additional Mathas, Mathas of Dvaitha and Vishisthadwaitha likes in Sriperumbudur and Mantralaya, Panchabhootha lingas, Char dham, Kashi, Manasarovar, Bodh Gaya, Vaishnav devi, Amarnath and thousands of other temples in India are architectual marvels and expression of not just Art but also technology, if not for the skilled planners, craftsmen, technical workers how were such magnanimous constructions built. These temples even today are the prime centers of Tourism and attract visitors from all over the world.
Both as religious and spiritual centers, these pilgrimage centers offered to the seekers many services like the 'Shodasha Sanskaras' or 16 ceremonies as discussed in the scriptures from birth to death, in fact Kashi and Gaya offer post death ceremonies, in addition to the lakhs of religious services, drivers, boatmen, hotels, motels, vendors and millions of other jobs are generated by the temples in India. It is a wonder in itself how this has been so beautifully inter woven into our religion or traditional practices. This also promoted exchanges of ideas, practices, technology, goods and people.
The temples were much bigger centers of learning and research with associated Gurukuls, even today Tirumala temple has very popular Goshala, Ved patashala, Free Food kitchen which serves a few lakhs servings every meal. Gurukuls until 1835 had a minimum of 20,000 students each; any institute which had lesser students was affiliated to a Gurukul making Gurukuls more or less like University to put it in modern terminology.
They offered free education, as they received donations also the Gurukuls has revenue models based on the produce there. St. Thomas also came to Madras to learn from Gurus in here, he lived here, died here.
Even Steve Jobs had free food served one such temple during his tough days.
Point on Religions :
Sikhism initially evolved as protectors of Hinduism the Gurus lead armies to protect Hindus. They had sacrificed their lives, they brutally ablaze alive, stamped upon by elephants, some warriors were even put into walls alive and plastered inside, their children beheaded demanding them to submit to the Mughal rulers, but Gurus always stood by dharma.
The community grew largely to defend the Hindus during the tenure of Mughals. It later developed as a separate religion. After the formation of Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee it was under more of an organized structure. The committee later gave birth to Shiromani Akali Dal in 1920. The community grew not just as a religious but also a socio-political entity. Yet the SAD, was always a unifying and integrating force in India.
But the 'Divide and rule policy' of the British and their successor the Congress party saw things worsening, so much that after decades a faction even demanded for a separate nation of Khalistan. Albeit all challenges, the Sikh community is today sends the large number of soldiers to the Indian Army, they have a separate regiment called the 'Sikh regiment'. The Sikhs are respected for their patriotism, sacrifice and volunteerism.
The demand for separate Sikh Marriage acts is a part of the evolution of the community and it's legal recognition.
Jainism & Buddhism were Mathas, evolved from 'Math' literally meaning opinion. They interpret the same things differently. Hinduism is not a stagnant dead belief system but a lively and dynamic one, it evolves with time an abandons the past which is not relevant, during the time of Adi Shankaracharya there were 172 religions in India, which he combined through dialogue (not bribe or forced conversion). He tied them all in the sutra of Advaitha and instead suggested the five streams of worship.
Something common in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism are 'OM' the primordial sound (something the book religions wouldn't accept), the concept of rebirth, karma, dharma. I am sure none of this has space in the Abrahamic religions. "If there are 99 Hindus in a room and 1 Christian, even after a year it could be status quo, but if the room had the contrary, what would have happened? This is possible only in India because none of Indian faiths are evangelical. But is it the same with the Abrahamic religions?"
Christians and Muslim both traveled to Indian sub continent and settled here. And were accepted and absorbed into the demography even before formation of Indian Union. "They were accepted not because India is secular but it is because Hindus are secular", if Indians really found differences they could never accept and accommodate others faiths.
Jews were persecuted almost everywhere in the world, it s only in India that they found their second home, the respect and love Israel has for India is a testimonial to it. Parsis after their fire temple was burnt came to India and settled here in Gujarat, they were welcomed and given warm reception. The Parsi community has contributed to India many successful business leaders.
This is reflection of our culture; more insights can be got from the speech of Swami Vivekananda delivered at the Parliament of World religions at Chicago.
Point on European schools :
The first of schools in Europe were the Sunday church schools started a little after 1700s, which were accessible only for the rich. But in India, 7000 years ago, Maharshi Valmiki who was a hunter who could author the epic, Ramayana? Without a school how could he do this? We didn't call them schools we had different terminology. English schools were started only after the British closed by law the Indian schools or Gurukuls after 1835.
The Christian Schools even today force Hindu students not to apply tilak and make them read Christian prayers.
Point on Jaya Lalitha:
Jayalalitha appealed in a the Supreme court, the matter was sub-judice when she became a Chief Minister. In democracy people's mandate is the highest. But law has it place too. She was arrested until she got relieved by a provision under law.
Voting is done not for the ideal candidate, but best of those available.
Point on Plassey and Treachery :
A detailed study of Plassey will show that, the Indian side got the 'Gun powder' delivered 3 days later than the British. Popular management professors in India often quote this mistake to get your resources ready 3 days in advance to win the conflicts. Indian accepts mistakes and learn lessons to correct the path. It is about being a better person everyday than being better than the other person. It is the Mlechhas which have back stabbed in the past and who continue to do so every time.
No society is ideal or homogeneous it has always have good and bad elements, moreover this is Kali Yuga what we identify as bad times. The bad sell themselves for a few pennies. If the person taking a bribe is cheap, isn't the coward who is paying bribe to wage a war? What do we call him, not confident of his strength? Any names ?
Point on Inequality:
'Narayana Sarva iti' - lord is everywhere, 'vyomat vyapta dehaya' - his embodies the entire universe, these are prayers, which encompass everything and everyone. It is not selective and encompassing only those believe in own's faith. A faith which sees even stone as god, how would it ignore a living being ? Anything contrary to this has only crept in, it is not native to India. This is only a colonial hangover.
The question BRIAN should put is why your God zoned country is still a Monarchy and enslaved by a throne even in this modern era. India and the USA both were colonies too, but have evolved as responsible republics and democracies?
Do you require some lessons on this please feel free to write to me at abhishek91jgd@gmail.com
