Long ago, thousands of years before the Western World woke up to enforcing environment-friendly measures, Indian Rishis and our sacred texts took many measures for the protection of the universe. They were so close to nature; they knew, loved and worshipped Mother Nature. Today, our world is perceived to be headed for an imminent environmental disaster or destruction simply because the knowledge in our Vedas, Puranas and many, such priceless treasures have been buried under layers of ignorance, waiting to be discovered.
Today Ancient Indian texts have become a matter of ridicule to many “modernized” people, who are unaware of the relevance and significance behind them. Hindus worship cows, plants, trees, water, rains, mountains, the wind, the Sun and everything in Nature; Nature itself. Why? Because, our ancestors knew that if something is delegated to the status of God, it will never be disrespected or left uncared for. Hence they taught their descendants to worship and respect every single aspect of their life that affects them in some way or the other. One simply has to understand the medicinal properties of the tulsi herb, for example, to understand why Hindus love and worship Tulsi Mata and nurture her in their homes. Similarly, if someone tries to understand the relevance of our ancient Indian books and rituals, they will realize the deep knowledge hidden in them.
Our Vedas, Puranas, and Stotras are very relevant even in today’s times. For example, the Dashavatara or the ten Avataras of Vishnu, mentioned in our Puranas, can be equated to the concept of Evolution! Lord Vishnu’s avatars of Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parshurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha and Kalki, can also be said to be the stages in which humans evolved. The first life forms were said to be aquatic (only living in water - Matsya), then amphibian (both water and land- Kurma), then land species – (Varaha.), then half-animal, half-human (Narasimha). The earliest Humans were short in build (Vamana), then evolving to stronger warrior-agriculturists (Parshurama). The avatars of Rama(idealist) and Krishna( strategist) signify mind development. We then came to an era of spiritual awakening (Buddha) and the avatar of Kalki in the Kali Yuga, the age we live in. Now doesn’t all this put more light on what Dashavatara symbolizes?
Ancient India's contribution to knowledge of Astronomy is also immense. Did you know that our Vedas and Indian Astronomical texts had proclaimed that the Earth is round? Or that Indians calculated with precision the occurrence of eclipses, Circumference and Diameter of Earth and the Speed of light? The Ancient Indians were highly advanced in the fields of Science, Alchemy, Philosophy, Spirituality and many more. They had mastered the art of Meditation and Mind Control too. Amazing!
Our epics and texts have within them, immense wisdom, we only have to discover them! Each one of us, EVERY INDIAN has to bring back to India the glory of the olden days! Proud of you my India! Vande Mataram!
Today Ancient Indian texts have become a matter of ridicule to many “modernized” people, who are unaware of the relevance and significance behind them. Hindus worship cows, plants, trees, water, rains, mountains, the wind, the Sun and everything in Nature; Nature itself. Why? Because, our ancestors knew that if something is delegated to the status of God, it will never be disrespected or left uncared for. Hence they taught their descendants to worship and respect every single aspect of their life that affects them in some way or the other. One simply has to understand the medicinal properties of the tulsi herb, for example, to understand why Hindus love and worship Tulsi Mata and nurture her in their homes. Similarly, if someone tries to understand the relevance of our ancient Indian books and rituals, they will realize the deep knowledge hidden in them.
Our Vedas, Puranas, and Stotras are very relevant even in today’s times. For example, the Dashavatara or the ten Avataras of Vishnu, mentioned in our Puranas, can be equated to the concept of Evolution! Lord Vishnu’s avatars of Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parshurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha and Kalki, can also be said to be the stages in which humans evolved. The first life forms were said to be aquatic (only living in water - Matsya), then amphibian (both water and land- Kurma), then land species – (Varaha.), then half-animal, half-human (Narasimha). The earliest Humans were short in build (Vamana), then evolving to stronger warrior-agriculturists (Parshurama). The avatars of Rama(idealist) and Krishna( strategist) signify mind development. We then came to an era of spiritual awakening (Buddha) and the avatar of Kalki in the Kali Yuga, the age we live in. Now doesn’t all this put more light on what Dashavatara symbolizes?
Ancient India's contribution to knowledge of Astronomy is also immense. Did you know that our Vedas and Indian Astronomical texts had proclaimed that the Earth is round? Or that Indians calculated with precision the occurrence of eclipses, Circumference and Diameter of Earth and the Speed of light? The Ancient Indians were highly advanced in the fields of Science, Alchemy, Philosophy, Spirituality and many more. They had mastered the art of Meditation and Mind Control too. Amazing!
Our epics and texts have within them, immense wisdom, we only have to discover them! Each one of us, EVERY INDIAN has to bring back to India the glory of the olden days! Proud of you my India! Vande Mataram!
-Rajalakshmi Kameshwar Joshi
(published as an introduction to the series called "National Treasures: An Amazing Journey to Ancient India" in August 2010 in the monthly newsletter SETU.)
No comments:
Post a Comment