Monday 28 November 2016

The Hindu View - 4

Shri Guruji was of the firm view that neither communism nor capitalism could ever unite the world. The reason he gave is fundamental. Materialistic philosophy which considers man as basically a physical animal and which considers the fulfillment of material desires and wants as the supreme need of man can only generate competition and conflict and not Unity and Harmony. The reason is simple.

At the material plane, there is only diversity and difference. They foster concepts of separatism and exclusivism. For people who see only at the level of material reality there is nothing that unifies or integrates. There is no reason why they should think of cooperation. It is only when we look beneath the apparent diversities that we come to realize that there is an underlying unity though subtle which unites all these gross entities into one integrated whole. Shri Guruji stated: "From the materialist point of view we are all gross entities, each separate and exclusive in itself, who can have no bonds of mutual affinity or affection. There can also be no inner restraint in such beings, which can make them control their selfishness from running amuck in the interest of the humanity as a whole. "

After all, any arrangement evolved for achieving world welfare can be fruitful only to the extent the men behind them would mould their individual and national conduct in tune with the welfare of humanity. Without that supreme urge, any scheme, however good its purpose may be, will only provide one more alluring mask for the aggrandizement of power-drunk nations. That has been the uniform verdict of history right up to the present times.

"Our ancient Hindu philosophers, therefore, had turned their gaze to a plane higher than materialism. They delved deep into the mysteries of the human soul, well beyond the reach of material science, and discovered the Ultimate Reality which pervades all Creation, the one great common principle present in all beings whatever the name we may give it - Soul, God, Truth, Reality or Nothingness. It is the occasional realization of this common entity that inspires us to strive for the happiness of others. The 'I' in me, being the same as the 'I' in the other beings, makes me react to the joys and sorrows of my fellow living beings just as I react to my own. This genuine feeling of identity born out of the community of the inner entity is the real driving force behind our natural urge for human unity and brotherhood.

Thus it is evident that world unity and human welfare can be made real only to the extent mankind realizes this common Inner Bond which alone can subdue the passions and discords stemming from materialism, broaden the horizon of the human mind and harmonize the individual and national aspirations with the welfare of mankind." Shri Guruji was of the considered view that the Bharateeya system was the only one which ensured individual freedom without compromising social development "The West relies on two systems: democracy and communism. Democracy, as we see, has led to the growth of selfishness and set up man against man. There is no peace to man. Spirituality has no chance to grow there. The self-praise and the condemnations of others, which are normally indulged in during elections, kill spirituality. Communism on the other hand has led to the regimentation of mind; it destroys the individuality of man. But man is not a mere animal to be content with eating and procreating. He has an urge, which goes beyond that, which cannot be met merely by the material things. In our system individual liberty and social solidarity were both ensured. The individual was freed from the shackles of economic bondage, because he was assured of a profession from his very birth. Even in the West, thinkers have begun pondering on these lines. This system ensures a clear way to rise to Godhead, devoid of the worry for worldly needs. Thus it was that among all the castes, saints of the highest order were born. This is a wonderful democracy on the spiritual basis. All are one on that basis". 

.....by Sri P Parameswaran ji....contd


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