Vedic
Way of Achieving Everlasting Peace
20th Arya Maha Sammelan
Dr. Prem Chand Shridhar, Acharya, Arya Samaj
Greater Houston (TX)
Distinguished
Scholars, My Brothers and Sisters,
It
is a matter of great delight and privilege to have this great opportunity to be
with (you all) all of you and participate in this 20th Arya Maha Sammelan,
here in Orlando (FL). I would like to
share my thoughts on the topic “Vedic Way of Achieving Everlasting Peace.”
The
greatest beauty of the Vedic Texts and Scriptures is that they belong to the
whole humanity without any distinction of caste, creed, color and country. This Divine Knowledge is universal, as has
been proclaimed in Yajurveda 11.5 and 26.2 “Listen
ye, All the children of the immortal Divine.” As I have
given this most auspicious Vedic Wisdom for the good and the welfare of all.
The
world today is awfully torn and troubled with conflicts and tensions all
around. It is because of economic
disparities, appalling poverty, hunger, disease, recession in economy, violence
by terrorists, religious fanaticism, greed for possessiveness and many other
evils in the society in various ways. We
are sitting on a dynamite and the prevailing
circumstances are threatening the very existence of all the human beings. We have plenty of wealth, yet our minds and
hearts feel the emptiness. To sum up I can say that there are two main
problems: Hunger and Anger. The only
solution is the Vedic way of life.
The Veda says,
“Maata bhumi putro aham
prithivya”
- Atharva
Veda 12.1.12
This Mother Earth is our common
Mother and we all are sons and daughters of this Mother. Therefore, there is oneness among all the
innumerable souls inhabiting the different physical bodies.
Unity of Being:
The Supreme Lord, Creator of this
Universe is one. All of us are born
under the same sky, breathing the same air, drinking the same water bestowed
upon us by God, which rains down on Earth and mountains (valleys), flowing
through the rivers to the sea while quenching the thirst of all. We enjoy various kinds of foods, vegetables
and fruits given by (bestowed upon us by) Mother Earth while satisfying the
hunger of the rich and poor alike. The
Sun gives light and heat in equal proportion to both the King and the
Pauper. According to the Vedic
philosophy, all persons have the right to share the boons and blessings of the
Mother Earth equally.Ask yourself with complete cool
mindedness: Are we not brothers, sisters and children of the same Father, The
Supreme Lord? There is a prayer in the Vedas:
Tvam hi nah pita vaso
tvam maataa
Shatkrato babhuvith. Adha te sumnamimahe
- Rig Veda 8.98.11
“O Lord! Thou art our Father and Mother, Thou art the only refuge of all, as Thou art the bestower of everything for our survival. We bow our heads to seek Thy blessings.
It is
Paramount to feel oneness:
If
we want to have peace and prosperity on Earth. In whatever direction I turn my eyes I look
upon every one as my friend. It says in Ath. Veda:
Vishva ashaa
mam mitram bhavantu
Atharva Veda 19.15.6
Blessed are the eyes that cast the
affectionate glances at others. The Vedas teach us that all are our friends,
none is our enemy. Love begets love and
hatred breeds poison and contempt.
Mitrasyaaham chkhshushaa
sarvani, Bhutani samikshe
Mitrasya chakhshusha
samikhsha mahe
Yajur Veda 36.18
The
Problem of terror and Unrest:
In the first part of my talk I
have tried to emphasize in brief what the Vedas ordain about the oneness of the
human beings and what should be the broad outlook to live in peace and
harmony. Now, I would like to delve upon
the problems of peace on Earth today.
Every
one of us is fully aware of the fact that the world today is shattered with
total unrest, fear and terrorism. There is chaos and conflict and this problem
is increasing day by day. At the outset
let us analyze the root causes before we find out the everlasting solution of
this menace.
The Psychological Cause:
Since the creation of the world
and the birth of human beings on Earth, there has been a struggle for
possession, position and power. The man
by his nature is selfish and greedy.
Anyone who stands in the way of attaining his cherished desires becomes
his enemy and one who is helpful, is considered a friend. This principal instinct is within every
individual, family, society and nation, everywhere this same instinct works
resulting in two kinds of emotions: Love and Hatred.
To Gain Economic Supremacy:
With the advancement of science
and technology humans have reached up to the Moon. They are armed with the
techniques of warfare and mass destruction.
They are using these resources to gain power instead of using this for
human welfare. Energy is being spent in warfare rather than welfare. We have
guided missiles but misguided men. The powerful and rich crush the weak and
poor. They help the poor and needy less
and do it with self interest. Thus, there is always conflict, chaos and
fear to gain economic power.
The Religious Supremacy:
Some religious communities believe
in mass religious conversions to gain political power. For this they create constant terror by
aggressive measures. This has caused
havoc all around the world. You are all too
aware of what is happening around the world.
The Political Supremacy:
Some religions have little to do
with spreading the sense of spirituality and humanness. There main motive
is to gain the possession of resources, become richer, capture the economy and
then political power. So the remedy is
not in the capitalistic state. Both the
systems are two extremes and incomplete. Peace on earth will prevail if the
Vedic Social System is looked into.
The Vedic Solution:
Vedic social system and philosophy
is the proven answer to all the problems of restlessness, fear of the warfare
on economic, religious and political front.
Even to cope with problems cropped up psychologically relating to animal
instincts and of all the evil emotions and tendencies resulting from them.
Be Friendly In your Outlook:
As I quoted in the beginning, we
have to be friendly in our outlook towards the whole humanity. Yajurveda chapter 40.6 says:
Yastu sarvaani
bhutaani, Atmanyevaanu
pashyati
Sarvabhuteshu chaatmaanam
tato nab vichikitsati
Yajur
Veda 40.6
One who sees all creatures as if
they were his own self and sees himself in others, his mind then rests in
tranquility with no suspicion to disturb it and ceases to hate anyone. This
sense of separateness gives rise to many selfish desires and to exploit
others. And the 7th verse
says:
Yasmin sarvaani
bhutaani atmaivaabhut vijaantah
Tatra ko mohah kah shoka ektvam anupashyatah
Yajur Veda 40.7
There can be no sorrow for the
wise man who realizes the unity of all existence in perceiving all beings as his own self. This
brings the feeling of universal love and the sense of compassion towards other
beings, blessedness and peace within oneself.
In the Gita chapter 5, verse 18 says: Sages equate a learned
and humble brahamana and animals as these all have a
vision of God in them.
“Panditaah samadarshinah”
-
Gita 5.18
Be
Considerate and Generous in your Outlooks
Ayam nijah proveti ganana
laghuchetsam
Udar charitanam tu vasudheva
kutumbakam
- Hitopadesh
Being selfish and narrow minded is
the quality of an egoistic and prejudiced person, but people who are generous
and bountiful for them the whole world is their family.
Ekshyate yogyuktaatmaa sarvatra samadarshanah
– Gita 6.29
The yogi whose mind is steeped in
yoga, looks at all with equal and friendly eyes, sees his self
presence in all beings. This is the Vedic philosophy to see the same
divinity in all. Such vision can only bring peace and harmony on the Mother
Earth.
In Atharvaveda we read:
Ayutoaham aatma ayutam me chakshu ayutam me shrotram
Ayuto me ayutom
pranah ayuto vyanah ayuto aham
sarvah
- Atharva
Veda 19.5.1
I am not in one but I am in
millions. I have millions of eyes, ears
and lives. They are I and I am They. This sense of
oneness results in love, peace and feelings of benevolence.
How to enjoy the material wealth:
The Vedas exhort us that the whole
material wealth on Earth belongs to all.
Bhujishyam paatram
nihitam guha yadaavibhoge abhvanmatrimadhbhyah
- Ath.V.12.1.60
All edible objects are to be
obtained from Mother Earth, who is the fulfiller of our desires and for the
enjoyment of all. But how to enjoy this wealth which belongs to God, the first
verse of Yajurveda chapter 40 ordains:
Ishaavaasyamidam sarvam yatkinch jagatyaanjagat
Ten tyaktena
bhunjithah, ma gridha-kasya
svid dhanam
- Yajur
Veda 40.1
The verse says whole universe is
filled with the spirit of God. Whatever,
there is changeful in this ephemeral world is enveloped by the supreme
Lord. So live with the sense of
renunciation. Do not covet the wealth of
anyone.
In
Rigveda 10.117.6 it has been said, those who cook
only for themselves and eat are essentially sinful. Taitiriya Upnishad says:
Sahnaavavatu sahnoubhunaktu,
sah viryam karvaavahai
Tejasvinavaadhit mastu maa vidvishaavahai.
- Taitiriya
Upnishad 1.1
Let us defend ourselves together,
eat and live together improve our efficiencies and capabilities together. Be
educated and develop our resources together.
Let us not hate anyone and again I quote from Atharvaveda:
Samaani prapaa sahv oannabhaagah samaane yoktre sahvoyunajmi
Samyanchaagnimsaparyataraa nabhimivaabhitah
- Atharva
Veda 3.30.6
You should drink together, eat
together, as if joined in common yoke. Just as the spokes rotate fixed in a
common axle similarly you should feel yourselves fixed in social life.
Bhunjate te tvagham paapaa ye pachantyaatmakaarnaat
- Gita 3.13
But those sinful ones who cook
food for themselves verily devour sin.
Kwvalaagho bhavati
kevalaadi
- Rig Veda 10.117.6
The one
who eats alone is a thief.Social Concordance and
Unity:
I would like to draw your
attention towards the Vedic philosophy regarding social concordance and unity.
The first and foremost thing to note in the Vedas is that none in the society
is superior or inferior.
Ajyeshthaaso aknishthaas
aite, Sam bhratrou vaavridhu soubhagaaya
- Rig Ved 5.60.5
None is superior or inferior, high
or low. All are equal. They should
advance and flourish, practicing eternal and universal code of life.
Samaano mantrah
samitih samaani, Samaanam manah saha chittmeshaam
Samaanam mantramabhi
mantraye vah,
Samaanena vo havisha juhomi
-RigVeda10.191.3
samaani va aakutih samaanaa hridlyaani vah
samaanamastu vo mano yathaa vah su sahaasti
- Rigveda
10.191.4
The supreme Lord ordains: Let your
way of thinking be the same, Let your minds be of one accord, Let your
resolutions be the same, Let the commonness of your thoughts bring the
co-operation of the highest order. So those
all attain the same goals and have peace and prosperity.
Follow The Principles of Vedic
Dharma:
The Commandments of Vedic Dharma
are Yamah - Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Bhramcharya, Aparigraha (Nonviolence, truthfulness, abstaining from
coveting what belongs to others, abstinence (abstain) from sensual
gratification and possessiveness) Niyamah - Shauch, Santosh, Tapah, Svadhaya, Ishvara, Pranidhana
(Purification, Contentment, Devotional dedication, Continuing the study of
scriptures and complete surrender to God.) - Yoga Darshan 2.30 & 2.32
Dharitih kshama damoasteyam shauchamindariyamigrahah
Dhirvidyasatyamakrodho dasakam
dharamalaksanam
- Manu 6.92
The Ten characteristics of a
person who upholds Dharma are: Patience, Forgiveness, Subjugation of Senses,
Maintenance of Purity, Sensual Discipline, Acquisition of Knowledge and Wisdom,
Abstinence from stealing, truthfulness and emotional and sensual
discipline. If all human beings follow
these commandments of Vedic Dharma there will surely be complete peace and
harmony in the world. All that sustains
the life of all the creatures on Earth is Dharma. Essence of Dharma is Humanity
(Manurbhava – Rig Veda 10.53.6) and Nobility (Aryatva – Rig Veda 9.63.5)
How the International Co-Existence
is possible:
Thus the struggle for the world
peace, brotherhood, International co-existence and emphasis on the territorial
integrity and sovereignty is the call of the modern times. Our heritage and culture is a witness that
our seers have always spoken of: “Let The Whole World
be one” The first ever known book of the knowledge - Vedas have propagated the
people of the Mother Earth. They should
imbibe the qualities of humanness, kindness, peaceful co-existence, fraternity
and friendship. The doctrines of the Vedas have universal appeal. They are for
all the people and for all times.
Presenting three more verses from
the last hymn of the Rigveda, I humbly submit:
Sangchadhvam samvaddhvam sam vo manaansi
jaantaam
Devaa bhaagam yathaa purve samjaanaanaa upaasate
- Rig Veda 10.191.2
Samaano mantrah samitih
samaani Samaanam manah sahchitmeshaam
Samanam mantramabhimantrayevah Samaanena vo havishaa
juhomi
-RigVeda 10.191.3.
“Move together, speak
together, Let your minds be in unison.”May your
thoughts be common, the place of assembly common: common the minds, and hearts
of all united, a common purpose and common provisions.
I
conclude my talk quoting a piece of verse from the Rigveda
again:
Pumaan pumaansam paripaatu vishvatah
- Rig Veda 6.75.14
“O human beings of the Mother
Earth give protection to one another from all sides so that all live in
peace”. But how is all this possible,
the first line of the preamble of the Constitution of UNESCO begins with the
following words: “Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of
men that defenses of peace must be constructed.”The
makers of the constitution must take inspirations from the words of the Vedic
Social thoughts in letter and spirits, if they are serious to the problems of
unrest and terrorism.
We
are in fact living a life of double standards.
What we preach we do not practice.
The untruth, lawlessness, selfishness, luxurious life, denial of the
Supreme Divine power, violence and use of destructive arms to attain more and
more economic and political power; have (has) become (the) order of the
day. The fact is we are not serious
about the problem of achieving everlasting peace.
Atharvaveda 12.11 wonderfully emanates the
solution to sustain peace on Earth. It
says, “The forces that can cement and bring a perpetual solution are the truth,
the irrevocable law, vow for the service of the mankind, living an austere
life, faith in the Divine power and selflessness to the extent of sacrificing
our interests for the welfare of others.
We will have to live according to the fundamental guidelines as exhorted
in the Vedic philosophy and peace in the world will surely prevail.
There
are innumerable verses in the Vedas that speak of social concord and
International understanding, co-existence of nations, peace and unity,
happiness and fraternity. And the peace
prayer is common for all of us:
Om
dyou shanti, antricksham
shanti; prithvi shanti.
Aapa
shanti; aushadhaya shanti; vanaspathaya
shanti;
brahama shanti sarvam
shanti; shantireva shanti;
shanti sama shantiredhi
- Yajur
Veda 36.17
May the sky be peaceful; May the
atmosphere be peaceful; May the Earth be peaceful; May waters be peaceful; May
the medicinal herbs be peaceful; May all plants be peaceful; May all the devas
be peaceful; May the creator of the Universe be peaceful; May all be peaceful.Can there be any other wonderful and amazing
prayer and lofty thought than these Vedic verses propagate?
Sam shruten
gamemahi maa shruten vi raadhishi
- Atharva
Veda 1.1.4
Let us live according to the
teachings of Vedas, never violate and oppose them in our practical life. May
God bless all of us with Peace, Prosperity and Harmony.