VEDIC DHARMA
Vedic Dharma is called Sanaatan Dharma. ‘Sanaatan’ means a thing, which never changes because of change in time or place. For example, ‘we should never do injustice with anyone’ is a value, which remains true in every time and place. As all the animals are given the required knowledge at the time of their birth, similarly, in the beginning of ‘creation’, man was bestowed with the knowledge as to how different things (including his own body) of the universe should be used for his ultimate benefit. Below, we have enshrined the basic tenets of ‘Sanaatan Dharma’.
-It talks of religion of mankind, that is, humanity. No man can exist without humanity and if there is a man without humanity, he is nothing more than an animal. As it talks of humanity, no teaching of vedaas is focused for a particular group of persons.
– Unlike other sects prevalent today, which have been founded by humans, the vedaas have been bestowed by the creator of the universe.
– Since, this universe and vedaas have been created by the same entity, there is no disharmony in these two. Modern science has not found out a single physical principle, which is mentioned in the vedaas but, is seen differently in the world. In other words, principles of Vedic Dharma are scientific and conform to the laws of nature.
– God is one and is present in every particle of the world. Since, God is present in every particle of the world, it is formless.
– Works of God and souls are different to that of one another. In no circumstances, God can do the works of souls.
– OM is the personal name of God. It includes all the attributes of God.
– God, Soul and Matter are three eternal entities, that is, these have never been created and will never meet an end.
– God is capable of creating this huge universe, which runs into crores of galaxies without possessing form and in no circumstances, it assumes a form.
– Only souls are bound with specific bodies, according to their karmas of previous lives. And no soul, which has been given a body can do away with miseries attached with body in the shape of hunger, thirst, illness, cold, heat et cetra.
– Everyone reaps what he sows. Every action of souls bear fruit according to the karmphal sidhaant. Sins are never forgiven by God.
– Journey of every soul to realise the ultimate truth continues in each birth.
– Realization of ultimate truth through practice of Ashtaang Yog is the only way to salvation. Salvation cannot be handed over to a person by any other person or though his visit to any particular place.
– Ghosts and evil spirits are figments of imaginations.
– A geographical place for heaven or hell does not exit. Enjoyment in this life is heaven and suffering is hell.
– Neither heaven nor Devataas of heaven exist. Parents, teachers, scholars and natural entities of divine qualities are real Devataas. Those who contribute to the welfare of mankind are called Devataas.
– There is a difference between Bhagwaan and Ishwar (God). Everyone having ‘Bhag’ is called ‘Bhagwaan’ but everyone having ‘Bhag’ is not God. On the other hand, God definitely has ‘Bhag’. As such, there can be many Bhagwans but, God is only one.
– Life of every human being is divided into four spans, called Aashramaas. First part of life of every individual refers to attainment of education. Second part refers to leading a married life and begetting children for the upliftment of the society. Third part refers to ripening of one’s spirit. Fourth part refers to realisation of God and helping the society to attain that stage.
– There are four types of persons-wise men, warriors, business men and servants. Accordingly, individuals of the society are categorized into four segments called Varnaas. These varnaas are based on quality of karmas of individuals and are not determined by birth. Individuals capable of educating the society are called brahmanaas, the individuals having the capability and aptitude of protecting the others are called kshatriyaas, the individuals having the capability and aptitude of supplying goods to different places are called vaishyaas, the individuals, who cannot be educated because of being unintelligent serve the other three segments of the society and are called shudraas.
– Five important duties, Panch Karma of a person are as follows:
- Invocation, Meditation and Prayer to God is Brahma Yajna.
- The use of natural divine forces for the betterment of environment is Dev Yajna or Agnihotra.
III. The care and service to parents and elders is Pitri Yajna.
- The care and service to indigents, dependents and the disabled is Balivaishva Dev Yajna.
- The care and service to scholars, reformers, and sanyasis is Atithi Yajna.
Yajna means selfless, dedicated, and devotional services and efforts to serve humanity.
– During the life span of a person, there are sixteen Sanskaaraas, which aim at betterment of body, mind and soul.
– Social evils including astrology, child marriages, intoxication, discrimination, gambling, idol worship, killing and eating animals. Polygamy and untouchability have no place in Vedic Dharma.
– All people are equal. No one is higher or lower. Priest or Sanyasi or Guru or a common person male or female, or a child or an adult, rich, or poor, should have no special preference while praying unless one is handicapped. All are God’s children. There is no intermediator between God and soul. Neither Guru, nor priest can pray as proxy for any one.
Vedic Literature: There are four vedaas. Everything written in them is a proof in itself and that need not be proved through other literature. But, if anything written in them goes against our consciousness, then, it is sure that we have not been able to understand the spirit of that mantra and should not go against our consciousness. Vedaas can be understood properly through the study of six Vedaanga. Six Darshans and Brahamana Granthaas (popular eleven Upanishads are part of Brahamana Granthaas) and four Upavedaas constitute the whole of vedic literature. Everything written in literature other than Vedaas requires proof of Vedaas to be called true.
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