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What can India Offer To the World?
By Dr. CS Shah
A question might conjure up in the minds of many as to what really can India offer to the world! The Hindu religion is beset with caste prejudices; it is losing its character of 'tolerance of other religions'; the society is full with caste and communal clashes; as far as economical and technological condition of India is concerned it is still just a 'developing country'; there is no basic scientific research, and one can talk of 'software export' as her only contribution to the global economy. Yes, India apparently cannot offer much to the today's world of oriented towards rank materialism; its emphasis on physical comfort and pleasures as the sole purpose of human activity, and ongoing chaos and confusion.
But if we ask the question: Are the peoples of different nations and societies really happy? Has the progress in science and technology solved the problems of human life? Is there no increase in mental
illnesses, stress induced ailments (depression and anxiety, stress and worries), and all out hopelessness? If America, Europe, and few other isolated nations are rich, what about Latin America, Africa, and Asia?
If we have enough of food then why does hunger still stalk around the homes of many? Why does poverty still take its toll in the form of malnourishment and nutritional related diseases? Happiness eludes us; we cannot define it. We do not know the purpose of life. In the boredom terrorism is born, misguided youths take to arms; religious fanatics are in some way the product of modernism. Science has failed us; we have done disservice to science.
"Science without religion is blind, and religion without science is lame," said some great scientist. And indeed India has a role to play here. India can talk of higher spirituality that can form the basis of
universal religion. Upanishads talk of higher spiritual truths, which most nations of the world are unaware of. Indeed most of the Indians themselves are unaware of the Principles of Eternal Religion: Sanatana Dharma. But, howsoever difficult the task might appear, the fact cannot be denied that Advaita Vedanta can express itself only from the Indian soil. It is necessary for Indians to persevere, and have patience, in making these truths known to all, including the Indians.
Vedanta is the only contribution that India can make to the world. It teaches not synthesis of religions, but harmony of religions; it teaches the world not tolerance but acceptance of all religions and sects as the path to seek higher goals in life. Vedanta teachings are capable of leading the humanity to "Human Fulfillment" and bring to surface the new science of "Human Possibilities". Look at the prayer an Advaitin makes: "Rise thou effulgent one, rise thou who art always pure, rise thou
birthless and deathless, rise almighty, and manifest thy true nature. These little manifestations do not befit thee."
Swami Vivekananda further says: "The infinite oneness of the Soul is the eternal sanction of all morality, that you and I are not only brothers - every literature voicing man's struggle towards freedom has preached that for you - but that you and I are really one. This is the dictate of Indian philosophy. This oneness is the rationale of all ethics and spirituality."
No doubt, there are at present few takers for such high-sounding phrases; but in today's event of serious global crisis of morality, economy, and purpose the solution offered would be by necessity unusual and difficult to assimilate. The remedy is there, but it would take some time to become effective. Spirituality is the only "commodity", the only knowledge, which India has in ample and that she can distribute to all; and as is rightly said, 'knowledge never gets exhausted by giving to others'.
Courtesy http://www.indianest.com
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