All World
Gayatri Pariwar

Foundational Values and Tenets of Indian Culture

Human life has two facets - adhibhautika (material, perceivable in space-time domain) and ³dhy³tmika (spiritual). The system of Nature is such that the adhibhautika is naturally expressed and experienced via the physical body and its sensory faculties right since birth.

The cry of an infant in the moments of hunger or discomfort (to the body) is well known example of this fact. As the child grows, it learns to use the natural faculties of his body, almost automatically as per the environment and ambience of his life. Successively the adhibhautika activities and progress continue via the physical (including biological and (neuro)-physiological) processes of the body. This happens, in one way or the other, in the life-cycle of every being. Then what is so unique about human life? It is the spiritual facet that makes the human life so distinct.

In fact it is only in the human life that the spiritual facet has a chance to get expressed. Moreover, it also offers an opportunity of further evolution of consciousness. It is after a long journey of numerous life-forms that the jºv³tm³ (individual-self; soul of a being) gets this rare opportunity. This is why human life is regarded so precious.

Because of evolved levels and expressions of consciousness as compared to other creatures, the emotional and intellectual faculties of human beings are more developed. Deploying these consciousness-faculties, humans have succeeded in creation and possession of shelter, food, and other comforts, formation of society, etc. These faculties have made possible the origin and ascent of human civilization and amazing progress on the adhibhautika fronts of life. But all this amounts to shortsighted and limited use of the immense power of consciousnessfaculties. This is why, despite ultra advancement on the material fronts of life via science and technology, we hardly find peace and happiness in human life.

On the contrary, the rising trends and threats of health-hazards, psychological complications, environmental deterioration, terrorism, social anarchy, devilish crimes, etc., have put a question mark even on sustenance of human life[1]. These negative trends can be reversed, the wrongs can be corrected, and the world can march towards righteous progress, if the unlimited potentials of human mind (including its intellectual and emotional domains) are oriented towards spiritual ascent. Principles and methods of Indian Culture provide feasible solutions to achieve this goal [2, 3]. Spiritual Foundation of Indian Culture: Foundation of Indian Culture is laid on spiritual values and tenets that are essential for holistic progress of human life.

Indian Culture in no way undermines the importance of progress on the worldly (adhibhautik) fronts of life, but its focus is to ascertain that development is sustainable and it advances in righteous direction under the guiding light of spirituality. The tenets and values of Indian Culture also aim at spiritual ascent and divine evolution of consciousness, which is the ultimate goal of human life.

It is a culture of this kind which produces true saints, altruist social reformers, martyrs, great personalities, intellectuals, scientists and spiritual masters like the rishis (angelic sages of Vedic Age) who bestow the world with divine grace through their noble deeds and virtuous characters. It is this culture that enables the ordinary mortal beings to overcome their devilish tendencies and beastly instincts, and helps them conquer over the adversities and hardships, if any, on the worldly circumstances of life. It also motivates and guides them to realize and constructively use their potentials to live happily and progress with the dignity of precious human life. Unflinching intrinsic faith in divine origin and objective of human-self/soul, consequent purification and virtuous development of character, dissolution of ego, and expansion of selfishness into selflessness are essential for spiritual ascent.

Tenets of Indian Culture and the values propounded by it revolve around these core ideas of spirituality.

Culture: With spirituality as its primary focus, the ideology of Indian Culture lays foremost importance on illumination of the inner cores of mind, purity and righteous orientation of intrinsic tendencies, emotions and thoughts. Tenets of this culture help cultivation of emotional compassion, serene love, and generosity.

Their domain also encompasses major traits of the behavioral, social, and several worldly aspects as well. It is remarkable to note that these tenets and values of Indian Culture have remained relevant and important for the welfare and peaceful co-existence of all beings in different periods of human history. Let us look at some of these, adoption of which may resolve many of the dreaded problems faced by the world today. Inner Purity: Awakening and strengthening of the inner force of conscience by restraining extrovert tendencies and agility of mind and refinement of intrinsic assimilations in mental domain is given utmost importance in Indian Culture. According to Indian Philosophy, one’s intrinsic desires, passions and other mental tendencies, or the in-built character are molded by the sansk³ras (mental impressions and assimilations since the earlier life and the past phase of the present life).

Whatever one feels through heart, and thinks and does with mental engrossment or intention leaves deep impression in the unconscious mind. This forms the sansk³ras of corresponding nature. Untoward and negative thoughts and/ or emotions driven by ego, cruelty, erogeneity, sensory lust, cravings, fear, hatred, lethargy, etc, give rise to bad sansk³ras that further trigger corresponding debasing and negative tendencies, and so on. Similarly, the generation and assimilation of good thoughts, tendencies and virtuous sansk³ras, depend upon and augment each other.

Inner purification therefore requires simultaneous cleansing of the bad sansk³ras and sowing and nurturing of the good sansk³ras. Indian Culture prescribes specific spiritual endeavors for refinement of the existing sansk³ras; the nature and extent of these endeavors depends upon the spiritual stage of a person. More commonly guided and propagated are the practices of self-discipline and refinement at the level of conscious and sub-conscious mind. Adoption of the following values and behavioral traits along with positive orientation of the expression of thoughts, emotions, deeds and overall conduct is essential in this regard.

Satya and Ahi®s³: Most prominent and crucial of the universal values of morality in the present era are – satya and ahi®s³. Sincere adoption of these values had transformed ordinary youth named Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi into the great “Mahatma” — a globally revered, immortal icon of inner strength and humane glory. In simple words, adoption of satya means adoption of truthfulness and honesty in speech, writing, thinking, and, all activities of life. Adoption of asteya (not stealing or claiming right on anybody’s property, belonging, relationship, idea, etc, in any way), integrity of character, and austerity (simple living with minimal essential means for self) is also essential for practicing satya.

Ahi®s³ implies non-violence — not causing any harm or agony to anybody through any physical or mental deed. Kindness and generosity are natural and nearest associates of ahi®s³. Adoption of ahi®s³ is reflected at the inter-personal and social levels as the tolerance, unity, love, harmony and equality.

Tolerance, Unity and Love: Indian Culture, which emanates from the Vedic wisdom, aims at cultivating the feeling of “Âtmavata Sarvabh¿teÌu” (One should treat every being like one’s own self). Tolerance and Unity are therefore integral to the teachings and practices of Indian Culture. History of India is testimony to the fact that this land, this country, this society has embraced people from all directions and all parts of the world, people of all faiths and traditions. Ancient Indian Culture was revered as “divine culture” because of the nectar of “Tolerance and Unity in diversity”, and “unconditional love for all”, showered by it.

Epics of Indian Culture disseminate this Vedic wisdom in a lucid style: Parahita Sarisa Dharma Nahin Bh³i | Para PºÃ³ Sama Nahin Adham³i || - (c.f. Ramacharitmanas) Meaning: There is no virtue better than altruistic welfare of others, and there is no sin like agonizing or troubling others.

Âtmana¡ Pratik¿l³ni, Pare̳® Na Sam³chareta| - (c.f. Shantiparva|Mahabharata) Meaning: Do not do unto others what you would not like to be done unto you. Yany e̳® Hita® Na Sy³d, Âtmana¡ Karma Paur¿Ìa®| - (c.f. Shantiparva|Mahabharata) Meaning: We must get rid of our (wrong) attitude and behavior which harms others. The culture which is founded on the principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutu®baka®” (Entire world is like a family), also naturally emphasizes cultivation and propagation of the serene feelings of sharing and caring with unconditional love.

Harmony and Equality: As per their culture, the socio-economic and political line of thinking of most countries across the globe has been polarized towards specific socio-economic systems. For example, some have favored Capitalism, and some others are extremely Leftists/Communists. Indian Culture has always been centrist in its approach. Barring specific periods of some audacious emperors in the medieval and postmedieval times of cultural–devolution, the Indian socio-economic and political system has never offered favored opportunities to only selected class(es) of the society, or only specific type(s) of development.

Every citizen has been given equal right to earn and live with dignity. Culture of favoritism or exploitation or the system of casteism and communalism that are seen in some parts of this vast Indian society since the medieval times, are offshoots of the attempted cultural distortions and devolution. (These aspects will be elaborated in articles on social engineering in Indian Culture that will appear in the forthcoming issues of this magazine.) There has been no place for these in the core culture of India.

Such biases are therefore never allowed to dominate or overrule the cultural roots of India.

Vedas, the origin and foundation of Indian Culture, clearly declare that — Nature has given equal right to all beings to live and use air, water, soil, and other resources without hampering or harming other. The Vedas preach the principles of equality and harmony. For example, Ye Sam³n³¡ Samanaso Jºv³ JºveÌu M³mak³¡| Ye P³® Ïrirmayi Kalpt³masmilloke Ïatam Sam³¡ || - (Yajurveda 16|46) Meaning: I (God) like those (people) who believe in equality of all beings and who, through heart, regard everyone as equal. It is only the prosperity (wellbeing) of such people (who share it for welfare of all) lasts long. Sam³nº Prap³ Sahv³nnabh³ga¡ Sam³ne Yoktre Sahavo Yuniemi| Samyaóchoagni® Sarpaya T³r³ N³bhi Miv³sita¡ || - (Atharvaveda 3|30|6)

Meaning: All your resources – milk, grain, etc be equally shared. Like chords in the wheel of a chariot are equal and harmoniously share the load, you all should equally and harmoniously do yagyas (altruist service, welfare activities, and other noble deeds; fire ritual for protection of environment and health). Several approaches to self-discipline — ranging from restraining the sensory passions by observance of silence, fasting, etc, to higher level ascetic endeavors are prescribed as part of the methods and practices of Indian Culture to follow the abovestated tenets, values and consequent behavioral traits on personal and social fronts of life.

We shall highlight more on related topics with discussion on the practical modes and customs under Indian Culture in the next issue of this magazine.

References /Further Reading: 1. Folly of the Wise (Translation of a Hindi book “Samajhd³ron kº N³samajhº” by Acharya Shriram Sharma). Sri Vedmata Gayatri Trust, Shantikunj, Haridwar (2016). 2. Problems of Today, Solutions for Tomorrow (Translation of the Hindi book “Samasy³ein Âja Ki aur Sam³dh³na Kala Ke” by Acharya Shriram Sharma), Sri Vedmata Gayatri Trust, Shantikunj, Haridwar (2016). 3. Bh³ratºya Sanskrati Ke Âdh³rabh¿ta Tatva. “Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya Samagra Vangamaya” Vol. 34, Akhand Jyoti Sansthan, Mathura (1995).