SPEAKING FROM THE HEART ... 6

SPEAKING FROM THE HEART ... 6

Hinduism needs a revival for India to overcome the intolerant theocratic challenges of the times. The pristine principles of the Vedanta need to be propagated widely across the world by a concerted, organised effort.

Superstition needs a hammer-blow for rationality to prevail on earth everywhere. The task is not easy, given the cultural differences across the globe. Moreover, commercial considerations make it infinitely more difficult to spread knowledge that will dispel dualistic religious delusions. But the effort must be made and a vibrant education system that will enliven the population in India at least to the principles of the Upanishads will bear dividend in the not-so-long a run. The hope lies in education -- real, rational training of the mind free of theocratic encumbrance.

The explosion of population is posing demographic challenges to our country as its culture in parts is being threatened by proliferating alien religious contamination. Multiculturalism is attempting to solve the problem elsewhere in the western world but in our country the problem is growing owing to politics making capital out of it. The situation in some provinces is grim and yearly going out of hand thanks to political Machiavellism. What looms before us is not a pleasant outcome of past and present political short-sightedness. And in the worst case scenario that can only spell disaster for our country. Something has to be done about it and urgently so.

Hinduism is the predominant religion of the land. In point of fact it is the outflow of this psycho-geographical terrain called Bharatvarsha. It is, therefore, at one with its essential spirit which is the deepest truth of all knowledge, temporal or spiritual. The Vedanta is the last word on religion. It is also the ultimate rationale of science. The principle of oneness is the bedrock of every discipline of human knowledge and herein is the ultimate significance of Hinduism which incidentally is a misnomer, being an alien aberration of sorts.

But it is not only external aggression from the Semitic religions, Islam and Christianity, where the danger lies but it is internal corruption within the body politic of the Hindus as well that is eating into the vitals of the population. The proselytising faiths are dangerous for their agenda is mass conversion of the populace. But the fake gurus and godmen who abound in India pose as well a big enough threat to the rational build-up of the citizenry. These will have to be tackled and our house cleaned of corruption. Politicians are hands-in-glove with both these agencies of national destruction. Hence the problem is seemingly intractable. 

Long ago, brooding on these prospective problems that would befall India and the current problems besetting the country then, Swami Vivekananda had prophesied that it would take five to six generations before emerging India would stand on her feet. We are of the third generation and our grandchildren will be the fifth generation. So, redress is almost at hand. The rising youth, well educated in the sciences, will rescue the land and lead it onto regenerated wholeness.

Written by Sugata Bose