The ultimate rule of Morality is Yagya or sacrifice which is the essence
of Veda. In simple words one should feed other deserving selfless beings
(like the devatas-gods / pitrus-forefathers, animals, plants, sadhus or
renounced beings, guests) before feeding oneself.
Feeding/serving others around us before feeding/serving oneself therefore
should be universally acceptable even by atheists who may not accept Vedas.
But Vedic view provides a philosophical basis for this universal view.
God who is in all should be recognized and served first before recognizing
Him within oneself. Serving others forms pravrutti and serving oneself
by withdrawing everything into oneself forms nivrutti and Dharma comprises
of both.
God himself in the form of food, air, water, five elements, is teaching
this ideal all the time. Humans are supposed to just follow or be in tune
with this natural law. Hindu Vedic dharma based on sacrifice is thus natural
and so is sanatana or eternal.
On the other hand, feeding oneself alone at the expense of or by ignoring
others is selfish. Feeding others alone at the expense of or by ignoring
oneself is Altruism. Both are un-natural and causes disharmony and sorrow.
This is nothing but karma which is a reaction to the selfish actions that
is not in tune with nature or universe which is the very manifestation
of sacrifice or yagya.
The principle of yagya thus involves giving (more) by taking (less) which
alone can keep the wheel of dharma moving and sustain harmonious existence
that lead us towards perfection. Vedic sacrifices offer oblations to gods
or devatas or divinities who work behind all the elements and natural
forces. In return devatas bless the world with proper and timely rains,
harvest and sumptuousness. Vedic sacrifice or pancha maha yagnya includes
offerings to animals and humans that are more tangible than the unseen
devatas and pitrus.
An impartial observation would reveal that every human action is a yagya.
Simple act like eating food for instance is a yagya where the food is
offered as an oblation onto the gastric fire which is a manifestation
of Vedic God called Vaishwanara. Similarly every perception is a yagya
where the sense objects are offered as an oblation in the fire of the
senses/mind/consciousness. Similarly every action performed for the
good of the world outside is a yagya where God indwelling in world
is served.
If every action is a yagya, then what about evil or destructive actions?
are they also yagya? No. In a typical yagya all evil is always controlled
or destroyed to yield good. Ego which is at the root of evil is an
object of sacrifice in the fire of good/selflessness in a typical Vedic
yagya.
The golden rule of morality is to treat others as one treats oneself.
When this is expanded to include all the different beings above and below
humans (like, devatas/gods, Rishis, pitrus/forefathers, animals, plants,
sadhus or renunciates and so on) then it leads to Morality based on Vedic
yagya or sacrifice or dharma that incorporates within itself the universal
truth of sustaining sat or truth by destroying asat or untruth.
Namaste
Suresh
of Veda. In simple words one should feed other deserving selfless beings
(like the devatas-gods / pitrus-forefathers, animals, plants, sadhus or
renounced beings, guests) before feeding oneself.
Feeding/serving others around us before feeding/serving oneself therefore
should be universally acceptable even by atheists who may not accept Vedas.
But Vedic view provides a philosophical basis for this universal view.
God who is in all should be recognized and served first before recognizing
Him within oneself. Serving others forms pravrutti and serving oneself
by withdrawing everything into oneself forms nivrutti and Dharma comprises
of both.
God himself in the form of food, air, water, five elements, is teaching
this ideal all the time. Humans are supposed to just follow or be in tune
with this natural law. Hindu Vedic dharma based on sacrifice is thus natural
and so is sanatana or eternal.
On the other hand, feeding oneself alone at the expense of or by ignoring
others is selfish. Feeding others alone at the expense of or by ignoring
oneself is Altruism. Both are un-natural and causes disharmony and sorrow.
This is nothing but karma which is a reaction to the selfish actions that
is not in tune with nature or universe which is the very manifestation
of sacrifice or yagya.
The principle of yagya thus involves giving (more) by taking (less) which
alone can keep the wheel of dharma moving and sustain harmonious existence
that lead us towards perfection. Vedic sacrifices offer oblations to gods
or devatas or divinities who work behind all the elements and natural
forces. In return devatas bless the world with proper and timely rains,
harvest and sumptuousness. Vedic sacrifice or pancha maha yagnya includes
offerings to animals and humans that are more tangible than the unseen
devatas and pitrus.
An impartial observation would reveal that every human action is a yagya.
Simple act like eating food for instance is a yagya where the food is
offered as an oblation onto the gastric fire which is a manifestation
of Vedic God called Vaishwanara. Similarly every perception is a yagya
where the sense objects are offered as an oblation in the fire of the
senses/mind/consciousness. Similarly every action performed for the
good of the world outside is a yagya where God indwelling in world
is served.
If every action is a yagya, then what about evil or destructive actions?
are they also yagya? No. In a typical yagya all evil is always controlled
or destroyed to yield good. Ego which is at the root of evil is an
object of sacrifice in the fire of good/selflessness in a typical Vedic
yagya.
The golden rule of morality is to treat others as one treats oneself.
When this is expanded to include all the different beings above and below
humans (like, devatas/gods, Rishis, pitrus/forefathers, animals, plants,
sadhus or renunciates and so on) then it leads to Morality based on Vedic
yagya or sacrifice or dharma that incorporates within itself the universal
truth of sustaining sat or truth by destroying asat or untruth.
Namaste
Suresh
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