Sri Govinda
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The Use of Material Knowledge, 2012 and More Another Q & A with Jagannatha Prakasa, 05.15.2010 |
Questioner: sai
Private: No
Subject: what is the use of material knowledge?
Question (unedited): hello,
My name is saisubramaniam and i believe that education about the LORD is the correct and only one.but today we see people who are engrossed only about material welfare.many countries even wage wars for possessing materials.even education deals only about material and not the spiritual needs of humans.there is not even a single line thanking GOD for his creation.So, my question is:SHOULD PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO LIVE ANYMORE?WILL THE 2012 YEAR DESTROY OR ATLEAST DRIVE OUT THE EVIL IN HUMANS?WILL THE WORLD BE FREE OF SINS?i know this will take some time to answer,but please answer it before may20th,after that i'll be in school, so i won't be able to view the computer after that.THANK YOU AND MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU!My reply:
Namaskar Sai,You asked this question in the Hindu section however much of the wording you use sounds more Muslim or Christian (LORD in caps, the use of the term evil and so on). I'm answering this assuming you are knowledgeable about the Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism). If this answer is not clear enough for you, feel free to write back. My reply to this question would differ for a Hindu, a Sikh, a Muslim or a Christian.
Q: ... i believe that education about the LORD is the correct and only one.
Jag: If the only education people received was about the LORD we would all be homeless, naked, starving and far too sick and weak to even consider spiritual advancement, let alone enlightenment. The problem is not with the education we receive for the most part but with its implementation, biases and the general lack of spiritual faith and knowledge. "Baby Gopala" certainly needs a bath, but "we must not throw him out with the bathwater!"
According to most Sanatana Dharma pandits (specially skilled teachers) Bhuloka (our plane of being) is considered the lowest of the seven higher planes. This is a mid-range plane (not a "planet" although that term is commonly used) in terms of positive and negative experiences. This is considered an ideal place for spiritual liberation because inescapable suffering shows the clear need for mukti (liberation) while the positive qualities reflects its potential and empowers us to reach for moksa (enlightenment). One seeking to survive in extreme suffering seldom has the luxury of spiritual investigation and practice if it has not been established during better times.
At the present time this balance has been thrown off kilter, adharma (what is wrong) has surpassed dharma (what is right) and thus we are experiencing excessive tamas guna (laziness, ignorance and spiritual darkness), rajas guna (the passions and lusts are empowering tamas guna and bringing in ever more ignorance and suffering) and less sattva guna (godliness, mercy, compassion, goodness, purity, innocence and so on).
Q: ... So, my question is: SHOULD PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO LIVE ANYMORE?...
Jag: People have never "had the right to live." We live by the Mercy of the Supreme Lord. From time to time GOD chooses to wipe out much of existence. For instance during the flood Manu (Noah) survived, during and in the aftermath of the War of Kuruksetra, as will occur when Lord Kalki arrives to cleanse the earth, during the time of universal restructuring when all existence returns to the Body of God as described in the Bhagavat Purana and other sastra (scriptures).
We exist or cease to exist at the pleasure of Ek Devata (the ONE LORD). Only He can make this determination. We are utterly dependent upon His Mercy.
Q: ... WILL THE 2012 YEAR DESTROY OR AT LEAST DRIVE OUT THE EVIL IN HUMANS?...
Jag: No, and that's not what the Mayan prophecies teach. They say that our calculation of time according to their calendars ends on that date. As this date nears, as they predicted, time appears to be "speeding up" to the point where the past, present and future seem to overlap. History and modern technological advancements bears this out fully as does our own consciousness. We sense it, we just can't fully understand how is so.
In 1970 futurist Alvin Toffler coined the term "Future Sock" to describe this inexplicable phenomenon, based on his research and theories that grew out of an article entitled "The Future as a Way of Life" in Horizon Magazine's Summer 1965 issue. The Mayans did not say the world would be destroyed nor become a paradise (devoid of evil), they marked 12.20.2012 as a date of major transition. It could go either way they believed.
At some point, doubtless very soon (within a few years at the outside I would say) the earth is going to be "shaken as a tree dropping its ripe fruits." This is clear to most anyone who is paying attention. Things can not go on as they are much longer. This "shaking" COULD happen on 12.20.2012 or it may not.
According to NASA it is likely that a "perfect cosmic storm" will occur around this point that could literally shift the magnetic poles of the planet (see my Is There a Perfect Storm Brewing for 2012?). This could bring near global devastation or it could be nothing (it was nothing).
According to my reading of the Bible the generation of either 1948 or 1967 will witness the coming of Moshiach (Messiah) and the deliverance of the people of God from the now emerging New World Order (typified in Vaisnava Hindu experience by King Kamsa whose attacks on Sri Krsna eventually led to the beginning of the present age of Kali Yuga). In 2012 that biblically prophetic generation will be 64 (of 45) years old. The timing works there as well, but is not certain.
According to much Indian sastra (scripture) Lord Kalki (the final avatar of Visnu) is not due back for many many years however Kali Yuga (our present age) has often been shortened according to the scriptures and Bharata histories. That the present Kali Yuga will be cut short was proclaimed by Sant Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486 - 1534) and others.
12.20.2012 is a "date of interest" but I would not personally say it will be "the End." In fact, I'd say it will not be. Life will continue. In what shape is open to discussion. Time will as always tell.
Q: ... WILL THE 2012 YEAR DESTROY OR AT LEAST DRIVE OUT THE EVIL IN HUMANS?WILL THE WORLD BE FREE OF SINS?
Jag: No. According to standard Sanatana Dharma understandings all three gunas (qualities of material existence) must always exist throughout Saguna Brahman (material existence).
Most Hindus don't use the word "evil" so I'm not sure exactly what you mean by this in this context, its not a Hindu idea. Nirguna Brahman (the spiritual realms) is pure sattva guna. Saguna Brahman (the material realms) are composed of the interplay of the three gunas. This is a fundamental nature of matter: positive (sattva guna), negative (tamas guna) and neutral (rajas guna).
According to Sanatana Dharma we are eternal beings (jiva atman) temporarily inhabiting these material (Saguna Brahman) forms. Material existence is like a school. Like a school, we will eventually graduate and return to our true Home (Nirguna Brahman). We learn and grew through the our interactions with the material qualities. Until then, we are to practice the various yoga systems in order to draw ever closer to the One GOD and properly utilize whatever is at our disposal to this end.
While we are here in this material manifestation we must deal with the realities of life in order to eventually transcend them. This requires education in many diverse fields, mathematics, agriculture, carpentry, the natural sciences, animal husbandry... but one who is wise will devote his/her studies to more fully realizing/worshiping God and aiding ones fellows, always encouraging them by deed and word to seek the LORD. This is the essence of the Bhakti (path of devotional service), Karma (path of surrendering all actions) and Jnana (path of right knowledge) Yoga systems.
As Sri Krsna explains:
Srimad Bhagavad Gita 18:51 - 53: Resolutely yoked with pure intelligence, regulating the sense objects such as sound, forsaking attachment and hatred;
Abiding in solitude, eating little, with speech, body and mind restrained, always yoked in meditation, and taking refuge in detachment;
Abandoning false ego, false strength, false pride, desire, anger and extortion, devoid of possessiveness and peaceful, one is eligible for rapport with Brahman.
18:54: Being in concordance with Brahman, clear minded, neither lamenting nor desiring and being equipoised toward all living beings, one attains the highest devotion to Me.
18:55: By devotion to Me, one recognizes who and what I am in truth; thus knowing Me in truth, one enters into Me thereafter.
18:56: Always performing all activities and taking refuge in Me one achieves, by My Grace, the eternal and immutable abode.
18:57: With your consciousness absorbed in Me, taking refuge of Me as supreme, renounce all activities through the yoga of mental renunciation.
18:58: With the consciousness absorbed in Me you will overcome all obstacles by My Grace, but if, due to false ego, you do not hear, then you will perish. -- Translation from the original Sanskrit is mine.Hope this helps,
Om Santi~ Jagannatha Prakasa
Jai Jagannatha! |
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