Latest news with #Sastras
The Hindu
5 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Sadhus follow the Pandavas
We should be in the company of those who belong to virtuous families. We should seek the company of educated men, and of those whose actions are blemishless. It is, of course, possible for us to study the Sastras to know the right path that we have to take in life. But the Sastras are difficult to understand and even more difficult to interpret. An easier way to know the right path is to be with good people and learn from their conduct, said Kidambi Narayanan in a discourse. The people of Hastinapura tell the Pandavas that since the five brothers are righteous, they — the citizens of Hastinapura — must be with the Pandavas, for the goodness of the Pandavas will give them the desire to keep to dharma always, even in the face of suffering. The Pandavas have jnana, say the people following them. Yudhishthira tells them that he is grateful for their love and concern, and their praise of the attributes of the Pandavas. But there are others who are sorrowful too, because of what has happened. Kunti is staying behind in Hastinapura. Bhishma, Vidura and other well wishers of the Pandavas are there. Who will console them if everyone follows the Pandavas to the forest? They need someone to speak kindly to them. So those following the Pandavas should return, says Yudhishthira. Some people turn back. But the sadhus insist on being with the Pandavas. Yudhishthira tries to convince them too. He tells them that the life of the Pandavas is sad. There is no room for happiness in their lives. Yudhishthira has no kingdom or wealth. What can he give them, he asks. The Vedic scholars reply that whatever hardships he and his brothers face in the forest, they are ready to face too. They are prepared to eat whatever is available in the forest. Yudhishthira has no option but to agree.
The Hindu
29-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Karma and Dharma
The doctrine of Karma implies that a person is subject to pleasure and pain due to the effect of the deeds undertaken in previous births. Karma has no beginning and cannot be traced. Karma gives the cycle of births and rebirths. God does not need the sanction of our belief to run the universe. He is neutral and impartial. If karma decides everything, what is the role of God? Thirukkudanthai Sri. Venkatesh said in a discourse that Lord Krishna states in the Gita that five things are essential to perform an act. The doer, the physical body, the life air, the various kinds of organs, and the Divinity ( God ). Adhishtanam tatha karta CH-18-Verse-14. God extends to us a limited free will to perform actions, and we have to use it judiciously. Noble men would feel that if they faced problems and sufferings, it may be due to their misdeeds, and if any good thing happened, it would be because of God's blessings. A doubt arises whether the fruit of the action is due to our performance or granted by God. All our deeds are to be aimed at satisfying God, and if He is pleased, He will extend His blessings. He will not give at random. It depends on our attitudes and beliefs. In the churning of the milk ocean, the celestials indulged in it with the sole aim of rendering service to God, while the Asuras tried to overpower God. Hence, He chose to give nectar to the celestials. Dharma has several meanings and explanations, and in this context, it refers to 'Sastras', which define a set of rules and regulations to be followed. The Lord says that the Vedas and the Sastras are His commands (Sruthi Smruthir mamaivagnya). By following the prescribed codes of conduct, people can derive His blessings and reach the realm of His abode.
The Hindu
03-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Rama and dharma
The Vedas are the root of dharma, and the Sastras have been written based on them. Rama is the embodiment of dharma, and praising Rama amounts to fostering dharma. How did Rama follow dharma? Rama was born to King Dasaratha, who followed dharma and lived according to righteous principles. Additionally, Rama learned from sage Vashista, who taught him all the dharmas and sastras. On one occasion, when Lakshmana, going out of control in a fit of rage, said he would conquer fate (vidhi). Rama replied to Lakshmana that he had not thoroughly learned the Vedas, as no one could win the same. Lanka Sri Jeyaraj said in a discourse that learning is of two types. The first is learning knowledge at the book level, and the second is gaining knowledge through experience. Sage Viswamitra asked Rama to slay the demoness Tataka. Rama hesitated as she was a woman, recalling the teachings of Vasishta that women and emissaries should not be killed. Rama also considered whether Viswamitra harboured any personal animosity towards Tataka. Viswamitra told Rama, 'I am not without knowing dharma. You hesitate by applying your book knowledge learned from Vasishta, but there is something more beyond that.. Tataka, though in the garb of a woman, does not possess the essential qualities of womanhood and nothing wrong with killing her.' Viswamitra imparted practical knowledge to Rama. Then Rama changed his mind. Mahodhara, one of the counsels, suggested to Ravana to take the form of Rama and approach Sita to change her mind. Ravana replied that he had already tried those tactics, but they had not worked because whenever he took the form of Rama, his mind refused to think of any other woman except his wife Mandodari. Poet Kambar says dharma is endless (Eeril Nallaram), and it grows more and more with the good and positive attitudes of people.
The Hindu
14-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
May 15, 2025
If people load their minds with unwanted thoughts, their minds will become confused and agitated. Thanneerpalli Krishnan Swamy said there are three reasons for confusion to arise in our minds. Firstly, expecting results for those activities performed that are against the Sastras. Dhritarashtra became restive and sleepless on the Pandavas' completion of their stay in the forest, and they asked for their portion of the kingdom. Out of blind affection towards his son Duryodhana, the King was reluctant to part with them the kingdom. He asked Vidhura why he could not remain in peace and tranquillity. Vidhura replied that the King drifted away from the virtuous path. Secondly, people sometimes get confused when understanding and identifying what is righteous and what is not. Arjuna became confused at the beginning of the war and requested, 'With my heart stricken by the fault, with my mind perplexed about my duty, I ask you, Lord Krishna, to advise what is good for me' — Chapter 2, Verse 7. If more worries crop up, they lead to mental depression, which is the root cause of anxiety, sorrow, fear, and debility. Lord Krishna says serenity of mind, benevolence, silence, self-control, and purity of mind are the austerities of the mind — Chapter 17- verse 16. Thirdly, even when we undertake activities as prescribed by the Sastras, we should not anticipate the fruits of the efforts. We should develop the thought that the actions are performed for God's sake and to please Him. The poor Kuchela, who desperately needed help, went to see Lord Krishna without any anticipation. Pleased with his true love and sincerity, the Lord showered him with all blessings and prosperity. The child devotee Dhruva says people can derive all benefits if God is pleased.
