Can India be Vishwa Guru again

I sometimes wonder why India was considered as Vishwa Guru and why are we in such a degenerated state now.

I realized Indians used to think for the whole world or universe. I felt so because of some of the mantras/ prayers we hear.

Eg-

ॐ द्यौः शान्तिरन्तरिक्षं शान्तिः 

  पृथिवी शान्तिरापः शान्तिरोषधयः शान्तिः ।

वनस्पतयः शान्तिर्विश्वेदेवाः शान्तिर्ब्रह्म शान्तिः

सर्वं शान्तिः शान्तिरेव शान्तिः सा मा शान्तिरेधि ॥ ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

Meaning: Om, Peace be in Sky; Peace be in Space. Peace be in Earth; Peace be in Water; Peace be in Plants; Peace be in Trees; Peace be in Gods (presiding over the various elements of Nature); Peace be in Brahman (Absolute Consciousness); May Peace pervadeg everywhere; Peace alone (which is outside) is in Peace (which is inside); May we be (established in) that Peace (and make your life fulfilled); Om, Peace, Peace, Peace.

This mantra shows we thought for the whole universe, for all living and non-living organisms. 

Another one-

संगच्छध्वं संवदध्वं सं वो मनांसि जानताम्

देवा भागं यथा पूर्वे सञ्जानाना उपासते ||

समानी व आकूति: समाना हृदयानि व: | समानमस्तु वो मनो यथा व: सुसहासति ||

Meaning- May we move in harmony, speak in one voice; let our minds be in agreement; just as the ancient gods shared their portion of sacrifice. May our intentions and aspirations be alike, so that a common objective unifies us all.

Our education system in those days taught to broaden our horizon of thinking. Their psychic pabulum was big and they were involved more in psychic and spiritual progress along with physical progress. We wanted to progress together in every field without neglecting anyone.

Our current situation has changed and we have become more self-centered and materialistic. We have forgotten increasing our psychic pabulum (shram- श्रम) while remaining occupied in physical labor (parishram - परिश्रम) This will be possible only when minimum physical requirement of food, shelter, clothing, education and medicine is met. Without fulfilling that, it’s not possible to move towards enhancing psychic pabulum.

Corona Virus has taught us few important things.

Migration of labors mostly from west part of India towards East shows us how much disparity is there in East side. People are forced to leave their families in search of jobs. Now they are migrating back leaving their dreams behind in starve of hunger and poverty. They prefer ending their life with their family. Everyone needs compassion of his or her family members in such crisis.

They are not earning sufficient to have reserve for even 1 month. It’s not that there can’t be jobs in east part. God has endowed us with plenty of resources but we are not managing it properly. One of the great philosophers Shri Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar, propounder of PROUT philosophy had once said- If we utilize resources in 56 districts of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chattisgarh and Orissa properly, it will be sufficient to fulfill minimum requirements for whole India.

Is there really food shortage or is it created because of our food habits and mismanagement of resources? Some examples of mismanagement of resources –using land to grow carnation instead of food first. We are growing grains, rearing animals to feed them, and finally killing them to satisfy our tongue. Many people are wasting food in marriage lavishness.

As per one of articles in Moneycontrol, there are around 11.09 million (1.1 crore) houses are vacant. Even 1.64 lakhs low cost houses are vacant. Still there are many people who are not able to live in houses. Is it not wastage of resources? This is also because of uneven wealth distribution, as many people can’t afford to buy them. Many people have invested their black money in real estate and others can’t afford it.

There are many abundant resources but we are unable to utilize them properly because of individual ownership and defective social system. 

Things have slightly changed with corona pandemic. We have seen doctors, healthcare professionals, policemen and others are risking their lives to save people. People are distributing food and money to needy who can’t afford it but still our resources and reach are limited. We had forgotten all our enmities between religions, castes in these difficult times. All narrow sentiments that divide us should disappear. Most of us have feeling of sympathy for others who are unable to make living in these arduous times. Countries have been helping each other as almost every country is suffering from this pandemic. We had exploited nature badly and now it has rejuvenated itself when we gave it some break. Animals are also feeling free to roam and are enjoying god’s beautiful world.

We never realized that our true nature is love and compassion for everyone be it humans, animals or other flora and fauna. People need to understand we need to accept everyone and everything whole-heartedly as part of our family. Every existential living or non-living creature has existential value and we can survive without ruthlessly exploiting it. We are one family and we need to re- design our economic system such that nobody has to depend on others and they can have decent money reserves in case of natural calamities. Everyone can fulfil their minimum requirements and animals can have separate space. Scientific developments should be utilized for whole humanity and not just for few rich people. Our collective thought needs to change to preserve humanity and with one social outlook towards all animate and inanimate creation of God. People will have to understand this universe is common property of every humans and animals and we need to enjoy it rationally. 

Conclusion:

This could be cosmic play to bring humans closer to each other in terms of humanity and give up our parochial views. All fundamentalist’s religious activities have shut down with this cosmic drama. All countries need to unite to create better-integrated world rather than countries trying to become superpower and exploit others. This cosmic flow is to uplift our social outlook and increase our psychic pabula from being self-centered to collective living. It is teaching us -fate of humanity is tied to one single thread and all humans are beads of same garland.

Maximum utilization of resources

PROUT’s second principle states- There should be maximum utilization and rational distribution of all mundane, supramundane and spiritual potentialities of the universe.

The wealth and resources available in the crude, subtle and causal worlds should be developed for the welfare of all. All resources hidden in the quinquelemental world – solid, liquid, luminous, aerial and ethereal – should be fully utilized, and the endeavour to do this will ensure the maximum development of the universe. People will have to earnestly explore land, sea and space to discover, extract and process the raw materials needed for their requirements.

Maximum utilization of physical potentiality does not mean excessive usage. Eg- Deforestation. There should be balance in utilizing them. If for industrialization or other developmental purposes, we have to cut the trees or jungle, we must plant that many trees, so our coming generations shouldn't suffer.

Let's take some of the examples of physical potential- there is plenty of barren land. We should plant rain-attracting trees that will attract rain and in the process, barren land will be converted into fertile land. Other option is to apply the artificial rain to convert that land into agricultural land gradually. Other utilizations can be installing solar panels or windmill to generate electricity.  

Everything in this universe has substance and some purposeful usages, if utilized efficiently. We peel some vegetables and usually throw it away. If these peels can be collected from nearby houses of a locality can be used for preparing Multivitamin Aasavs (ayurvedic medicine).

One person had Gaushala (cowshed) but it was not possible to feed them through donations. So, they brought unutilized waste and left over vegetables from the wholesale market. They used cow dung to manufacture organic fertilizers and cow urine for other purposes. Other option could be setting up of biogas plants. So, what we consider as waste can be utilized somewhere.

Solar energy is other example of utilization of resources. These days floating solar panels are being set up in water bodies.

Medicines are prepared from variety of plants. These areas should be explored, as everything in this universe exists for a reason or a cause.

Nicola Tesla was working on wireless transfer of energy. Such inventions should be encouraged and carried forward.

Supramundane

Denotes all things which are above mundane. In the vast realm of human mind so much of wealth lies hidden and all that has to be utilized for promoting welfare of the mankind. The modern psycho-analysts have discovered the phenomena of telepathy, clairvoyance, premonition etc. by opening the door of vast psychic world. 

The parapsychologists have proved that most people are inherently endowed with this faculty. In the absence of proper culture these powers would fade away. Humans have inherited them from Cosmic intelligence. In the interest of humanity these powers should therefore be cultivated and developed. The degree of one’s intellect and intelligence is dependent directly upon that of density of Cosmic intelligence reflected on the human mental plate.

Let me give some examples to understand it. Sound has big impact in this universe. There are certain ragas in Indian music, which are used to cure people. Certain raga (like Raag Malhar) if sung properly can bring rain. Only people who have deep understanding of music can sing such Ragas correctly.

When scientists go deep into something, their mind is concentrated in higher layers of mind like subliminal / supramental layers where every solutions exist, and they are able to discover new things. Creativity is part or starting of supramundane potentiality.

Spiritual Potentiality

Spiritual potentiality implies Cosmic Vibrations. The Spiritual waves permeating the whole universe will have to be utilised for satisfying the spiritual longing of human beings and scientific spiritual practices are to be restored for converting the gross human personality into subtler one. This task can be accomplished by those only who have attained a high degree of spiritual power and who have the wisdom to understand the subtle spiritual requirements of their fellow being. Human beings have to utilize and distribute the mundane, supramundane and spiritual potentialities of the entire universe for eternity.  

Examples of spiritual potentialities – Saints like Ramkrishna Paramhans, Kabir, Meera, Lord Buddha, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Trailanga Swami had reached highest level of minds and knew everything. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu started Kirtan along with devotees and spiritual vibrations generated from this kirtan protected Hindus from many of Muslim rulers. Kabir enlightened masses through his Dohas or couplets. Similarly, other religions like Sikhism have concept of going around the town singing Kirtan. Temples, mosques, churches, Gurudwaras and other such structures were built for people to gather and do holy chanting together. Unfortunately, people forgot the real purpose of these collective prayer or worship and they confined their gods to temples, churches, mosques and other such buildings. When people sing and pray collectively, it has more powerful impact in society and universe.

To conclude, I will say we have to use all our potentials for everyone and society’s welfare. Now the time has changed and we can’t remain indifferent to others when mother Earth is bleeding so much.

 

Why Limited Wealth Possession

Unlimited wealth accumulation is root cause of recession and sufferings

Let me begin with a story.

There was a king who had lot of gold coins. One day he saw, those gold coins were getting mouldy (covered with fungal growth) because of long disuse. So, he spread the gold coins in the sun to dry and a frog picked up one of the smallest pieces. At this, its belly puffed up and its throat swelled up and it began to sing “Why shouldn’t I sing. I am as rich as king”. At this everyone asked the frog “What wealth do you actually have?” The frog spun that little coin around at least 700 times saying, “Am I less than king?”

Another popular story

Once a sea frog came out to enjoy sand. He could hear croaking of frogs in nearby well. He went to meet those frogs to welcome them to vast sea. He saw there was hardly any place in the well and it was filled with frogs. He went inside well to invite them to sea. In response, proud leader of the well frogs said “Is your sea bigger than this well?” The sea frog replied “yes it is”. The well frogs did not accept the fact. After many hours of word battle, well frog agreed to visit sea and was astound to see the vastness of the sea.

Coming back to the topic

PROUT’s first principle states – “THERE SHOULD BE NO ACCUMULATION OF WEALTH WITHOUT THE CLEAR PERMISSION OR APPROVAL OF SOCIETY”.

As per Oxfam report, Wealth of 9 richest Indians is equivalent to bottom 50% of country. If we look at net worth of individuals provided by Hurun Research Institute, anyone can be astonished with wealth accumulated by the handful of high networth individuals. Moreover, if this is the declared wealth or white money, then imagine how much money will be in form of black money.

I want to say that this earth is a very tiny dot as compared to this vast universe. Amassing such huge amount of wealth in this planet- Is it similar to frog who kept a gold coin and was thinking of himself to be rich.  These rich are nothing as compared to this universe and can never be there. Are they like frogs of well? They are considered as wealth creators but they do it for own profit and not for charity. With automated machines coming up, they will create wealth for themselves and not for others. They don’t bother how much others are suffering or deprived of resources because of this uneven wealth distribution. 

I don’t vouch for equal distribution but for rational distribution, such that everyone can meet their minimum requirements. The gap between minimum and maximum salary should not extend beyond a certain ratio like 1:20 depending on the socio-economic unit’s wealth distribution. If minimum salary is fixed at Rs 20000, then maximum salary / income per month should not be more than Rs 4 lakhs. There must be efforts to minimize this gap further and upper limit should only be increased as minimum salary level is increased not the vice versa. The intellectuals or meritorious deserve to be rewarded else innovation will decrease or disappear but there must be a check to avoid increasing disparity. Of course, there should not be any tax on income or income tax, as wealth is already being restricted.

May be owl has been shown as transport of Goddess Lakshmi because it is foolish to run after material pleasure and wealth when human body can be used to attain psychic and spiritual pleasure. Owls cannot see during day light and the people running after wealth become blind towards humanity. Running after physical things is underutilization of human frame. Businessmen look for maximum utilization of resources but in this case they don’t realize what value they are letting off go.

Money as power

In today’s world, money is synonymous of power. This power is leading to corruption and such pathetic condition of society. If common people support for economic democracy, the politicians will not have economic decisions power and corruption can be minimized. Read my blog on Economic democracy here.

 

Aparigraha

For a healthy progressive society, its better, people should move in unison and follow the principles of Yama and Niyama which are well defined that individual’s conduct should not harm the collective psych of society. One of these principles is Aparigraha (non-greed) which means; to avoid accumulating material possessions more than required. By accumulating more and more, we may deprive others of the resources.

It is human nature to have something preserved for future or contingency. So a decent limit of possession should be allowed but not that much, what we are witnessing with handful of richest individuals. If we are able to provide affordable or free healthcare and education, people’s concern for contingency will drastically reduce.

I remember a story where a person ordered a lot of food and paid money but he wasted most of food. While he was leaving, the person serving him told, politely but firmly, that money belongs to you but resources does not belong to you. So, we should ensure a holistic system that resources should be available for the utilization and welfare of all and money should be the medium for it only.

Psychic and Spiritual wealth

Psychic and spiritual wealth are unlimited. Psychic wealth is which gives us mental pleasure. If a person buys one bread, it can be eaten by him only. But if things like music is there, it can be shared with many people. So, physical wealth possession should be constrained that everyone can meet their necessities.

Humans are psychic beings. Eg- If a person insults you and then gives bread to eat, you will not eat but a dog would accept it even if it has been insulted. Therefore, humans should progress more towards psychic and spiritual pleasure.

Spiritual wealth is feeling proximity to God. This is also unlimited though I have not experienced it completely :) 

 

To conclude, I will say; Mother Earth produces plenty to nourish its children as a mother’s breast produces sufficient milk for her child.  It is our greed and mismanagement of resources that we are not able to feed everyone and live happily.  Physical wealth at any given time is limited. Uncontrolled accumulation by few persons deprives others of their due share. Hence, a ceiling on wealth is a necessity.

To know more about fundamental principles of PROUT, visit- https://prout.info/five-fundamental-principles-of-prout/