RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL VALUES IN ENHANCING HUMAN VALUES

Dr.K.S.Balasubramanian, Sahaj Marg Spirituality Foundation ,Chennai.

For thousands of years saints, seers, sages, philosophers, founders of religions and
various schools of philosophy have emphasized the need for human beings to lead a
life of harmony, peace, piety and other values. We find many codes of conduct being
prescribed by great men to be adopted by human beings in order to transform them
to become perfect human beings. Moral and ethical values have always found great
importance in the writings of saints. Of course, there are some religious sects which
prescribe certain obscure and occult practices that defy the precepts and practices
advocated by majority of saints. But the society, by and large does not accept these
practices.
The modern concepts, especially those imported from Western countries appear to
pay little attention towards the religious and spiritual values handed down to us from
generation to generation through aeons of time.. The modern educational system also
does not give importance to human values, but only aims at achieving success in
material life.
Spirituality as prescribed by Raja Yoga, on the other hand, insists that the end does
not justify the means as commonly believed. It says clearly that if the means are not
right, the end cannot be right. Therefore we find the noble teachings in our sacred
literature starting from the Vedas, the most ancient literature in this world which
enable a person to lead a complete life in all respects, be it moral, ethical, intellectual
or spiritual. The modern educational institutions produce excellent engineers, doctors,
executives and so on. But do they produce good human beings?
Yoga, on the other hand transforms a person into a better human being and a
perfect human being and thereby a good engineer, doctor, executive and so on .In this
context, the need for such a discussion is of great importance and we should whole
heartedly appreciate the efforts of the organizers of this National conference.
 Rev. Lalaji Maharaj, ( Shri Ram Chandraji of Fategarh, U.P.. 1873-1931) and
his successors Rev. Babuji Maharaj ( Shri Ram Chandraji of Shahjahanpur, U.P.
1899-1983) and Rev. Chariji Maharaj ( Shri Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari, President,
Shri Ram Chandra Mission) lay great emphasis on human values through spiritual
practice under a competent guru (master). These masters emphasize that even if a
person advances far in spirituality or in material life, yet lacks moral values, he
cannot be a human being. The world remembers and pays homage to great men like
Gautama Buddha, Jesus Christ, Prophet Mohammed, Guru Nanak and Swami
Vivekananda not for building great monuments like Taj Mahal, but for achieving
spiritual and human perfection and instructing the same to all their fellow beings.
Generally Vedas, epics and other literature are studied by different people from
different points of view. But these literary products also give us instructions to uphold
moral and ethical values which enhance the human life. In India, as can be seen
clearly, all the literature have been written only to impress upon the readers or
listeners that ultimately it is only the good which would prevail over the evil, virtue
over vice, dharma over adharma, truth over untruth and so on. Some moral and
ethical codes are given here to make this point clear, starting from the Vedas
themselves.

Vedas
The Vedas are revered as divine, immortal and free from human authorship. They
throw light on so many aspects of human life, including scientific, philosophical and
spiritual aspects. The Vedas firmly believe that the Ultimate Reality is only one, but the
learned speak of it in many ways. The Rigveda (I.164.46) says:
“ ekam sat vipraa bahudhaa vadanti ”
The Veda also advises us that we should be open enough to welcome noble thoughts from
all quarters.
“aa no bhadraah kratavo yantu visvatah” ( Rigveda I.89.1)
Upanishads
The Upanishads are generally studied and appreciated for their lofty spiritual and
philosophical ideas. But they also contain many passages which give instructions for us
to follow and lead a harmonious life.
The first mantra of Isa Upanishad says:
“ isaavaasyam idam sarvam yat kincit jagatyaam jagat |
tena tyaktena bhunjithaah maa gridhah kasyacid dhanam || ”
“Everything in this universe is enveloped by God. May you enjoy what has been left by
him and do not covet other man’s wealth”. If human beings follow this instruction there
would be no conflict between people or countries.
Another mantra says:
“bhadram karnebhih srunuyaama devaah bhadram pasyema akshabhir yajatraah |
sthirairangais tushtuvamsastanubhih vyasema devahitam yadaayuh || ”
which means,
“O gods, let us hear auspicious things through our ears; let us see good things through our
eyes. Let us live complete span of our life with good health and enter divinity.”
The Taittiriya Upanishad instructs a disciple when he leaves the teacher after the course
is completed. Perhaps this is the first convocation address after graduation of the
students! It goes on instructing many values. For example it says:
“satyam vada | dharmam cara | svaadhyaayaan maa pramadah | ------ prajaatantum
maa vyavacchetsih | ---- matru-devo bhava | pitru- devo bhava | aacaarya-devo bhava |
atithi-devo bhava |----
“Speak the truth; follow dharma; do not shun your studies; do not cut off the chain of
your progeny…. Treat your mother, father, teacher and guest as divine…..”
Such noble thoughts were instructed by the great teachers those days and imbibed by
the disciples. India is held in high esteem even today only for her culture, for her
adherence to Vedic heritage and for her tolerance.
Epics
The Ramayana of sage Valmiki and Mahabharata of saint Vyasa, the two great epics of
India stand unmatched for their contribution in inculcating human values. In Ramayana,
we have ideal father, mother, brother, wife, friend, king, servant and so on who remain as
role models for later generations. Even Ravana, the anti-hero, is portrayed as great man
with abundant knowledge, power, virtues and valour, but having some weakness, which
any one else would also have had. Marica, Vibhishana and others, though born as
demons, speak their heart to Ravana while trying to discourage him from his immoral
ways, while many others were silent and seemed to express their loyalty to their king. It
is worthwhile to quote Marica’s words here. He says:

“ sulabhaah purushaa raajan satatam priyavaadinah |

apriyasya ca pathyasya vaktaa srotaa ca durlabhah ||”
“O King, it is easy to find people who talk pleasant words. But it is rare to find a person
who speaks or listens to words which are unpleasant but show the right path.”
The Mahabharata is replete with words of wisdom, besides containing the gospel of
Lord Krishna viz. the Bhagavadgita. Vyasa, the great saint-poet says, “I go around
everywhere with raised hands shouting the slogan,” ahimsa or non-harming is the
greatest virtue’, but no one listens to me.” It may be noted that according to later texts,
non-harming pertains to action, word and thought.

Smritis
The smritis or dharmasastra texts written by great saints like Manu, Yajnavalkya,
Narada, Vasishtha and Harita deal exhaustively on the codes of conduct to be followed by
men and women from the moment of conception in the womb of the mother till the
person leaves this world. One notable aspect in their writings is the important position
given to women in the family and society. For example Manu says:
“ yatra naaryastu pujyante ramante tatra devataah”|
“All gods dwell there with delight, where women are respected.”
Regarding the speech, he says that though one should speak the truth, it should be
pleasant and palatable and harsh words should not be used just for the sake of speaking
the truth.
“ satyam bruyaat priyam bruyaat na bruyaat satyam apriyam |
priyam ca na anrutam bruyaat esha dharmah sanaatanah ||

Yoga
Yoga gives equal importance to the body, mind, intellect and the Soul and hence can
be called a complete science in itself. Kalidasa, the great and immortal poet of India says
( Kumarasambhava V.33) that the prime duty of a person is to uphold good health of the
body.
“ sareeram aadyam khalu dharmasaadhanam |”
Yoga prescribes many physiological and mental exercises for leading a healthy and long
life. It also gives universal principles to be adopted by everyone without any barrier of
caste, colour, creed, sex, nationality, religion etc. There are ten such specific moral and
ethical values given by Patanjali in his Yogasutras which he terms as yama and niyama,
the first two steps of his ashtangayoga (Yoga with eight limbs). There are five values or
codes of conduct in each category. They are:
“ahimsaa-satya-asteya-brahmacarya-aparigrahaah yamaah |”
“The five restraints or yamas are non-harming, truth, non-stealing, celibacy and non-
covetousness.”
Ahimsaa means one should not harm anyone by means of action, word or thought.
Satya pertains to speaking about a thing as it is.
Asteya implies that one should not desire other man’s property.
Brahmacarya does not mean abstinence from sex, but utilizing the potential and vital
sexual energy bestowed upon man in proper way and that too only with one’s wife at
appropriate period . It should not be misused.
Aparigraha implies that one should not be greedy over other man’s wealth.
The five niyamas or observances are:
“ Sauca-santosha-tapah-svaadhyaaya-isvarapranidhaanaani |”
“ Cleanliness, contentment, penance/meditation, self-study and surrendering to God”
Sauca includes the purity of body and mind. Only when the mind is cleansed of its
impurities and the tendencies are checked, one’s external activities, i.e. his words and
actions would match the inner activity. This happens only when one performs regular
cleaning exercises which would eliminate the unwanted accumulations in one’s mind. It
is also to be noted here that the scriptures are very clear that no amount of pilgrimage or
taking holy bath in sacred rivers would help one in this regard, for there are many fish
and other creatures who also dwell in the holy waters like the river Ganges, but they do
not attain salvation or go to heavens for their minds have not been cleansed. The old
Tamil adage says, “ Akattin alagu mukattil teriyum”, which means that the inner beauty
would be manifested in ones face. Yoga makes this happen. Lord Krishna defines Yoga (
Bhagavadgita II.48) as :
“ samattvam yoga ucyate |” which means , “ Balance or equilibrium is Yoga.”
That is, one’s inner nature should reflect in his external activities. This is balance or Yoga.
Santosha means contentment. According to Yajnavalkya and also Darsana Upanishad,
one should feel grateful to God for whatever he obtains through rightful means. Rev.
Babuji Maharaj, while prescribing ten maxims for men to lead a pious and harmonious
life to be in tune with Nature says in his eighth maxim, “ Be happy to eat in constant
divine thought whatever you get, with due regard to honest and pious earnings.”
Tapas literally means heat. It refers to austerity, penance, or meditation. Meditation, it
may be noted here, is not very difficult to practise as commonly believed. One need not
go to forest or any secluded place, renouncing his family or worldly responsibilities to
practise meditation. The Masters of Sahaj Marg system of Raja Yoga point out that
meditation is, ‘to think of an object continuously.’ Patanjali, the founder of Yoga school
of philosophy also opines the same in his Yogasutras (III.2) (tatra pratyaya ekataanataa
dhyaanam). By this practice, one’s mind is focused on a particular object and the mind
gets regulated, leading to balance and moderation in all activities. It is the mind which is
responsible for one’s liberation (mukti) or bondage in this world (samsaara). If it is
attached to worldly objects, it is bondage and if it is not, or if it is attached to
substancelessness, it is liberation.

The scriptures say:

 “ mana eva manushyaanaam kaaranam bandha-mokshayoh |
bandhaaya vishayaasaktam muktyai nirvishayam smrutam ||”
Svaadhyaaya means self-study. It denotes two things, viz. the study of scriptures and
secondly to delve deep within oneself and realize the real Self. The science of Yoga says
that, ‘whatever there is in the macrocosm is also in the microcosm.’ So, instead of
searching for the Reality externally, if one searches in his own heart he would realize the
reality behind everything in this universe.
It is interesting to note in this connection the words of Rev. Babuji Maharaj, founder
of Shri Ram Chandra Mission, a world wide spiritual organization. He said. “A scientist
goes from matter to the source whereas the Yogi goes from the source to the matter.”
Isvarapranidhaana implies that one should dedicate everything to God with a feeling of
devotion leading to surrender to God.

Conclusion
While there are man- made values, codes of conduct, law and other rules which are
confined to geographical and other limitations, the spiritual values are universal in their
application. Patanjali, (Yogasutras II.31) while enumerating and defining the moral
codes mentioned above says:
“ ete jaati-desa-kaala-samaya-anavacchinnaah saarvabhaumaah mahaavratam | “
“These great universal observances (vows) are not limited by class, nationality, time
and circumstances.”
Lord Krishna instructs that one should always have balance and moderation in
everything including his activities, food, sleep and so on. For such person, the Lord says,
(Bhagavadgita VI.17) ‘Yoga removes all his miseries.’
“ yuktaahaaravihaarasya yuktaceshtasya karmasu |
yuktasvapnaavabodhasya yogo bhavati duhkhahaa || ”
In fact many texts on Yoga lay great emphasis on selection of proper place, time, food
etc. to practise one’s spiritual saadhanaa. These help a person to have proper frame of
mind to live in harmony with Nature and thereby with all the beings of this world.
 When moral and ethical values prescribed by great saints like Gautama Buddha, Jesus
Christ, Prophet Mohammed, Guru Nanak and the Vedic seers are followed implicitly, a
new world would definitely emerge soon, where instead of jealousy, hatred, greediness
and other vice qualities, there would be peace, harmony, brotherhood and love.
Rev. Babuji Maharaj says, “We are all brethren connected with each other morally,
intellectually and spiritually -- the main goal of human life. This and that have gone now.
There remains the purity alone in all His work and environment which weaves the
spiritual destiny of the persons with the Ultimate.”
I may add here that great masters like the Masters of Sahaj Marg, Swami
Vivekananda and others come down to this world only to teach these noble thoughts to
human beings and it is our responsibility to adhere to these principles for our own benefit
and also for the future generations. It is said, “ mahajano yena gatah sa panthaah ”
which means , “ the path trodden by great men is our path.” The life of great men like
my Master Sadguru Parthasarathiji Maharaj, President, Shri Ram Chandra Mission is an
example to us to lead a balanced life without neglecting the spiritual and material
responsibilities. He is always ready to help us to become a better and a perfect human
being, culminating in oneself becoming a divine being. I welcome you all in His fold for
which no one need to pay any money.
I thank the organizers for giving me this opportunity to share some of my views on
this subject and I thank you all for your patient hearing.

// Thank You //