The BlogTalk: 11th Question: India has such a strong culture. Can we guide the world out of this pandemic situation?

The Master’s Guidance Continues

Acharya Mahendranath
(The Master)

As the coronavirus pandemic rages on, the entire country is in a lockdown. All students have been missing the joy of coming to the training centres, practicing in a group, interacting with the teachers, and of course meeting the Master. Everyone has also missed having our monthly “Master’s Talk Session”. But Master says that physical lockdown need not mean lockdown of our lives. We can still do the same things, but do them differently. Which is why the Master has given a schedule for daily practice of Martial Arts, Yoga and Reiki Energy Healing, and all students have responded really well. 

Our activities over Instagram and Facebook have kept us connected with each other’s energy. So why stop here? Why not have Master’s Talk Session as well, but in a different manner? So we asked students to send us questions and the Master has given His guidance through this blog. So we hope that you all read it, understand it, internalize it, apply it and make your life even better. Please share your comments at the end of each question and of course, more questions are welcome on moxshlife@gmail.com.

Venkatesh Katkar

Q. Looking at the current situation of COVID-19 and the impact it is having on entire world I always think that India as a country can lead the world out of this crisis. Looking back at our ancient times we see that Master Boddhidharma went to China and guided them to a spiritual path and taught how to live a healthy life. We have different ancient Healing Techniques, Mantras and Medicinal formulations. 

Also, India is called as the land of mystics and have a strong culture of Vedas, Vajras, Yoga and Ayurveda. 

Now based on this my question is that India as a nation with such a strong heritage can lead by example and guide the world out of this pandemic situation. How far this thought is correct? Master please put light on this and guide us.

— Venkatesh Katkar, Student of Keimoudo®— Moxsh® Martial Arts

Master’s Guidance: “You are ‘Venkatesh’, the one who saves the people from troubles, and yet you ask me this question?” jokes the Master. 
“You say that we had medicinal formulations. What are you trying to say? That there is a formulation present in some book and we can use it to make a medicine and send it across the world to cure the pandemic?” (The Master laughs)
“Your question is whether India can lead the world out of this pandemic and become an example. You base this given our rich history, culture, and science. 

Which India are you talking about? Is India the same today like it was when Ayurveda flourished and we were discovering medicinal formulations? Your question contains the answer.

‘Ancient India’ was the land of the wise and the mystics. It had a rich culture and several branches of science flourished. It was a country with wealthy people having good virtues and thoughts. This land nourished the spiritual quests of several great Masters and Spiritual Gurus, including Lord Shri Krishna, Lord Gautam Buddha, Acharya Chanakya, Lord Mahavira, Lord Guru Nanak, Master Bodhidharma, and hundreds of others.

Are we connected with this science and these Masters’ teachings? You know the answer to that question.
We are disconnected from it. We talk about Vedas, Yoga, Ayurveda, Martial Arts, etc. But these are mere fragments of the remnants of a very vast culture. What we have with us now is just superficial knowledge, which we put to superficial use as we boast about our ‘culture’.

But the very fact that these remnants are there is a very good thing. Using this, we can revive our science and culture and rise up once more.

But in order for us to reconnect with our culture and science and bring back the Glorious India, it is important for us to understand how we got disconnected from it. How from being the land that was once known as Sone ki Chidiya or “Golden Sparrow”, we are now identified as a land of snake charmers, and Western media and film makers, since the time of our independence in 1947, have shown dirty villages and cities, where people are struggling in abject poverty and hunger.

This is not how we were. We were economically, scientifically, culturally, and spiritually rich since the beginning of history. We lived in highly planned cities and towns like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro as far back as 2,600 BCE, and Takshashila around 1,000 BCE. We had great seats of learning. Takshashila had one of the world’s first universities. Nalanda University in present-day Bihar came into being about 2,500 years ago and is considered the second-oldest university in the world. Our land was adorned by graceful forts, and beautiful temples and monuments, which are still architectural wonders. Examples of this are still visible in almost all states, including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab. Throughout these times, our skills in handicrafts, metallurgy, exotic weaves of cotton and silk, etc. were the envy of the world and the motivation for people from across the planet to undertake thousands of kilometres of journey to this land of abundance.

If we were indeed as poor as depicted in today’s images, would we have been able to create all of the above? Even in ancient India, don’t you think building cities and monuments would have cost money? And if all the artists were subjugated, poor, and unhappy, would it have been possible for them to bring out their artistry?

We flourished because our people were guided by great Acharyas, Wise scholars and Spiritual Gurus. Even our kings had “Raj Gurus” or royal Gurus who played a very important role in nurturing the kingdoms. They helped the kings have a balanced mind, kept a check on them, and advised them against doing anything that would have dire consequences or went against the greater good of humankind. One such great example is Acharya Chanakya, a Guru, royal advisor, and a pioneer in the field of political science and economics.

We were skilled, wise and had good virtues, because we had the Gurukulam-based education system. Pupils stayed with the guru and learnt to become responsible individuals in society. Apart from teaching virtues, the Guru taught various arts and science, including the art of warfare, economic science, medicines, etc. as well as spiritual science like Yoga Vedanta.

We were technologically and scientifically advanced. We had developed agricultural technology and medicines. Ayurveda, which means ‘the knowledge (science) of life’ is said to have originated almost 5000 years ago in India. It was a divine healing science. Medicines made from ayurvedic principles using herbs, roots, plants, seeds, etc. were used for treating all kinds of diseases; and even during pandemics! A student of Ayurveda would study in the lap of nature and under the guidance of the Guru. It didn’t include memorizing the names of chemicals or herbs and their effects and prescribing it to treat various ailments.

The whole approach was meditative in nature where students would reach their higher self and identify plants, herbs and other materials, and understand their qualities and transform them into various types of medicines.

The very word “medicine” is very pure. There are two aspects to it. The first is “Meditate upon your sins.” Here don’t think of ‘sin’ in terms of everything that has been said to scare us (we will burn in hellfire, or our next life will be bad, etc.). Here sin means grave mistake. While doing a grave mistake is a sin, we must and should understand it, contemplate on it, and resolve never do it again. Then a large part of our problem will disappear! In the second aspect it means Medicine in physical form that is prepared in a deep meditative state.

And yes, we strived hard for people everywhere to benefit from our wisdom and science. You mention Master Bodhidharma who went to China and taught many things to the Chinese. Just think: He was a King’s son. But on his Guru’s orders he left everything and undertook such a long journey for the betterment of human kind. “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinaha” was part of our culture and when we said ‘sarve’ we meant every creature and entity that shares this planet with us. Our Upanishads taught us about Vasudaiva Kutumbakam, which means “the world is one family”.

But ever since the invasion by Alexander, we were continuously attacked by foreign forces who not only stole our wealth, but through every possible means also disconnected us from our science, culture and virtues. All the foreigners who came here got dazzled by our richness, befriended us, and then stabbed us in the back. To take over our kingdoms, spread their religion, plunder our wealth, and various other selfish desires, they stole everything from us. They brutally slaughtered the wise men, Gurus, and Masters who opposed them. They destroyed many monuments and temples, religious texts, and historical documents. Most of our records and documents didn’t survive their brutality.

For example, we know that Master Bodhidharma went from South India to China in about 5th Century CE to teach Dhyaana (Dhyaana became known as ‘Chan’ in Chinese and Zen in Japanese). But he saw that their physical condition was weak and so He also taught them martial techniques as a form of exercise. This martial arts form later came to be known as Shaolin Kung Fu, which later became the source of Karate, Taekwondo, and other systems of martial arts that are now popular around the world. And about 40 years ago when Karate was introduced in India, we came to know about Master Bodhidharma. And while all of Master Bodhidharma’s teachings, records, place of stay, etc. are intact in China, if you go to Tamil Nadu where he was born, there are no records of his early life in India or of his ancestors.

Even if you consider just the period from the Mughal invasion until the end of the British Raj, we are looking at approximately 400 years where our people lived a subjugated life. This itself is enough to change the people of a country.

But even after we got independence, we could have used our freedom to reconnect.

For example, one of the most important things from which the foreigners disconnected us are our languages. Before finally leaving us in 1947, the British introduced us to English which replaced every other language.

This had two effects: first was on our mother tongue, or regional/state languages. After they left, English took prominence instead of our mother tongue. We preferred (and still prefer) going to, and sending our children to, English medium schools. We learn “Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water”! How does that help us? Ironically, I have to give this BlogTalk in English in order for a majority of you to understand!

Today there are very few state languages that are pure and without English influence. Otherwise, most state languages are spoken by mixing quite a few English words. There is nothing wrong with this, but our language holds the essence of our culture; it is the foundation on which our culture is based. And it is sad that we have lost quite a bit of this fragrance.

The second effect was on Sanskrit. We were completely disconnected from it. I say that while our mother tongue connects us to our country and our culture, Sanskrit is a Scientific language that connects us to our science.

The Vedas, Upanishads, and even the Medicinal formulations that you mentioned were written in Sanskrit. Sanskrit is a complete language and it is very difficult to translate it to any language. Translation cannot retain the same meaning and the essence is lost. Very often, there are no exact terms for Sanskrit words or phrases. For example, the word Dhyaana has no synonym that exactly translates the word. In English, the word meditation comes closest but still does not mean Dhyaana. Also, most of our scriptures are written in the form of Sutras, which literally mean thread or that which holds things together. Sutras are condensed rules that succinctly states the message. Minimal words are used to communicate the teachings within the Sutra. The ability to create sutras are the specialty of the Sanskrit language. And therefore, without knowing Sanskrit well, we cannot unlock the essence of our scriptures.

But like I said before, it is possible for us to revive and fully connect with everything. We and our ancestors belong to the same land that nourished the great Masters. And so, we also have the potential to discover what they discovered. The knowledge and spirit are there in our DNA as well.

And the key is the Sanskrit language. And so, if we study the Sanskrit language, we will be able to study these texts and understand them in totality. If we will study the Vedas in Sanskrit, they will act as the password that will activate and unlock the memories in our DNA. The Vedas will make us capable to see for ourselves and find answers to everything.

Again, I don’t want you to misunderstand that the scriptures themselves have the answers. If you compare studying of scriptures to the modern western education, then again you will go in the wrong direction.

But for us to reconnect ourselves and get our strength back, we need to pursue it seriously and invest time. The government and our citizens must work together and over the next 10-15 years, if the coming generations learn Sanskrit, then we will be able to study and understand our Vedas, Upanishads, mantras, etc.

But unfortunately, today in our country Sanskrit is associated with religion, even though all over the world youngsters are learning Sanskrit and Sanskrit Mantras because they have understood its true nature and view it as a source of knowledge and not as religious texts! Click this link to see how after giving us the English language, Britain is taking learning Sanskrit very seriously. Click here

Against that, look at what’s happening in India: Click here  

Vedas and scriptures came into being thousands of years ago before any organized religion came into existence. For us organized religion was a foreign concept. We had enlightened people whom we called Gurus. A Guru was one who could guide us out from the darkness of ignorance into the light of knowledge.

Which is why when foreign organized religious people came, we accepted them as one of us and welcomed them wholeheartedly. Our scriptures tell us about “Atithi Devo Bhava”, which means every guest is God. But unfortunately, we did not understand this phrase then, nor do we understand it now. Let me explain. The “atithi” or guest referred to in our scriptures means every little creature and plant that is a guest on this planet; everything that has been born to go back to its source. This phrase was meant to teach us to treat every creature and being on this planet as God's (existence's) guest and to treat it with respect.

But we applied this saying only to human beings who came as guests! We did not stop to see whether they had any selfish intentions or if they were invaders. We welcomed them all. And look at what happened? Not only did they torture us, slay our kings and wise men, and destroy our heritage structures, books, and records, but also introduced their organized religion in our country!

Having said that, the same trait of humanity and concern for all is there within us even today. Which is why during the pandemic, in the spirit of universal brotherhood we gave allopathy medicines to countries across the world. Whenever possible we have also helped rescue non-Indians as well. Our management of the pandemic is being appreciated by people all over the world.

But we can and will do much more. If any part of the world needs anything, I am sure our country will do everything possible to help those people or country, even as we ourselves struggle with the same crisis. Such is the power of our culture.

And after the Pandemic dies down and the lockdown ends, if we all work to rise up once again, we can help nourish a new world. We can guide people in every field and can help take care of every being on this planet. With our spirit of Vasudaiva Kutumbakam, we can aspire for

‘Sarvesham swasthir bhavatu,
Sarvesham Shantir Bhavatu,
Sarvesham Poornam Bhavatu,
Sarvesham Mangalam Bhavatu,’ 
which means
May auspiciousness be unto all.
May peace be unto all.
May fullness be unto all.
May prosperity be unto all.”

— Acharya Mahendranath

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