Today is Gandhi-jayanthi. And Gandhiji reminds one of the continuity and unbroken flow of Indian Civilization
What is the foundation of our Civilization ? I may say
it with a fair degree of accuracy or should I consider having hit the
‘bulls-eye’ (?) , when I conclude that, it is our knowledge of Karma
/Work/Action /Movement that has acted us the foundation of our
civilization. I wish to distinguish here knowledge per se (ie Brahmam), and the
knowledge required for a civilization(samskaram) to come into being. That
our civilization is entirely conceived on the knowledge of Karma is the part I
wish to emphasize. Our seers had managed to obtain the ‘blue-print of this
universe’ through austerities and penance in ancient times (pre-historic)and
later it was Vyasa who compiled all those knowledge and classified them,
because he realized that human intellect was waning. It began showing its
incapability of holding vast swathes of ‘shastric knowledge’ in the form
of poetry in its memory. Thus we consider that Vyasa divided the Vedas
into four sections –Rig, Yajur , Sama & Atharva. But more important
than this division into four is its classification(into two) as Karma-kanda
& Jnana-Kana. The former relating to action/work, ie actions that are
desirable aiming at a singular ultimate objective, and the later relating
to knowledge of that ultimate objective/station. The foundations or the
fundamentals of our civilization can be gleaned from that single text The Gita.
(In the case of any civilization, the word foundation is used figuratively. But
in the case of a building we consider solid materials like stone, concrete etc
as its foundation. But here also, we may say that the foundation is not
physical or material. In these modern times none will dismiss this fact as
outlandish, but as experienced by our seers and also as demonstrated by
the practical application of that famous formula E=mc squared, the final
fundamental building ‘blocks’ of any solid, is anything other than solid.
)
After a gap of about 2500 years,ie. after Adi
Shankaracharya, who had streamlined the scattered knowledge , it was
Gandhiji who completely understood about the ramifications of the
fundamental(s) of our civilization, in the practical life of our nation and the
world. Of course he did not write any ‘Bhashyams’ (exegesis) to the
Gita, like Shankara, but he took great efforts (not pains) to learn the Gita,
and had said that the Gita is not only his mother , but the UNIVERSAL
MOTHER. Quote “ The Gita is the universal Mother. She turns away nobody.
Her door is wide open to any one who knocks.” (Harijan, 24/8/1934, p.222)
The Gita is the essence of Upanishads (janana kanda
of the Vedas), Brahmavidya (derived from jnana-kanda) and Yoga-shastra.The
first six chapters deal with the individual that has come into being(born) and
the karma/actions he is forced to undergo before his mental preparation
(often leading to uncertainity in actions, sadness and depression(despondency)
)and how to modify his actions through knowledge, discipline and other means.
The Gita clearly states that this cosmos is the result of Karma/action, and
ultimate happiness ie bliss experienced in the liberated stage, is
obtained by transcending all actions. This is the actionless state (ie
moksha). But a individual cannot suddenly switch over to the
actionless state due to some reasons. He will have to perform some actions to
wear off the tendency towards action. And while doing action (like a conscious
machine) to rub-off action, he should not yearn for the fruits thereof.
More than anyone-else during his time, Gandhiji had
greater understanding of the wisdom in the Gita. And that had shaped his
attitude towards politics, economics and management. Consider his attitude
towards machines. He wished destruction of power driven machinery and
mills. (Young India 1921) Not only that , consider his take on credit/debt.
This should be of particular interest to all , after hearing that US Govt has
‘shut-down’, ‘downed its shutters’ like a commercial institution. “ The
credit which is becoming the money power of the world has little moral
basis and is not a synonym for Trust or Faith, which are purely moral
qualities……..that the greater the rascal the greater the
credit he enjoys with banks.” (US enjoying so much credit with China,
Japan and Saudi). “The credit system has encircled this beautiful globe
of ours like a serpent’s coil, and if we do not mind, it bids fair to crush us
out of breath………… The deadly coil has made possible the devastating
spectacle in Europe, which we are helplessly looking on.” (Speeches &
Writings of Mahatma Gandhi, (4th edn.) pp. 356-63 )Of course ,
credit as well as machinery, are not specifically dealt with in the Gita, but
it surely falls under Karma, because Karma is done either through mind, sensory
organs (an eg through tongue-speech) and body. (or its combination) The
Gita has expounded the theory of karma so comprehensively, that nothing in the
cosmos, can escape its fold. The idea or imagination (sankalpa) of credit and
machinery itself are karmas.
Gandhiji had studied basic science and maths, and had not
taken advance lessons in heat and thermodynamics. But he expressed views
like that of a person knowing entropy, which is a topic in
thermodynamics. About Modern Civilization which has made life very complicated
his thoughts were “ After 18 years of study devoted to the consideration
of the question, I have come to the conclusion that instead of
there being a change for the better, there has been a change for the worse.”
(The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, Vol. X, pp.279-80). The resultant of
the collective action(karma) of people of the world was negative , during the
18 years of ‘study’ done by Gandhiji. The representatives of
various nations constituting the Intergovermental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) recently declared unanimously that human activity/karma is
responsible for the experienced climate change from its normal pattern, and
that it poses a threat to lives and livelihood of many. That is the net
result of all human karma is negative.
The Gita in unequivocal terms, declares this fact in
Chapter 18, Sloka 48. It states that all karmas/actions have negative
consequences. In connection with this sloka, supplementing the same or
there is even the possibility that independently of the same, there is a sloka
in Manusmrithy , applying this real fact to a primary human activity. “ People
think that agriculture is something wholesome. Yet it is an occupation condemned
by good people; the plow with an iron tip lacerates the ground as well as
creatures living in it” – Manu’s Code of Law , Chapter 10:84.
Lot of calumny had been heaped on Manus’s Code of Law , in
modern India, but anyone studying the same will realize that our wise sages had
tried to regulate the karma/action/ work/ movement of members
constituting society, so that ultimately they proceed in the
‘centripetal’ direction. That is, the natural and legitimate
destination of all(men, women etc) being the SOURCE, without leaving
none, all should be directed towards that source. This well conceived plan
suffused with good intentions could not be understood by the modern mind, who
were entirely misled by the theory of hard-work. Hard-work was associated
with Godliness,(Protestantism) and men like Benjamin Franklin popularized the
‘virtue’ of hard work. “REMEMBER that time is money. He that can earn ten
shillings a day by his labour, and goes abroad , or sits idle one half of that
day, though he spends but sixpence during his diversion or idleness,
ought not to reckon that the only expence; he has really spent, or
rather thrown away, five shillings besides.” From ‘A Good Conscience,
Advice to a Young Tradesman’ , Written in 1748 by Benjamin Franklin. We should
take note that Franklin’s period corresponded to the beginning of the
Industrial Revolution, which ultimately resulted in the decimation of Indian
manufactures, which were sought world-wide.
Gandhiji was concerned that power driven machines will
increase production (as well as wastage) , thereby throwing people out of work.
Well this has happened. He said due to introduction of machines, wealth will be
concentrated in the hands of few, because capital is needed for machinery and
associated infrastructure and raw-materials. This also has come true, if
we consider the HNW (High Net Worth) Individuals. There is another face
to this picture. Though machines have saved labour leading to unemployment,
those who work with machines have to work more hours during these times.
Computers have replaced many employees in banks. But those working in the bank
on these machines has got their work-load increased. Machines have thus
introduced modern slavery. This slavery is of two kinds. Voluntary and
Involuntary. The former denotes addiction to gadgets, games, movies etc. Thus
as per our shastras, many thrown out of work due to power driven machinery are
not able to do karma. Thus they are unable to wear out the karma-vasanas
(or karma) , which is necessary for liberation. And those working with
machines, unwittingly are increasing the karma,and its negative effects.
In addition to spoiling the environment and thus violating other beings,
they also are denying themselves exit from the cycles of birth and death.
It seems, the Karma Theory has wound its way in the initial
chapter of the Bible. Are not the images of the tree of knowledge and the
act of eating its fruit, karma related? Is not the story of The Tower of Babel
, related to Karma?
TEN THOUSAND COMMANDMENTS
He informs that “The exact cost of federal regulations can
never be known, Federal environmental, safety, health and economic
regulations cost hundreds of billions of dollars every year-on top of official
federal outlays.” An observation from a 2005 report “ Regulatory costs exceed
estimated 2004 individual income taxes of $765 billion, and are far greater
than corporate income taxes of $169 billion”. Bossing people around
(karma) costs lots of money. Excessive karma, has made America into an Empire
of Debt. Excessive karma is resorted to by Chinese workers to supply
America with loans and goods. Which they (Chinese)may never recover.
Even Bertrand Russell had declared in 1930, that excessive
work is responsible for the woes of this world. (See his essay in Praise of
Idleness). Similarly in India we are affected by the adverse consequences
of the culture of ‘excess of work’ represented by liberalization
and globalization and new management thinking. We may just take one or
two aspects. As told earlier, most employees are doing slave work. Most are not
comfortable with their work. Then the new work culture has made people
ambitious & greedy. The corruption cases has increased exponentially.
Imagine the direct revenue loss to the Govt due to this pillage by
politicians and bureaucrats hand-in-glove with corporates. Further imagine the
money that will have to spent for investigating these crimes. Further add to
this the costs and time spent by courts, policemen, witnesses ,the money
spent for shuttling these criminals around to take evidence etc.
And if all the scamsters are convicted and sent to jail, new prisons has
to be built and also imagine the cost of maintaining these criminals. Unless we
take heed to Karma Theory and regulate karma, we all will be suffocated to
death, because of the burden brought about by excessive karma.
I end with the following words from Gandhiji “I am not
aiming at destroying railways or hospitals, though I would certainly
welcome their natural destruction. Neither railways nor hospitals
are a test of a high and pure civilization. At best they are a
necessary evil. Neither adds one inch to the moral stature of a
nation. Nor am I aiming at a permanent destruction of law courts, much as
I regard it as a ‘consummation devoutly to be wished’. Still less am I trying
to destroy all machinery and mills. It requires a higher simplicity
and renunciation than the people are today prepared for” (Young India Jan 1921)
