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Indian Conception of Values: Conclusion

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If we leave out what was described above as 'survival values', there is the important distinction between empirical or secular and spiritual values. The latter, to express them in modern terminology, are threefold—truth, goodness and perfection; and of these, the last, which is the highest, may be designated as absolute value. A detailed consideration of these several values and of their interrelation is what will occupy us in the sequel. Meanwhile, we shall say a few words about the Indian conception of beauty, which is another of the higher values now commonly accepted.

The Need of a Shaastric Framework for Indian Dance – 2

Change is of two kinds – external and internal. Only when there is a harmonious balance between external and internal changes, activities associated with it can have a smooth flow. If one changes at a rate much higher than the other and if the two lose sync with each other, the whole system will face the danger of failure. Harmony will be lost and will lead to chaos. In most cases, such accelerated changes occur only on the external parameters, i.e., those related to the structure (form). The internal change is usually slow, steady and controlled.

ಪು.ತಿ. ನರಸಿಂಹಾಚಾರ್ಯರ ರಸದರ್ಶನ

ಅಧ್ಯಾತ್ಮ ಎಂದರೆ ಸೃಷ್ಟಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅಭಿವ್ಯಕ್ತಗೊಂಡಿರುವ ಚೆಲುವು, ಬದುಕಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಅಂತರ್ಗವಾಗಿರುವ ಚೆಲುವು, ಒಲವು ಮತ್ತು ಇತರ ರಾಗ ಭಾವಗಳಿಗೆಲ್ಲ ವಿಮುಖವಾಗಿ ಧ್ಯಾನ-ತಪಸ್ಸುಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ನಿರತರಾಗಿ, ವೈಯಕ್ತಿಕ ಮೋಕ್ಷಕ್ಕೆ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಿಸುವುದು ಮಾತ್ರವಲ್ಲ.  ಬದುಕಿನ ಜಂಜಡಗಳಿಂದ ಜರ್ಜರಿತವಾದ ಮಾನವ ಚೇತನವನ್ನು ಉನ್ನತ ಸ್ತರಕ್ಕೆ ಏರಿಸಿ ಈ ಸೃಷ್ಟಿಯಲ್ಲಿನ ವ್ಯಕ್ತ ಮತ್ತು ಅವ್ಯಕ್ತ ಚಲುವನ್ನು , ಇದರ ಹಿಂದಿರುವ ಸೃಷ್ಟಿಕರ್ತನ ಅದ್ಭುತ ಚೆಲುವು-ಚೈತನ್ಯಗಳನ್ನು ಅರಗಳಿಗೆಯಾದರೂ ಸಾಕ್ಷಾತ್ಕರಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ಸಾಧ್ಯವಾಗುವ ರಸದೃಷ್ಟಿಯನ್ನು ಜಾಗೃತಗೊಳಿಸುವ ಅದ್ಭುತಶಕ್ತಿಯೇ ಅಧ್ಯಾತ್ಮ ಎನಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ಇಂತಹ ಅಧ್ಯಾತ್ಮ ರಸ-ದರ್ಶನ ಪು.ತಿ. ನರಸಿಂಹಾಚಾರ್ಯರ ಕಾವ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಓತ-ಪ್ರೋತವಾಗಿ ಕಂಡುಬರುತ್ತದೆ.

What does Sarasvati Symbolize?

Some years ago, a reader wrote to me with an experience that he said vexed him. The relevant portion of his email is produced below:

…during a talk with a liberal friend of mine, regarding the MF Hussain episode…friend talked on the lines of what liberals usually speak i.e. Kamasutra, Khajuraho…But…his explanation that Brahma marrying his creation (daughter) Saraswati amounted to incest which according to him means Hinduism sanctifies such relationships…made me quite uncomfortable and disturbed.

The Need of a Shaastric Framework for Indian Dance - 1

The word ‘Shaastra’ means ‘to rule’ or ‘to govern’ and is derived from the root ‘शासु-अनुशिष्टौ’. ‘To govern’ means to protect like a king, and to keep everything that comes within his purview under control. However, this does not mean that shaastra is dictatorial, rigid and restrictive. Just like a forest protects a lion and the lion in turn protects the forest (popularly known as ‘vana-simha-nyaaya’), the shaastra and all the aspects that come under its purview mutually safeguard each other.