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Re: Atmaa : Do I have one ?
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To: soc-religion-hindu@uunet.uu.net
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Subject: Re: Atmaa : Do I have one ?
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From: Dhruba Chakravarti <dchakrav@netserv.unmc.edu>
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Date: 19 Feb 1996 17:54:21 GMT
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Newsgroups: soc.religion.hindu
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Organization: University of Nebraksa medical Center
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References: <4eumgs$cl6@babbage.ece.uc.edu> <4fbmpb$9qa@babbage.ece.uc.edu> <4fj626$kio@babbage.ece.uc.edu> <4fvvbg$r2o@babbage.ece.uc.edu> <4g3h2o$9g9@babbage.ece.uc.edu>
Dear Rajaji:
Thank you for asking me to discuss the Srimad Bhagavad Gita. I will try
to write for you and post it here. At this time, it may be beneficial to
discuss the two approaches in studying the Gita.
These two approaches are: unquestioning shraddhA and vichAra. I want to
emphasize that both are necessary, as Sri Krishna said that "shraddhAvAn
labhate jnAnaM". It is not impossible to fall into the trap of a type of
shraddhA that does not ask any questions, but simply decides that "
although I do not understand this, there must be some hidden truth in
it". This could end up in the suspension of judgement.
On the other hand, vichAra by itself, is more dangerous. The Sanatana
Dharma is God-given, not made up by men. VichAra by itself will lead a
person to ecclecticism, that approaches a religion as "there are issues
that are good in a religion and there are some that are not good. Let us
tailor make our own set of beliefs that contains only the good and
rejects the bad." Eclecticism is a man made religion and has always
failed.
When we start our studies, we are least able to do vichAra, but we would
like to do that. We seek an overall undestanding from the very beginning
without the benefit of knowing the various Scriptural texts.
Guru GambhirnAthji used to say, "VichAr karnA", but he did not intend
that statement for the uninformed. I also would like to emphsize that to
be beginner is not a handicap, since Sri Krishna clearly said that a
person's interest in Scriptural studies stems from the history of
spirituality in previous lives.
I would recommend that initially, vichAra should be confined to the
context of the text that you are studying, and not expanded to explain
larger issues, especially the overall picture.
In short, let us watch our steps and resolve not to speculate. Because in
Scriptural studies, one goes from one revelation to another, not from one
speculation to another. However, as we come to a revelation, we apply
vichAra, and avoid speculation.
Realization of a revelation is dependent on Divine grace, thereofore, as
we offer each study to God, it is beneficial to ask God for the
understanding of the revelation.
With best regards,
Dhruba.
