Vedic Prachar 08-Feb-2009

Summarization of Discourse delivered by Acharya Ved Shrami and Dr. Sahadeo Hariprasad
(Summary provided by Mr. Vikas Bagga).
Key Discussion Points were of tying up the concepts of:
Dharmik as Bhagwan
Moorat and Amoorat Brahm
Summary of Acharya Vedshrami's discourse:
Continuing on the explanation of Bhagavad (bhagwaan) of Shrimadbhagavadgita, Acharya Vedshrami mentioned that anyone who is a Dharmik is also a Bhagwan. "Vedokhilo Dharm Moolam" (Vedic knowledge is the root of Dharm) and the true meaning of Dharm is only obtained by understanding the Vedas. Another verse explaining the same thing is "Ved Pratipaadito Dharm Adharmastad Viparyaya" (Whatever is described/said by Vedas is Dharm and anything against it is Adharm). What we live with and practice in the name of Dharm is second hand source of half baked information on what Dharm is.So, the need is to understand the true meaning of Dharm and be able to adopt and practice it and to understand that true meaning, we need to gain knowledge from Vedas and apply that knowledge in our daily life to achieve the ultimate aim of life. There are three categories of people with reference to knowledge:Vidvaan – (Who is knowledgeable and uses the knowledge rightly), Ajyaani – Ignorant (Who doesn't have knowledge), and Moorkh (foolish/conceited, who has the knowledge but doesn't implement it rightly OR he has little knowledge and he thinks that he has acquired all the knowledge). Thus we need to use our Buddhi – Intellect to make good decisions that further our understanding of our mun – intelligence, thus leading us on the path of Brahm too. Here are the explanations of Vidvaan, Moorkh & Ajyaani:

• Vidvaan: One who has knowledge, but still feels that he is limited in knowledge, and is always hungry for more knowledge. It is easy to teach him. An example of a Vidvaan: He observed water and fire and went to discover locomotives for hauling heavily loaded trains.
• Avidvaan: He is the one with no or very little knowledge. He is aware of it. It is also not very difficult to educate him. Example: It is easy to teach him on how to assemble or operate locomotives earlier discovered by a Vidvaan.
• Moorkh (fool): He is the one, who says that he has all the knowledge, and knows everything, and hence does not need any more knoweldge. It is nearly impossible to educate him. An example of a moorkh is that once while looking at water and fire, he proceeded to discover Hukka (an Indian article used for smoking tobacco).

Summary of Dr. Sahadeo Hariprasad's discourse:

The concept of Brahm was reinforced. Brham is the expansion of the Inner Self. It means growth in things that are Avayakt or Amoorat, things that are not seen, but can be felt only by study (Svadhyaya) and reflection (Chintan).The Parabrahm (Almighty God) is Sut-Chit-Aanand – (Sachidanand): "Existence-consciousness-bliss". This word has reference in the Ved. This phrase has 3 components:
Sat – Truth/Existence
Chit – Consciousness and
Anand – Bliss/Peace
This is the foundation on which we can dispel notions of idol worship (Moorti Poojan). Acknowledging the existence of God is Sut, but by creating an image of God (statue or picture) is implying that there is a second God (or limiting Him to place, statue and a form)? But we understand from the Vedas, the ultimate source of knowledge, that God is Formless, Omnipresent, and All-pervading and hence not limited to a place, time, form, body or an object such as a statue. Also from Vedas, we know that God is Indivisible, Un-duplicable or Un-comparable in Chit and Aanand, which means there can never be second or one more God, by putting a second to God, it fails the test of the second part of the phrase, Chit. The image or idol does not have a consciousness and consequently cannot be a source of Aanand too. The great Tulsidas wrote in the Ramcharitmanas that God is one who walks without Feet, Hears without ears, Listens without ears, sees without eyes and speaks without a voice. Tulsidas helps dispel the concept of Moorti Poojan. Thus don't go looking all over the place for God. Stop and look within yourself. Attainment of this Bliss is all that counts and nothing else matters.Satyarth Prakash is great starting point for one to seek truth and dismemberment from falsehood around us. Satyartha Prakash is a great source of information on various topics on God, Dharm, Family relations, education and various religions including Hinduism. This book derives information from Vedas and other scriptures such as Srimad Bhagvad Gita.