On Record

by Swamiji

Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha

[Appeared in May 1989 and Oct-Nov 1994 issues of the monthly journal ‘Vicharasetu – The Path of Introspection’]

[These days, because of Swamiji’s exclusive pursuit of spirituo-religious reformation –which is more in the form of setting a new direction in religious thinking than organizing a massive activist group – the Ashram has become an abode of vichaara.  Pressmen, Central and State Intelligence Officials, social workers, devotees and village people come round the clock meeting Swamiji with their own notions and arguments.  Through relentless debate, discussion and analysis, truth emerges and spreads in the minds of people.

Here we present a few excerpts from Swamiji’s talks, which perhaps, will be a nourishing food for thought]

RELIGION must be ahead of socio-political reforms – in goodness, virtues and sublime human motivations.

IN BHARAT, the personality – whether it is individual’s family’s, society’s or nation’s – is religious, spiritual.  Denigration, degeneration or reversal of this personality will be extremely weakening and disastrous for all.

OUR PEOPLE, are able to take to socio-economic and political vicissitudes with tolerance and reconciliation only because of the spirituo-religious undercurrent in them.  The political machinery trade and sport in this fact, knowingly or unknowingly.

THE BACKGROUND and CONSEQUENCES of what we find in our RELIGIOUS CHARACTER, are deep and far-reaching.  Apart from the subjective elements in religious life, the objective base is the Temple institution.  Temples and associated devotional practices are visible, common quotient of the nation’s religio-spiritual life.

TO STRENGTHEN the society and the nation, the Temple institutions must be purified and sublimated. SASTRAS are the guide for it.

IN TEMPLE PRACTICES, two aspects are to be reckoned: the ETERNAL and the TRANSITORY. The transitory consists of formalities and routines, which can change according to time and situation. The eternal is not so. Evaluating and discerning each from the other, refinement is to be brought forth.

UNTOUCHABILITY is a religious creation; but Sastras do not provide for it. Rather, they repeatedly harp on the EQUALITY. As far as varnas, are concerned, our Sastras categorize the entire human, non-human and even the immovable world into four varnas according to the qualities. Where is the question of avarna then? Social reformers fought against untouchability. This should have been done by religious thinkers themselves.

FANATICISM is unknown to Hindus. Before foreign religions came here, Indians had a variety of religio-philosophical ideologies. All co-existed and syntheses evolved from time to time.  The same trend and thinking can prevail even now.  It is Indians who stand as Christians and Muslims.  We all alike have our common Indian heritage.  All should awaken to this fundamental fact.

WE PUBLICLY QUESTION the unrighteous religious practices, because there is no machinery to sit together, consider and reform matters. Assembly and Parliament will not and should not debate on religious matters. Even courts are perhaps not the right forum, because they too will need guidance and enlightenment from spiritual Acharayas.

PROPRIETY is above majority-verdict.  Majority is the basis for democratic elections.  But the elected government MUST NOT look for majority support in issues of propriety and justice.  Against the voice of a thousand, even if one understands propriety and demands it for the sake of all, he has to be heeded.  Irrespective of Bhoori-paksha and Nyoona-pakshan, Nyaaya ( or Dharma)- paksha  always stands supreme.