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RE: Gita and Ahimsa (and Gandhiji)

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sukumar • April 3, 2003 


[Sri Pradeep has presented the traditional understanding of svadharma.Please minimize speculation while replying to this mail and restrict your replies to the understanding of svadharma according to Ramanujar and other Sri Vaishnava Acharyas including the current ones. Since this is a question very germane to the current generation, personal views are welcome as long as they are backed by Smriti or Shruti references..Specifically, please avoid statements like "I feel the classification should be based on..." etc. Finally, let us leave Gandhiji out of this. As has been rightly pointed out, his understanding of Gita or our understanding of him are not very relevant here. ---Moderator]


Sri Krishnaya Namah!

The last paragraphs erosed my curiosity to know --

1. What is svadharma then.  Is it not a profession that we indulge in. For 
example, if we talk of Brahmana - his svardhama is to do 'tikala 
sandhyavandhana; yagnas, yagas and other brahminical duties for the 
society.  In case of Vaishya, if he indulges in his profession of business 
of selling spices, cereals etc., is it not his svardhama. Also, what is the 
role of kshatriyas in present days that will be labelled as svardhama. 
 What is the parameter with which the professions can be considered as 
svadharma in each varnashrama.

3. Is Ahimsa, charity work, social services are not worthwhile as per veda. 
 Being a good and humble intentions, I think these should be way of life of 
human beings, to slowly get on to the ladder of many  births before being 
able to digest vedas and do accordingly to realise God in his last birth. 
 I don't know whether I am right or not, but I need a more elaborate 
distinguishment between 'unselfish' to 'selfless'.  As you might be aware 
that unselfish instincts are those of sathvik natured; while the selfless 
nature is of brahmagyani.  There is a delicate thin line between these and 
I want to know more about the differences.

regards
sukumar

PS:  I definitely agree to the view point that Gandhiji and his views are 
incomparable to those of rishis; as the former is a sathvik person while 
the latter are brahma gyanis.  Gandhiji dedicated his life for the country 
and they to God and His realisation.


Sri Krishnaparabrahmane Namah!

-----
Original Message-----
From:	Pradeep Janakiraman [SMTP:pradeepjanakiraman@yahoo.com]
Sent:	03/04/2003 10:39 AM
To:	bhakti-list@yahoogroups.com
Subject:	Re: Gita and Ahimsa (and Gandhiji)

***********************
[Some quoted text deleted..Please include only relevant portions--Moderator]
**********************

KarmaYoga seems to be mis-interpreted these days when Gita is being
used to teach principles for running large enterprises, management
etc. "Sva-Dharma" now seems to be used to refer to the profession
that a particular individual is pursuing and so on and "Karma" the
roles and duties in that profession or post.

A true Karma-Yogi has no desire for the results but has only right
over his actions. He dedicates the outcome of each act to God.
Besides, this Karma really means following what the Vedas have spelt
out for him at that juncture of his life. NOt whatever he has taken
up by his own will, may it be for a philanthrpic purpose (in his view)

-- pradeep





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