|
|
The
Vedic sacrifices have threefold purposes. The first is to earn
the blessings of the deities so that we as well as all other
creatures may be happy in this world. The second is to ensure
that, after our death, we will live happily in the world of the
celestials. But our stay in devaloka, the celestial world, is not
for all time. It will last only until such time as we exhaust the
merit earned by us in this world. The joy known in the celestial
world is also not full or entire unlike the bliss experienced by
great devotees and jnanins. It is nowhere equal to the bliss of
the Atman: which is also described as "experiencing"
Isvara.
Sankara
has stated in his Manisa-Pancaka that the joy that Indra knows is
no more than a drop in the ocean of Atma-ananda or the bliss of
Self-realisation. However, life in svarga, the paradise of the
celestials, is a thousand times happier than life on earth with
its unceasing sorrows. The second purpose of performing
sacrifices is to earn residence in this paradise.
The
third purpose is the most important and it is achieved by
performing sacrifices, as taught by the Gita, without any
expectation of reward. Here we desire neither happiness in this world nor
residence in paradise. We perform sacrifices only because it is
our duty to invoke the blessings of the Gods for the welfare of
the world. In this way our consciousness will be cleansed, a
pre-requisite for enlightenment and final liberation. In other
words the selfless performance of sacrifices means that we will
eventually be dissolved in the Paramatman.
Sankara,
who has expounded the ideals of Self-realisation and jnana, says:
"Vedo nityam adhiyatam taduditam karma svanusthiyatam"
(Chant the vedas every day. Perform with care the sacrifices and
other rites they enjoin upon you). The Acharya wants us to conduct
sacrifices not for happiness in this world, nor for the enjoyment
of the pleasure of paradise. No, not for any petty rewards.
Sankara exhorts us to carry out Vedic works without our hearts
being vitiated by desire. This, according to his teaching, is the
way to make our mind pure in order to realise the Self.
|
|
|
|
|
"Hindu Dharma" is a book
which contains English translation of certain invaluable and
engrossing speeches of Sri Sri Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi MahaSwamiji (at
various times during the years 1884 to 1994).
For a general background, please see here
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
