AN IMPORTANT DUTY FOR THE MAN (Part I)

When we read some authentic mythological literature from the ancient India we find that while reviewing their own conduct people give much importance to the impact their own conduct would leave on their future generations. Not only the great and much respected Kings and able teachers thought about the future generations, but also the ordinary farmers and artisans also appeared to be much concerned about the future of the human race.

People appeared to be more inclined to learn from those who could guide, to critically think for the welfare of the mankind if they had the ability to think about such matters and to bring about changes in themselves, if that could benefit the future generations. There were no Gurukuls or Acharyakuls that taught people how to earn their livelihood; as such knowledge was generally passed on by the elders to the younger ones. However, the knowledge that was created to improve man’s physical life and to make his physical survival easier than ever before was made available to the community through the learned people who could handle such knowledge. The kings or collective leadership of the village ensured that enough resources were always available to those who had the ability of creating and circulating such knowledge that benefited the mankind.

Maybe, the entire system of creating, maintaining and circulating the knowledge that helped the mankind in his efforts for survival was not as efficient  as we find it to be  in modern times, but the teachers  were genuinely concerned about man’s physical (bodily), intellectual and spiritual development in its totality. In addition to this, the teachers, in those days viewed the man as a part of the social system, who was free to think, but self-restrained enough not to cause any harm to others and also duty bound to serve the human society each according to his ability and each according to his capacity. There was a system consisting of the powerful and the learned who kept a watch on all such individuals who could influence the life of others. Oppression or suppression of any kind was dealt with before it became a disorder that was difficult to rectify.

There is no intention of establishing that once upon a time everything was fine with India, the only thing that is being referred to is, that there was a long period of time in the history of India when the cause of humanity superseded everything else. It is also not the intention of the author to investigate into the reasons of the downfall of India, although that may help the cause of humanity in many ways, in all times to come. Here, in this article the author intends to highlight only the most important drawback that is a matter of deep concern for India as well as the entire world.

To ensure that the article does not become a little lengthy we will conclude it in the next part to be published in a day or two.

PROMOD KUMAR SHARMA

[The writer of this blog is also the author of “Mahatma A Scientist of the Intuitively Obvious” and “In Search of Our Wonderful Words”.]