By DR BHUSHAN KUMAR UPADHYAYA
Indian culture is one of the oldest surviving cultures of the
world. In his famous poetry the
Urdu poet Iqbal has summarised it
as Kuccha Bata Hai Ki Hasti Mitati
Nahi Hamari there is something
special that our existence is not
omitted. A glimpse at the speciality
of Indian culture opens a window
through which we can peep into
the fundamentals of Indian culture. The first is the Freedom of
Speech. The concept of Freedom of
Speech is a new one from the western point of view. But since the
very beginning this is practised in
the Indian culture. The Vedas,
Brahmanas, Aranyakas,
Upanishads, Vedangas,
Dharmasutras, the Ramayana, the
Mahabharata, the Puranas, six systems of Indian philosophy and
many other religious texts are testimonials of the Freedom of Speech.
About the phenomenal and the
noumenal variety of views are
expressed and all are honoured in
the Indian system. There is no concept or practice of blasphemy . All
the above mentioned texts belong
to the Astika or Vedic system. A
whole lot of systems have emerged
parallel or even in opposition to the
Vedic system.
The Buddhism,
Charvaka and Lokayatana systems
are called Nastika philosophy
which do not subscribe to the Vedic
system. They are also accepted in
Indian culture.
The second fundamental of
Indian culture is its inclusiveness.
It is based upon the concept of the
welfare of all, both living and nonliving. Divinity is experienced in
one and all. Sarve Bhavantu
Sukhinah and Vasudhaiva
Kutumbakam are the slogans of the
Indian psyche. Let everyone be happy and the entire globe is one family. Nobody has been discriminated
against due to his ideology or faith.
Intellectual debates and discussions
were the ways to decide one's one
point, not the sword or force. There
is no concept of institutional or
organised conversion.
Thirdly, women are held in high
esteem in Indian culture. There are
numerous women seers in the Rig
Veda. The famous women scholars
of the Upanishadic period are Gargi
and Maitreyi. The judge who
presided over the classical debate
between Shankaracharya and
Mandana Mishra was Ubhaya
Bharati, the wife of Mandana
Mishra. The goddesses of wisdom,
wealth and power are women
deities.
Fourthly, a holistic concept of
human life is enshrined in the
Indian system. Dharma, Artha,
Kama and Moksha are the four principal purposes of human life.
Dharma is not a fixed dogma or
faith, but the rightful conduct .
Ravana was a Brahmin, but was
treated as a Rakshasa or demon due
to his bad conduct. Artha or monetary accomplishments are to be
achieved through rightful conduct.
Kama or pleasures also occupy an
integral aspect in human life. But
these pleasures should not be
against rightful conduct -
Dharmaviruddha Kamosmi. Lord
Krishna says that I am the sensual
pleasure which is not in contrast to
Dharma or the rightful code.
Moksha is the freedom or liberation
from the suffering or limitations of
the human mind.
Lastly, it is only in the Indian tradition where we find Mahavakyas or
the Supreme Declarations that I am
God. Aham Brahmasmi, Tattvamasi,
Shivoham etc, are the boldest statements about the supreme evolution
of human consciousness. Yoga and
Tantra have developed very systematic and scientific techniques and
methods to elevate human consciousness to the divinity.
(The writer is Former DG
Police & CG, Homeguards,
Maharashtra)