Hari
Om
'Freedays' are the 'gather our thoughts' days;
Q&As; a general page reviewing the week so far…
Again,
the synchronicity of things is noted. Over at Wild
YAM blog, a general post on communication
was made. It fitted a thought process regarding matters going on in the world,
as well as to a couple of smaller news items. Here at "AV", the
essence of communication has also been building and yesterday, embarking on
TattvabodaH, full emphasis is made on the need to be clear about context and
language.
Further,
this week, (in a quiz show of all things!), one was reminded that the Holy
Bible was only made available in English through much strife on the part of one
William Tyndale. Undoubtedly he was as much a 'guru' as Adi Shankaraacharya,
though unlike the earlier master who was hugely successful in his endeavours,
Tyndale died as a result of his. Shankaraacharya, of course, kept his
missionary work within the source language, but that was appropriate at a time
when it was spoken widely and even the least educated man could access
scripture due to prakarana grantha-s produced by the tireless guru.
Gurudev
received something of a similar (though less life-threatening) response as
Tyndale when he began teaching ancient Vedic understanding in the English
language. He, as did Tyndale, believed that spirituality was for each and every
individual to labour with for themselves and to do this they needed to have
'access' to the writings which provided the guidance. Gurudev, like Tyndale,
also understood that for the genuine seekers, those who wished to reach the
highest goal, it was necessary to 'go to source', the language in which the
scriptures were written. The concern of both these towering intellects, was
that, through the controlling priestly class, society was being cheated,
mankind was being robbed of its right to rise, each according to his/her own
path. In India, there were (and remain to some extent) additional snobberies
and elitism with regard to who ought, or ought not, to be accessing scripture
of their own accord. The Catholic church of Tyndale's time was ruthless in its
suppression of those who would dare to reveal the simplicity of scriptural
message or challenge its methodology.
Adi
Shankara, Swami Chinmayananda, Tyndale and many others like them had no
egoistic interest in, or sought to gain from, the scriptures themselves. They were purely concerned with the truth of
the words and that they be not twisted by others with more personal agendas.
They took and acted out the guidance they discovered and were the example of
the change they wished to see within their respective societies.
What
is more, they did not keep this to themselves, but sought to share it, to
encourage all who had the inner ear to follow in their footsteps. Not for their own aggrandizement, but because
they truly believed all had an entitlement to the freedom of spirit.
Yes,
the language of Vedanta is couched in Sanskrit and yes, it is necessary to
learn a number of words and phrases of that language in order to progress in
study of the Philosophy. Importantly,
though, for the general public, Gurudev stuck to his vision and calling. All
the publications of both the ancient scriptures and modern writings are
available in English, as well as regional languages. Equally importantly, with
all the Sanskrit texts, is that they are provided within the publications,
along with charts for pronunciation, transliteration for those who do not read
Devanagari script and also grammatical breakdown to show the validity of the
translation.
In this way, oh so subtly, we do become educated in the very source material itself!
In
his treatises and discourses, whilst using analogies from modern life as well
as long established examples, Gurudev never turned the scriptures to personal
advantage (other than that which is for purely spiritual advancement - in which
case we ought all to do so!); he never shrank from the harsh truth which can
arise within - anything which points to fault and asks for change can seem
harsh to us; He, as did all the parampara of guru-s back to Shankara and
beyond, merely reiterated what was given in a manner that could be comprehended
by the society. These guru's are in many respects, mere messengers. All that
remains is for those who read and hear them to carry out their side of the
communication process; to absorb, to listen, to ponder, subsequently to act.
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