Old is Gold
Indian culture is very ancient and is distinctly different from the cultural norms of the modern day. India was self-sufficient in the past, and there was not much that people lacked in olden days. This is probably the reason why India has not produced as many scientists as the West has done in the last few hundred years. It is said, ‘necessity is the mother of invention.’ The West has tremendous necessity which forced people to think scientifically and come up with solutions. India has produced a few scientific geniuses such as Aryabhatta and the mathematician Srinivasan Ramanujam. Their contributions can never be forgotten.
India has never lacked for water, and it is blessed with fertile land. Protected by water on three sides and the Himalayas in the north, the kings who ruled in ancient times did not have to worry much about invaders until a few hundred years ago. Therefore they spent their treasury on building temples, and promoting spirituality. In some villages, even to this day, one of the main sources of entertainment are dramas with live actors portraying scenes from our epics such as the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, and the Vedic literature.
Ancient Indian culture promoted faith and devotion. Everything works in a cyclical fashion. In the next 20 or so years, the old ways of living and enjoying life will return to India. The more the world moves forward, there is a counterbalancing force that brings old norms back in fashion.
In the past, people worked sincerely and enjoyed the fruits of their hard work. These days, many people in India want shortcuts. They want to put in minimal effort and receive a maximal reward. In the past, the emphasis was on peace, relationships, health, and individual contributions. These days, the stress is on the money aspect. This has come about due to jealousy and competition amongst people.
The root cause of worry is the feeling that we need something. The root of necessity is the ego, which comes about due to expectation. Finally, expectations are there when there is no satisfaction. This leads to disease which cuts our lifespan. When humans live healthy, peaceful lives with good relationships and work towards contributing to the world, such people can easily live beyond 100 years of age.
The basis of Indian culture is cherishing and remembering the old. Even the roads we take for granted were once rough paths for horse and bullock carts. Before that, they were small trails on which people walked. In our culture, we respect elders and worship them. This is reflective of human character. Using people when it is beneficial and leaving them makes us worse than animals. By adapting to the people and environment around us, being flexible, practicing contentment and gratitude will make us happy in the long run.
Blessings to all
Swami Ponnurangam
June 9. 2019
India has never lacked for water, and it is blessed with fertile land. Protected by water on three sides and the Himalayas in the north, the kings who ruled in ancient times did not have to worry much about invaders until a few hundred years ago. Therefore they spent their treasury on building temples, and promoting spirituality. In some villages, even to this day, one of the main sources of entertainment are dramas with live actors portraying scenes from our epics such as the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, and the Vedic literature.
Ancient Indian culture promoted faith and devotion. Everything works in a cyclical fashion. In the next 20 or so years, the old ways of living and enjoying life will return to India. The more the world moves forward, there is a counterbalancing force that brings old norms back in fashion.
In the past, people worked sincerely and enjoyed the fruits of their hard work. These days, many people in India want shortcuts. They want to put in minimal effort and receive a maximal reward. In the past, the emphasis was on peace, relationships, health, and individual contributions. These days, the stress is on the money aspect. This has come about due to jealousy and competition amongst people.
The root cause of worry is the feeling that we need something. The root of necessity is the ego, which comes about due to expectation. Finally, expectations are there when there is no satisfaction. This leads to disease which cuts our lifespan. When humans live healthy, peaceful lives with good relationships and work towards contributing to the world, such people can easily live beyond 100 years of age.
The basis of Indian culture is cherishing and remembering the old. Even the roads we take for granted were once rough paths for horse and bullock carts. Before that, they were small trails on which people walked. In our culture, we respect elders and worship them. This is reflective of human character. Using people when it is beneficial and leaving them makes us worse than animals. By adapting to the people and environment around us, being flexible, practicing contentment and gratitude will make us happy in the long run.
Blessings to all
Swami Ponnurangam
June 9. 2019
