Observing life as it is, without poetic, romantic, or pessimistic assumptions, is truth in reality. It is a faint glimpse of the Vedas.
Humans make the same mistakes as their ancestors, either individually or collectively.
Will Durant writes, “History has no sense; it teaches us nothing, and its past was only the weary rehearsal of mistakes that the future is just trying to make on a larger stage or scale.”
Sanatana Dharma means that foundational principles never change—whether in human behavior or the qualities of things like water, fire, or society. It remains the same.
What covers such simple understanding is the narratives built by poets, religious cult leaders, entertainment dramas and numerous pessimistic philosophers. This covering of the above ideas, takes one away from observing life as it is, instead of causing one to see through layers that lead to assumptions over realities.
One of the greatest myths for superficial religious ideas is that God does everything, if we have the faith then even mountains can be moved, which totally discredits observation and the references from basic teachings given in dharmik literature.
Sri Krishna in the Gita makes it very clear that the living entity is capable of making efforts. Purushartha is both the right and responsibility of the jiva. The ability of man is a representation of God, and Sri Krishna quotes Vedanta to support this. Action, the instrument for action, the place for action, and involvement in action are what constitute purushartha and fifth is daiva or higher power. Ishwara only becomes active when 1st four are taken care. Certainly, human endeavour is limited but that limited endeavour has to happen for higher power to get into conclusion.
The primitive mindset is to casually boast about how one’s particular faith in God will give them an upper hand over others, be it sports or politics, economic gain or social stability. Watch the Pakistani citizens, their superficial faith only makes them more miserable rather than leading to growth in life. Now Bangladeshis are following the same path.
Conservative values are not only the values related to religious activities but they are related to life itself. Some of the best practices create stable and happy communities by integrating values from life to spirituality.
Sadhana is not only connected to one’s spiritual practices. Many times, a practitioner shows great sincerity in his dedicated practices of rituals, but when it comes to other aspects of life, there is apathy, absence in one’s regular duties or caring for health. The hope is that sincere rituals will be rewarded by God in those other areas. This myth is always busted in experience or by sastras but we seldomly change because the narratives within the group or mob are different.
Therefore Sri Krishna in Gita creates discipline in every aspect of life whether it is sitting, eating, working or sleeping. Imagine, right on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Sri Krishna gives time to speak on these issues too.
The great Pandavas had amazing integration of their devotion and confidence in their own ability. They were skilful and heartfelt. Arjuna, therefore, had confidence in not taking anything from Krishna during final battle except his friendship and guidance. He was self-sufficient and therefore he was fully surrendered to Sri Krishna.
Sharnagati is not burdening our Ista deva instead blindly following his laws without questioning. What are these unchangeable laws? Duality is real; happiness and distress are hard facts of life for everyone, whether spiritualists or worldly beings. Uncertainty is another fundamental law of life. Embracing these truths fosters a deeper understanding of life and the divine.
– Govinda Das (ISKCON Member)
