Ramanna, Raja
(2002)
Moksha: A critique. (NIAS Lecture No.L2-2002).
Lecture.
NIAS.
| Abstract: |
The Purusharthas are the chosen value elements of the Vedas and these are four in number. In order of importance, they are economic stability - Artha; love, sex and entertainment - Kama; the order of universe, be it moral, judicial or societal - Dharma; and finally - Moksha, which means ultimate salvation. It has now also come to mean perfection in all things.
Moksha and Mukti are twin words that respectively refer individual salvation and perfection during life, and after death. A reference to salvation of the many, leading to a perfect society, including good governance, is in the epic Sanskrit poem Ramayana. In modern times, largely homogenous Scandinavia is referred to as an existing Utopia. That however, may not be the ideal model for multiracial societies where differences are unavoidable or even essential for smooth and efficient governance.
Religion and the concept of God have indeed helped to unite society but have also proved to be a weapon to disrupt society, in the hands of fundamentalists and terrorists. Over long periods of history, religion has become a source of glorification of military might. Fundamental differences in religion are difficult to reconcile because of cultural and historic associations. it is not clear that an anthropomorphic god, whether real or created by man, is sufficient to lead us to Moksha. oriental definitions of Dharma mey create a more liberal atmosphere without one's belief in belief in the divine being altered.
The new discoveries of science have to be taken into account in the revised definition of Moksha. Recent studies on quantum entanglement may throw new light on the unification of humanity. it is an old saying of the Vedanta that all minds are entangled. We now know that quantum entanglement is not only a microscopic phenomenon but that it can be created physically n large molecules. This is where modern science can help in the creation of Moksha of the many. |
| Item Type: |
Monograph
(Lecture)
|
| Subjects: |
NIAS Resources > NIAS Lectures
General > Directors > Raja Ramanna > Events and Lectures |
| Date Deposited: |
02 Jan 2014 10:13 |
| Last Modified: |
13 Nov 2021 18:31 |
| Official URL: |
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| Related URLs: |
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| Funders: |
UNSPECIFIED |
| Projects: |
UNSPECIFIED |
| DOI: |
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| URI: |
http://eprints.nias.res.in/id/eprint/433 |
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