Upanishad: Key to Spiritualism

Darpan Foundation’s Upanishad series aims at asserting the eternal tradition of seeking and realising the same relationship through which seers transmit and enunciate this immortal knowledge in the present times. (Every month an Upanishadic dialogue is organised in which one or the other prominent personality engages Sahaj Smriti Yog propounder Guruji Nandkishore Tiwari by hosting the Upanishad.) Darpan Foundation trusts that it’s through such dialogues that eternal spirit of seeking gets acknowledged, reiterated and asserted. And eternal relevance of guru-shishya relationship thus stays established through expression of such incessant internal dialogue (brahm-vichaar).

Darpan Foundation’s 30th Upanishad was held on Aashaadh, Krishna Paksha’s Dwatiya recently. New York based NRI entrepreneur Sri Vibhuti Jha hosted it. He is active in the USA to familiarise the Western world with the Eastern (Indic spiritual culture) Vedic traditions.

Topic for this Upanishadic sat-sang was aptly chosen as Purva and Paschim (East and West). Darpan Foundation’s Merlin Elizabeth Sam introduced the topic to the audience by quoting Guruji’ words “on the vast canvas of eternity who decides where is the purva (east) and where is the west ( paschim)? Moreover, should you overlook the best just because it emanated in the East or the West?

Narrating his experience in USA and the hollowness of materialistic opulence driven western view of happiness, Vinhuti Jha enquired “how can in today’s global context whole humanity benefit from eastern Sanatan Gyaan parampara (eternal knowledge) enunciated in the Upanishads?”

Explaining the meaning of word ‘Purva’, Guruji said its translation as ‘East’ is limited to the context of directions which is far from complete, even translating it as orient doesn’t do justice to it. Guruji said ‘Purva’ according to Vedic hymns is just an indication towards the infiniteness of antecedence and from aforesaid reference word ‘paschimi’ would mean not western or occidental alone but that which is seen as preceding. And, when we look at purva and paschim from Vedic vision ( e.g. devaa bhaage yathaa purve…) then we transcend to higher level of consciousness and our context and examples both move one step ahead in the domain of free enquiry( pure meemaansaa/jigyaasaa) instead of struggling or jostling in terms of eastern or western narratives. Now, when the whole world agrees that Vedas (Ved) are the ancient most volume of literature then wouldn’t their being accepted by all as our shared human heritage be a wise move! Ponder over it. And, this is our responsibility as Rashtra to make this happen. It would prove great nation building activity when all communities participate in it.

Guruji said: “Though, with the help of technology today, we can share our Indic wisdom (immortal spiritual knowledge) throughout the world yet, looking at the humongous volume of Vedic literature on the one hand and, paucity of time which almost everyone faces in today’s compulsive globetrotting lifestyle on the other, it would be of greater welfare-import that through Upanishadic-discourses all are initiated into seeking it right way (vidhi-purvakam). This way present day global narrative of eternal Indic wisdom will evolve. Historical experience tells us that instead of gunning for Western experience of revisionism and revivalism it’s better to go the eastern way of awakening and familiarising whole humanity with our glorious heritage. Acknowledging, asserting and reiterating the best that results from the dawning of awakening irrespective of geographical location or the nationality or gender of person it comes from, is the real Purva (purna-paksha).” Guruji said, there shouldn’t be an iota of doubt in the mind of Indians abroad that the spirit of seeking ultimate truth in simple experiential manner spontaneously incline seekers towards Indic wisdom irrespective of their geographical background on the planet earth (Purva-paksha/prashtha-bhumi ). Guruji said people of Indian origin and more so NRI’s endowed with love for India need to be prompt in thinking in the spirit of oneness that how to maximise global exposure to eternal spiritual culture and values of India powerfully. So that humility is not mistaken for weakness. People from across the oceans participated in the Upanishad, representing East and West. Questions from the audience were responded to by Guruji as well as Sri Vibhuti Jha.