Society And Its Practices

Paap-Karma (Sins)

Unlike most of the faiths of the world, Arya Samaj does not believe that the sins, committed by a person can be forgiven by Ishvar. Some people argue that when in the definition of Ishvar, as described in second golden principle, he is benevolent (dayalu); therefore why should he not forgive people for all their paap-karma (sins), especially when they repent and spend their time in worshipping of Ishvar.

Arya Samaj believes that though Ishvar is kind, but he is  Just (nyaykari) too. To forgive someone is against the rule of Karma and its Outcome (Fal). Forgiving someone is injustice to others. Ishvar is benevolent because he gives so much to all the living beings (Jeev), not because he forgives the wrong doing. By punishing the sinner, Ishvar shows his kindness on him too, otherwise his unsettled sins will get carried forward for future punishments; as a sin (Paap) cannot be neutralized by a virtue (Punya).

When we worship and pray to Ishvar, it is not like pampering Ishvar to get some undue favours; we do all that for satisfying our own heart and mind and to thank him for whatever he has given to us.

Rama and Krishna

Arya Samaj respects Rama and Krishna as the ideal symbols of their times, but only as Great People. Arya Samaj does not subscribe to the theory of ‘Avtaarvaad’ (Incarnation of Ishvar) as per which Ishvar had taken the birth in the form of Rama and Krishna. The very definition of an Avtar defies the definition of Ishvar. Ishvar is neither born nor does he die. If someone is born and he dies too- he cannot be Ishvar. Ishvar is Omnipresent, which means present everywhere at all times; can a human body be present everywhere at all times? The entire definition of Ishvar rejects the idea of an Avtaar.

As far as the reasoning given by people about the need of an Avtaar- Arya Samaj believes that a formless Ishvar has  created the shrishti (Universe) without being in a human body, who is managing the total system of universe- does he need to be born as a human to kill bad people like Raavna and Kansa. One who gives birth and death and all pleasures and pains based on their karmas could have easily destroyed these devils by his omnipotent strength.  This is ridiculous to imagine that Ishvar came on the earth in the human form to kill some rascals. If this could be the fact, than Ishvar would be required to be born in different times to kill anti-human people like Idi Amin, Osama Bin Laden etc.

By calling Rama and Krishna avtaars (Incarnation of Ishvar), a great injustice has been done to the history of these great people. In the name of remembrance – the acts of Ramleela and Raasleela are not approved by Arya Samaj. This is an insulting presentation of such great people. Will anyone like to see his forefathers being enacted on a stage by some actors and dancers?

Acchoot (The Untouchables)

The Unsociability has been the worst curse introduced by certain so called religious cults in India. The Vedic system of 4 division of the society – Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra was nothing but a division based on the actual work done by different people. Other than the Karmas, there was no basis to identify people by these headings. Unfortunately, our Hindu Pandits of history played up with the words and forced the division on the basis of the birth. This resuled into creation of Acchoots- the untouchables. The children born in the families of that part of the society which was doing the dirty work of the society, were cast into the definition of Shudras, which became Acchoots in many cases. The atrocities increased gradually, and such people were denied the basic rights which were available to others- like entry into their temples, not allowing them to take water from the common wells of the village. Atrocities further increased and these people were declared untouchables and not just that even unwatchable too; it was being said that their shadow falling on others will bring bad omens. They were not allowed to sit on a chair or higher level in front of so called Savarns. This was the most heinous crime of Hindu Society, which developed into a reason of self destruction also.

Many educated and judicious thinkers tried to fight against this system. Mahatma Gandhi gave a better name to these discarded members of society by naming them- Harijans, but that did not give much relief to them and it worked as only a change of label. Many others tried to banish this cruel practice, but were not successful against the so called hindu pundits who were misusing the religious scriptures to substantiate their wrong claims.

In Arya Samaj- everyone is an Arya, if he practices the principles of Arya Samaj. Arya Samaj recognizes the ancient Vedic social division system, but on the basis of their works and not on the basis of their birth. Whatever is ones work, he cannot be discredited in the society. Arya Samaj boasts of many such great scholars who came from such untouchable backgrounds and attained the levels of Great Scholars, writers and teachers in the society. Arya Samaj believes that all children are born as Shudras as they are not capable of any type of works, but they should be given equal opportunity to get education and other facilities, so that each one of them gets an opportunity to become- Brahman, Kshatriya or Vaishya. Those who could not attain the other levels automatically remain shudras. But again, that does not mean that a different attitude be adopted against them by the rest of the society.

Swami Dayanand has written in his book (in the Chapter-4 of) Satyarthprakash – “ All four Varnas should live together with mutual affection and respect, help, gentleness, sharing each other’s good and bad times, being helpful in crisis and thus contribute in the progress of nation with their capacity of health, wealth and thoughts. The shudras, though they have limitation of education, but not that of different skills should serve the society and the society in turn should pay them well for their services.”

Those who support this evil called untouchability even in todays times, often give their reason as

·         Shudras food habits and life style is not clean and hygienic.

·         They do dirty works of the society.

These arguments do not hold water, as the question of food habits and hygiene applies to all equally. So called upper casts’ people eat animals, drink the wine and consume other bad drugs- why should they be not considered the Shudras. The poor life style is not a cause but is an outcome of the atrocities imposed on them.

The dirty works of the society include cleaning of toilets, handling human excreta, skinning dead animals for leather etc. A person remains dirty only for the duration when he is doing the work but not always. Once he cleans himself up he becomes as good a person as anyone else. In society people when they attend nature’s call, they are equally dirty but they become clean after a good wash and rinse. Mothers while cleaning their small children, nurses while cleaning up their patients, pathologists while carrying out analysis of urine and excreta – they all become dirty for their jobs; but they become fully acceptable after their cleaning themselves after the duty.

As far as the handling of dead animals for leather is concerned, today these works are being done by huge corporate. Nobody is boycotting the factories that produce shoes by killing and skinning the animals.

Unfortunately, Government has been instrumental in keeping these divisions alive by providing reservations and other facilities on the basis of these criteria.

Widow-Marriage

While the Hindu Society was against the opportunity to be given to start a new family to a widow, Arya Samaj has always been proactive in support of Widow marriages in society. Widows living alone face all kinds of difficulties in the society, from outside as well as inside of the families. They have equal rights, same as that to a man to remarry and reestablish her life with a new life partner. Swami Dayanand established that wherever a remarriage is suggested for a widower, there is no negation of the same opportunity to a widow. He was against bigamy of men and women equally. But after the death of the life partner, every man and woman has the same right to get married again, if they wish so. Initially Swamiji had suggested the provision of Niyog also but that was not accepted by the society at large.

Intercast Marriage

Arya Samaj has always supported Intercast Marriage. Here are few quotes from Swami Dayanand’s immortal book Satyarth Prakash-

·         The marriage should be a decision of the boy and the girl to be married. Parents , even if they have certain alliance in their mind, should leave the final decision to the satisfaction of the boy and the girl. (Quote from Samullas-4)

·         Let the son or daughter remain unmarried for the whole life; but there should not be a marriage between two dissimilar people with opposite qualities, nature and actions. (Quote from Samullas-4)

·         In Indian history there are so many instances of Indian Kings marrying the daughters of Emperors of other countries like Kabul, Kandhar, Iran, America and Europe etc. Queen Gandhari, Madri and Ulupi were from different countries married to Indian Kings. (Quote fromSamullas-10)

Thus the stress in a marriage should be on the mutual liking of bride and groom apart from the similarity in their nature, qualities and actions.

 Dahej-Pratha (Dowry-Practice)

Arya Samaj opposes the evil of demanding dowry from girl’s parents by the boy’s parents in a wedding. Quoting from ‘Manusmriti’ – Great Scholar Manu has mentioned about eight types of marriages out of which four are termed noble and other four are termed as bad. Noble ones include – Brahm, Daiv , Aarsh and Praajapatya. The bad examples are – Aasur, Gaandhrva, Rakshash and Paishach. Manu has described the marriage based on money without considering the consent of the bride as ‘Aasur Vivah’.

The Brahm Vivah is one in which the father gives away his daughter to a qualified, healthy and good natured person selected by the girl, and along with the girl gives her cloths, ornaments etc. as per his own desire and capacity. Swami Dayanand has described the right way of a marriage in his book- Sanskarvidhi under ‘Paanigrahan-sanskar’.

The evil practice of negotiating and seeking dowry has poisoned the very sweetness of the institution of marriage. There are numerous cases of torture, humiliation and subsequent suicides in India.  Arya Samaj is totally against such evil of society.

Varna-Vyavstha ( System based on Varnas)

Our sages and scriptures made an arrangement of addressing people by their works and abilities. The idea was that a society consists of four main types of social groups- The learned group who teach the society ( Brahmins), the warrior group which fights for the welfare of society (Kshatriyas) , the traders who provide the necessities of the society ( Vaishys) and the service providers of the society ( Shudras). Unfortunately a very wrong practice started in India, when this classification was imposed on people based on their birth. The work and the ability of a person has got nothing to do with his parents or the house where he is born. This wrong interpretation divided the society in a very harmful manner. This division in the society has made the country vulnerable to civil wars and atrocities. Unfortunately the rulers of Independent India exploited the divide instead of diminishing it. The deprived groups were targeted to be the vote banks by offering them special benefits and status like reservation in jobs and education, even in fighting election etc. Such discriminatory benefits did not help those groups but only highlighted their being different. Such highlights further reduced their acceptance in the society.

Arya Samaj condemns this rotten practice of division based on misinterpretation of Varn Vyavstha.

Aashram Vyavstha ( Different Segments of Life)

Vedas regulated human life by dividing its duration into four segments , which are as follows-

1.      Brahmcharya Aashram: The first 25 years of human life consists of his birth, his growing up, his attaining the youth hood. Vedic belief says that this period is for building up of one’s base strong in terms of knowledge and education, physical exercise and his sanskars. In this phase of his life he has to attain knowledge from his mother till the age of 5 years, from his father till the age of 8 years and thereafter from his Gurus (Teachers). Swami Dayanand wrote that education should be mandatory in any country for the children over 5 years or 8 years by the Governments; not only this, the parents who don’t send their children for education should be penalized by Government. He also recommended separate schools for boys and girls.

Brahmcharya Aashram is a period of building up of the future life; hence it is required that the students do not get involved in sexual activities of any form. The age for marriage should be minimum 25 years for men and 18 years for women.

2.      Grihasth Aashram: A marriage of a man and a woman brings them into Grihasth Aashram. Vedic belief stresses that a married man or woman should be loyal to his or her spouse. Physical Relationship outside the marriage  is an act of violation of Grihasth Aashram.

Married couple should take care of their parents and other members of the family as their foremost duty. The birth of a child brings in further responsibilities on the parents; they have to provide best security, education and sanskars to their child so that he becomes a responsible citizen in his future life. The men have to earn enough money not just to feed his family or educate his child but also to perform all other responsibilities of Panch Mahayagya ( explained earlier). Grihasth Aashram is one aashram, which has to provide support and help to the rest of three Aashramas as they are not capable to generate wealth for their requirements.

3.      Vaanprasth Aashram: Swami Dayanand , with reference to the scripture Manu Smriti, adviced that when a married couple become grandparent, their hair become grayish and their body becomes weaker , they should leave the house and plan to stay away in a jangal or anywhere away from family. If the wife is not willing to join in this journey, she may be allowed to stay back with the family.The main activities of Vaanprashth Aashram includes regular practice of Yoga, Pranayam and Satsang. A Vaanprasth follower can be very useful for the society at large in following ways-

·         The responsibilities of managing the family and social responsibilities get automatically shifted on the shoulders of next generation. Gen-next gets an opportunity to develop and display their capabilities in such situations.

·         A Vaanprasthi Couple can share the experiences of their life with the whole community and not just their own family.

·         Vaanprasthis can take responsibilities in Social Charitable bodies by contributing their time.

·         They can also spend time in spreading the truth and awareness against wrong beliefs of societies.

4.  Sanyas Aashram: The final stage of life. Which starts from the age of 75 years, when a person becomes detached from worldly reasons of life and becomes physically quite frail, is called Sanyas Aashram. Though only Brahmins become Sanyasis but others like Kshatriyas, and Vaishys can also become Sanyasi by completely changing their life style by giving up all their activities and inclinations  associated with their main line of work.

One should accept Sanyas, only when he attains absolute detachment from worldly life; in other words he should not be influenced or attracted by any kind of charm for family, wealth or even social prestige. A Sanyasi is regarded as superior to even an emperor, because he becomes a source of betterment of the whole humanity beyond all limits of his life.

Unfortunately, there are lot of unscrupulous people who dress up like Sanyasis and are involved in the activities which are absolutely against the ethics of sanyas aashram. The result is that general people have become doubtful about all Sanyasis.

Tyohar (Festivals)

Festivals are special occasions to celebrate special days, either involving historical events or beginning of new seasons. Festivals bring positive change and pleasure in otherwise routine lives of people.

Arya Samaj also believes in celebrating festivals but by remaining within its limits marked by its beliefs . The basic guidelines for celebrating festivals are –

·         Ishvar is one and only one; hence there can never be another Ishvar in any other form, hence no other pooja to be carried out.

·         No vulgarity or disgrace in the name of entertainment.

·         No blind faith in the name of commitment.

·         No undue acts in the name of special gains.

Arya Samaj publishes articles in its important journals on the methods of celebrating different festivals.

Khaan-Paan (Food Habits)

The founder of Arya Samaj Swami Dayanand had to take the fight against Pakhand ( wrong practices) head on. Another difficult fight was against the food systems of Hindus in those days, whose total religion was woven around the food rules.

During his famous Poona Speech, Swamiji once said-

“Nowadays the religion of hindus gets broken faster than the breaking of a grass blade. Hindus have become so paranoid about the religion that the religion gets broken if someone does not tie a knot in his shikha (pony tail) or if someone has worn a long gown etc. Food rules have made this paranoia more complex.”

Swamiji gave following directives about food habits and practices-

·         Eatables and Non-eatables are decided by two factors – based on our principal religious scriptures and based on medical sciences like Aayurveda.

·         Food acquired by violence, theft and cheating is non eatable. Food should be acquired by non violence in principal.

·         Eatables are those foods which improve health, destroy diseases, enhances brain power, increases physical strength and enhances longevity of life; example- fruits, vegetables, milk, ghee, sweets etc. in proper quantity and at correct times.

·         Non eatables are all those things which act against human body.

·         Non consumables are those things which affect the mind adversely; example- wines, opium, bhang, ganja and other intoxicating drugs.

·         Avoid eating food prepared and touched by those who eat animals and also by drunkards; as such food will be laced with remains of what they consume.

·         Don’t serve your semi- eaten food to anyone; nor do join in any other persons eating his food. Do not overeat and must wash and rinse your hands as well as mouth thoroughly after eating.

·         All people who follow above rules may cook for each other and eat together.

·         Things like honey – though acquired from bees collections; however due to its great medicinal benefit it is termed as Eatable.

Swamiji has forbidden eating animal flesh or consuming all kinds of wines and intoxicants in his book Gokarunanidhi which principally focuses on the utility of Cows in our society. He says that all pet animals like Cows, Goats, and Buffalos have great utility for mankind as live animals; and it is crime to kill them for eating their flesh. He has also stressed that all kinds of intoxicants are responsible for destroying ones right mind and for pushing the mind into negativity.

Namste

Namste is the only method of greeting each other. The meaning of Namste is that ‘ I bow in front of you in your honour’. The word is a sign of expressing regard for each other. Though Namste is just a word, however in Sanskrit grammar it is a complete statement.

Namste has been used so many times in Holy Scriptures Vedas. In other scriptures like Upnishadas, Brahman, Ramayana and Mahabharta , Namste has been used for greeting each other. This is such a pure way of greeting that it can be said to elders, youngers or within the same age group. The response to Namste is also Namste; as the respect is always mutual. The posture while greeting with Namste is two hands folded with full palms touching each other, arms touching the heart and the head slightly bowed. This posture suggests that the greeter with complete knowledge of his mind, complete strength of his arms and complete affection of his heart is bowing in front of someone and he also responds with similar feelings.

There are many prevalent methods of greeting in India like – ‘Jai Ram ji ki’ ; ‘Jai Gopal ji ki’; ‘Jai Jinendra’ ; ‘Sat Shree Akal’ – all these greetings are connected either to some great personalities or to some religious groups. People from different religions cannot relate to such greetings and hence cannot respond properly. More over the feeling of greeting the person in front is totally absent in such greetings.

A greeting like ‘Jaihind’ is more of a nationalist call and not a greeting to someone. Such greeting cannot be addressed to someone who is not an Indian.

‘Salaam’ is an Arabic greeting and does not match with our rich culture. It does not contain the sense conveyed in Namste.

Western world greets as Good Morning, Good afternoon, Good evening and Good night etc. ; which are greetings based on different times of the day. Indians have also adopted this practice greatly. Such greetings just express a wish for a small period to be good for the person being greeted. Moreover, someone in India talking to his friend in America is at a loss whether he should greet him good morning or good evening as they are in two different time zones at the same time. 

The modern ways of addressing each other with ‘ Hello’ or ‘Hi’ are just the words to attract the attention of the person addressed and does not convey any meaning or sense of greeting.

‘Pranam’ is another respectful address of greeting; but its limitation is that it can be said to the elders only, the elders need to reply to such address with some kind of blessings like – ‘Khush Raho’ (Be happy). In few states even a Pranam is responded with Pranam- which is erroneous due the very meaning of the word, which suggests that it can be addressed to the elders only.

Some people have made a variation by calling ‘Namaskar’ in place of Namste. This is grammatically wrong. While Namste fully conveys that ‘ I bow before you’ ; Namaskar means ‘the act of bowing’. The complete meaning will come only when one says- ‘Main aapko namskar karta hun’ ; the one word substitute for this long sentence is ‘Namste’.

Matrubhoomi (Motherland)

When Swami Dayanand founded Arya Samaj, he had two major objectives in his mind. One was the propogation of Vedas and the other was Devotion to Motherland. The entire literature of Swamiji reflect both his insights.

In his great book Satyrthprakash, he has mentioned that the English rulers allow the shoes made in their country to enter their offices but not the shoes made in our country. They respect their own shoes more than the people of other countries. He further said that these Europeans, in spite of being in our country for more than 100 years are still wearing their thick woolens which they wear in their countries whereas we Indians have started copying their styles. A blind followership makes a man stupid and brainless whereas those who follow and respect their traditions and culture are wise.

Arya Samaj was the first nationalist group who emphasized on the use of indigenous cloths and things. In 1883, Arya Samaj in Lahore passed a resolution that all should start using the textile and other materials made in India only in place of the imported English goods. Indian National Congress was not even born at that time. Indian markets were flooded with imported European goods. Arya Samaj realized the need of protecting India’s cottage industry.

In his book Vyavharbhanu, there is a series of questions and answers. One of the question framed by Swamiji is – ‘ If people have lots of money- what should they do ?’ Swamiji has replied his own question as this – ‘ People who are rich and have lots of money should establish mills and factories so that people of our country may get opportunity to earn their livelihood’.

Swamiji has emphasized that everyone should love his own nation where ever has he been born. The country which provides us living, food, shelter and protection; it is our duty to work for the betterment of such motherland.

Putra aur Putri (Son and Daughter)

Swami Dayanand has used the masculine gender word Putra throughout while discussing various sanskars in his book Sanskarvidhi. It is not that Swamiji was not aware of two genders. The fact is that he has addressed sons as well as daughters by calling them Putra throughout. Wherever he had to genuinely differentiate the two he used word such as Kanya (Girl) or Stree (Woman). The newborn delivered by a mother is called ‘Putra’ irrespective of its gender. There are ved-mantras which confirm these facts.

Therefore all Sanskars are equally important and applicable to Sons and Daughters, except those where the female child is addressed as Kanya or Stree. Swamiji has been more explicit about his equal treatment for son and daughter in his book Satyarthprakash; wherein he has stressed on the need of education for sons and daughters by sending them to respective schools when they become five to eight years old. He has directed parents and Gurus to teach boys as well as girls -the Gaytri mantra with its meaning. There are ample examples wherein Swamiji has mentioned about the equality of woman with men.

Antyeshti (Last Rites)

Antyeshti is the last sanskar of a human being as suggested in the Sanskarvidhi of Swami Dayananad. After this there is no sanskar or ritual left for any human being. A dead body needs to be disposed off in all religions. Arya Samaj does so by burning the dead body on a wood pyre by offering good quantity of Ghee and Havan Samgri. The process is performed like a Yagya along with chanting of selected Ved Mantras for this sanskar.

Arya Samaj believes that every dead body of a human being should be destroyed by burning in this way because all other methods of disposal, like burial in the ground or disposal in a river, cause pollution and contamination to the environment. In the process of burning when the ghee and Samgri is burnt in good quantity , it takes care of the bad smell and also of other ill effects. Even without ghee and samgri, the better option is always burning a dead body.

The house of the deceased should be purified by performing Yagya in the house. It is right to collect the leftover bone remains from the place of burning but it is futile to travel to rivers to dispose off the same. It pollutes the rivers only.

Various post death rituals like dashgatra, vaitarni crossing and the donations involved with these to the so called religious priests are meaningless as per Arya Samaj. Arya Samaj strongly believes that once a person dies, no one on earth can reach him by doing whatsoever rituals. Even the Antyeshti, which is performed with Ved Mantras is a way of prayer to Ishvar by the people attending the Antyeshti to bless the relived soul by giving it the Moksha ; or to grant the soul next birth in better body and conditions.

The family members of the deceased should follow the good deeds of the deceased and further his good intentions and ambitions.