1. Fundamental Axioms of Sanatana Dharma
Rtu, Satya, Dharma, Rnu
Rnu Debt - Devas, Rishis, Pithru, Manush & Bhutas
Karma and Punarjanma
Atman and Brahman
Moksha as the aim
Knowledge to Practice - Experiential - Ritual and Meditation
2. Ascent and Descent of Consciousness
Physical Body - Subtle Body
Reality Perceived as three -
Adhibhautika Adhidaivika Adhyatmika
Four States of Consciousness -
Jagrata Swapna Sushupti Thuriya
Padmapurana - Three sons of Tarakasura
Prana Flows through Nadi
Ida Left during Day
Pingala Right during Night
Sushumna Centre During Dawn and Dusk
Subtle Body is represented as Spine
Seven Chakras raise through Spine to achieve Kundalini
Base of Spine - Moolaadhara Chakra
Tailbone Spine - Svadhisthana Chakra
Navel Spine - Manipura Chakra
Sternum Spine - Anahata Chakra
Throat Pit Spine - Vishuddha Chakra
Eyebrow Center - Ajna Chakra
Crown of the Head - Sahasra Chakra
Five Koshas - Sheaths
annamaya Pranamaya Manomaya Vignanamaya Anandamaya
Ascent of Individuals is Involution - Descent of God s Consciousness is Evolution.
Examples of Temple Structure ,Sanctum Sanctorium moving towards oneness Ascent and Abhishekam Ritual signify descent of Consciousness.
Reaching the height of Oneness Consciousness is Moksha.
3.Diversity in Unity
Fundamental Unity of Knowledge
Centrality of Vedas - Revealed Knowledge - Outpourings of Rishi and Atmagnanis - Four Levels of Vak para pashyanthi madhyama vaikari - Word as a revelation - Names - Sahasranama signifying Many to One - Complementary nature of Forces in Hinduism resulting in Diversity in Unity.
4.Dynamic Balance of the Opposites
Purusharthas - Artha and Kama guard railed by Dharma and Moksha, Moksha the Ultimate aim, Life is a river Artha gives direction Kama gives speed channelised by twin banks of Dharma and Moksha, Moksha is eternal happiness - Dharma is the Order, Vertical Profile of the Hindu Temple - Kalasa Keystone at the top as Moksha , Dharma as the Foundation of the temple - Creating firm ground for people to stand.
Varna and Ashrama
Each 4 Varna and 4 Ashrama
Varnas - Brahmin - Knowledge Kshatriya - Power Vaishya - Money Shudras- Workmanship
Decentralised Power Structure - Dynamic Balance between Opposites - Freedom Vs Security, Freedom Vs Equality, Competition Vs Security.
Caste as a Social Capital Balancing competition/ Freedom with a sense of Equality/ Security
Both Jati and Varna are hierarchical and Horizontal, Jati is more ground up whereas as Varna is a top down broader classification, there could have been 15 or More varnas - Communitarian Democracy - Leave communities to manage themselves if they agree to public rules of behaviour
Alvin Toffler power shift books talks about Muscle Money and Knowledge - Similar to Varna system
Questions on Varna System
Birth based? - Yes - Inner Aptitude, No - Karma based ,
Is everyone part of Varna ? - Majority outside Varna system - Possibility of 15 Varnas
Is Mobility possible within Varna ? Yes
Endogamy , Exogamy and Inner Aptitude and Co Evolution
Untouchability? - Yes, Sad state of social decay
Knowledge Monopoly of Brahmins ? - Yes on Select part of Vedas esp Yagnas, But overall knowledge pursuit is Universal - Vehicles of mass dissemination of Knowledge - Natyashastra, Fifth Veda - Mahabharata and the roaming bards, Hundreds of Ramayanas l, Ayurveda - Food Lifestyle way pursuit of Knowledge, Very Temple is built as image of Yagna Vedi, Vimana is the Fire Altar of Yagna Vedi, Temple Structure built on the measurements of Vedic Altar, Yanthiras of deities is another example. Prevention of Mindless Orthodoxies
Relevance of Varna Now ? - Not Relevant except for the Archaka parampara. Intermarrige and Varna Responsibilities are no longer pursued
Others need to pursue - Mediation, Brilliance,Faith, Honour, Truth, Freedom from anger, Detachment, Courage.
Primary requirment is Sadhana or Mediation experiential knowledge Vs Knowledge of Scriptures as Theoretical Base.
Ashrama - Brahmacharya Grahasta Vanaprastha Sanyasa - Ashrama serve as a guideline on how to carry out the duties of Varna. Without the Ashrama framework, Varna would become individualistic ego clusters losing the balance. Varna is Evolution while Ashrama is Involution.
5.Pyramids of Svayambodh
From individual local to Bharathavarsha to Universal - Need to be always conscious of the goal of Sanatana Dharma, Individual Varna/ Classification duties must take up the back seat against the Universal Sanatana Dharma which forms the top of Pyramid.
