Prof. Ganesh Bagaria

Manaviya Shiksha-Sanskar Sansthan, Kanpur

Introduction

It is my fortune to be among the country’s finest scholars and those who have dedicated themselves to excellence. I am sharing my thoughts here using the Hindi language because I believe it will be easier for all of us to understand. I have simplified my message into two key points. First, what is in the scriptures (Shlokas) is in the people (Lokas), and what is in the people is in the scriptures. Therefore, I will discuss some verses (shlokas) with the intention of demonstrating that they are deeply rooted in the people and based on real-world existence.

The Essence of My Presentation

The essence of what I am presenting revolves around the way of life, which Mahesh Sharma ji has beautifully explained through his experiences with the tribal communities of Jhabua. While I will mention some work, my primary focus is on the essence of the discussion-the fundamental truth and reality. To truly understand the Indian concept of development, it is crucial to first comprehend the society’s and culture’s conception of creation, existence and ultimate reality. Only then can we grasp the true meaning of development. Therefore, we will first discuss these foundational concepts before delving into the Indian perspective on development.

The Modern Concept of Creation and Development

Before we proceed, let me briefly explain the prevailing modern concept of creation. Today’s development paradigm is largely materialistic, viewing the entire creation as mere matter. This materialistic perspective perceives the universe as a lifeless, inert entity, incapable of understanding the totality of natural and human reality. It fails to perceive the unity of the inert and conscious, the divided and the undivided. It only recognises the inert and remains unaware of consciousness or the underlying, undivided reality. As a result, it cannot provide holistic solutions to human and natural problems and, in many cases, precipitate these issues.

Example: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

For instance, let us consider the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The first goal is “No Poverty,” which aims to eradicate poverty. The common belief is that increasing GDP and material comforts for the nation will eliminate poverty. However, if we analyse the outcomes from 1990 to 2027, we find that while GDP has increased, poverty remains and many side effects have emerged. The consumption of low-income groups has decreased, whereas that of high-income groups has increased. The gap between the rich and the poor has widened. Thus, this approach often worsens the problem instead of solving it.

The Indian Concept of Development

Therefore, it is essential to understand the Indian concept of development, which has sustained Indian society, culture and civilisation for thousands of years. This understanding is not just vital for our nation but for the entire human society and the planet.

Understanding Creation in Indian Philosophy

To understand the concept of development, we must first understand the Indian concept of creation. In Indian philosophy, creation is seen as a combination of the manifest (Vyasti), the collective (Samasti) and the ultimate (Param). This is also referred to as the “Quantum Theory of Everything”, encompassing matter, consciousness and beyond. Our proposal is based on Indian philosophical traditions such as Vaisheshika, Sankhya and Yoga.

The Interconnectedness of Creation

In creation, we observe two types of reality: units (individual entities) and the void (Shunya). Units are active, while the void is inactive. Units have a limited form, whereas the void is limitless and pervasive. The gross activities we see are composed of subtle activities, and ultimately, these subtle activities are the building blocks of creation. These subtle activities are called “Kana” (particles), which cannot be divided further. These particles combine to form grosser activities, leading to the creation of the universe.

The Fundamental Reality

The fundamental reality is the coexistence of particles and the void. The void is the unmanifest, while the particles are the manifest. The entire creation is interconnected and exists in a relationship. Human beings do not need to create these relationships; they need to understand and live in harmony with them. The ultimate reality is Brahman, which encompasses both the unmanifest (Parabrahman) and the manifest (Aparabrahman). The manifest consists of a collection of subtle activities, whereas the unmanifest is beyond activity. This is the fundamental reality of creation and understanding it is the essence of Indian philosophy.

Insights from the Bhagavad Gita

In the Bhagavad Gita, it is stated that these subtle particles combine to form grosser activities, leading to the creation of the universe. When these gross activities dissolve back into subtle particles, it is called Pralaya (dissolution). Thus, the Indian concept of creation and dissolution is based on the interplay of subtle and gross activities.

The Fundamental Building Block of Creation

The fundamental building block of creation is Brahman, which is the undivided reality. This reality is the basis of all relationships and order in the universe. The entire creation manifests from this fundamental reality.

The Four Potentials of a Particle (Kana) Now, let us examine the particle (Kana) in more detail. This particle has the potential for four types of activities:
1. Knowing
2. Accepting
3. Recognising
4. Sustaining.
As these potentials manifest, we observe the development of the particle. The highest form of this development is the “pure seer” (Shuddha Drashta), which represents the most evolved state of the particle. In human consciousness, the pure seer signifies the full manifestation of the particle’s potential.

Perceiving the Totality of Creation

From this state, human beings can perceive the totality of creation, understand their relationships with all entities, and live in harmony with them. This is the divine state of human existence, where one works for the welfare of all and ensures the well-being of the entire creation. In this state, humans see the entire creation as one family and live in harmony with nature, following the natural laws (Dharma).

Living in Truth, Love and Compassion

In this divine state, humans live in truth, love, and compassion, ensuring the well-being of all. They understand the natural laws and live in harmony with both the inert and conscious aspects of nature. They achieve liberation (moksha) and guide others on the path to liberation.

Conclusion

With this, I conclude my talk. The implications of this understanding in society will be shared by Mahesh Sharma ji based on his experiences. If time permits, I will also share our experiences.

Thank you all!

“The ultimate reality is Brahman, which encompasses both the unmanifest and the manifest.”

– Prof. Ganesh Bagaria
Manaviya Shiksha-Sanskar Sansthan, Kanpur