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by Jayaram V
Since the earliest times, religion has always been a major obstacle in our progress upon
earth. We have not been able to pursue science fully because of our religious beliefs and
strong convictions about man and God. Religion, which is supposed to ennoble man
and refine his behavior, created a number of problems for
the humankind. Instead of creating a peaceful and harmonious
society, which it always promised under different names and in
disguises, it created discard and wars among people and nations.
In the orient, religion lulled people into the belief that the
world was an unreal and unsuitable place to live. In the west, it prevented people from studying the world
objectively and acknowledging scientific facts that were in
conflict with established religious beliefs.
Compared to the western world, in ancient India
people pursued scientific knowledge with greater freedom. They
made great advances in understanding the elements, metals,
chemicals, health, medicine, space, astronomy, mathematics,
constellations, animal sciences, yoga and magic. There were
however many limitations to what they learned. They were not
able to unravel the mysteries of the world completely because
they pursued knowledge primarily to overcome their ignorance
of the Self and
attain liberation. Knowledge of the Self was considered the most
superior, while all other types of knowledge were subordinated to
it. Pursuit of any knowledge that was not meant to liberate
people from the cycle of births and deaths or the impermanence
and delusion of the world was considered adharma or irreligious. If
people studied Nature or the material world,
it was primarily to understand its mechanism and use such
knowledge to transform the mind and body and escape from its
control. They viewed the world as a combination of pure
consciousness and matter or the Supreme Self (Purusa) and
Prakriti (Nature). The whole material universe was viewed as the
Field (kshetra), and God or Brahman as the Knower of the Field (kshetrajna).
In the beings they were represented by the body and the Self
respectively. The study of the world and Nature was not discouraged
as long as it was subordinated to the primary aim of acquiring
knowledge that would lead to liberation.
However, while this
approach gave them a great opportunity to study the world and
understand its essential significance from a theological and
philosophical perspective, it did not give them the required
freedom or objectivity to pursue scientific truths or practice scientific
methods of study and exploration. The following factors played a
major role in this regard. 1. All schools acknowledged the
Vedas as supreme. If a fact was not corroborated by the Vedas, it
was summarily rejected. This discouraged people from going
beyond the religious knowledge that was enshrined in the scriptures
and explore things anew.
2. People were grounded in certain beliefs and superstitions,
which prevented them from looking at the world more objectively
or truthfully. They were not willing to accept any ideas that
stood in stark contrast to their own.
3. Education was geared to teach religious or scriptural
knowledge. There was no special incentive for students to pursue
science or related fields. There was also no patronage for those
who pursued them. The
rulers supported those who had the ability to assist them
with their religious knowledge or spiritual power to enhance
their power and prestige and ignored the rest.
4. Society was not open. People believed in keeping
professional secrets to themselves or within their children.
They practiced
professions based on caste lines and tried to keep professional secrets within
their own families or caste based communities. Therefore, there
was no free exchange of ideas.
These limitations stifled the pursuit of science and
technology in ancient
India. Although, compared to other places, they made great
advances, it was not adequate to herald
the kind of radical changes which were witnessed in Europe much
later. Religious beliefs played a prominent role in ancient
Hindu society in understanding the world and human nature. At the
same time it prevented people from pursuing truth whole heartedly. The
problem still exists, not just in Hindu society, but everywhere.
Even today people have reservations about the pursuit of certain
scientific studies, which in their opinion may lead to
dangerous consequences and which may endanger our very survival. Their
apprehensions are well justified because we have seen in the
past how
science and technology can be used or misused for destructive
and harmful purposes.
Religion is still an obstacle in our study
and understanding of
the world truthfully; and perhaps it will continue to remain so
until we manage to stretch our minds and our methods of study
beyond the present limitations and until we become more humane,
tolerant and rational. As the only known intelligent specifies
in the known part of the universe, we have yet to learn to play
the role of guardians of life of not just humans but all life
forms. We have to learn to believe in the good of human beings
and make it a reality, rather than looking at an imaginary
heaven as the only place worth living. So far we have treated
our world as a dark and miserable place from which we need an
escape, ascribing all the good and bright qualities to the
higher worlds of light and happiness, of which we have no clue
except what is stated in the scriptures. The earth is the only
known planet in the universe where life exists in such great
diversity and which we can perceive here and now in the backdrop
of many astounding images of incredible and wondrous Nature.
Every living entity that exists on earth is precious and unique.
We need to preserve the earth and its rich heritage in honor of
God and His creation, instead of wistfully aspiring for its
destruction in the hope of entering rapturously into a world of
eternity.
Suggested Further Reading
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