Acharya Tulsi
There was a time when morning songs used to be sung to wake up children from sleep. In the present age, the mother says to child to wake him up, "Get up! Hurry up! Bath time? School time!" The inspiration of recitations of mantras and God's name is steadily disappearing. The tradition of greeting respected people and elders by joining hands and paying respects by falling at their feet is being pushed down under the layers of time. The culture of handshakes, tata, bye-bye, etc. is spreading. People who do such things consider themselves modern. The illusion of modernity growing among such people is like a wood worm which is gradually making our cultural heritage hollow.
The conflict between the ancient and the modern is not new. But it is not a happy situation. It is not reasonable to think that tradition or anything becomes irrelevant just because it is old. It does not appear prudent to think that every tradition or thing is acceptable because it is new. It is said about me that I am the supporter of modernity. In a way this is right too. But I have never thought it proper to disregard those ancient traditions and things that are useful. I have never wanted new things to be brought in to replace the old things which are useful.
Humility and discipline are the basic elements of the Indian concept of education. Without these, spiritual knowledge cannot progress. Our scriptures are full with these elements. The verities contained in the scriptures cannot serve any useful purpose unless they are related to life. But, unfortunately, it seems that instead of relating them to life, they are being erased from life. Less attention is being paid to make them flourish. How much of these inherited influences (sanskaras) are developed in a student's career from school to college? It is very difficult to answer these questions. If the sanskaras of humility and discipline are inculcated in the student from the early stage, his life-style can possibly change.
Man's attitude towards material object, craft, art etc has changed. He is now accepting ancient things in the name of modernity and fashion. Time was when man lived a rural life. In course of time, culture was pushed along the path of progress. Man's manner of dressing changed. His ornaments changed. His food items changed. His ways of life changed. He got bored by the things that had been accepted under the illusion of modernity. Then he proceeded in the same direction. Should it be called progression or regression? How I wish India would be capable of preserving its heritage! But who thinks along those lines? Businessmen think in terms of their profits. Agents see to their own interests. Attracted by new labels and new names, man is marching towards his past.
Humility and discipline are the eternal values of life. Disregarding them means disregarding life. The growing impertinence among the students, disintegration of the family, exhibitionism in society and anarchy spreading in the country point towards a dim future. If man wants his present to be better than his past and his future better than his present, then he will have to bring humility and discipline in life. Terapanth Religious Order is having the Maryada Mahotsav which symbolises humility and discipline. It is only the basis of humility and discipline that the edifice of unity can be built and it can be lasting. If humility and discipline too come back in life like dresses and ornaments, this age can get a new direction.
