PRICELESS PHILOSOPHIC THOUGHTS & SPROUTING MODERN SCIENCE REVEALED IN VEDAS
(Compilation for a Discourse by N. R. Srinivasan, Nashville, TN, USA, January, 2021)
[Two advice-filled notes Albert Einstein wrote to a bellboy in Japan 95 years ago that brought $1.5 million at an auction Tuesday (Oct. 24)., including one that advocated for "a calm and modest life," fetched more ]
When I settled in Nashville after retirement in 1999, I observed a group of retired doctors that are temple fathers, actively working in the temple office and serving community. They found Joy in their voluntary service, without relaxing in their homes, that can be called Santosha in Sanskrit, that brought them Happiness in retired life that is called Sukha in Life in Sanskrit, a state of Being. Hindus believe that such selfless services to society, charity given with no strings attached (sraddhaya deyam), Compassion (daya) and constraints (dama), leading a calm life with yoga and meditation would lead to Eternal Bliss called Aanada in Sanskrit (no equivalent in English) that may be called Perennial Joy after this life itself or more lives, based on individual’s performance.
Inspired by these philanthropists I started Hindu Reflections with weekly dispatches of its messge that gives me Joy with each dispatch that in turn has given me Happiness in life that has incidentally brought laurels without my expectations. My pocket was empty but my mind was full. So, I too thought that “Retirement should not Weaken my Soul”, like the service minded Temple Fathers. Guided by the wisdom of Gita I started working continuously--veetaragabhayakrodhah yudhyasva vigatajvarah--devoid of passion, fear and anger act without anxiety! Ananda to end this journey of Joy of momentary feeling that leads to Happiness, the State of being in Life to obtain the permanent state of Aananda is not in my hands and that depends on my Karma and Good Lord’s Judgement in this life as well as subsequent lives!
It is interesting to note how spiritual philosophies from East or West can fill our lives with spontaneous joy that leads to happiness in life. Albert Einstein was equally well known for his philosophic thoughts and scientific discovery. I have also talked about some US celebrities who drew their inspiration from Vedas and Upanishads to you before, and also I have talked to you at length about our ancient sages who were also great scientists. Of course we are well aware of Sir C.V. Raman and Abul Kalam Azad of modern times!
Here I would like to draw your attention to the Blog posting of the Hindu scholar Dr. Jayashree Saranthan, titled Einstein’s Theory of Happiness – tested through Veda Vyasa’s that also draws our attention to another publication in Live Science: “Einstein’s ‘Hidden formula’ for Happiness sells for $ 1.5 million” by Laura Geggel, Senior Writer of Live Science.
Jayashree Saranathan is not only a profound spiritual writer but also a philanthropist dedicated to spread the message of Sanathana Dharma. Such writers like her, David Frawley and Swami Chidananda have also inspired me to create the Blog of Hindu Reflections with similar objectives like her. Jayashree Saranathan says: “
This blog aims at bringing out the past glory and history of India, Hinduism and its forgotten values and wisdom. This is not copyrighted so as to reach genuine seekers of these information. It is my prayer that only genuine seekers - and not vandals & plagiarists - come to this site”.
Srimad Bhagavatam says, "Like a honey bee gathering trickles of honey from different flowers, the wise man accepts the essence of different scriptures and sees only them in all religions". With that kind of ideology, a Hindu should be eager to read all philosophic thoughts from profound thinkers and writers. So I too attempt, though not as versatile as Jayashree Saranathan.
Please find below my introductory text of my discourse: “Christianity echoes Wisdom Thoughts of Sanatana Dharma”. I have drawn similar parallelism in another discourse “Wisdom from Gita’s Teachings and Bible’s Preaching’s”:
“What intrigues one most is the striking similarity between Christianity and Hinduism in several aspects when majority in both the religions think that they are poles apart. Various aspects from both the religions considered in this article show that there is only One Truth and One God whatever may be the interpretations of their zealot followers.
Religions have airtight divisions not because of their prophets but because of
the fanatic work of the zealot followers. Neither Rishis, nor Buddha, nor
Moses, nor Christ intended their revelations to go to chosen few, but the whole
of humanity. Religions were never founded by prophets but were only named after
them later. Sanatana Dharma was not based on any one founder, and so it is
Sanatana—Eternal. When the prophets asked their followers to preach their word,
they did not intend to destroy the existing schools of thought but to
strengthen the existing beliefs and practices. Neither Buddha nor Christ who
came later could have said something different from Lord Krishna since there is
only One Truth and One God. That is why you find many similarities between
Hinduism of more than 6000 years old and Christianity which is 2000 years old.
Sanatana Dharma is a mixture of so many things. It is a summation of all types of thoughts and all types of Sampradayas or traditions which others call individually as religion. One finds in Sanatana Dharma the existence of the primitive worship of reptiles and pets, yet on the other hand one sees thoughts and ideas excelling Bohr's theory of nuclear structure and reactions. This is because, Sanatana Dharma allowed and still allows the free flow of thoughts! It allowed and still allows the co-existence of all kinds of thoughts; it has never had a 'house cleaning' like founded religions which have had house cleaning periodically. The reason behind it may be Vedas are considered as divine mantras and no one therefore dared to touch them. Vedantins therefore came out with different interpretations of these mantras which gave birth to different philosophies. Bible was written later by the Apostles of Jesus Christ as gospels. Some of the gospels were thrown out like that of St. Thomas. Hindu Philosophies even included Charwaka Philosophy (atheism) and Sankhya philosophy (which excluded Brahman) in Sanathan Dharma and discussed their merits and demerits”
“In the dim past what we call Hinduism today was prevalent all over the world. Archaeological studies reveal the existence of relics of our Vedic religion in many countries. All historic, archeological and Upanishad information confirms that there is no question of certain things being taken from Bharat and introduced into another country. In the beginning the Vedic Religion was prevalent all over the world. Later, over the centuries, it must have gone through a process of change and taken different forms. These forms came to be called the original religions of these various lands which in the subsequent period, historical times, came under Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Christianity or Islam as the case may be” writes Jagadguru Chandrasekharendra Saraswati in his book on Dharma.
Jayashree’s rendering and discussion of Einstein’s philosophy takes us to such great heights that has made me to reproduce it in tote that needs no further explanation!
In October 1922, Einstein was traveling to Japan to deliver a series of lectures when he received a telegraph announcing that he had won the 1921 Nobel Prize in physics. The physicist was hardly ever short on ground-breaking theories, but found himself short on cash when he wanted to tip a bellboy who had delivered an item to his room at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo.
In lieu of a monetary tip, Einstein gave the bellboy two thoughtful notes he had just written on hotel stationary. Einstein told the bellboy to keep the letters, "as their future value may be much higher than a standard tip," according to Winner's Auctions and Exhibitions, in Jerusalem, which auctioned the letters. [
A bidding war for the letter lasted 25 minutes, and ended with an anonymous buyer purchasing it for $1,560,000, a price that includes an additional charge known as the buyer's premium.
The other note Einstein gave the bellboy got another anonymous buyer who purchased that note for $240,000, an amount that also includes the buyer's premium, according to the auction house.
“A man’s ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties and needs; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death” writes Einstein. Though he is not a believer, he has drawn enormous support from religious philosophies of both East and West as discussed here that even had a price tag that he realized as he wrote down.
Let us look at the Self-less service of two women scientists who have struggled in silence with no recognition in their own country, declining value to their self-less service that would have brought a fortune or fame:
Marie Curie, though she could never be elected to the male-only French Academy of Sciences, she was awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1911 for isolating pure radium and, during World War I, helped develop the use of X-rays in medicine. The radium phenomenon had changed the world, but the style of Marie’s life had changed very little until a chance question during an interview with the leading US journalist Marie Mattingly Meloney: ‘If you had the whole world to choose from, what would you take?’ Her dream sounded simple I need a gram of radium to continue my researches, but I cannot buy it. Radium is too dear for me.’ In: ‘the years since its isolation, the price of a single gram of radium had risen to $100,000. Marie had been left unable to carry on her work, incapable of purchasing the smallest amount oher element. American public warmed to Marie – for her dedication to science; her quest for knowledge and her unstoppable resolve in the face of sexism. She was taken on a whirlwind tour of the US and soon found herself at the White House being presented with a small golden key by the president. The key unlocked a lead-lined cabinet containing a single gram of her precious material.
Marie might not have made her fortune, but she became a pioneer in the openness of science. She never regretted sharing her discoveries with the world. ‘Radium was not to enrich anyone,’ she told Meloney. ‘Radium is an element, it belongs to the people.’
Similar is the mission in service to science, in the shadows of Dr. Linda Zail who toiled anonymously within the CIA to help study a changing planet. In 1995, Medea was the driving force when President Bill Clinton ordered the declassification of over 800,000 spy-satellite images, including mapping and surveillance ones. Taken from 1960 through 1972, the images showed not only airfields and missile bases but also giant swaths of land marked by deforestation and environmental ills. A 1962 image revealed the Aral Sea before an ecological catastrophe left bone dry. Her study helped CIA to set up a center whose mission was to help American policy makers better understand the impact of floods, rising sea levels, population shifts, state instabilities and heightened competition for natural resources. News reports announcing the program made no mention of Dr. Zail nor the Government. She retired from CIA in 2013. Trump administration made sure there was no revival of the program. Biden administration might want to establish a panel knowing the Earth’s fate might hang in the balance, wrestled for years on how to monitor climate treaties. This program is very important today that is catching world attention.
But there are several celebrity scientists who have openly declared their gratitude to wisdom thoughts of Vedas and Upanishads that inspired their scientific pursuit. Here are some illustrations:
GREAT WESTERN SCIENTISTS WERE INFLUENCED BY HINDU SCRIPTURES
We’ve seen scientists dishing out people with religious beliefs, and vice versa. Religion might not be “logical” to some, but Sanatana Dharma of India has proven to have incubated Modern Science. “Greatest of our inventions cannot reach the borderlines of metaphysics’ wrote Rajaji, the Wiseman of India. And as such, there are scientists who have been influenced by Hinduism. Here are some of the international figures in the world of science who have taken inspiration from various Hindu Scriptures about their influences and Hindu Dharma. These are: 1. Erwin Schrödinger; 2. Werner Heisenberg; 3. Robert Oppenheimer; 4. Niels Bohr; 5. Carl Sagan and 6. Nikola Tesla.
Please recall Schrödinger’s cat. It is a very famous experiment, and its inferences have a great value in the world of science. That was one of the many scientific experiments Erwin Schrödinger is known for. He in his biography and some of the works he has published, reveals the influence of Hindu Dharma: “This life of yours which you are living is not merely a piece of this entire existence, but in a certain sense the whole; only this whole is not so constituted that it can be surveyed in one single glance. This, as we know, is what the Brahmins [wise men or priests in the Vedic tradition] express in that sacred, mystic formula which is yet really so simple and so clear; tat tvam asi, this is you. Or, again, in such words as “I am in the east and the west, I am above and below, I am this entire world.” [Schrödinger,’Meine Weltansicht’ (My View of the World), 1961]
“The multiplicity is only apparent. This is the doctrine of the Upanishads. And not of the Upanishads only. The mystical experience of the union with God regularly leads to this view, unless strong prejudices stand in the West.”[Erwin Schrödinger, What is Life? p. 129, Cambridge University Press]
“From the early great Upanishads, the recognition Atman = Brahman (the personal self-equals the omnipresent, all-comprehending eternal self) was in Indian thought considered, far from being blasphemous, to represent, the quintessence of deepest insight into the happenings of the world. The striving of all the scholars of Vedanta was, after having learned to pronounce with their lips, really to assimilate in their minds this grandest of all thoughts.” [From essay on determinism and free will]
“Most of my ideas & theories are heavily influenced by Vedanta“
“There is no kind of framework within which we can find consciousness in the plural; this is simply something we construct because of the temporal plurality of individuals, but it is a false construction… The only solution to this conflict insofar as any is available to us at all lies in the ancient wisdom of the Upanishad.” (Mein Leben, Meine Weltansicht [My Life, My World View] (1961), Chapter 4)
Werner Heisenberg is a key figure in the world of quantum mechanics. The German Nobel Prize winner for Physics is believed to have understood much of quantum mechanisms through his mystical experience in Hindu dharma. Here are some of his citations:
In Uncommon Wisdom: Conversations With Remarkable People (1988), Fritjof Capra writes about the conversation between Rabindranath Tagore and Werner Heisenberg: “He began to see that the recognition of relativity, interconnectedness, and impermanence as fundamental aspects of physical reality, which had been so difficult for himself and his fellow physicists, was the very basis of Indian spiritual traditions. While he was working on quantum theory he went to India to lecture and was a guest of Tagore. He talked a lot with Tagore about Indian philosophy. These talks had helped him a lot with his work in physics because they showed him that all these new ideas in quantum physics were in fact not all that crazy. He realized there was, in fact, a whole culture that subscribed to very similar ideas. Heisenberg said that this was a great help for him. Niels Bohr had a similar experience when he went to China--The Holographic Paradigm (pg. 217-218).
He has also been seen quoted a couple of times saying; “After the conversations about Hindu philosophy, some of the ideas of Quantum Physics that had seemed so crazy suddenly made more sense.”
“Quantum Theory” will not look ridiculous to people who have read Vedanta.”
Julius Robert Oppenheimer, Father of the Atomic Bomb, was a theoretical physicist and was the head of the lab when the first atomic bomb was invented (Manhattan Project). Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharata and Indian historical facts have influenced Oppenheimer. He also studied Sanskrit and read Bhagavad Gita in Sanskrit itself. Here are his quotes:
Access to the Vedas is the greatest privilege this century may claim over all previous centuries.
The general notions about human understanding… which are illustrated by discoveries in atomic physics are not in the nature of things wholly unfamiliar, wholly unheard of or new. Even in our own culture, they have a history, and in Buddhist and Hindu thought a more considerable and central place. What we shall find [in modern physics] is an exemplification, an encouragement, and a refinement of old wisdom.
The juxtaposition of Western civilization’s most terrifying scientific achievement with the most dazzling description of the mystical experience given to us by the Bhagavad Gita, India’s greatest literary monument.
The Bhagavad Gita… is the most beautiful philosophical song existing in any known tongue.” [“Sacred Jewels of Yoga: Wisdom from India’s Beloved Scriptures, Teachers, Masters, and Monks”]
Neils Henrik David Bo another Nobel Peace prize winner and the Danish physicist is known for his tremendous contribution in atomic structure and quantum theory. In Stephen Pother’s book God Is Not One (pg. 144), Neil Bohr has quoted: “I go into the Upanishads to ask questions.”
Carl Sagan: American astronomer, cosmologist, astrophysicist, astrobiologist and philosopher, Carl Sagan’s contributions to cosmology and modern space science are unprecedented. He was a devout Hindu and has been seen quoting:
"The Hindu religion is the only one of the world’s great faiths dedicated to the idea that the Cosmos itself undergoes an immense, indeed an infinite, number of deaths and rebirths. It is the only religion in which the time scales correspond, to those of modern scientific cosmology. Its cycles run from our ordinary day and night to a day and night of Brahma, 8.64 billion years long. Longer than the age of the Earth or the Sun and about half the time since the Big Bang. And there are much longer time scales still.” [Carl Sagan, Cosmos]
“The most elegant and sublime of these is a representation of the creation of the universe at the beginning of each cosmic cycle, a motif known as the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva. The god called in this manifestation Nataraja, the Dance King. In the upper right hand is a drum whose sound is the sound of creation. In the upper left hand is a tongue of flame, a reminder that the universe, now newly created, with billions of years from now will be utterly destroyed.” [Carl Sagan, Cosmos, pages 213-214]
A millennium before Europeans were willing to divest themselves of the Biblical idea that the world was a few thousand years old, the Mayans were thinking of millions and the Hindus billions.” [Carl Sagan, Cosmos, pages 213-214]
Nikola Tesla (though disputed) is perhaps the greatest scientist (debatable for sure) ever lived and his inventions have given a great contribution to mankind; he was a pioneer in many fields. From Tesla Coil to Radio to Alternate Current to Telephone. He has been seen quoting Vedanta concepts:
“All perceptible matter comes from a primary substance, or tenacity beyond conception, filling all space, the Akasha or aluminiferous ether, which is acted upon by the life-giving Prana or creative force, calling into existence, in never-ending cycles, all things and phenomena.” [Man’s Greatest Achievement, John J. O’Neal., & Prodigal Genius, The Life of Nikola Tesla, 1944]
Sylvain Baily (French astronomer, mathematician)
"The movement of stars which was calculated by Hindus 4,500 years ago, does not differ even by a minute from the tables which we are using today. The Hindu systems of astronomy are much more ancient than those of the Egyptians - even the Jews derived from the Hindus their knowledge." [World as Seen under the Lens of a Scientist, page 460]
In October 1922, Einstein was traveling to Japan to deliver a series of lectures when he received a telegraph announcing that he had won the 1921 Nobel Prize in physics. The physicist was hardly ever short on ground-breaking theories, but found himself short on cash when he wanted to tip a bellboy who had delivered an item to his room at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo.
In lieu of a monetary tip, Einstein gave the bellboy two thoughtful notes he had just written on hotel stationary. Einstein told the bellboy to keep the letters, "as their future value may be much higher than a standard tip," according to Winner's Auctions and Exhibitions, in Jerusalem, which auctioned the letters.
A bidding war for the letter lasted 25 minutes, and ended with an anonymous buyer purchasing it for $1,560,000, a price that includes an additional charge known as the buyer's premium.
The other note Einstein gave the bellboy got another anonymous buyer who purchased that note for $240,000, an amount that also includes the buyer's premium, according to the auction house.
Jayashree’s rendering and discussion of Einstein’s philosophy in the light of Hindu Scriptures takes us to such great heights that has made me to reproduce it in tote that needs no further explanation!
Laura Geggle of Live-Science also has similar explanation turning to the Holy Bible that again draws its strength from the pre-runner Sanatana Dharma. She writes: “This “quiet and modest” discovery is nothing new, though. While science and religion continue to be pitted against each other as if they are incompatible, Einstein’s million-dollar note offers a curious link between a scientist’s mind and the mind of God.”
Einstein’s Theory of Happiness – tested through Veda Vyasa’s
By Jayasree Saranathan
Albert Einstein’s philosophical views on life are equally well-known as his scientific theories, but not much is known about what he thought constitutes happiness. A hint at this came to be known recently from a brief note he had written on a paper and handed over to a courier in Japan in 1922, as a token of his appreciation of the service rendered by the courier.
The message he has written is as follows: “a quiet and modest life brings more joy than a pursuit of success bound with constant u rest”.
He has written in another blank paper “where there is a will, there is a way”, and handed over these two papers to the courier saying that these notes might become valuable to him than any tip he could offer him. Apparently he had referred to the ideas conveyed in these notes to be of guiding lights, but it turns out that the possessor of these notes is going to see a windfall as these papers are getting auctioned today (Tuesday, the 24th Oct) in Jerusalem.
The first message is of interest to us as it reflects what Einstein thought about happiness. Like his scientific theories that were tested with cross-referential tools of science and Cosmos over a period of time, his theory of Happiness also can be tested with the highly logical and cosmic theology of Vedanta, a facet of which known as Pantheism, was followed by Einstein himself. Happiness (sukha – सुख) is the central theme of Vedic religion as any Yajna or prayer is aimed at Sukha. Even today the daily prayer of many Hindus including me is ‘lokah samastha sukhino bhavanthu’ (Let all the beings in all the worlds become happy). So I thought of putting his version into scrutiny of the Vedic thought of Happiness! Let us first understand what Einstein says in that message.
He says: “.. a quiet and modest life brings more joy than a pursuit of success bound with constant unrest”.
We can see two components in this message. One is that, leading a quiet and modest life brings more joy. Perhaps he refers to a modest life style with less wants and aspirations. This pertains to materialism. When one has less wants and is content with basic needs and has no cravings beyond means, life is happy!
The second part of the message talks about the strain that is caused by going after a pursuit of success. In this part, I think he could have been more explicit. Does he mean going after a goal or going after success? All of us have a goal, even Einstein had goals. Going after the goal for reaching it or achieving it does cause some stress. The same process (of going after a goal) also can be termed as going after success. So this part of the message seems to show that he is unclear about what he is coming to say. For, one can go after a goal with all its attendant stress, and still lead a modest and quiet life! And going after the goal need not make one unhappy, for, as long as one is steeped into the goal, there is no need to feel unhappy about the troubles on the way.
If success is your goal, which is interchangeable with the goal itself, then also one can remain immune to unhappiness that comes along the way as one must understand that nothing comes easy without tribulations. Even birth into this world comes with struggles and pains. It is so with all living beings (Chetana – चेतन). Even in the case of non-living beings, say in the formation and existence of cosmic entities like planets, existence became possible only with struggle to reach equilibrium (equated with success) and the struggle continues to retain that equilibrium in relation to each other. Thus we can see that there is no disharmony between the two parts in his message - of leading a modest life and pursuing a goal.
His 2nd note on will- way relationship (where there is a will there is a way), aligns with pursuing a goal (or success). This note written immediately after the first one seems to reflect a rethink on his part after writing the 1st note. Einstein seems to recognize the human tendency to pursue a goal (and therefore success of it), though laden with lot of unrest and stress, he seems to think that one must not give up. If one pursues it with a will, somehow one would find a way to achieve it. Thus these two notes reflect an inner struggle at that moment (of writing) in Einstein’s mind – of craving for a less stressful life (which he thinks gives happiness) and a simultaneous urge to pursue a goal with its attendant problems. And what remains in his mind at the end is that one can achieve the goal (success) by a determined will. If he were to write another note after the 2nd one, perhaps he would have written that accomplishment after a great struggle gives happiness!
So his recipe for happiness is (1) quiet and modest life style, (2) pursuance of a goal beset with less struggle and (3) accomplishment of a goal (implied from his 2nd note).
Now let us do the cross-checking:
Quiet and modest living is possible, but not practical or possible for everyone. In a society with inter-dependence on each other for many goods and services, we need people who produce more, who work for others and who create wealth for oneself that go to the benefit others too. In all these, stress is an attendant component that cannot be avoided. A quiet and frugal living is viable only in the ‘vaanaprastha’ (वानप्रस्थ) stage in a person’s life when a person has completed his familial and material responsibilities. In the previous stages of life (as a family man or a societal man having some responsibilities towards society and in money- earning), there is struggle, but one can remain happy following a simple rule. That simple rule is adherence to Dharma (righteousness) in any work one does.
When one adheres to Dharma in his pursuit of regular activities, in acquisition of wealth and in matters of passion and emotions, one does not invite any adverse karma which in effect would not cause unhappiness! At all times we are doing some karma. When it is done within the parameters of Dharma, the resultant karma bestows happiness. This is best explained by Veda Vyasa at the end of Mahabharata.
Vyasa makes 4 specific statements as follows:
1. Thousands of mothers and fathers, and hundreds of sons and wives arise in the world and depart from it. Others will (arise and) similarly depart.
2. There are thousands of occasions for joy and hundreds of occasions for fear. These affect only him that is ignorant but never him that is wise.
3. With uplifted arms I am crying aloud but nobody hears me. From Righteousness is Wealth as also Pleasure. Why should not Righteousness, therefore, be courted?
4. For the sake neither of pleasure, nor of fear, nor of cupidity should any one cast off Righteousness. Indeed, for the sake of even life one should not cast off Righteousness. Righteousness is eternal. Pleasure and Pain are not eternal. Jiva is eternal. The cause, however, of Jiva’s being invested with a body is not so.
Vyasa begins the statement about the continuing life cycles of all people. There is not just one life but many lives that one goes through. This concept is valid on the logic that whatever one experiences in the current birth could not have come without a prior karma (cause) in a previous birth. The law of cause and effect is very much the basis for cyclical births and rebirths.
The second point is that since we have taken countless births, we have experienced pleasure and pain, and fear and happiness for countless number of times. So by now we must have understood why we are experiencing them. If we have understood we would not be feeling the pain and unhappiness. The one who has understood is a wise man. So what is that one has to understandThis is explained in the 3rd point. It is Dharma that protects one from all ills and gives happiness. Dharma in any and every action, Dharma in acquisition of wealth and Dharma in matters of desire and craving (kaama) would insulate one from pain and unhappiness. Vyasa says this in a dramatic way by raising his hands and crying aloud. But alas, no one listened to him even at that time (about 5000 years ago when he lived). He shouted that one gets wealth and happiness from Dharma, but why then nobody adheres to it?
This statement can be understood on the basis of views expressed in Bhagavad Gita. A man cannot remain inactive at all times. One cannot avoid doing some work or action. There are regular chores, and works aimed at making money or earning a living and actions and activities connected with emotions, feelings and desires. If one adorns the kind of attitude that does not harm others and that is right in the given situation, one would have the satisfaction and happiness at the end of it. Even if one has failed to achieve success at the end, one would have the satisfaction that one was right in his ways.
An important feature in all these is that one must adopt an attitude of equanimity – being equal in all situations – that is, being equi-distance from success and failure, happiness and sadness, and gains and losses. All these – success, failure, happiness, sadness, gains and losses - are the result of one’s past karma. One does not have a hold on them, despite how well one might have planned and executed an action. Beyond all his actions, there is an element of an unseen karma of the past that comes into play. The one who realises this is not caught up with sorrow when things do not happen in the way he expected. Such a person is wise and is least perturbed with feelings of sorts at success or failure but continues to discharge his actions / karma with an unperturbed mind. Such a person is known as a “Karma yogi”. Such a Karma yogi crosses the boundary of cycle of rebirths, as re-birth is not needed to experience anything, as he is unperturbed by any feelings that could give rise to a fresh karma.
In the next and last statement Vyasa says that one should never deviate from the path of Dharma at any time, even if one’s life is at risk. For, Dharma is eternal but not the pleasure and pain. We, the Atman are eternal but not the karma that binds us in this body. The realization of this enables one to keep his cool in any situation so as not to create a fresh karma. Such a person will experience an immense calm in his mind which is nothing but eternal Bliss.
Reaching this state must be the aim of any person, according to Hindu Thought. One might have been born with a silver spoon in his mouth and flooded with immense riches around him. That was the result of his past karma. But he has to keep up his equanimity of mind intact to get lasting happiness, for, his riches may vanish one day. Some other person may be born poor, but even in that state if he is unperturbed by pleasure and pain, he is certainly happy. At every moment of our life, we have to keep our mind not swayed by wants, desires, pleasure, pain, happiness, sorrow and fear. If we do so, we are inching towards cutting off karma. The state when Karma is no longer affecting us, we experience bliss.
Einstein did experience this state of mind when he wrote “I do not need any promise of eternity to be happy. My eternity is now. I have only one interest: to fulfill my purpose here where I am.” This is the dialogue of a Karma Yogi – one who is dedicated to his goal and works relentlessly unperturbed by failure or success.Einstein goes on to say, “This purpose is not given (to) me by my parents or my surroundings. It is induced by some unknown factors. These factors make me a part of eternity.”
The unknown factors that he mentions is his karmic path laid by past karma and he being a part of the grand design of the cosmos that keeps on going with its work relentlessly.
All of us are a part of this cosmos and its design which implies that a grand component of this cosmos of which we are a part is also a part of us! That grand component pervading this cosmos is known by various names, but it has one name given in Rig Veda – that is, Sat! In common parlance it is known as GOD. The realization that we are part of that eternity is Knowledge which gives eternal Happiness.
Einstein was close to that realization but fell short of expressing it coherently.
Einstein’s ‘Hidden formula’ for Happiness sells for $ 1.5 million
By Laura Geggle, Senior Writer of Live-Science | October 25, 2017
In October 1922, Einstein was traveling to Japan to deliver a series of lectures when he received a telegraph announcing that he had won the 1921 Nobel Prize in physics. The physicist was hardly ever short on groundbreaking theories, but found himself short on cash when he wanted to tip a bellboy who had delivered an item to his room at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo.In lieu of a monetary tip, Einstein gave the bellboy two thoughtful notes he had just written on hotel stationary. Einstein told the bellboy to keep the letters, "as their future value may be much higher than a standard tip," according to Winner's Auctions and Exhibitions, in Jerusalem, which auctioned the letters. [8 Ways You Can See Einstein's Theory of Relativity in Real Life]
The longer note, popularly called the "happiness letter," reads: "A calm and modest life brings more happiness than the pursuit of success combined with constant restlessness." (The original German reads, "Stilles bescheidenes Leben gibt mehr Glueck als erfolgreiches Streben, verbunden mit bestaendiger Unruhe.")
A bidding war for the letter lasted 25 minutes, and ended with an anonymous buyer purchasing it for $1,560,000, a price that includes an additional charge known as the buyer's premium.
The other note Einstein gave the bellboy says, "Where there's a will there's a way." (The original German says, "Wo ein Wille ist, da ist auch ein Weg.") Another anonymous buyer purchased that note for $240,000, an amount that also includes the buyer's premium, according to the auction house
Despite an invitation to the Nobel Prize ceremony, Einstein opted to continue his journey in Japan, which is why he didn't travel to Stockholm that December to receive his award in person, auction officials said.
Unlike the theories Einstein is associated with, the note does not boast a mind-blowing mathematical formula. Revealed ahead of the note’s auction in Jerusalem, Einstein jotted down the way to achieve a happy life.
“A quiet and modest life brings more joy than a pursuit of success bound with constant unrest,” wrote Einstein, having only recently found out he was to be awarded the Nobel Prize for physics.
Einstein’s equation for happiness is noteworthy, not least because someone has now put a price on his secret to a joyful life and that it represents a part of Einstein’s thinking few of us have considered. You might be further amazed to learn Einstein didn’t claim happiness came from scientific quests or an increase in knowledge, but in understatement and turning the volume down on life.
This “quiet and modest” discovery is nothing new, though. While science and religion continue to be pitted against each other as if they are incompatible, Einstein’s million-dollar note offers a curious link between a scientist’s mind and the mind of God.
Thousands of years before Einstein handed a Japanese courier his equation for happiness, the pure elements of modesty and restraint were integral to God’s wisdom on happiness.
“Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint.” (Proverbs 23:4).
Do a quick Google search of “Bible verses about modesty or restraint” and you’ll see a gaggle of interesting equations for success in life. The Old Testament book of Proverbs states: “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint.” (Proverbs 23:4). In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul expresses how he has found the opposite of unrest through being empowered by Jesus: “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11-13)
Einstein’s note might be worth more than one million to someone, but you can spend a fraction of that elsewhere, to pursue and test similar equations for a joyful life.
No comments:
Post a Comment