One dark and cold night, God was bored and decided to create the world. And so there was a huge bang and the world came into existence. Then he decided to put some life on earth, so he created man and woman. After a few million years, he got bored – evolution had taken its toll, and nothing much was happening. So, to make things a little interesting, he decided to give the world Karma and Dharma.
But before we do go on, let us take a minute to understand the meaning of these two terms that form such an important part of our lives. The Oxford Dictionary describes Dharma as ‘the eternal law of the cosmos, inherent in the very nature of things.’ Whereas Brother Karma is defined as ‘the sum of a person’s actions in this and previous states of existence, viewed as deciding their fate in future existences.
Yeah, right!
The Mahabharata, Ramayana and the Bhagwad Gita, as well as all other religious texts have forever be advocates of the righteous path of Dharma, as well as the virtues of Karma. If anything, Yudhishtir was a walking, talking billboard of Dharma, and the advertisers of that era were after him to endorse their products. A classical example was Coke – Thande ke saath yudh changa. Even the television industry tried to get him to sign a few shows – Kaun Banega Draupadi-pati, and even Ekta Kapoor’s Kyunki Krishna Ko Karna Ne Kossa Tha. But even our brand ambassador for Dharma is not without a ‘*Terms and Conditions apply.’
You see, the thing is, as righteous as Yudhishtir may have been, he was a little bit of a ‘palti-tition’ (A political person who chooses his bearings based on convenience). Though he preached Dharma his entire life, he was hypocritical enough to bet his wife and kingdom on a game of dice. Even he, in all his “humanity”, never embraced Karna as a brother. And there were many such incidents.
Many people might not agree when I say that Duryodhan was a little more righteous than the ‘Big Y’ himself. But the fact remains, as miserably as Duryodhan is portrayed, he was a bit more humanitarian, not in comparison, but in truth. His kingdom was prosperous, sans oppression, and he embraced Karna as his own brother, when he was cast away for being a charioteer’s son. And Duryodhan did meet his end at the hands of Bheem, who brought the mace down hard on his thighs, the only place on his anatomy which could be used to kill him. And before you do forget, it was against the rules of war to hit below the torso – definitely not prescribed by Dharma. Maybe that’s why Duryodhan was granted entry into heaven, whereas the post-life consequences of the Pandavas tell a very different story. Dharma? Or wait, was that Karma?
Let’s be fair. I’m not out to make fun of the Pandavas and Kauravas. Even the Bible tells a similar story. What about that incident with Kane and Abel? Was Kane just keen to please God at all costs, even if he had to kill his own brother? Or was Abel the only able one? Food for thought, what say? And if memory serves me right, wasn’t it the Romans who crucified Jesus? Hey, wait a second. Isn’t the Vatican City next to Rome?
Ok, no more making fun of religious texts. Let’s get down to some serious business. How valid are the principles of Karma and Dharma in today’s society?
The modern day man is definitely no stranger to religion. If truth be told, the modern man is a very god fearing, religious, hardworking 9-5 person. But even then, I don’t have any reason to believe that Karma and Dharma have remotely crossed his mind.
We see a lot of angst and misery in the world today – plague, pestilence, depression, discrimination, hunger, war, racism and so much more. And it is us human beings that have caused this. At any point did we stop to think that, “Hey? I shouldn’t be doing this.” And the truth is we haven’t.
In greed to fulfil our own desires, we have given way to our animal nature, and also given Darwin’s contention (survival of the fittest), a new definition – survival of the greediest.
People no longer care for each other, for feelings, emotions and all that other ‘nonsense’ that goes into making a Hugh Grant movie. (And he gets paid well for doing it too.)
Truth is, people don’t give a rodent’s rear end (pardon my colourful abuse) about Karma and Dharma. They’re not bothered under which code of life they live, and what will happen in their following births. All they care about is themselves, and who they can stab in the back to make their life better.
Well, I hope God is amused. I certainly am not.
But before we do go on, let us take a minute to understand the meaning of these two terms that form such an important part of our lives. The Oxford Dictionary describes Dharma as ‘the eternal law of the cosmos, inherent in the very nature of things.’ Whereas Brother Karma is defined as ‘the sum of a person’s actions in this and previous states of existence, viewed as deciding their fate in future existences.
Yeah, right!
The Mahabharata, Ramayana and the Bhagwad Gita, as well as all other religious texts have forever be advocates of the righteous path of Dharma, as well as the virtues of Karma. If anything, Yudhishtir was a walking, talking billboard of Dharma, and the advertisers of that era were after him to endorse their products. A classical example was Coke – Thande ke saath yudh changa. Even the television industry tried to get him to sign a few shows – Kaun Banega Draupadi-pati, and even Ekta Kapoor’s Kyunki Krishna Ko Karna Ne Kossa Tha. But even our brand ambassador for Dharma is not without a ‘*Terms and Conditions apply.’
You see, the thing is, as righteous as Yudhishtir may have been, he was a little bit of a ‘palti-tition’ (A political person who chooses his bearings based on convenience). Though he preached Dharma his entire life, he was hypocritical enough to bet his wife and kingdom on a game of dice. Even he, in all his “humanity”, never embraced Karna as a brother. And there were many such incidents.
Many people might not agree when I say that Duryodhan was a little more righteous than the ‘Big Y’ himself. But the fact remains, as miserably as Duryodhan is portrayed, he was a bit more humanitarian, not in comparison, but in truth. His kingdom was prosperous, sans oppression, and he embraced Karna as his own brother, when he was cast away for being a charioteer’s son. And Duryodhan did meet his end at the hands of Bheem, who brought the mace down hard on his thighs, the only place on his anatomy which could be used to kill him. And before you do forget, it was against the rules of war to hit below the torso – definitely not prescribed by Dharma. Maybe that’s why Duryodhan was granted entry into heaven, whereas the post-life consequences of the Pandavas tell a very different story. Dharma? Or wait, was that Karma?
Let’s be fair. I’m not out to make fun of the Pandavas and Kauravas. Even the Bible tells a similar story. What about that incident with Kane and Abel? Was Kane just keen to please God at all costs, even if he had to kill his own brother? Or was Abel the only able one? Food for thought, what say? And if memory serves me right, wasn’t it the Romans who crucified Jesus? Hey, wait a second. Isn’t the Vatican City next to Rome?
Ok, no more making fun of religious texts. Let’s get down to some serious business. How valid are the principles of Karma and Dharma in today’s society?
The modern day man is definitely no stranger to religion. If truth be told, the modern man is a very god fearing, religious, hardworking 9-5 person. But even then, I don’t have any reason to believe that Karma and Dharma have remotely crossed his mind.
We see a lot of angst and misery in the world today – plague, pestilence, depression, discrimination, hunger, war, racism and so much more. And it is us human beings that have caused this. At any point did we stop to think that, “Hey? I shouldn’t be doing this.” And the truth is we haven’t.
In greed to fulfil our own desires, we have given way to our animal nature, and also given Darwin’s contention (survival of the fittest), a new definition – survival of the greediest.
People no longer care for each other, for feelings, emotions and all that other ‘nonsense’ that goes into making a Hugh Grant movie. (And he gets paid well for doing it too.)
Truth is, people don’t give a rodent’s rear end (pardon my colourful abuse) about Karma and Dharma. They’re not bothered under which code of life they live, and what will happen in their following births. All they care about is themselves, and who they can stab in the back to make their life better.
Well, I hope God is amused. I certainly am not.
3 comments:
Finally... lets the awesome writing begin... haven't read the post yet.. more comments thereafter....
Heavy stuff! No, it doesnt mean that it went over my head but just that I had to apply my mind for a change..lolz
Jokes apart, I think this is good stuff. And I couldnt agree with you more with the theory of the modern day man. It is so true that we dont, even for a minute, stop and think about others anymore. Wonder what could bring about this change. Man has become only more self centered. Sad but true!
whew!
and i got impressed by those invitations that you sent out to all....little did i know that you do this too!
Well bro, i 2nd you on Karma & Dharma.... sad that the twain shall never meet!
But having said that i guess for a lot of us and specially us in this age group....the fact that we think about it (however frivalously or minutely) is enough! I definitely dont wanna becm a saint and yet i wont kill just for a tease.
me getting out to read rest of the stuff....thought ill just pop in and say Hi!
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