Arya Samaj

Sunita · Arya Ladies Forum Moderator Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 567

http://www.aryasamajtoday.com

email dr Satish Prakash at satishprakash@yahoo.com
_________________
Namaste!

(1) If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it. William Arthur Ward

(2) The self is not something ready-made, but something in continuous formation through choice of action.John Dewey:

(3) Andre Gide: Believe those who are seeking the truth; doubt those who find it.

Shishya · Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2006 2:58 pm Post subject:

I posted this in a different thread, but I thought a copy belonged here as well. It's from a post I recently made on another Arya Samaj website:
_________________________________________

Namaste Deepak & Sanjeev,

I think both of you have brought forth very valid points. I would simply like to add that I think we need to first focus upon the foundation before we attempt to errect a superstructure - that is to say, we need to firmly establish the Samaj in the Vedas and other Vedic Literature before we try and bring the message of the Vedas to others.

If I had the financial resources, I would love to see to it that each and every Arya Samaj household owns a complete and correct copy of the 4 Veda Samhitas, the 4 Principal Brahmanas, the 10 Prinicipal Upanishads, the 6 Vedangas, the 4 Upavedas, and the 6 Darshana Sutras. Having a community copy in a local Mandir is simply not enough. I believe it to be vital for the renewal of Vaidik Dharm that every man, woman and child have direct and personal access to these scriptures. If translations into Hindi, English and other languages are necessary, then let a body be formed of vedic scholars to oversee that work. And after we have made these holy works available to all Arya Samajists, then let us distribute them to all corners of the globe. This is the single most important work the Arya Samaj could do for the upliftment of mankind. It is high time that it be undertaken.

Others have taken this route, and their success has been enormous. Take a look at Srila Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada. Within 10 years, he was able to build a huge international Vaishnava community with millions of devotees, building more than 100 lavish temples around the globe. And all of that was made possible simply by making works such as the Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavata Purana available to the masses at affordable prices. The people of this earth are starving for true wisdom. How much more success would we have promoting the Vedas, the source of all true knowledge, in comparison with a work such as a Purana? It boggles the mind.

Or again, think of how successful the Christians have been in getting their 'holy scripture' printed and published around the world. In any hotel room in the U.S., for example, you will find a free copy of the Bible. What other book has that kind of exposure? And it is exposure that is vital in the work of spreading truth. If we had only 1% of the financial resources which result from the sale of the bible, we would be able to bring about a positive revolution in India and abroad.

At the very least, we need to offer an alternative to the positively damaging translations of the Vedas as they are found on the internet. Hundreds of thousands of youths are searching the internet each and everyday, and if they are looking for the Vedas, then they will find only lies and corruption presented as 'scholarly work'. It is a shame and a disgrace that we allow this to go on unchecked. I have talked with so many Hindu adults and youths who honestly believe that the Vedas teach polytheism, blood sacrifice, magic, and all other sorts of superstition. And this is directly due to these faulty tranlsations. We must make it our top priority to reveal the truth to all in this regard.

We often forget: God is on our side. He wants dearly that all people find the truth. But we need to undertake the correct steps to make that happen. He has given us the Vedas. It is our job to make sure that we spread that wisdom over this entire earth.

Let us first root ourselves firmly in the Vedas. When that foundation is established, and awareness is on the rise, then we may set about the great work of Krinvanto Vishvam Aryam.
______________________________________

As is typical, however, the post has yet to receive any response...
_________________
Namaste,

Shishya
ॐ

ॐ सह नावतु । सह तौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ॥
"Together may we be protected. Together may we be profited. Together may we do a hero's work. May we learn intelligently. May we never hate one another."
-Brihadaranyaka & Taittiriya Upanishads

Shyena · Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2006 4:24 pm Post subject:

Shishya · Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2006 4:57 pm Post subject:

Namaste PD,

I have to disagree on the 'too big' issue. To use Srila Prabhupada as an example again: His translation of the Bagavatam Purana is something like 12 thick (between 600 and 1000 pages each) volumes long, and it has sold hundreds of thousands of copies around the world. And that is with full commentary. (Regarding commentary, I tend to side more with Swami Virjananda Ji: the texts should be presented in their bare form, i.e. Sanskrit and a good translation. Detailed commentary should be left up to living gurus.)

Besides, I don't find the Darshana Sutras so difficult (with the exception of the Vedanta Sutras). And I wouldn't want to have 108 Upanishads or anything. Just the principle 10 which, translated, result in about 400 pages of text.

Regarding the Gita being recognized on a global scale: Actually, Srila Prabhupada was instrumental in raising global awareness in regards to the Gita. He began his mission in the late 60's and his translation has the highest circulation of all. If he hadn't published the Gita, who knows if it would have the status it enjoys today.

As for the bhakti issue, I have to agree in part. Prabhupada made religion extremely easy for people. "Chant Hare Krishna and be happy" is pretty much what it boiled down to. Granted, the Vedic Path is definately more complex than this, and we wouldn't attract spiritually lazy people looking for an easy path to salvation. But at the same time, I still think it would be a great service to mankind to make a complete version of these important texts available to people.

Shyena · Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2006 5:42 pm Post subject:

1)First the geeta sells; he popularises bhagavat puraana in it; that's how it sells too. Instead of the vedas, etc... I personally feel translations of two texts: Manu Smrti, Geeta in the perspective of Arya Samaj should be given...

2)

Shishya · Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2006 9:23 pm Post subject:

Namaste PD,

All minor points aside, do you actually think it would be a bad idea to make the above mentioned texts available to people?
_________________
Namaste,

Shishya
ॐ

ॐ सह नावतु । सह तौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ॥
"Together may we be protected. Together may we be profited. Together may we do a hero's work. May we learn intelligently. May we never hate one another."
-Brihadaranyaka & Taittiriya Upanishads

Shyena · Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2006 8:19 am Post subject:

Yes... I'm opposed to releasing vedas to everyone. Give them texts like manusmrti and geeta translated in a vedic aryan fashion first; the curiosity will naturally develop. For example, I tried reading vedas but it isn't interesting to read some hymns in praise of That - there's nothing fun in reading silly prayers which anthromorphise everything around them.
_________________

Krinvanto Vishwam Aryam meditate

Namaste

Shishya · Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 1:19 am Post subject:

Namaste PD,

If I'm not mistaken, there is an Arya translation of the Gita somewhere. If you log on to the New York Gurukul site, you can watch some lengthy discourses based upon it. I don't know where to get a copy, though. Perhaps one could get in touch with Dr. Satish Prakash for more information.

But - how can you think making the Vedas available to all would be a bad idea? Should people satisfy themselves with second- and third-hand retellings? Besides, the Third Principle of the Arya Samaj states that the first duty of Arya to read the Vedas, to teach them, recite them, and hear them being recited. I don't see how that would be possible without the Vedas themselves being available. Or are you suggesting that only some people should be allowed to have them? That would put us right back to where we started from...
_________________
Namaste,

Shishya
ॐ

ॐ सह नावतु । सह तौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ॥
"Together may we be protected. Together may we be profited. Together may we do a hero's work. May we learn intelligently. May we never hate one another."
-Brihadaranyaka & Taittiriya Upanishads

Devo · Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 1:42 am Post subject:

Namaste,

The only way I see the Arya Samaj moving forward, is if we move with the times, and 'get with the program'.

I have a vision for a new and improved Arya Samaj. We are too stuck on old times, that years and years have passed and we're still on the same thing.

However, to make my dream into reality, not only will this mission require financial aid, but wo/man-power, as well.

Shishya · Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 2:18 am Post subject:

Namaste Dev,

Devo · Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 2:27 am Post subject:

Namaste,

Yes, of course I agree. However, we have to be realistic in the propagation process, it involves the production of books, as you have suggested, but projecting it differently for the masses.

At first people are thrown off by the unnecessarily complicated explanations given by the translators of these texts. We need more simplied versions of things.

I'm not a complicated person. If I don't get visuals in my lectures at school, and have things explained in a simplified version, I'm completely lost. Everyone is different. We have to cater for that. It is time to get with the program....

Shishya · Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 3:27 am Post subject:

Namaste Dev,

Well, bro, we're all ears! Very Happy

What kind of things were you thinking of specifically? You're a pretty creative guy, and I'm sure you have lots of ideas. And you seem to have some good media equipment as well. What about a short film?
_________________
Namaste,

Shishya
ॐ

ॐ सह नावतु । सह तौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ॥
"Together may we be protected. Together may we be profited. Together may we do a hero's work. May we learn intelligently. May we never hate one another."
-Brihadaranyaka & Taittiriya Upanishads

Prabhat · Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 7:49 pm Post subject:

where is the gattering
_________________
Namaste,
Prabhat