Action This Religion

Meaning: According to the Athervaved 5/30/7 - Man, rouse thyself always. That is your duty. Just as ants and other small forms of life always try to climb upwards, similarly, you too should find out the means of uplift and progress constantly.

Message: Tremendous progress has been achieved in the world by knowledge and science. But this science does not confer peace and happiness. Peace and happiness are always available through good persons and it is outside the power of science to 'create' good men. Men become good only through spiritualism.

What is this spiritualism which makes a good and uplifted man? This is the trinity of worship, spiritual-endeavor (or spiritual discipline) and adoration. Once a person takes a plunge in the river of this trinity, his life becomes successful. By worshipping (Upasana) we are trying to imbibe within us the divine qualities of God. Keeping in mind the divine principles, one should decide one's tasks and be firm in them and to remain rock-stable in the face of the biggest attractions, temptations and hardships. Spiritual-endeavor or spiritual-discipline (Sadhana) is for one's own self through control of the body and mind with austerity, celibacy and restraint. Adoration (Aaradhana), translated into action, means service to others and always to pay attention to others' welfare. Not to be busy in achieving self-interest, but to think of societal-uplift, and to think that one's progress lies in contributing to the society's progress. A man, who conducts himself according to these religious precepts, always forges ahead, craves out a path for peace and happiness for all and thus creates a blissful atmosphere for all.

Strange is the life of a man, because he can fall downwards or raise his level very high. Man's downfall can be so low that even animals will be considered at a higher level in comparison, or he can achieve levels higher than deities. Decide by yourself where you wish to go. In this human species, do you want to behave as an animal or as a diving being? It is very easy to fall down, but tremendous diligence is required to rise upwards. Like the fish swimming against the current, you have to exert courageously. Man has to go constantly ahead in the direction of progress. The Vedas instruct thus, "Udyanum te pruusha naavyanum" i.e. "O human being! You have to raise high in life and not to fall".

God's shelter is required for forging ahead in the direction of progress in life. The only route to God is to put God's divine qualities into one's conduct. For that one has to strive to become humane by purifying one's sentiments and attitudes and developing a habit of introspection. After that alertness and cautiousness are necessary for strict adherence to rules. Man's humanity is expressed by the high quality of his thoughts or mental attitudes.

By putting into action this religion of humaneness, man becomes a human being and fulfills God's prupose.