The Need of Our Era — A Scientific Perspective of Religion
The most pertinent topic for contemplation in present times is — 'A scientific perspective of religion'. This has to be pondered over from many different points of view. When the discussion is about a scientific perspective to dharma or religion, let us first attempt to understand what is the meaning of dharma?
Dharanaat dharmah; dhaarayate iti dharma
Dharma is that which you can imbibe. From the perspective of Mimansas:
yato abhyudayah nihshreyas siddhih sa dharmah
Dharma is that by which one is benefitted along with all the others in the world; that by which collective progress and welfare is achieved; that which leads to liberation or moksha. Such a dharma, as the above definition describes, can never be harmful or inauspicious in any era. If undesirable and inauspicious things are happening in the name of religion through fraudulent people, then it is definitely because the true meaning of dharma has not been understood. The need of this era is to understand dharma so that people are not misguided by anyone. Hence it is imperative that we should know about the scientific aspects of religion. Scientific outlook encompasses context, objective, experiment and logic. It is synonymous with authentic truth.
The validity of religion has to be analyzed with scientific experiments and study. Whatever passes this litmus test must be accepted. We should not hesitate to discard those aspects of religion that do not pass this test. There is a dire need to establish science laboratories for religion. When science and religion have a face-off with one another, the real truth will come forth. Be it philosophy or principles of dharma or the associated rituals or the traditions and beliefs — all of them have to be analyzed under the microscope of science. If spirituality and science work hand in hand, they can together achieve the objective of social welfare.
The need of the era was probably first understood by Yugrishi Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya. As a result of his understanding he gave "scientific spirituality" as the mantra of this era. He proclaimed scientific spirituality to be the yugdharma. If this is accepted and imbibed in life, then all the unwanted distortions of this era can be combated and negated. In his efforts with regard to scientific spirituality, he established the first laboratory in the form of "Brahmavarchas Shodh Samsthan". This research institute is dedicated for correlating spiritual concepts with science. When he started this institute, he had said: "This is the first institute of this kind in the entire world. I want to tell you that this institute is just a direction, for all the religions and their followers in the world."
These words spoken three decades ago are relevant even today. Spirituality and religion need a scientific understanding. It is not only a necessity but has become essential today. Dharma primarily comprises of three aspects. The first one is the philosophical aspect of religion, the next being the sādhanā aspect, and the third one is the social aspect.
In modern days, many eminent scientists of the West have made the philosophy of dharma the basis for their scientific studies. Heisenberg, Schrodinger and many such famous scientists have based their researches on the principles of dharma. The kshanikvaad of Mahatma Buddha and the Advaita of Adi Shankaracharya are not only the essence of sādhanās done during the life lived in dharma but also of scientific research. The process of continuous research maintains the sanctity of conclusions drawn by religion or science.
When the discussion is regarding sādhanā, there are two types of processes. The first is based on Karmakaanda or rituals — Japa, Yagna, Havan, Shraaddh, Tarpan etc. In these rituals the spiritual energy manifests through the physical actions. Benefits derived from these rituals can be experienced. They can be observed through different research methods and proved. The second type of process related to sādhanā is one in which no ritual is involved — based entirely on emotional, mental and spiritual states of the person. An example of such a sādhanā is Dhyan or meditation. If the sādhak has self-restraint and mental control, then these sādhanā-methods are manifold effective as compared to ritual-based sādhanās.
In this context, there is no place for any miracles in religion or spirituality. The word miracle has emerged from man's ignorance. Only experiments, observations and inferences have relevance in this context. Each of the religions — Hinduism, Islam, Sikh, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism, etc. — all have their own significance. None of them can be labeled as good or bad.
The entire infrastructure of religion has been developed based on the great objective "Tamaso ma Jyotirgamaya" (Meaning — 'From darkness, lead me into Light'). The social aspect of religion iterates more than once that an individual should sacrifice his personal needs for the welfare of the family. He should sacrifice his family for the sake of his village and interests of the village towards the well-being of the nation. This is how the social aspect of religion has embodied the happiness, freedom and respect of each and every being.
Here is a couplet from Ramcharitmanas for those people who do atrocities in the name of religion — 'ughare anth na ho hi nibhahu. Kaalnemi jimi raavan rahu' — meaning: when people who do atrocities in the name of religion are exposed, then they will have nowhere to go. No support from anyone, no refuge anywhere. Their plight will be like that of Ravan who went to seek alms in the guise of a sadhu.
To expose their deceit, it is imperative that we should all have a scientific perspective of religion. This is the need of the era.
"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear." — Nelson Mandela
"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others." — Nelson Mandela
"Lead from the back — and let others believe they are in front." — Nelson Mandela