Science or Spirituality

You do not need a flame to find another flame. In the same way, it is ignorance and foolishness to search for the selfeffulgent, omnipresent Atma using other forms of knowledge. No one tries to search for himself in the world outside. In the same way, when you are the Atma, is it not plain ignorance to look for the Atma elsewhere? Such pure teachings on the Atma have been propagated by Bharath since ancient times, era after era.

Bharath is the birthplace of spirituality and dharma. Peace and nonviolence also took birth in Bharath. The search for Truth done in Bharath has not been done anywhere else. This land is the birthplace of the Sapta Rishis. This is the country in which the first poet, Valmiki, and the classifier of the Vedas, Vyasa, took birth. This is the supremely sacred land of dharma in which Krishna taught the Bhagavad Gita. This is Rama’s kingdom. This is the soil on which Buddha was born. Bharath has always been replete with minds inquiring into the Truth, hands engaged in dharma, and hearts immersed in the Lord.

Devotion has no distinctions of caste, age, and language. It is easy for everyone to contemplate on God. God is as essential for the mind as food is for the body. In the devotion of Bharathiyas we sometimes find situations bordering on the absurd. But spiritual feelings and love are the undercurrents even in this seemingly senseless behavior. A student prays to God to do well in exams. A man prays to God to win a court case. Why go that far? People pray even to secure a seat in a bus! In this way, Bharathiyas depend on God from the smallest to the biggest things. This may be called divine madness. Some call it foolishness. Whatever anyone may say, each is entitled to their own hunger, their own faith, their own kind of madness. No one has the right to deny another’s faith.

But certain foundations are necessary even for faith. The presence of the groom doesn’t mean that the marriage is done. Having money does not imply that you can run a business. Some additional know-how is required. You cannot be considered a writer by knowing the alphabet. Only one who understands meanings of words can be an author. Similarly, you cannot recognize God with worldly knowledge. Spiritual knowledge is essential. To acquire it, inquire into the Truth.

Everyone must understand the universe and the nature of the individual souls living in it. Those who recognize the secrets of the Cosmos and of the beings living in it can understand the nature of Divinity. Since ancient times, men of wisdom have investigated into Nature. The astronomer Galileo discovered many facts about the universe. The Earth revolves at a speed of 18,500 miles per second. It circles the Sun once a year. “Who is turning the Earth? Why does it revolve? What is the basis for its revolution?” asked Galileo. He found that the parabola is the basis of motion.

If there is such a basis for even small objects, there must be a significance to the Earth’s movement as well. Once upon a time the Earth was hot. Then it took millions of years to cool down. Why should the burning planet revolve? Galileo pondered the answer to this question. Rotation causes day and night, which provide opportunities for men to undertake action. Revolution produces seasons, which are responsible for rain, harvest, and food. Every act of God, big or small, is for the good for mankind. There is a hidden power running everything. Galileo recognized it and called it God. Therefore, a natural scientist recognized this unchanging power.

That which is present always is Truth. Within this Truth we find both worldly and spiritual knowledge. It is not possible for anyone to know this power through any means. To know the unchanging power behind Nature is to know God. This is what Galileo finally concluded.

Einstein, the father of modern science, talked about the interchangeability of matter and energy. He said that these could neither be created nor destroyed. But energy may change forms. How? Magnetic energy can be turned into electricity, electricity into atomic power, atomic power into light and light into heat. Students should recognize a small fact. You can create water by combining hydrogen and oxygen. But who created hydrogen and oxygen? Water is the effect, hydrogen and oxygen are the causes. Nothing can exist without a cause. The effect gradually changes. That which changes is science. The changeless cause is spirituality.

Ya Chinta Bhuvi Putra Mitra Bharanau Vyapara Sambhashane
Ya Chinta Dhana Dhanya Bhoga Yashase Labhe Sada Jayate
Sa Chinta Bhuvi Nanda Nandana Pada Dvandvaravinde Kshane
Ka Chinta Yamaraja Bhima Sadana Dvara Prayani Prabho.

You cry for wife, children, friends, wealth, business, pleasures, name and fame.
But if you yearn for Krishna’s Lotus Feet even for a moment, you can easily cross the terrible doors of Death.