10/26/2021
Five Ad̰̾armas
Introduction
The beautiful diversity of D̾evat̾a͆s (देवताः) in Sana͆t̾anad̰̾arma (सनातनधर्मः) is a natural expression of R̰t̾am (ऋतम्), the laws of the universe. From Agni (अग्निः) to Havird̰̾a͆na (हविर्धानः) in the Ved̾a (वेदः), from Gan̻apat̾i (गणपतिः) to S̰ani (शनिः) in the Pura͆n̻as (पुराणाः) and It̾iha͆sas (इतिहासौ), and the thousands of Gra͆mad̾evat̾as (ग्रामदेवताः), Kulad̾evat̾a͆s (कुलदेवताः) and other D̾evat̾a͆s of the various tribal people of B̰arat̾avars͚a (भरतवर्षः), all exemplify this heterogeneity. Beyond B̰arat̾avars͚a, there are many indigenous traditions with their own diverse D̾evat̾a͆s. Each one of these D̾evat̾a͆s has a distinct identity and associated inherent wisdom that must be preserved. We must consciously protect these identities from five interrelated Ad̰̾armas (अधर्माः) that constantly threaten their distinctiveness.
Identity Superimposition
A few years ago, our company approached a famous artist for an illustration of Su͆rya (सूर्यः) to adorn the cover of a book on A͆d̾it̾yahr̰d̾ayam (आदित्यहृदयम्) that we were publishing. It was interesting what we received from the esteemed illustrator. The image looked more like a different D̾evat̾a͆ than like Su͆rya. All the signature characteristics of Su͆rya were replaced with those of the other D̾evat̾a͆ giving a clear impression that Su͆rya is just a version of that other D̾evat̾a͆. Beyond the lessons learned in vendor management, it was an insight into what we can call Identity Superimposition, the first of the five diversity destroying threats. Su͆rya has a distinct identity, and his image is a part of that identity. The freedom to imagine one’s Is͚tad̾evat̾a͆ (इष्टदेवताः) is one’s right, but that right is subject to the D̰̾arma (धर्मः) of upholding the rights of others to preserve the identity of their Is͚tad̾evat̾a͆s. Irresponsible exercise of Identity Superimposition is Ad̰̾arma (अधर्मः).
Identity Collapsing
In the Ved̾a, Pura͆n̻as and It̾iha͆sas, we see the extolling of a particular D̾evat̾a͆ as a singular representation of all D̾evat̾a͆s. This, when taken literally, leads to Identity Collapsing, the second of the five threats to diversity. One must make the distinction between Vid̰̾i (विधिः) and Art̰̾ava͆d̾a (अर्थवादः) in our Sana͆t̾anad̰̾arma texts. Vid̰̾i is an injunction to act in a prescribed manner. Art̰̾ava͆d̾a, on the other hand, comprises of statements of praise, which are meant for encouraging one to follow the prescribed Vid̰̾i. These extolling statements of Art̰̾ava͆d̾a are not meant to be taken literally. Further, our texts seem to contradict themselves because they extol the singularity of different D̾evat̾a͆s in different texts and sometimes within the various sections of the same text, especially in the Ved̾a. This apparent contradiction disappears when we recognize that all such statements are Art̰̾ava͆d̾a and understand their purpose. We must focus on the Vid̰̾i, use the Art̰̾ava͆d̾a as an inspiration to do our D̰̾arma and not descend into the Ad̰̾arma of Identity Collapsing.
But Ved̾a͆nt̾a (वेदान्तः) teaches us about Brahman (ब्रह्मन्), the ultimate reality, does it not, one might say. True, it does, but Ved̾a͆nt̾a is something that needs to be experienced at an individual level, and that too only after one is ready for that kind of knowledge. Talking about Ved̾a͆nt̾a without entering Sa˙nya͆sa (संन्यासः) is as ludicrous as a girl without even experiencing puberty, lecturing on the subjects of pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. A true Ved̾a͆nt̾in (वेदान्तिन्) understands the immense value of D̾evat̾a͆ distinctiveness. Expounding Ved̾a͆nt̾a without self-experience and more importantly using that as an excuse to indulge in Identity Collapsing is Ad̰̾arma.
Identity Grading
My D̾evat̾a͆ is higher than your D̾evat̾a͆, is Identity Grading, the third of the five threats. It might seem incredible that we are capable of such arrogance, but it is more common than one thinks. Aside from being blatantly discriminative, it leads to some dangerous consequences eventually.
A case in point is what happened in ancient Iran. Before the advent of Zoroastrianism in Iran, a tradition very similar to our pluralistic and ritualistic Vedic tradition flourished in that land. Their D̾evat̾a͆s were known as Daevas, and their Yajn͚as were called Yaznas. With the rise of Zoroastrianism, one of those Daevas, Ahuramazda was elevated to the level of the highest Daeva, and simultaneously other Daevas such as Verethragna, Anahati, Mithra, Tishtrya, and Tiri were relegated to lower positions. In the older portions of the Avesta, the Zoroastrian religious texts, particularly in the Gathas of Zarathustra, the worship of these relegated Daevas continued even though their place was declared as beneath that of Ahuramazda. However, in the later sections of the Avesta, something sinister happened. The hitherto venerated Daevas were transformed into demons unworthy of any worship. Eventually, these Daevas were characterized as forces aligned with Ahriman, the ultimate evil.
There is no higher or lower D̾evat̾a͆ amongst the D̾evat̾a͆s. All expressions of gradation of D̾evat̾a͆s within Sana͆t̾anad̰̾arma should be taken only as Art̰̾ava͆d̾a, and we must be watchful whenever it raises its ugly Ad̰̾armic head in its literal discriminatory form.
Monotheistic Exclusivity
We then discuss the next threat, namely Monotheistic Exclusivity. Here the claim of the adherents of a particular D̾evat̾a͆ is that only their D̾evat̾a͆ is the true D̾evat̾a͆ and their tradition is the only true tradition. All other D̾evat̾a͆s are false, and therefore their associated practices are to be condemned. This kind of thinking is doctrinally discriminatory. It inspires the reactionary birth of more monotheistic exclusivist ideologies. Over time this leads to an unhealthy conflict-prone society, which continuously struggles to find common ground amongst the various exclusivist positions. History is replete with such conflicts, which continue even today. Monotheistic Exclusivity is Ad̰̾arma. More importantly, it lays the foundation for the emergence of the most dangerous threat to the diversity of thought, namely, Proselytizing Monotheistic Exclusivity.
Proselytizing Monotheistic Exclusivity
Proselytizing Monotheistic Exclusivity followers are not content in proclaiming that their chosen D̾evat̾a͆ and tradition are the only true ones but have a mission to convert everyone into their fold. In the last two thousand plus years, this has done immense damage to the hitherto pluralistic world. The ideologies that sprung from this thought have usually employed predatory tactics, which they characterize as peaceful. These so-called peaceful conversions have resulted in the cultural genocide of hundreds of traditions, and their violent manifestations have led to the physical genocide of millions of people on every continent. They hide their crime behind the garb of human unity and universal human values that their tradition is supposed to bring about. But unity is not uniformity. Instead, unity is the coexistence with diversity without any dissonance. Today, Proselytizing Monotheistic Exclusivity continues to be an existential threat for Sana͆t̾anad̰̾arma and similar indigenous traditions around the world. Proselytizing Monotheistic Exclusivity is probably one of the greatest acts of Ad̰̾arma.
Conclusion
These five threats are not discrete. There exists a continuous spectrum from Identity Superimposition to Proselytizing Monotheistic Exclusivity. We must consciously work to protect the distinctiveness of every D̾evat̾a͆ from this spectrum of threats. More importantly, we should introspectively look at our tradition and watch our actions that may inadvertently give space to any combination of these threats to Sana͆t̾anad̰̾arma.
ART
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