Person
People are living, growing, beings. Their motivations, the driving force behind, change; that is how they grow and learn. A robber Ratnakara could turn into Maharshi Valmiki. Dharmaraj Yudhishthir may wager and lose his wife, brothers, himself, their property, freedom, dignity and kingdom.
Therefore it is not a person per se that is right or wrong, it depends upon the motivation of that person in that instant; it is the motivation that determines the person, not the other way; further elaborated here.
Object
A knife by itself is an inanimate object, neither useful nor dangerous; in the hands of a skilled chef it becomes a useful tool; in the hands of a skilled surgeon, it becomes a specialised equipment; in the hands of a robber, it becomes a dangerous weapon. Therefore, it is not the knife per se that determines its potency, it is the motivation of the wielder that does.
Action
The driving force, in the case of a chef or a surgeon, is the ‘purpose of service’ that prevails their actions, and leads them to successful result- a well prepared dish or a successful operation. While they may expect to gain financially or professionally from the cooking or the operation, it is primarily the gastronomic satisfaction of the consumer and the physical well being of the patient that is targeted by the chef or the surgeon. This motivation of service makes their action righteous. In the case of a robber, it is the ‘purpose of selfish gain’ that prevails his action and leads to disaster, both for his victim and him/herself and makes it unrighteous. It is the motivation behind that determines the character of the action.
Concept
A picture or an object by itself is not powerful, but, in the hands of a bhakta, it may become a murti that has the potential to lead him to realization; in the hands of a mleccha the same is an inanimate object to ridicule. A formula assumes different meaning depending on how the variables are valued. The meaning of a concept or idea depends on the motivation of the person that decides how he values it.
Righteousness
Concepts, Ideas, Ideologies, Philosophies, Actions, Occupations, Objects, Persons, by themself are neutral in character. It is the motivation behind that colors them right or wrong. The motivation of service, of contribution, makes anything righteous, dharmik, sustaining life. That of ego aggrandizement, expropriation, selfish gain, makes everything unrighteous, adharmik, diminishing life.
Applying concepts, ideas, ideologies and philosophies universally, classifying actions and occupations superficially, categorizing objects attributively and characterizing people perennially- without considering the motive behind, is incorrect.
The motive that lies behind determines righteousness, dharmikata.
5 comments
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June 8, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Ram
This one motivates me towards Dharmik living and I find it a very clear definition.
June 9, 2010 at 10:46 pm
HinduOnline.blogspot.com
Hello Blogger Friend,
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http://hinduonline.blogspot.com/
– a blog for Daily Posts, News, Views Compilation by a Common Hindu
– Hindu Online.
June 11, 2010 at 8:42 pm
Smita Sahay
Hello Incognito,
I enjoyed reading this post. In it, I find an echo of what I deeply believe in. I am adding you to my blogroll, and hope to enjoy your past and future posts too.
July 9, 2010 at 7:02 pm
harish
Sir,
Would love to read your thoughts on cow-slaughter and beef eating? I am one of those hindus with little knowledge.
July 12, 2010 at 7:42 am
Incognito
dhanyavaad