RELEVANCE OF KAUTALYA, SRI RAMAKRISHNA, SWAMI VIVEKANANDA, MAHATMA GANDHI AND SRI AUROBINDO

(HI FRIENDS THIS IS THE PAPER I PRESENTED FOR INTERNATIONAL CONFERNCE IN PHILOSOPHY)
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INTRODUCTION:
The greatness of this men who wandered this soil can be never forgotten.
“We are responsible for what we are and whatever we wish ourselves to be, we have the power to make ourselves. If what we are now has been the result of our own past action, it certainly follows that whatever we wish to be in future can be produced by our present actions; so we have to know how to act”
This great means have cautioned the humankind of various dangers that is ahead and has prescribed measures that are quite applicable in this globalization era. Let us see them one by one.
KAUTILYA:



Kautilya’s Arthasastra (Science of material gain) belonged to the tradition of Dandusastra. Arthasastra deals with political economy. The task of the king was to give protection to land as well people as well as to increase the wealth of Rashtra. According to Kautalya state originated when people were tired of ‘Matsya Nyaya’ (Big fish eating small fish). Saptanga theory says that whole is prior to parts, yet whole depends on parts. This mean king is central yet king requires assistance to successfully run the state. Today if we see, even if the prime minister or president is good intentioned his or her welfare schemes do not reach the people due to the corrupt administrative machinery for Kautilya king has to behave like father at the time of natural disasters, king has to play important role in building of bridges, trade routes, mines. Kautilya’s king is not above morality, he is found by Rajdharma. Thus welfare of the people is more important. In post globalization period we see government’s reducing the role in providing welfare to people. According to Kautilya, king should protect agriculture from oppressive, lines and tarces. While in the developed countries agriculture are highly subsidized, developing countries are not subsidized to that extent and face numerous difficulties. Globalization gave importance only to MNC’S, TNC’S and others Kautilya said king must protect his citizens and peasants in particular who are the source of prosperity. In India, still more than 70% of the people depend on agriculture but the GDP contribution is less which shows the disguised unemployment present. Kautilya stress on the importance of forests, pasture lands. We see the failure of land refoms in India but Kautilya advised agricultural superidentents to confiscate land from those who do not cultivate them and give to others.
He says “the destruction of crops is worse them distraction of handfuls, since it is the labour that is destroyed thereby, absence of rain is worse than too much rain.
Kautalya also speaks about various social evils and advise the state to adopt orphans and make them science etc., He asks the king to provide the orphans, the aged, the infirm, the afflicted and the helpless with maintenance and also to provide subsistence to helpless women. Today we see governments around the world reluctant to take many welfare measures for the people due to strong lobbying groups. This governments can take a leaf out of Mautilya to implement welfare measures. According to Kautilya, four sources of law should be sacred cannon or tarts, current laws, usage and reasoning.
SRIRAMAKRISHNA:


In Sriramakrishna we can learn the pluralism. As an spiritual man, with his un quenchable thirst of god, Sri Ramakrishna broke the frontiers of Hinduism, glided through paths of Islam, Christianity and attired the highest realization through each of them in a short span of time. He looked upon Jesus and Buddha as incarnations of good and venerated the ten sikh Gurus. His teaching on harmony of religions attracted people belonging to different denominations and Dakshineswar became a veritable parliament of religions. Sri Ramakrishna did not write any book, nor did he deliver public lectures. Instead, he chose to speak in a simple language. His messages continues to be increasingly popular to this day on account of its universal appeal and relevance.
Sri Ramakrishna pointed out that denying the operation of faith is like denying the existence of stars because they are not visible in the sky during daytime. He created disciples like Swami Vivekanda who carried his messages.
SWAMI VIVEKANANDA:


Swami Vivekanada’s message to the youth, especially in man making, nation building and religious harmony are as essential as our advances in science & technology and industrial development. Being one of the brightest stars in the galaxy among the socio-cultural and religious. Philosophical thinkers of modern day India, his impact is going to be always felt. Swami Vivekananda wanted a man making education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, the intellect is formed, strength of mind is increased, the intellect is expanded and by which one can stand on one’s feet. According to him, teacher should not fill the mind with information and knowledge only. Instead he should attempt to unfold the creativity within by stimulating and strengthening the mind. Swami Vivekananda enlightened that human peace and happiness depends not on the wealth they posses or the power they wield or the scholarship they have acquired, but by living a life of renunciation and having the awareness that they are part of the entire universe and that all constitute one family Vasudev Kutumbakam.
Swami Vivekananda also told the students must be educated about the social world the nature of society he lives in, the laws that guide it and the culture it has involved. In era of globalization people are becoming closer together. Dogmatism and bigotry have replaced in globalized world. The pluralistic attitude that is necessary to day can be learned from Swami Vivekananda.
“We are what our thoughts have made us: so take care about what you think words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far”
“By the study of different religious we find that in essence they are one”
The above are the quotes of Swami Vivekananda that reflects his essence today. He spoke about the supreme value of youth period. He advised youth to skillfully mould their character. The central meaning of successful life is not positions attained but what sort of character we became said Swami Vivekananda. His quote that if the superstition enters the brains is gone is highly relevant to day.
MAHATMA GANDHI:

Gandhi’s concept of ahimsa tried to purify and reform both individual as well as society. According to him, Ahimsa is not a weapon of weak it is a weapon of morally strong, Ahimsa is a source of morality & requires purity. Gandhi said Ahimsa appeals not to reason but to consciousness. In today’s violence torn world Ahimsa needs to be replicated everywhere. He told society should not be exploitative but based on the spirit of love & brotherhood since no one can claim final truth, no one has right to punish others. The purpose of life according to him is to conquer evils and move towards good. He was influenced by Jainism, Buddhism, Christianity as well as Quran, Geeta Gandhi suggested non-violence. Gandhi belived that ethical state which is non-exploitative or immoral can’t be established through violent and non-ethical means. He was clear on his view ends does not justify means coups, plots over throwing democratically elected governments and sudden revolutions cannot be justified. Gandhi bridged gap between ends and means and ethics and politics. He advocated satyagraha comprising of truth, ahimsa and self-sacrifice. According to him satyagraha is not a means to avoid conflict it is a means to uproot evil.
Satyagraha includes fasting, mass strike, non-cooperation and civil disobedience devoid of any violence.
According to him Satyagraha should be used as last resort. It should be used when other peaceful means failed. Satyagraha is directed against evil and not against evil does.
Gandhi’s views on Swaraj and Modernity:
Gandhi defined swaraj as sum total of individual self rule. Swaraj at individual level means moral upliftment of self and not to be a slave of his desire at cultural level having faith and respect to one’s own culture without disrespecting culture of others at economic level Swaraj means end of untouchability & communal hatred. At political level swaraj meant democratic decentralization, spiritualism of politics and ability of man to resist unjust laws.
He criticized modernity for the dichotorny it created between ends and means, excessive indiuvialism, utilitarianism itpromoted, consumerism which leads to over exploitation of resources.
He also criticized industrial production leading to mass production instead of production by masses. He also criticized power politics & excessive nationalism which leads to imperialism.
Every view of his is relevant today in the globalized world. We can see every problem he criticized today but we are still in the process of understanding his valuable suggestions.
AUROBINDOGHOSH :

Aurobindo’s political philosophy ends with the concept of ideals of brotherhood. According to him the realization of universal transcendental spiritual reality will make man realize the idea of integral humanity. According to him, perfect community exists by perfection of its individuals. Aurobindo told unity of mankind is the ultimate end of all our action. He wished a new religion of humanity should emerge from inner laws of human life. He disagrees that terror in response to terror can abolish war (or) violence only if a man regard others not only as his brothers but also as a part of himself.

CONCLUSION:
This great men’s thoughts were not only of concern to India but were dealing with world problems like materialism, feudalism, consumerism and issues like world peace, freedom as well as violence against environment. This leader’s thought are comprehensive as it dealt with various issues of human life. This great man appealed to humanity as a whole. We should understand the relevance and implement their ideas to solve various problems.

Dr. R.BALAMURUGAN, M.B.B.S., D.H.A.,