Eternal India Encyclopedia

PERCEPTIONS

Eternal India

encyclopedia

SANGAM

(CONFLUENCISM)

INDIA : Infinity & Diversity hi Absolute

In the beginning there was a wonder,

Infinity & Diversity In Absolute,

In the middle there is a wonder,

Infinity & Diversity in Absolute

There will always remain a wonder,

Infinity & Diversity In Absolute.

Confluencism : Essence of Indianism

Diversity is the law of nature and the

key to understanding it. Yet most human

activity is built on ideas that deny the very

existence of diversity and is aimed at elimi-

nating it. The intolerance of diversity has

been inculcated through world views that

are based on “conquering nature.” The re-

ligious intolerance that we observe in the

modern world is the direct result of ideas

based on the denial of diversity.

A look at the distant stars and into mat-

ter at the quantum level reveals the wonder

and beauty of infinity, the other key idea

that we observe in nature : when Krishna

showed his cosmic form to Arjuna, he made

the revelation of infinity as the basis to

understand the universe. The idea of infin-

ity finds a predominant place in science and

spirituality. Yet the attempt is to deny the

manifestation of the infinity potential inher-

ent in humans.

These two ideas — infinity and diversity

— form the foundation of Indianism. The

idea of diversity leads to increased toler-

ance. The idea of infinity indicates that

every person has an infinite potential. The

experience of “infinity and diversity in ab-

solute” can lead to a complete change in

perspective. This is best illustrated by

Arjuna's 'encounter' with this experience.

Metaphorically Arjuna saw “the infinity and

diversity in absolute”. The ideas of infinity

and diversity define India. All religions are

paths to understand the twin concepts of

infinity and diversity in absolute. Modern

science is also an attempt to understand

these concepts, both at the micro and .macro

levels. Thus at the level of Indianism, the

duality of science and religion vanishes.

This interpretation of India, as a meta-

phor and an idea, provides us a new basis for

looking at the problems that confront us in

day-to-day existence. If all religions and

modern science are pointing towards expe-

riences of infinity and diversity in absolute,

then they can be viewed as different ways to

reach the same goal. What is important is

that this is exactly, the message of India, as

contained in Indian psycho-philosophy. The

spirit of Indianism is reflected in a number of

simple phrases that most people are familiar

with.

Mahavir, Buddha and Jesus,

They opened our mind's lotus,

Mohammed, Sankara and Nanak,

This world heard their spiritual chorus,

Kabir, Vivekananda and Gandhi,

They are jewels on Time's torus,

As we hear their discourse,

We reach a confluence with a new force. .

SAR and RAS of Indianism

In Sanskrit, the terms

SAR

and

RAS

stand for 'essence' and ‘juice’, respectively.

The essence and juice of life are inherent in

these two terms. The holistic view of life,

identifies three elements, viz., science, art

and religion, which play a complementary

role.. Their domains tend to complement

each other. They represent three methods

of understanding the ‘infinity and diversity

in absolute’. Those interested in the es-

sence of life create a world-view, in which

they prioritise these elements in terms of

SAR

(Science, Art and Religion), in that

order.

RAS

implies complementarity of

Religion, Art and Science that can be meta-

phorically illustrated by a home built on a

foundation of science with art as its interior

decoration and religion as roof.

The

SAR

and

RAS

of Indianism lie in

approaching an understanding of the ‘infin-

ity and diversity in absolute’, from the

points of view of science, art and religion.

Hence, Indianism encompasses both the

SAR,

as well as the

RAS

of life. The choice

rests with individual temperaments. In any

case, modern person needs 'spiritual temper

with scientific curiosity' and 'scientific tem-

per with spiritual intensity’, if she/he wants

to enjoy the

RAS

and get to the

SAR

of life.

Through

complementary

relationships,

these elements provide a holistic meaning

of life.

The Message of Indianism

Indianism, as defined here, is based on

the concept of ‘confluencism’, i.e. a recog-

nition of the essential spiritual content that

flows from all religions. The concept of

confluence

(sangam)

provides a strong

metaphor to understand that all religions

essentially direct us towards a better un-

derstanding of the ‘infinity and diversity in

absolute’. In this sense, Indianism is a

sacred concept, representing the highest

raga. As a sacred idea, it is a basis for the

emotive togetherness of human beings.

This has also been the message of Viveka-

nanda, Mahatma Gandhi, S. Radhakrishnan

and others during modem times.

Religions of different variety,

Merge into ocean of Indianity,

Spiritual destiny of humanity,

Lies in the spirit of Indianity.

"Trikenu"