Page 13 - Bhakthinivedana 2012 July English Magazine.pmd

This apart, it is futile to judge the rushis by expectation of reward.
interpreting their histories with a narrow outlook.

We should try to receive the matter of fact The rushis of Bha:rath envisioned many secrets
knowledge from them and try to grasp the essence of nature while they were performing austerities
of it. In no case should we find fault with them. to obtain the essential wisdom. Of these various

When we bring a fruit from the market and eat realisations they delved further into those which
it, we never question Who grew it? Where was it were needed by them—they did not reveal all the
grown? How was it grown? How many places did knowledge that came across their way. We find that
it travel before reaching us? We just see if the fruit they emphasised more on the spiritual knowledge
is good or not and then simply eat it! Likewise, it is than the knowledge of the external world. That is

sufficient if we can accept the truths as revealed by why they passed on to us a collection of spiritual
the rushis. treasures. Just because it is the case, we may
not conclude in haste that they did not have an

It is said that we should not see the kitchen hall understanding of the external phenomenon.
where food is being cooked on a large scale! There are people in this world who consider
When such food is served in leaf-plates, it looks themselves modern men. They keep stating that it
attractive and tastes good. If we see how it the food is this spiritual knowledge which has hindered our
is prepared, we may probably lose all interest to eat countrys progress and is a dogma which should not

it!! be encouraged or promoted. They reason that the
modern scientists who have discovered the laws of
So also a wide river is initially a thin rivulet or even nature are rushis in true sense and that they should

merely drops of water falling over. Even the place be worshipped. Indeed! The progress achieved by
of origin may not be so scenic. When it flows down the modern day scientists is enormous!
and widens up at the plain, it is eye pleasing and
heart gladdening. It nurtures the entire population It is said that the rushis could see and hear which
living on its bank. happened at great distances away from them! They

had the powers to fly in the sky. Staying where they
We have with us the histories of various rushis, with were, they were supposed to speak with people far
distinct origins born in various places and who lived away! Though it is said that these rushis attained

in various circumstances. However the knowledge such powers due their severe austerities, they
they passed on to us is beautiful, unique and is were limited to them and were not useful for the
acceptable to all of us even as our great rivers are. multitudes. Also they exercised such powers rarely;
The rushis studied the external world, the inner they became extinct after their life span was over
world, their respective natures, and analysed which and were not passed on to the generations next.

to accept and to what extent. The knowledge they Therefore, it is said, possession of such powers
attained, they did not keep just for themselves. To might be a myth—we are not sure if they had such
all those who approached them with zeal, they powers.

diffused their hard earned knowledge without any

July 2012• Bhakthinivedana 13