never demand knowledge

 

I was rather piqued when someone suddenly dropped in a query in a group on a difficult subject, in this case, Sanskrit.

Demanding bluntly to give meaning and analysis of some portion or quote from some important religious text is a thoroughly unsettling experience.

The subject is actually very tough. It has generated varied opinions among even the best of scholars.

When no reply appeared immediately, the person highlighted the query for the second time, declaring that he was putting the matter for the second time implying that he is irritated because the answer did not come in the first instance itself.

People tend to assume that it is the bounden duty of the person who knows the subject that he should to answer all and sundry questions.

There is no such obligation.

Why should anyone care to answer?

Therefore, after attempting to address the issue at least partially, I just expressed my discomfort about such demanding questions. He understood it.

I give below my explanation and my personal views on the issue that I expressed.

_____________________________________________

It was not a personal attack Sir...

I am often ruffled by the attitudinal changes that social media has ushered in.

I have been, in my own very inadequate way, trying to learn many things over the last half-century or more, and Sanskrit is one of my favourites or passions.

But the tradition in study at least as I could understand from the way I studied, (I may be wrong, but then that is what I have gathered) is that knowledge is acquired by putting things to a forum in a very submissive and polite way.

Gita Talks about Dandavat Pranipaatena Pariprashnena Sevayaa..

दण्डवत् प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन सेवया

The Anujna ceremony which precedes every Vedic and religious session, is prescribed in a very apt way.

The student or the Kartha just says.

Asheshe hey parishad, bhavat paadamooley samarpitaam imaam taamboolam, dakshinaam, yat kichidapi dakshinaam, yathokta dakshinaam iva sweekrutya .. maam anugrihaana..

अशेषे हे परिषद् भवत्पादमूले समर्पितं इमां दक्षिणां ताम्बूलं दक्षिणां यत् किञ्चिदपि दक्षिणां यथोक्त दक्षिणां इव स्वीकृत्य मां अनुगृहाण

The gita instruction means. 

The seeker or student obtains instructions and Knowledge by just prostrating like a rod before the guru, and beseeching the knowledge with humble questions and offering a lot of service.

The Anujna mantram goes on

It is submitted before the most learned Parishad, to one and all of the members 

( for every congregation, the learned Vedic scholars of the locality would be present as a group and any ritual could be conducted only with their permission or Anujna. and learning is also just a Yajna)

May the most enlightened  Parishad be pleased to accept the Tamboolam and Dakshina that I offer at the tips of your exalted feet. Even if the Dakshina is a little, the Parishad consider and treat it as that prescribed by the Shastras, and bless me, and accord permission to proceed with the ritual.

That was our tradition.

At present, we start study groups, post any sort of blunders, and do not stop there.

We are putting requests for knowledge as if it is the duty and privilege of whoever it is to answer and clarify our queries or doubts and we may leave quietly even without acknowledging or thanking.

I admit with utter humility that I am not a learned person, but I find that I am able to answer or at least participate in almost all the threads.

Usually I do not ask for any clarification from anyone.in social media because I have already exposed myself to some great gurus and great and worthy books for very long periods. A lot of things have already entered and occupied my skull area already, and It is Vanaprastham or Sannyasam for me.

Anyway, I know how much I have struggled in life to get clarifications, to get books, to get trained and so on. And invariably the gurus and masters were stern and stiff..

They possess the Vidya, and I am the consumer, so I have even to beg, and definitely not demand.

I do not believe in the right to education.

We have only right to beg to the Guru and seek education and enlightenment. Moreover, it is His sweet choice, whether to answer or not.

There is nothing personal in this matter

I cannot even give an answer if you say that I have intervened when you have not put to me any query personally. If you make such a retort, you are right. I have no defence.

I have just to go back to my books. Namaskarams.

I just used the forum to express my anguish against the present system of communication.

It is not directed against you personally..

People want to be goody-goody and usually keep quiet even when they are insulted directly or indirectly..

I am frank that way.

When I find something that does ruffle me, I speak out.

I have no intention to hurt anyone.

I get no benefit from that and most of the members and unseen entities.

If I start fighting, with people whom I know in Social media alone, it will be like Don Quixote doing a sword fight against a windmill.