Question
39.
It seems that the Hindu society is now at the crossroads of history.
What should we do to build up a new Hindu society based on the
eternal values of Hinduism?
Firstly: We have to lead a good life as suggested in the foregoing
section. This can generate the power necessary for rebuilding our
society.
Secondly: We have to develop strength
physical, intellectual and spiritual and harmonize these aspects of
strength into one strength, that of character. Transcending all the
internal differences to achieve unity in spite of diversity is the
need of the hour. Establishing. Vyayamasalas (gymnasia), conducting
study groups to disseminate our religion among our own people,
holding group prayers in the chief temples of the village or town at
least once in a week these three activities can help in the
development of the three aspects of strength indicated above.
Thirdly: The more developed
sections of our society, whether in respect of education or culture
or wealth, should make special efforts to bring the backward
sections also to the same level of progress they themselves have
achieved. They must cultivate the attitude that the whole society is
like a family and that it is their duty to help others even as the
elders in a family help the youngsters with affection. Otherwise,
there is the grim prospect of the weaker sections, exploited and
oppressed over centuries, leaving us for good. The responsibility
for this would squarely rest on the shoulders of the advanced
sections.
Fourthly: Those who had left the Hindu
fold either due to ignorance or our ill treatment should be welcomed
back into the fold, with love and affection, and given, due
recognition, status and protection. In rebuilding
the new Hindu society, the leaders of all castes, cults and groups
have a great obligation to fulfil.
They must urgently evolve a few simple
Samskaras common to all the Hindus, which can make every Hindu feel
he is a Hindu and belongs to a great brotherhood. It is interesting
to note here that Swami Vivekananda once declared that
there were no Sudras in the Hindu society. The so called Sudras and
others were all Vratyas, those who had lost their Dvija hood due to
lack of the proper Samskaras. He advocated Dvijikarana (making into
Dvijas) for all of them. This is a programme that deserves serious
consideration and implementation by an concerned.
|