RATIONALISM vs IRRATIONALISM – FREEDOM vs SURRENDER
Man has to interpret information provided by Science to know Man’s Status in Nature. In Indian tradition, Man’s transient, ephemeral, conditioned existence is often compared to beads of water found on the surface of Lotus Leaf.
Man may desire Freedom or make claims of “Born Free” while Science suggests Dependent or Conditioned nature of Human Existence. There is no Religion, there is no Philosophy, and there is no Science that has Power to grant Freedom to Man.
Rudranarasimham Rebbapragada
Ann Arbor, MI 48104-4162 USA
BHAVANAJAGAT.ORG
FROM DEVINDER SINGH GULATI:
Sankara’s claim of absolute identity between man and God is identical with Nanak’s claim. Ramanuja’s claim that God is modified by his own actions is echoed by Guru Nanak when he says God becomes the universe, but the universe is not all of God. In the becoming, God stands modified. Madhava’s path of Surrender is commended by Guru Nanak who says:
Hukam Rajaaee Chalanaa Naanak Likhiaa Naal ||1||
O Nanak, it is written that you shall obey the Hukam of His Command, and walk in the Way of His Will. ||1||
All three; Sankara, Ramanuja and Madhava represent vedantic thought. It can be said then that Guru Nanak’s religion is Vedantic.
In one respect it represents the thought of Yoga philosophy. Guru Nanak affirms that there is one purusha and all the rest are his brides. That is the Vaishnav affirmation of Mirabai too. One Purush is from Yoga. The Sankhya affirms many purusas. These many purusas are the Jeev of Nanak, but he gives them female identity. They have to merge back with the Purush.
Gulati
TAT ASMI PRABHU
LORD God Creator or Prabhu has separated Himself from His creation; He is Detached, Disinterested, or prefers to keep Distance. For that reason, I describe Constitutive vs Regulative Dualism. While Sankara claims absolute identity between Man and God, in practical terms, it is of no help as Man lacks Regulative Powers. Ramanuja claims that God is Modified on account of His own actions, just like Human Body modifies the indwelling Soul.
Man has no independent existence of his own. Man exists for he is Yoked, Joined, or United with the Divine Power. From God’s perspective, He keeps Himself aloof from His creation. But, from Man’s perspective, existence is about Bonding, Joining, Coming Together, Uniting, or Yoking with Divine Power.
For that reason, I recommend view shared by Madhva, the path of Surrender, or ‘Saranu’ as Devotion or Bhakti is not good enough while God remains Aloof.
Rudranarasimham Rebbapragada
Ann Arbor, MI 48104-4162 USA
BHAVANAJAGAT.ORG
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