PAVAMĀNA: Enduring Indic Wisdom

by Bala Bharadvaj, 8 June 2024

Hinduism is like a five-star buffet – many flavours, many combinations

Summary:

The tenets of sanātana dharma can appear to be daunting for the casual observer.  With some interaction with the right teachers, one comes to understanding that it provides a framework that is designed for the well-being of a variety of people in society. 

The vedic masters understood diversity; the principle that people come in various combinations of physical form, mental tendencies and intellectual acumen.  Since the society consists of individuals who are unique with different backgrounds, needs, and capabilities, it would not be appropriate to expect all of us to fit within the same “box”.  Therefore, the vedic masters devised an entire system that allows some variation in practices and enables each one of us to mature and grow along our own path, within a broad set of guidelines.

Background:

Hinduism (or sanātana dharma) as practised today is a collection of ideas, practices, and rituals, including some contradictions between different sub-groups.  One can go to vedic texts armed with a dictionary and try to decipher the guidance, but that doesn’t always help.  Those looking for a well-defined and uniform way of doing things can easily jump to the conclusion that today’s Hindus are a confused lot since there are many variations within the systems as practised.

However, if we look back into history (going back to ancient times), we find that the tradition allowed different schools of thought to flourish.  There have been many great thinkers and seers who have followed systematic analysis and logical thinking to arrive at their conclusions.  The believers of these different schools of thought were fully convinced about the relevance of the specific practices they have been following over a very long period.

The practices of Hinduism are designed to cater to the material and spiritual needs of a diverse population, and the system thoughtfully allows variations in the practices to suit different types of individuals within the community.

The buffet analogy:

An easy way to understand the landscape of Hinduism is to think of it as a high-class buffet restaurant.

In a good five-star buffet restaurant, a variety of foods are laid out, consisting of an elaborate spread with well-marked zones offering many cuisines – South Indian, North Indian, Asian (Chinese, Thai, Japanese, . . .), European (Italian, French, . . .), Middle Eastern, Mexican, etc.  Each of these cuisines offers healthy choices; however, not every guest will be equally attracted to every dish. 

An informed nutritionist can find healthy food combinations in any of these cuisines.  The foodie has plenty of choices to tickle the palate.  Even if one has dietary restrictions, this restaurant still offers many choices that will work.  Some of us may prefer the thāli approach (with a pre-selected combination recommended by the chef), while others prefer to sample various dishes and will get additional servings of those foods they enjoyed more.

As it is practised, sanātana dharma has many parallels with the buffet restaurant.

Buffet Restaurant	Hindu Practices
Variety of foods – originating from various regions (and their cuisines).	Variety of practices – originating from various masters and schools of thought.
Some dishes are staple and healthy, and good for most people.	Some common practices and beliefs are appropriate for the larger population.
Some exotic dishes – taste very good but may not agree with all.	Some specialized practices apply only to those initiated into particular sects.
If a group of people visit, each will find enough food to satisfy their palates and hunger.	Large populations of diverse people can find methods and practices that satisfy their specific needs.

The variety of customs and practices in Hinduism are comparable to the many varieties of dishes.  sanātana dharma accommodates many paths such as the path of karma, bhakti and jñāna, traditions such as the gāṇapatya, vaiṣṇava, śākta and śaiva, and philosophies such as dvaita, viśiṣṭa advaita and advaita.  It requires one to take guidance from knowledgeable teachers, and sincere effort from our own part to properly understand the layout and inter-relationships within this grand framework so that we may benefit from it.

Understanding the differences:

A variety of food choices have developed around the world due to – local climatic conditions, available ingredients, independent discovery of healthy food choices, etc.  We rarely ask for the scientific study done by various cultures that concluded that a particular combination of grains and beans makes for good basic food.  More recently, the food habits of different cultures with enhanced longevity have been studied systematically and some common traits identified for the “Blue Zones”.

Similarly, in the field of religion and spirituality, the specific techniques and practices developed by different masters were based on the personal experiences of the master as well as the background and inclinations of the people they interacted with.  The practices introduced were also synchronized with what was happening in nature.  When we look at the compendium of practices introduced by these masters, we find that some of the ideas and practices appeal to certain individuals more than others.  For example, during the nine days of navarātrī celebrations, many people find the social / physical activity of garbha dance more appealing compared to the ritualistic worship for nine days.  Since the society consists of people with a variety of preferences, the culture has taken an inclusive approach and retained the variety in the celebrations as well.

How to get the most benefit:

To get the most out of the buffet restaurant, we must not only consider the taste and visual appeal of the food, but also learn about the ingredients and nutritional value of the foods from a qualified expert such as a nutritionist.  When it comes to traditions and practices also, we must learn more about them from an authentic source such as an acārya of a maṭham (religious order).  However, since there are several variations in the traditions, one can spend many years going through this trial-and-error method.  An easier way would be to follow the system followed by our family and build upon this foundation by taking the effort to learn more about it and understanding the rationale.  As one develops deeper understanding, the mystery melts away like fog to reveal beautiful blossoms that add fragrance to our lives.

When a small child goes to a large buffet restaurant, the parents usually select items to provide a balanced and nutritious meal for the nourishment of the child.  However, when the same child grows into a young adult, the choices would depend not only on the earlier exposure but may expand to include additional items based on individual interests.  The extent to which the young adult goes beyond the familiar will depend on how much one has learned about different foods, how much confidence one has in one’s choices, and how curious and adventurous one might be.  If one gets hooked on foods that look enticing, but don’t agree with one’s constitution, this can even lead to long-term health issues.  For instance, one can get caught into the habit of eating junk food (tastes good, is easily available, consists of empty calories, and is loaded with unhealthy additives).  It is well established that the prolonged consumption of such food results in the proliferation of lifestyle diseases (such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular issues, etc.).

In Hinduism, the pattern is very similar.  When young, the child is introduced to certain habits, values, and religious practices by the parents.  We can think of these practices as “spiritual nourishment” which provide guidance to the child and provide a foundation for the future.  Some of these practices may not be fully understood by the young child but are practised as part of the family tradition.  Later in life, those children who learn more about the relevance of these traditions begin to appreciate their value and benefit during the rest of their lives.  On the other hand, those of us who never had the opportunity to learn about the nuances of the tradition, and do not understand the system, often get pulled towards other more enticing distractions (similar to the junk food), virtually abandon the traditions and encounter unpleasant consequences.

What if . . .

the individuals and families who have become part of nuclear families lost the connection to the traditions that were practised by their ancestors?  What should such an individual or family do to re-establish that link to the “spiritual nourishment”?

One way would be to join a well-recognized group such as Chinmaya Mission or similar groups that conduct classes on various related topics.  Both children and adults can learn even if their base is weak.  When choosing a group, please look for the authenticity of the group, namely, what they teach should be well rooted in our śāstra-s.

Another way would be to form local self-help groups where a senior person who is knowledgeable in our traditions helps others.  Some people are doing this by meeting in person, while others are forming virtual groups that connect remotely.  The challenge with this type of arrangement is that the senior person or leader must be well-read and knowledgeable.  Otherwise, this approach runs the risk of spreading incorrect information and ideas.

In subsequent posts, I plan to share some śloka-s based on what was taught to me when I was a child.  This could also be used as a starting point for your journey.  I’ll also share the meanings for these śloka-s.

Conclusion:

Two key points in conclusion.

• sanātana dharma is not a confused system of conflicting ideas.  On the contrary, it offers a holistic system of principles and practices for the welfare of a diverse population.  The system provides broad guidelines for all and offers flexibility to enable individuals to tailor their specific practices matching their physical, psychological, and intellectual inclinations.

• In order to fully benefit and grow, one has to put in some personal effort to learn about the system and discover the hidden gems.  The available literature is vast and various masters have already written treatises that explain the nuances of the system.  Let us put in the effort to learn more about the meaning behind our traditions and choose the path which is auspicious and conducive to welfare and prosperity in the long-term.

Hari Om!