Vanamali - The Science of the Rishis: The Spiritual and Material Discoveries of the Ancient Sages of India

Dharmaaya Namaha!

Salutations to the Eternal Law!

Dedicated to
My dearest brother, friend, and companion, Mohan

With deep gratitude for the innumerable ways
he has served Vanamali for so many years.

Without him Vanamali Ashram would not function.

The Science of the Rishis

Vanamalis writing is a Pancajanya, inviting all bharatas to bask in the luminous wisdom of their venerable heritage. Matajis writing is a divinely inspired, ecstatic pilgrimage to the feet of Indias great rishis. Vanamali passionately illuminates the rishis liberating revelations as the Himalayan summit of human consciousness, with an unparalleled power to transform men and women into gods and goddesses!

BRUCE BURGER, FOUNDER OF HEARTWOOD INSTITUTE AND AUTHOR OF ESOTERIC ANATOMY: THE BODY AS CONSCIOUSNESS

The Science of the Rishis is informative, inspirational, and a compelling read. I would recommend it to any serious student of Hinduism as well as a casual reader who is trying to broaden his knowledge.

GOPINATH PILLAI, AMBASSADOR AT LARGE, MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, SINGAPORE

Vanamali is an outstanding teacher of Vedanta and an eminent scholar having dedicated her entire life for the cause of Sanatana Dharma. The book is a treasure for posterity.

RAMA NARAYANAN, PRIVATE SECRETARY TO CHAIRMAN, PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE PARLIAMENT OF INDIA

Sri Ganeshaaya Namaha!

Salutations to Lord Ganesha!
Who removes and overcomes all obstacles,
And grants success in every endeavor.

GANASHTAKAM

Bharat Mata

Awake O Mother!
The time has come to assert your rights!
To open the veil of ages,
To disclose your eyes,
Filled with the wisdom of the ages,
Your children are crying to Thee,
Why are you silent?
Queen of Beauty!
Queen of Wisdom!
Queen of the World!
Uplift us who have fallen so low
As to put artha before dharma,
Who have renounced moksha
And embraced kama.
Help us, O mother!
Deliver us from the greed that seems to bind us,
Allow us to raise our heads once again
And proclaim to the world,
This is our land!
The Holy Land!
The land of the sages!
The land of martyrs!
The land that has given the world
The knowledge of our Immortal Self,
The knowledge to free us
From the thrall of ignorance.

FOREWORD

Essentials of Hinduism

Is Hinduism or Sanatana Dharma a religion, as such? Religion generally denotes a system of morality based on the concept of God. Sanatana Dharma is not something exclusively like that. It evolved in the Gangetic plains in prehistoric times, when the world had not seen or heard the word religion at all. To speak then of Hinduism or Sanatana Dharma as a religion is, to say the least, preposterous. But sometimes such references and statements do creep into the minds of people, and it becomes difficult to correct them.

This does not mean that no efforts should be made to amend such misperceptions. In fact, any society remains vibrant and creative only when it hosts thinkers who examine the misunderstandings and delusions of people from time to time and effectively administer corrective measures. We cannot blame any society for its wrongs. But it is inexcusable indeed if its thinking members do not take stock of the situation and strive to remedy them.

The word dharma does not have an English equivalent, although righteousness can be an approximate word to convey what dharma stands for. Dharma denotes the power or process of sustaining human life in all situations, in fortune and misfortune, favor and disfavor, prosperity and adversity. This power is truly applicable to the mind and intelligence, not to anything else in the human personality.

The word Hindu also calls for a discreet analysis and assessment. Barhaspatya Samhita (a section of the Rig Veda) defines it as the land lying between the Himalayas to the north and Indusarovara (the Indian Ocean) to the south. The relevant verse reads thus:

Beginning from the Himalayas extending to Indusarovara, the land created by the Lord is called Hindusthanam, the word being derived from the first letter of Himalaya and the last letter of Indu. Those who belong to Hindusthanam are called Hindu.

Hindu, thus, is not a religious name. It is a territorial or geographical reference, denoting the people who lived and still live in a specific area of the earth. Whatever new religion or cult they belong to does not matter at all. They are all ethnically Hindus, having been born in and continuing to live in this blessed land.

The concept, process, and pursuit of righteousness were evolved by the dwellers in Hindusthanam, who lived and spread in the plains, graced by the perennial flow of the holy river. We cannot say when the thought process and culture first began. As we are not able to trace any point of time when this transpired, it has naturally come to be regarded as anadi, or beginningless.

It also can be said to be without end. Over the ages, an amazing assortment of literature has evolved on the theme of dharma. Even now all the scriptural writings on Sanatana Dharma have not been traced. The fact that these are too numerous to be identified is clearly revealed by a proverbial statement:

Scriptural compositions are endless. There is a great deal to be known. The obstacles are many, but the time available is short. Therefore, the essence of all these must be discerned and pursued vigorously, like swans separating milk mixed with water.

Swans reputedly have the unique capacity to separate milk from water and drink it exclusively. Such is the art and process of discrimination the dharmic votary must have, in approaching the countless scriptures Sanatana Dharma encompasses.

The dharmic thoughts and practices of this land have been presented in various forms to guide people to navigate the ocean of Hindu scriptures and understand the relevance of their fundamental tenets and pursuits. Sage Valmikis Ramayana, Vyasadevas Mahabharatam, Srimad Bhagavatam, and many other such writings have been evolved to serve the purpose of presenting the thoughts with a renewed concern and relevance to life. Sanatana Dharma has continued to be a subject of wide exposition. Spiritual and philosophical discourses form part of the Hindu culture and tradition. Enlightening discourses are widely attended by both the erudite and common people, young as well as old. Efforts like these should continue. Only then will the newer generations have the opportunity to know the continuing relevance of this most ancient spiritual-philosophical analysis of human life and the resultant guidance as to how it leads to success, peace, and fulfillment.