20. Doctrine Of �Be Good, Do Good� In Both Vedas And Bible
DOCTRINE OF �BE GOOD, DO GOOD� IN BOTH VEDAS AND BIBLE
1. DOCTRINE OF �BE GOOD, DO GOOD� IN VEDAS
Vedic philosophy does not revolve round long lessons and lengthy sermons of empty idealism. It urges on practical life. Vedas teach man to lead practically pure and pious life full of philanthropy and fellow-feeling, benefaction and benevolence. This is the only way to salvation. �Be good and do good� is the gist of Vedic philosophy. He who recites with tongue holy mantras of Vedas and performs religious rituals and ceremonies, but himself does not lead pious life, nor is he good to others, is like a man who ploughs the field but does not sow. He who, besides reciting the religious theories and doctrines, puts them into practice in daily life, is like a man who not only ploughs and sows the fields but also reaps the harvest. An ounce of action is better than a pound of sermons.
Vedas, being practical guide to mankind, emphasise upon noble life and noble actions.
Sauwa: paUtaa Bavata yai&ayaasa: |
à Pgvaod 10ó18ó2Be pure and pious
O worshippers !
- Rig Veda 10/18/2
The doctrine of �be good, do good� is based on the �doctrine of truth�. In modern era of reasoning and rationalism various people debate as to what is good and what is bad. Their problem is how to distinguish good from bad, true from untrue, right from wrong. The best method of judging a thing whether it is good or bad, true or untrue, right or wrong is to apply the principle to one�s own self. Do to others as you wish it to be done to you by others. If you want others not to take away your life, you should also not take away the life of any creature. Is it not a matter of fantastic irony that on one h and you expect God to be merciful to you, while on another hand you fail to show mercy to the creatures of the same Lord ? God has provided everyman with the best adviser called conscience. When a man does ignoble deed, his conscience pricks and pinches him, notwithstanding the fact that satanic elements within him try utmost to stifle the voice of conscience. The voice of conscience is the voice of truth which is another name of religion. The religion which is not based on truth, cannot be called religion. The following quotation of Mahabharat categorically corroborates the statement :
Qama-: sa naao ya~a na satyamaista |
à mahaBaartaThe religion which is devoid of truth, is not religion at all.
- Mahabharat
Vedic religion preaches and precepts nothing but truth which is defined as universal law of nature or voice of conscience or divine voice.
Ptasya paqaa pa`ota |
à yajauvao-d 7ó45Tread on the path of truth.
- Yajur Veda 7/45
2. DOCTRINE
OF �BE GOOD, DO GOOD� IN BIBLE
(i) Treat others as you wish to be treated by others
Jesus Christ says :
199. �12. Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law of the prophets.�
- Matthew, 7/12