The document discusses the principles of Sanathana Dharma and how Indian values have declined over time. It outlines the essence of Sanathana Dharma, including that one great power pervades all and we have the potential to realize our oneness with that power. It then discusses how intellectualism, invasions, lack of unity, and neglect of values have led to a decline in Indian culture and society. The document concludes by providing recommendations on how to strengthen Indian values through practices like celebrating festivals, reading scriptures, active citizenship, and collective functioning.

1. The Great Way of Life
Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
1

2. The Essence of Sanathana Dharma
s One Great Power pervades all and sustains everything
s We are that One, potentially
s There is a past and hence a future
s Every soul transmigrates
s Creation is the biggest blessing
s To be born as a human being is a rare privilege and a
great responsibility
s Self Realization is the individual goal
s Active concern for the welfare of all living beings is
everyone’s responsibility
2

3. The Essence of Sanathana Dharma
s Every one has a right to design his own path. No one has
a right to interfere in other’s faith.
s Everything in creation has come to be on the basis of
trigunaas
s Ignorance causes karma. Karma results in birth. Birth is
the opportunity to achieve freedom.
s Each one to his destiny
s Mind is the reason for bondage and freedom
s Freedom here and now is the goal
s Every plane in cosmos and every field of life has its own
set of rules. They must not be mixed up.
3

4. Dharma governed Life
s Dharma is appropriateness in thought, action and attitude
Satguru Sivananda Murty
s Differs from plane to plane, time to time, circumstance to
circumstance and person to person
s Dharma is like the cow. It nourishes him who protects it.
Satguru Sivananda Murty
s The basis for any thought, word and deed
s No one is above dharma
s Spirituality is the goal, backdrop and undercurrent. Every
aspect of life was considered as an avenue leading
towards that.
4

5. Everything in its place
s Four stages of life – childhood, youth, adulthood,
and old age
s Four stations in life – student, householder, mendicant,
and the ultimate walker
s Four concepts of life – dharma, material life, desire,
and deliverance
s Dharma rules all
s Inter-dependence is creation’s mega message
s Dharma ensures order, civility, ethics, and morality. It is
the platform for conducting life and launch pad for soaring
unto the sky.
5

6. Why was the past glorious?
s The highest wisdom was available even before the first
human being was born here, like milk being ready in
mother’s bosom even before the child is born Satguru Sivananda Murty
s Nothing can be created. Experience is discovery and not
creation. Creation is for experience.
s Truth is the height of wisdom and its basis at once
s A transparent and open system
s Religion was a part of culture
Satguru Sivananda Murty
s Where religion ends, spirituality begins Satguru Sivananda Murty
s Wisdom was not a classified secret. Nor was it easy to
obtain. The highest wisdom demanded sustained tapas.
6

7. Civility at its best?
s Vedas are revelations of the experience of Truth, as
perceived by the Rishis
s They are universal, secular and all encompassing
s Truth was offered. Nothing was imposed on anyone.
s The disciple could differ from the Guru. There was no
dispute. They agreed to disagree!
s Truth alone was sought and spoken
7

8. Bharath, the glorious land
s Cradle of Wisdom. Origin of Yoga. Fountainhead of fine
arts. Pinnacle of civilizations.
s Gods walked and lived among men
s Rishis could even correct Gods. They lived like ordinary
men.
s Spirituality is the core-character of Bharath
s The Guru of mankind
8

9. What went wrong?
9

10. The Story of Decline
s Tapas...Vedas...Yagnaas...Temples...
s Intellectualism – spirit of experience overshadowed by
schools of philosophy
s Vain display of wealth
s Arts became avenues of pleasure
s Personal whims imposed on people at large
10

11. The Intellectual Onslaught
s Philosophies at loggerheads
s Neglect of the common man
s Voluminous works confused the average man
s Religions forgot the original purpose and the essential
unity
11

12. The Invasions
s Islam
s Christianity – Europeans
s Communism
s The IT onslaught and the Western Influence
s Inner enemies
s Lack of Unity
s Values not passed on to the next generation
s Confusion, pressure, conflict, guilt etc.
12

13. The Impact
s Mediocrity replacing quality in all aspects of life
s Corruption in society
s Absence of citizenship
s Loss of knowledge and values
s Prophetiesm – spurious religious schools
s Patriotism eroded. No sense of belonging.
s Values ridiculed today, will not even be remembered
tomorrow. Two generations are at crossroads.
s Whatever we lose by way of ancient Indian values will be
lost to humanity forever
Satguru Sivananda Murty
s Humanity’s well-being depends on the health of Indian
values
13

14. What can we do?
14

15. Home sweet home…
s Pray we must
s Take marriage seriously
s Treat family as priority
s Celebrate festivals with awareness/knowledge
s Observe occasions like Guru Poornima
s Plan pilgrimages
s Practice vegetarianism
s Eat together at least once every day
s Have time for discussion
15

16. Read History With…
s Eyes and mind wide open
s Some knowledge of astrology
s Study of Astronomy
s A sense of responsibility
s Children
s Establish the truth
16

17. Read Scriptures
s The Originals
s Bhagavad Gita for Attitude
s Patanjali Yoga Sutras for yoga
s Ramayana for Idealism in routine life
s Mahabharatha for understanding dharma
s Biographies/works of Saints
17

18. Active Citizenship
s Citizenship is seizing initiative; collective functioning
s Collect facts, discuss with friends and circulate comments
s Practice reaction as a religion
s Create websites in English, Tamil, and Hindi
s Pressure the media
s Address two generations
s Organize campaigns, protests
s Do not miss the opportunity to appreciate
s Have a citizens’ forum
18

19. Collective Functioning
s Letters... letters… letters
s Observe National Days
s Remember the poignant moments in our history and keep
the children enlightened
s Cultural Events during festivals
s Worship a Deity together every month
s Booklets on symbolism, burning socio-religious issues,
worship and important quotes from scriptures
s Organize Satsanghs and Sankeertans
s Stay together under one umbrella
19

20. Basic Questions
s What have you done with yourself?
s What has been your contribution to society?
s What do you represent?
s When do you propose to retire?
s Do you consider your life a success?
s What have you understood of life?
s What is your message?
20

21. “India’s future lies in its past,
not the recent past, but the remote past”
21

22. “Humanity’s future lies in India’s past,
not the recent past, but the remote past”
22

23. Thank you
23