Vivek or the ability to discriminate operates at two levels – between wrong-right and between temporary-permanent. Usual definition of Vivek is in the context of knowing what needs to be done and what doesn’t. When more and more members of a society do what is right then it’s a modern developed society. Yardstick to measure this is harmony among various interest groups of society.
In 2021 India has reached a level of self belief under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi where this poor country is not only achieving its emission targets before time but also showing the biggest polluters or so called advanced economies mirror at world stage. India has reached a level of self sufficiency or Atmanirbharta where this poor country has not only vaccinated a large population but also donated huge amount to other needy countries in the world. Knowing what needs to be done given the time, role And place is perhaps the best display of Vivek which is also called following one’s dharma in other words.
Then there is this ability to discriminate or Vivek in regards to the biggest question of life, who we are. What is permanent and what is temporary? Aatma or soul is the name given to the permanent aspect of us and Anaatma or Maya is the name given to the material or temporary aspect of us. Every living creatures experience of non-dying or tendency to ignore death all around and yet longing to be here permanently stems from the permanent aspect of its being.
The material aspect of every being is continuously changing. Millions of cells are dying and regenerating continuously, thoughts and emotions too are changing continuously. The ability to discriminate between the permanent and changing aspects of one’s life is true Vivek as defined by Aadi Shankaracharya in life changing book Vivekachudamani (crown jewel of Intellect). In November his 12-foot statue at Kedarnath was inaugurated by PM Modi who declared “India now aims high”. He said that Indian philosophy talks about human welfare, sees life in a holistic manner as projects worth ₹130Cr were also launched alongside.
There is a certain sense of hypocrisy when so called right-wing grossify and limit all pervading permanent aatma to only temples etc. Some of my friends on left wing are more honest though when they accept the hypocrisy of ignoring the experience of aatma altogether and of believing only in material truth. Year 2021 saw rise of New India where large scale implementation skills were demonstrated with Vivek of right or wrong. Year 2021 saw rise of New India where modernity meets traditional wisdom, Vivek of temporary and permanent. One key enabler of this New India is its current Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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