| Festivals of Bharat |
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The color of the Bhagava
Dhwaj - the saffron, depicting renunciation and service,
epitomizes the culture of Bharat. The flames rising from the yajna
are saffron in color and indeed reflect this spirit. The concept of yajna
is extraordinarily unique to Hindu culture and tradition. Yajna
is not merely a physical ritual. That is only symbolic. The Bhagavad
Geeta describes the concept of yajna as the sacrificial
offering of one's self to the good of all beings. "Not mine,
but thine" is the true message of yajna. Whatever one
achieves in this life in terms of physical prosperity and knowledge,
one has to offer them back to the society. The Ishaavaasya
Upanishad declares:
Ishaa
Vaasyamidam sarvam, yatkincha jagatyaam jagat | "God is the lord of all creation. After offering to Him, enjoy only that which is left over by Him. Do not rob what belongs to others." Acquiring of wealth is no sin but utilizing all of it for one's own self and one's own family is very much so. In the Bhagavad Geeta Sri Krishna warns: "He who eats all by himself without first offering to others eats only sin". However much one may earn, only the minimum things necessary for one's physical sustenance have to be utilized and the rest offered in service to the society. This is the Hindu way of tackling the challenge of harmonizing economic progress with social justice. This attitude, even while giving full scope to individual initiative, effectively neutralizes the evils of individual capitalism. Also, while it ensures social justice for the lowliest in society, the tragedy of state capitalism of the communist type is obviated and the sanctity of individual freedom upheld. |
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