The
riddle behind the origin of universe, its sustenance and transformation has
always vexed human intelligence and imagination. Nevertheless, the vigour of
man’s search to discover the unknown has never weakened. That there is an ‘Invisible
Idea’ behind Creation is fundamental in spirituality. This fundamental ‘plan’
or idea is behind the origin of life-energy (soul or jeeva), its manifestation
and transformation through a physical medium.
Indian
spiritual thought is related to this perception regarding the successive
evolvement of soul and body through the conduit of time (in the form of Yugas and Manvantaras).
A person who tries to know Indian philosophy in depth could discern this fact.
In that way, we can see this nature as a perfect setting inherent with
different shades of life-potencies for evolvement of individual life forms.
The
soul in its infinitesimal form should evolve to its Absolute nature, which
necessitates an evolutionary scheme.
Nature has an inherent character to evolve the jeeva to its Absolute
status through a series of evolutionary incarnations. There is the process of moulding
the physical setting according to the nature and quality of evolution
presupposing an inter-relationship between spirit’s evolutionary status and
physical attributes.
There
exists, also a divine intervention that creates or directs this rhythmic
evolution. The uniqueness of Indian spirituality is this idea of a divine
intervention, in the form of a spiritual embodiment that exists as the
‘witnessing authority of all actions and knowledge (Karma-Dharma-Saakshi, i.e.
Guru Incarnation) in the evolutionary process of soul and body. In the
practical plane, this concept existed in India in the form of Guru-Disciple
spirituality in the scheme of Sanatana Dharma.
Since
the evolutionary process is successive, the manifestation of ‘Karma-Dharma-
Saakshi’ (the Guru Incarnation) is also successive in terms of humanity’s
spiritual progression. This process has been ordained in a manner of ‘karma and
dharma’ according to the age, which is referred as Yuga Dharma.
Yuga
Dharma is the dharmic orientation of life in accordance with the evolving
cycles of time for the soul and body to evolve from its imperfect state to its
Absolute status or from the state of nescience to absolute enlightenment.
Indian spirituality considers the relationship between an enlightened Guru -
who is the embodiment of absolute realization- and the souls who are struggling
to attain freedom from the chains of imperfection as the fundamental dharma for
the evolvement and fulfilment of all living beings.
There
is a revelatory knowledge, which gives the information about such Guru
Incarnations who help the imperfect souls to reach the path of perfection. We
were not able to comprehend the history of revelations about such great souls
and about the prophesies made by them about the incarnations that are to come
in succession.
We
should realize that beyond the wondrous feats and occult performances, there is
this path of spiritual evolvement for the soul and body in accordance with a
perennial law in nature. There should be a correction to our ignorance on this
subject, as it is not good to wait yet.
(From the Introduction
to the book ‘The Riddle of Manu, Manvantara Avatars and World Teacher
Prophecies’ published by Santhigiri Ashram, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala)
