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humans can reach the moon - it is not to be seen only as a material achievement of an earthly being. Rather it is the achievement of humans in the wonderland of cosmic universe, which lends constant strength, power and inspiration to their souls. Spiritual prosperity is in the backdrop of the total cosmic scenario and not in the backyard of your house, corner of your street or the doors of a temple or a church.
Indian religions believe in reincarnation and the ongoing cycle of birth and death on this Earth. That provides a measure of continuous existence in which the binding factor is the ‘soul while the body in varying forms of existence such as an insect, animal or human perishes.
Immortality of the soul is the spiritual inspiration for any given existence on earth at any point of time or form, in any condition of material prosperity or poverty. That is why one finds a tremendous serenity on the faces of the poorest of the poor, and tension lives on the faces of the richest of the rich.
Ovid has pointed out in his immortal work “Metamorphoses” that God has given an uplifted face only to Man and bade him stand erect and turn his eyes to heaven, while all other animals were prone to fix their gaze upon the Earth.
THE PLUS AND THE MINUS ASPECTS OF MATERIALISM
It will be wrong and misleading to run down material progress. It has been an epoch-making achievement of humanity with the aid of science, reason and logic. Beginning with primitive tools and going onto the birth of the wheel, humans have not looked back. Industrial revolution has made continuous strides reinforced by revolution in communications Humans have conquered distances and the world is fast becoming a global village. The creature comforts created by material progress have made life progressively more and more comfortable and enjoyable.
Ahimsa: The Ultimate Winner * (82)
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