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108
Law of Karma
Radhakrishnan says that this is the spirit' in man. The infinite aspect of man, therefore, consists in his spirituality.
The word 'spiritual stands for something higher than the empirical. Therefore, it transcends the subject' and 'the object'. It must be of the nature of self-consciousness. In
onscious stage, the self is aware of itself. The subject itself is the object of its awareness. Hence, the spiritual must be of the nature of self-consciousness. At least in the case of man, self-consciousness is like a chord which is able to bind and keep together all the direct experiences. Hence, it gives an individual a distinct personality. Therefore, by calling man 'spiritual', Dr. Rudhakrishnan means that man is a selfconscious being who is able to unite all his direct experiences in the act of his self-consciousness. This capacity enables man to organise his moves and to bring about a spiritual growth. And this is the true nature of man.
Dr. Radhakrishnan explains this aspect as Divine in man. The natural tendency to attain higher and higher status in man shows that mın has the Divine spark within himsell. He clearly says, “There is, in the self of man, at the very centre of his being, something deeper than the intellect, which is akin to the Supreme.'23 In fact, all our spiritual activities, aesthetic or moral or religious are expressions of the fact of kinship between man's nature and Divine nature. That is why it can be said that in his infinite aspect man bears the stamp of his Divine origin and is capable of cultivating Divine excellences. He can act of his free choice, and can act in freedom. He can reach great spiritual heights and can have spiritual experiences.
Dr. Radhakrishnan now gives some examples which can be cited in support of presence of the Divine element in man. Such actions as are regarded noble' are called spiritual by Radhakrishnan. We undertake pains in order to help others and perform moral duties etc. How can we account for these ? Materialistic considerations cannot explain these facts. Only spiritual consciousness can account for these. Again, how can we explain the facts of aesthetic enjoyment, the religious commitment and similar other facts ? In listening to the melodious notes of a sweet music, we scem to forget about
