Selected Speeches of V R Gandhi

Author(s): Virchand R Gandhi
Publisher: Vallabhsuri Smarak Nidhi Godiji Jain Derasar Mumbai

Page 82

KARMA
In the logical development of the Hindu philosophical systems, the doctrine of Karma occupies a conspicuous place. The earliest effusions of the Aryan people, when we first find them settling on the bank of the Indus, are prayers to nature-gods, invoking them to protect themselves and their flocks and to help them in conquering their enemies. Their ceremonial consisted of offerings of oblations to the manes of deceased ancestors, sacrifices to the powers of nature and praises of the benign forces which they had personified. This the later Hindus called the Karma-mārga, the path of works, in contradistinction to the Jñāna-mārga, the path of knowledge. The Upanişads and the Bhagavadgītā treats of Karma in the above sense and the sense of duty. The Dharma-śāstras prescribe many ceremonials and duties under the head Karma. The Vedānta sharply distinguishes the Karma-mārga from the Jñāna-mārga.
One of the truths of Philology, which strikes us more than others, is that a word continually develops in ideas with the advance of culture and civilization. The Greek philosopher Heraclitus uses the word 'Logos' in the sense of the reason of the world. His analysis of the world ultimately leads him to the principle of Becoming, Change. In his view, this change is accomplished in accordance with definite relations, and in a succession that remains always the same. This rhythm of events he calls by various names.Destiny, Order, Reason
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