Yoga and the Society

Author(s): R V Ranade
Publisher: Z_Pushkarmuni_Abhinandan_Granth_012012.pdf

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श्री पुष्करमुनि अभिनन्दन ग्रन्थ : नवम खण्ड
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YOGA AND THE SOCIETY
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Dr. R. V. Ranade, M. D.
Yoga Vidyadham Narain Peth, Pune (Poona)
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Iroblems and problems ! The world, to-day, is facing several problems-economic, social and political, and also those of the basic needs, such as food, shelter and health. If we try to find out a solution for these problems, it is not one but many, and this leads increasing confusion. The need of the day is a single but perfect solution. Yoga, as a science of psychology and sociology, appears to be the best answer to all these questions. It is not a new science or philosophy to the Indians, but unfortunately, we have forgotten its importance in the near past. The situation now is encouraging, in the sense, that the whole world is looking to it as a tool that can solve many a problems of the modern society. The Sociological Thought
The society is a group of individuals living together. They are mutually bonded by common culture, language and thought. They observe certain moral rules, so that there is least interference with the independent existence of every individual. Only such community can be happy and prosperous.
The great French philosopher Auguste Comte thought that the psychological and intellectual development of an individual was directly related to the scientific progress of the society. According to him, the social system is regulated by the laws of nature. The individuals must have unity of thought, ideals and faith, which he calls 'Consensus Universalis'. He considers the family-unit as the basic school where an individual is taught to maintain social integrity. It is important to note his view that the temporal power in an industrial society must be controlled by the spiritual powers of the philosophers and the scientists. This statement of a modern Western thinker has a great similarity to the principle held by the learned people of ancient India, which emphasises, that the powers of the ruling and the rich must be governed by the penniless philosophers and homeless sages.
Herbert Spencer, an Englishman, was a master of Biology and Sociology. He believed that the progress of the society depended upon certain evolutionary processes. According to him, 'Individualism' has a central importance in the formation of a society. A society is formed mainly to guard the benefits of the individual. Naturally, this organization is perpetuated to maintain the progress of the individual. Emile Durkheim, coming from a religious French family, said, "A society has to remain as a unit. This unity depends upon the homogeneity of thought and behaviour." He further maintained, "the individual is born of a society and not society of individuals." This shows the important role of the society in building up the personality of an individual.
Max Weber, son of a German politician, has been recognised as the greatest of the sociologists. He related the psychology and the religious thoughts of a person to the progress of the society. Wilfredo Pareto, an Italian philosopher, clearly analysed the social system in terms of inter-relations and mutual dependence among the constituent individuals. He laid much stress on the mind of the individual in connection with the society. Fardinand Tonies