Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam On Hinduism

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam's Address after receiving
the first copy of Encyclopedia on Hinduism
I am inspired to participate in the launch of Encyclopedia on Hinduism

at Ramakrishna Math, Bangalore. My Pranams to Swamijis and

greetings to all the distinguished guests.

Evolution of three volumes of "A concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism"

is indeed a remarkable lifelong contribution by Swami Harshanandaji. It

symbolizes the thought that the past meets the present and creates the

future through the Encyclopedia.

Evolution of Hinduism is said to be more than 7000 years ago and four
Vedas have continuously enriched the religion in all aspects of human

life: philosophy, religion, ethics, culture, arts, sciences and literature. I

am sure, the encyclopedia will become authentic and researched

reference material to the scholars, learners and practitioners alike

which can further enhance the understanding of Hinduism for enriching

the society.

God: personification of justice, love and mercy

I was reading in the first volume of encyclopedia under the caption

"God", where the author says "the Hindu's scriptures are eloquent

while describing the qualities of God. He is all knowing and all

powerful. He is the very personification of justice, love and beauty.

In fact, He is the personification of all the blessed qualities that man

can ever conceive of. He is ever ready to shower His grace, mercy

and blessings on His creation. Really speaking, the very purpose of His

creating this world is to shower His blessings on the creatures, to lead

them gradually from less perfect states to more perfect ones. He is

easily pleased by the prayers and supplication of His devotees.

However, His response to these prayers is guided by the principle, that

it should not be in conflict with cosmic law concerning the general welfare

of the world and the law of Karma concerning the welfare of the particular

individual". The way Swamiji has personified God, is unique. I remember

in my everyday Namaz, I start with Allah, the most benevolent, the most

merciful and the most glorious.

Dharma

When I looked at the definition of Hinduism, I found that it is Dharma

which upholds this created universe, supports it and sustains it, without

which the universe will just fall apart. For each phase of life, Dharma

prescribes different types of action. When I think about Dharma, I am

reminded of a divine hymn on righteousness.

Righteousness

"Where there is righteousness in the heart

There is beauty in the character.

When there is beauty in the character,

There is harmony in the home.

When there is harmony in the home.

There is order in the nation.

When there is order in the nation,

There is peace in the world."

It is a beautiful connectivity between heart, character, nation and the

world. In a society we have to build righteousness among all its

constituents. For the society as a whole to be righteous we need

creation of righteousness in family, righteousness in education,

righteousness in service, righteousness in career, righteousness in

business & industry,righteousn ess in civil administration, righteousness

in politics, righteousness in government, righteousness in law and order,

righteousness in justice. In this context, I would like to narrate my

experience of being in the divine environment in the company of a joint

family in Meerut radiating happiness and smiles.

In the service of God

In Meerut, I have come to know about a functional joint family system
model called Grihastha Ashram having over 60 to 70 members. This

system is working on three important principles.

(a) Treating everyone as a manifestation of God.

(b) Implicit faith in the mercy of God.

(c) Steadfast dependence on the chanting of his name.

Since I had studied so much of this Meerut spiritual family, I visited the

family during my recent trip to Meerut. I saw the family consisting of

grand-parents to grand-children and extended family had come from

many parts of Meerut starting from young and experienced. All of them

explained, how their life got transformed after coming into contact with

his family. I was observing how they had achieved this transformation.

When I observed during their Bhajan, I found that they all enjoyed every

verse and were bubbling with enthusiasm. In short during the prayer

period the whole family was in a new state of cheerfulness. When I

interacted with the members, there was a revelation;whatever they do,

they did for the God. Their work is highly interlinked with divinity. For

example, gardener feels, he is gardening to get the flowers for

worshipping of the God.The decorator of the divine place is doing the

mission of beautifying the divine place.

The Keertan group of the family, composed the vocal music and used

the musical instruments to generate appropriate tunes to suit the divine

environment. The divine rhythm emanates because they are singing the

glories of God with passion. For the family head, all the family members

and who assembled there, were all image of the God. Regarding their

profession, each member whether undergoing education or a career,

everyone felt that the divine family environment had enhanced their

performance capacity in every activity and made them happy and

contented.

This type of divine environment of joint family system definitely may be
existing in many places in the country in many religious environments.

Definitely harmony in the homes will bring order in the nation and

thereby peace in the world.

Dear Friends, I have a special connectivity with Ramakrishna Mission. I

have visited number of Ramakrishna Mission Institutions like spiritual

centers, schools, hospitals,orphanage s and I have also participated

number of times in the Youth Day celebrations in different parts of the

country on Swami Vivekananda birthday.

Ramakrishna Mission is also famous for bringing out multi-religious

research publications. I was always inspired by the spirituals statements

of Sri Ramakrishnaji and Swami Vivekananda.

Sri Ramakrishnaji says

There are pearls in the deep sea, but one must hazard all to find them.

If diving once does not bring you pearls, you need not therefore

conclude that the sea is without them. Dive again and again. You are

sure to be rewarded in the end. So is it with the finding of the Lord in
this world. If your first attempt proves fruitless, do not lose heart.

Persevere in your efforts. You are sure to realize Him at last.

What a beautiful message for humanity to be perseverant in their tasks.

Swami Vivekanada's message is unique and the world needs it. When

he says

"My name should not be made prominent. It is my ideas that I want to

be realized".

Ramakrishna Mission centers in the country and the abroad are really

radiating these messages.

As I am in this serene environment, let me recite my humble peace prayer.

Conclusion

MY PRAYER FOR PEACE

"Oh Almighty, create thoughts and actions
in the minds of the people of my nation

so that they live united.

Oh Almighty, bless my people

a path of life with righteousness

as righteousness gives the strength of character.

Help all religious leaders of my country to

give strength to the people to combat the divisive forces.

Guide my people to develop an attitude to appreciate different

ideologies and transform enmity among individuals,

organizations and nations, into friendliness and harmony.

Oh almighty, terrorism is a curse to the humanity

And the people who remove innocent lives indeed are insane

Let the pain of the people transform the cruel minds.

Oh God, bless my people to work with perseverance to

transform the country into a peaceful and prosperous nation."

With these words, I am very happy to receive the first copy of the

Encyclopedia of Hinduism by Swami Harshanandaji. My best wishes

to Ramakrishna Mission for success in the mission of promoting unity

of minds through spirituality.

May God Bless you.

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam,

You Can see a Photograph of Seenu Chittappa and Bhama Chitti @ Dr.Abdul Kalam's House at Rameswaram during our visit there in Febrary2008 with Dr.Kalam's elder brother

---