EMPHASIS ON PRACTICE

[Ms Tercy Lonan]

EMPHASIS ON PRACTICE
Hinduism provides spiritual food and Yoga Sadhana for all sorts of people to suit their
temperaments, capacities, tastes, stages of spiritual development and conditions of life. It
prescribes Yoga Sadhana even for a scavenger or a cobbler to attain God-realisation, while doing
his ordinary avocation in the world. Hindu Yoga and Vedanta teachers lay great stress on
self-restraint, Tapas, renunciation and practical Sadhana which is best calculated to control the
mind and the senses and unfold the divinity or attain Self-realisation. Hinduism is not a religion of
mere theories. It is eminently practical. In no religion you will find such a variety of practical Yoga
practised and such sublime unique philosophy expounded. That is the reason why India is the only
glorious land of sages, Rishis, Yogins and saints.
Religion is practical aspect of philosophy. Philosophy is rational aspect of religion. The
philosophy of Hinduism is not arm-chair philosophy. It is not meant for intellectual curiosity and
vain discussion. Hindu philosophy is a way of life. The philosopher of Hinduism seriously reflects
after hearing the Srutis, does Atma-Vichara, constantly meditates, and then attains Self-realisation
or Atma-Sakshatkara. Moksha is his goal. He attempts to attain Jivanmukti now and here.
Religion is spiritualisation of human life for a Hindu. Religious culture is really the culture
of freedom for him. Religion governs all the departments of Hindu life. He must realise the freedom
of the soul in every department of life. Religion affords the greatest scope for him for the culture of
true freedom. Religion is the only way to him for the realisation of perfect freedom in life.
It is in India alone that every man knows something of philosophy. The cowherd who tends
the cattle, the peasant who ploughs the fields, the boat-man who pulls at his oar, sing songs replete
with philosophical truths. Even the barber repeats OM NAMAH SIVAYA, SIVOHAM before he
takes up the razor. The Paramahamsa Sannyasins, the itinerant monks of Hinduism, have
disseminated the highest of Vedanta from door to door. In exchange for a handful of rice, they have
distributed from door to door, through religious songs, the priceless gems of Hindu religion and philosophy.