Think intellectuals! Think party! Think of both of these together! Does some scene flash before your eyes? Some of you might picture men holding a glass of golden water in a crystal clear and lustrous glass, making critical remarks on the political scenario in the country or in the whole world. Theories flying across about how one must do things in order to ensure world peace. Theories flying across about how a certain law should be framed in order to prevent certain adverse circumstances. In recent times, another topic of discussion has apparently become a favorite among partying intellectuals. And no points for guessing - the Vedas and the Upanishads.
The shocking series of events in the field of Physics post 1900 have led to many physicists unable to control themselves from making philosophical remarks. And who would blame them? Anyone who has even attempted to grasp the essentials of these modern theories of Physics will perfectly understand why the founding fathers of these theories retorted to making philosophical statements. Libraries today are filled with books whose central theme is the philosophical implications of modern physical theories. Among these books exist a class of books which cannot but draw parallels between the ancient texts of India i.e. Vedas and Upanishads and the findings of modern Physics.
The Vedas and Upanishads have come in the spotlight because of some well written books by Westerners who earlier never imagined themselves reading and trying to understand these ancient texts. If not the political crisis of the world or the ever existing threat of terrorism, the Vedas and the Upanishads have become the talk of these parties. Groups gather around. The one who manages to quote Nachiketa from the Katho Upanishad wins the spotlight. If not, then someone who manages to quote a verse from the Aryabhatiya wins the spotlight. There are people who work really hard day and night in order to gain mastery over the sayings of Krishna in the Bhagvat Gita, over the metaphysical exposition of Yama in the Upanishads and over the true meaning of Ramayana and Mahabharata; only to exploit this as an attraction seeker in a group of intellectuals drunk, if not by consuming golden water, by their belief that their thoughts will change the world.
The simplest proof that there is a difference between reading about something and following something becomes precisely clear when you attend one such Veda party. Opinions and debates will fly around for hours and at the end of the night, when it is all said and done, the party but remains one event which served the purpose of entertaining and perhaps in small proportions educating but definitely not enlightening. The same intellectuals, who on the previous night talked about the various statements in which the peace of the mind was emphasized will land up in a foul mouthed argument over a petty thing the next day. The same intellectuals, who talked about how selfless devotion and morality was highlighted as a means of attaining the highest knowledge will remember the beautiful red dress worn by one of his friend's wives.
To attain so much inertia that not one word from these texts can change you for the better or the worse and to fill oneself with so much false pride that knowledge of these ancient texts is but a tool to save your face in a congregation of intellectuals is this fashion of the Vedas and Upanishads. As the political and all other problems of the world remain unsolved despite a dedicated group of intellectuals debating over the solutions over golden water, so will the Vedas and Upanishads fail to impact the society. At the heart of all this lies the one common cause - no action, all fashion!