Modern Religious Tragedy (1900-1955)

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To my prospective readers' dismay no less than mortification I have held myself back from detailing here anything lest this preface should run into an assemblage of elegies. Let alone the units in my family and wife's, even my most valued companions; Awadheshwar, Rajeshwar, Siddique Saheb (President awardee for Persian), Vidyarthi (Pandey Bramheshwar-that outstanding philosopher) are now not there to rejoice at the publication of this book-my heartfelt thanks to the realisation and endeavour of Shri Veer Raghavan of Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan and Shri Bhagwan Choudhary (only much too respectful), proprietor of Jnanada Prakashan, New Delhi.

Besides the concern of Devendra, more a chum and schoolmate than a relation, the anxious rings of Nagendra, confrere from our M.A. days: I brother, Dr. Shambhu Sharan, D.P.M.H. (Lond.) F.R.C.P., resultantly respectable by rights but none the less junior by age.

Not to recall Dr. Marutinandan Pathank, my alter ego, but comparatively very young although a retired Professor and Head of the University Deptt., Magadh University, Bodhgaya for his erudition, liveliness, and ever helping tongue, with reverence and affection will be stony thanklessness.

Dharm is the cosmic law of creation evolution and devolution to the vedas it is R.t., the cosmic law. Nobody can transgress the cosmic law (R.t.). (Rigveda, 9.73.6). It has been called the eternal path of 'dharm' which being cosmic in nature is open to everybody. It is not a private lane, exclusive to any individual or group. Therefore, dharm in Indian (Vedic) tradition is inclusive. The Vedas have declared that their mantras as everybody-the Brahamins, the Kshetriyas, the Vaishyas, the Shudras, and also for the foreigners, they are meant to uplift everybody (Rigveda, 2.23.15).

Dharma, if declared exclusive, and embedded in rituals, in religion. It is preached through the Book which are received by man who are known as the messengers of God. Sematic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and add Marxism) are exclusive, which believe that theirs is only way to salvation, redemption. Buddhism and Jainism also are in this category.

The Vedic tradition is inclusive. It does not depend on the Words of any individual (Moses, Chris, Mohammed or Marx) as road to self-realisation in open to all. Therefore, the tradition of self-realised men, rishis, starting from the Vedic period is a living tradition till today, the latest being Paramhansa Ramakrishna, Maharshi Raman, and so on.