Hindu people take part in a series of Melasti ceremonies at Marina Beach, Semarang City, Central Java, Sunday (26/3). The ritual was carried out to purify themselves before they celebrate the Hindu Day of Silence tomorrow.
On Tuesday (28/3/2017), adherents of the Hindu religion will celebrate the end of Saka Year 1938 and the coming of Saka Year 1939. The difference between Saka and Gregorian calendars in 68 years.
At a time of change like this, the Hindu people will provide time for reflection and self-evaluation through observing the four abstentions (catur brata) of silence, namely amati geni, amati lelanguan, amati karya and amati lelungan.
Amati geni is the main abstention, namely abstaining from lighting fires. The word amati, apart from meaning “putting out” can also mean “taking control of”. Geni reflects the divine power of The Creator in the form of the light of knowledge as personified through Dewi (goddess) Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge.
Therefore, the observation of the Day of Silence is focused on efforts to control ourselves as creative human beings to be better in managing our future. This is only achievable by controlling our emotion (lelanguan), our conduct (karya) and by focusing our minds so as not to wander off (lunga) here and there.
In the holy scripture of Bhagavad Gita (III-5), it is mentioned that, “Even if only for a moment, no one is able to not do anything, as mankind is rendered powerless in the face of the law of nature that compels them to act.”
While humans are living their lives on earth, they will never be able to separate themselves from all work. This is because, with no work, there is no life.
However, what kind of work humans should do? Bhagavad Gita compares the works of the ignorantand the wise. This is done as an effort to improve mankind’s awareness as the highest form of creation so that they are capable of doing holy works that they are meant to do.
“Just as the ignorant people perform their duties with attachment to the results, o scion of Bharata, so should the wise act without attachment for the sake of leading people on the right path.” (BG.III-25).
Benefit of all
Working without any personal attachment and purely for the benefit of all! Such a spirit is still absent from us as a nation today. Personal and group interests are seemingly more dominant than national interests. National interests are often abused for the benefit of oneself and one’s group.
Can we collectively “be silent” for a moment while asking ourselves why we still have strong emotional attachment to work for our own and our group’s interests while setting aside national interest?
Hinduism teaching mentions three human natures, namely satwa (honest and virtuous), rajah (active and ambitious) and tamah (indifferent and greedy).
It seems that the national leadership today is dominated by rajah and tamah people. There are only a few that can be said to besatwa. This is despite working without any personal attachment and purely for the benefit of all (mankind) necessitates a genuine submission to the will and power of the Almighty God.
“Submit yourself in all that you do to Me. Concentrate your mind on the atman, free yourself from all desires and egoism, go to war and cast out your fears.” Such was Sri Khrisna’s advice to Arjuna.
In this contemplation, let us all put the dreams of our independence as a collective goal.
If we are where we are today after 72 full years of independence, it seems that introspection and self-reflection is necessary.
Is this our karma for not being sincere enough in working for the interest of the nation? If so, let us all be more aware to make improvements together while controlling the flames within.
