Interview - Swami Dayanandaji's By Hindu voice

[Guest guest]

:: INTERVIEW

Swami Dayananda Saraswati

"I consider everyone a Hindu until they say they are not"

Swami Dayananda Saraswati is a well-known Swami of the Advaita-

Vedanta tradition. Being highly articulate in several languages,

including English, he has been able to reach out to hundreds of

thousands of people through his writings and speeches and personal

leadership. He has founded the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam as well as

several charitable institutions around the world. Hindu Voice UK

caught up with Swamiji on his recent trip to the UK.

What led you towards becoming a Swami?

I always had some inclination towards spirituality, but my interest

increased greatly after hearing a talk by Swami Chinmayananda, in

Madras. I was in my mid-20s at that time, and was a journalist.

Gradually I studied the scriptures more and more, and went to

different spiritual teachers to further my knowledge, which

eventually led me to became a Swami.

What was your family's reaction?

Even though I was from quite a traditional and religious background,

in which there was some basic Vedic and Sanskrit education, the idea

of becoming a Swami was not very palatable to them. They liked that

I was studying these teachings, but were unhappy about my decision

to become a Swami. They knew that the life of a Swami is tough, and

didn't want me to make a rushed choice. The other worry they had was

the loss of my income into the home.

What, in your opinion, is the most important teaching of Hinduism?

If I were to choose one aspect, it would be the teaching that God is

the only reality, which can be invoked through any name or form. All

worship offered with a pure heart is valid. There can be million

forms of worship, offered to any name or form that you choose. This

is the universal outlook of Hinduism. Hinduism is a very profound

religion, not based in simple beliefs. God is to be understood, not

just believed in.

What do you feel about the direction that modern-India is travelling

in?

Economically India is beginning to do well. But politically our

direction is a matter of concern and certainly not good for culture

and tradition. There are well-entrenched forces that are trying to

subvert the unity of the country both politically and culturally who

have made considerable progress in their agenda.

Is India becoming too materialistic?

Not really. On the surface, it looks as though Hindus in India are

now very materialistic and greedy. But if we look beyond the

surface, it is not the case. The value of spirituality and duty is

still very much alive among all sections and age groups of our

society. But everybody is striving for material security in a

competitive world. A few generations ago, we lived in a society

where everybody knew exactly what he/she would do before they were

even born. Everything in life was definite. There was nothing to

worry about, because it was a zero-competition environment. But that

is dying. Now all of a sudden, intense competition has been

introduced in the lives of Indians. Everybody is competing for jobs

and resources. It is like putting a domesticated cat put into the

wild.

In your opinion, is this a good or bad thing?

I can't say whether this change is good or bad, but it is the

reality and there is no going back.

Having travelled significantly outside of India, what are your

thoughts on Western society?

I have no problem with the West. They have achieved many things. But

they have come to a certain stage of extreme materialism where they

have to face certain stern realities. We see the amount of

psychiatric disease, depression etc prevalent in the West, even

amongst people who are rich in terms of money. The wisdom of ancient

India is the solution to such problems. The society needs to learn

that the most important thing is that a person has to be at comfort

with oneself, and learn who we really are.

You recently founded the 'Hindu Dharma Acarya Sabha'. What are its

aims?

It is a body for all the leaders of ancient Hindu schools, brought

together as a federation. There are a lot of issues involving

Hinduism where the religious leadership needs to take a collective

stand. The recent events at the Tirupati Balaji temple, where the

Andhra Pradesh state government headed by a 'born-again Christian'

tried to confiscate ancient temple lands and sell them in auction to

Christian groups was a real wake up call to us. We managed to unite,

and now the government has backed down.

Some Hindus say that to get involved in (or have strong views on)

society's problems and conflicts, especially things like religious

conversions, is 'unspiritual' , and not befitting behaviour for a

Swami. What is your response to this?

A sadhu cannot directly participate in political activities. I can

however offer guidance, like Vashista and Vyasa used to, if somebody

seeks advice. That is my position.

Right now, Hindu society is at a stage where anybody may be called

on to do duties that are not traditionally prescribed for him or

her. For example, the traditional Kshatriya roles of society are not

being fulfilled by people from Kshatriya descent, and in such times,

anybody who has a natural inclination towards the job should do it.

In your opinion, can a person who is not a Hindu by birth become a

Hindu?

I consider everybody to be a Hindu until they say they are not.

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Take care, With Lots of Love and Wishes,

Swamini Sadvidyananda,