Tuesday, April 19, 2016
GURUDEV RANADE
After frantic search for a book concerned with Gurudev Ranade, I could get a small version in Marathi that gives his brief biography and also an account of his literary works.
Interestingly enough, some important topics in his book "Bhagwadgeeta as a philosophy of God Realisation" made inroads into deeper study and contemplation.
He emphasised unprecedented ness or novelty in the great scripture which , as per his doctrine happens to be Revelation or 'Sakshatkar' that is Atma-Sakshatkar . He maintains that umpteen numbers of philosophers postulated theories as far as quintessence of the Geeta ; however, they were entangled in the maze ( Chakra-vyuha ) created by themselves , since those viewpoints were not tested on the touchstone of Spirituality and contemporary philosophic thought.
In order to make his stand clear he raised certain issues worth pondering.
1). Some contradictions that must be addressed while postulating a doctrine as well as their synthesis or coordination .
2). Moral teachings in the Geeta. ( karma yoga and ordained duty)
3). Ethics, non-ethics and bliss of the Self as expounded in the Geeta.
4). Form of God
5). Types of Meditation as mentioned in the Geeta.
6). Grand and resplendent Darshana (view) of God.
There are at least five points of contention in the Geeta that need to be addressed (he says):-
A- whether God is attribute less or with attributes ( Nirguna or Saguna respectively)
B- whether God is 'do-er' or visionary ( Karta or Drashta)
C- Whether transcendental or all-pervasive ( sarvateeta or sarvavyapi)
D- whether the world / universe is true or false - imaginary ?
E- ' Videha Mukti or Krama Mukti' ?
Gurudev demonstrated contradictions quoting original statements from the Geeta and coordinated those using statements from the Geeta only !!
Needs more study and elaboration !!
Dr. Rahalkar
