Aacharam plays a big part in the life of a
householder following the vedic dharma., or Hindu religion. By simple
definition, it means conduct and behavior. In other words it stands for
external actions. But according to Kanchi Periyaval, aacharam includes inner character, outward actions and symbols one
wears on the body. An extended meaning includes not just any practice, but
established customs and traditional practices.
By further
extension, the word aacharam includes
both ethics and morals. Whereas ethics and morals deal essentially with
relationship to this world, aacharam includes
activities to purify one’s mind in preparation for spiritual practices. Aaacharam practiced with faith is said
to remove the sins (papa) and produce
merits (punya). But it can do so only when practiced with
faith.
It is also
said that good and bad results as a result of aacharam may not be seen at once. They may show up only in the next
birth. That is why followers of vedic religion are instructed to practice good aachara (sadaachara) and accumulate punya. Breaking aacharam will result in papa.
Kanchi
Pariyaval talks eloquently and passionately about the need for not abandoning aacharas established in our dharma shastras. As much as I respect
Periyaval immensely and his logic sounds excellent, I have problems with many
of the statements because his premise is questionable.
For example,
when you say “in your next birth”, the concept of next birth is assumed to be
true and established. When you say that unless you practice with faith it will
not succeed, it is a self-fulfilling prophecy leading to circular reasoning. It
is not logic at all.
Periyaval
wants you to trust the elders. I do. I will. But, how can a human being with
mental faculties suspend reasoning altogether? As Hutchins pointed out “What
can be accepted for no reason, can be rejected also for no reason”.
I agree
however with Periyaval when he says “just do not take convenient ones and let
go of inconvenient ones by calling them superstitions”. He is perfectly
correct.
Nor do I
like the idea of “inventing” explanations to satisfy the persistent skeptics
who keep asking questions. In essence most of the explanations for various aacharas given by modern scholars belong
to this last group. These individuals have absolute faith in aacharas. They also know there is no valid
reason applicable to the present state of the society. They are also afraid of
breaking them because of bad consequences. Therefore they invent reasons.
The example
I have chosen is not aacharam. But,
it is to make a point. The modern so-called scientific explanation for performing homas (ceremonies using fire and pouring oblations that create
smoke) is that the smoke can “purify” the air and get rid of mosquitoes etc. The
word “purify” begs the question. Purifying from what pollution? Smoke from burning cow dung is
considered to be insecticidal. I have
big doubts about that statement.
But, our
ancestors were not at all concerned about these issues. They were interested in
appeasing the Gods and attaining moksha by
performing homas. They thought they
were sending their requests to the devas
through food offerings. The devas were
supposed to get pleased and send their blessings in the form of food and
prosperity to the humans. The hygiene explanation is our invention without any
proof.
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