Modern Life
- Anusha Vashishth
- May 19, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: May 27, 2020
Modern: adjective
Of or relating to present and recent time; not ancient or remote
In today’s world, what is modern? ‘Modern’ is relative. It changes with location, age, background and multiple other factors. So, let’s take it at the larger level i.e. country wise.
In most modern countries, usually the USA and the UK, modern means going vegan, embracing a healthy lifestyle, basically focus on health, at least currently and if we consider on a materialistic note, having the best gadgets, houses, etc. And nearly the entire world follows the first world countries in this aspect. While this is happening in India as well, mostly the past decade has had a different way of modernization. No, I’m not talking about industrialization or anything.
For some time now, it has been a general Indian deduction that if you speak English, wear western clothes, give women freedom (mostly), it is modern. YOU are modern. It is assumed that since all these are in the first world countries, doing them makes us modern. Considering the atmosphere in the past two centuries, it is completely incorrect to assume this. Till the 1990s, a woman having financial independence seemed somewhat delusional (although it was present a bit) and in today’s world, it is gaining more and more prevalence. Although there are still a few obstacles (such as unequal pay), they are being fought off. Most people would consider this pretty modern.
What very few people realize is that, in pursuit of being modern, we are actually trying to follow the ancient path of India i.e. the way of life present in the early Vedic age.
Before 1200 BCE (when Early Vedic Age ended and Later Vedic Age started) India was one of the most sophisticated countries in the world. There are multiple instances to prove this.
In the early Vedic period, women held the same powers and positions as men, including the governance.
Ancient Indians were one of the first ones to use Algebra and Calculus. Not only that, but they also invented the zero!
The ancient war Mahabharata was fought with nuclear weapons and in an amazing Indian text called the Agastya Samhita, the precise directions for constructing electrical batteries are given. The term ‘Mitra-Varuna’ are today called cathode-anode, and Pranavayu and Udanavayu are oxygen and hydrogen to us!
According to research, Sanskrit is one of the most suitable languages for computers. It is considered to be very efficient in creating algorithms. A NASA scientist has said that the USA is creating the 6th and 7th generation Super Computers based on the Sanskrit language.
These examples undeniably demonstrate is that the ancient Indians were the most technologically, spiritually and socially advanced society in the world, not only of that time, but even more than people today. They were also ecologically - conscious and lived in harmony with nature. When they took from the earth, they gave back as well and referred to Earth as ‘mother’ and worshipped her.
All this proves the progressiveness of ancient Indians and inspires us to stop following western approaches blindly. It encourages us to go back to our glorious past.
“भारत-वैभवं”
वन्दे नितरां भारतवसुधाम्।
दिव्यहिमालय-गंगा-यमुना-सरयू-कृष्णशोभितसरसाम् ।।
मुनिजनदेवैरनिशं पूज्यां जलधितरंगैरंचितसीमाम् ।
भगवल्लीलाधाममयीं तां नानातीर्थैरभिरमणीयाम् ।।
अध्यात्मधरित्रीं गौरवपूर्णां शान्तिवहां श्रीवरदां सुखदाम् ।
सस्यश्यामलां कलिताममलां कोटि-कोटिजनसेवितमुदिताम् ।।
वीरकदम्बैरतिकमनीयां सुधिजनैश्च परमोपास्याम् ।
वेद्पुराणैः नित्यसुगीतां राष्ट्रभक्तैरीड्याम् भव्याम् ।।
Salutations to the land of Bharat that shines with Devine Himalayas,Ganga,Yamuna,Sarayu Krishna and many more rivers. That is always worshipped by sages,that is surrounded by the waves of the ocean. That is the land of spirituality,endowed with dignity,That is peaceful,that bestows prosperity and happiness
That is luscious green with crops,pious and revered by crores of people. That Looks beautiful wearing a garland of warriors , worshipped by noble scholars
Sung daily through Vedas and Puranas,crowded with patriots,Who looks splendid.
salutations and salutations.
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