[Advaita-l] Chanting Gayatri overseas

[R Krishnamoorthy]

Dears
In Varaha avatar the whole earth is lifted up including all the five or
seven continents. So for the Lord all parts of our bhumi are equally
important. If one has to follow the sasthras then travel overseas is a
strict no. But as we look for exemptions we want to rely on some sub
clauses to satisfy our conscience. So it is.
R. KRISHNAMOORYHY.
On 7 Oct 2017 10:23, "Raghav Kumar Dwivedula via Advaita-l" <
advaita-l at lists.advaita-vedanta.org> wrote:

> That's an excellent bhAShya reference, Subbu ji,  on how dharma can
> definitely be reinterpreted by shiShTa-s in keeping with the present desha
> and kAla. No doubt it's not a licence to say, anything goes. We have to
> cautiously move on.
>
> But to say that all NRI brahmins are patita-s as long as they are based
> abroad seems untenable.
>
> Om
> Raghav
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On 07-Oct-2017 8:20 AM, "V Subrahmanian via Advaita-l" <
> advaita-l at lists.advaita-vedanta.org> wrote:
>
> > On Sat, Oct 7, 2017 at 1:52 AM, Vēdānta Study Group via Advaita-l <
> > advaita-l at lists.advaita-vedanta.org> wrote:
> >
> > > Harih Om
> > >
> > > Dharma (and its interpretation) evolves through time.
> >
> >
> > Shankara, in his Brahma sutra bhashya ३.१.२५ has said:
> >
> > यस्मिन्देशे काले निमित्ते च यो धर्मोऽनुष्ठीयते, स एव
> > देशकालनिमित्तान्तरेष्वधर्मो भवति ; तेन न शास्त्रादृते धर्माधर्मविषयं
> > विज्ञानं कस्यचिदस्ति । - Dharma is place-time specific and hence the
> > scripture is the best source to decide what is dharma and what is not.
> >
> > And in innumerable places Shankara has stated that śiṣṭāchāra, conduct of
> > the noble, as a source of Dharma/adharma. In fact the Taittiriya
> Upanishad
> > itself says: Follow those who are wedded to Dharma, in deciding what
> course
> > of action you have to take, while in doubt, etc.
> >
> > While the śiṣṭa-s may not encourage people going abroad, yet they have
> > continued to bless those who live abroad, for whatever reasons. I have
> > heard the earlier Jagadguru would bless those who seek his blessings
> while
> > a boy is going abroad for higher studies: 'My blessings are there on this
> > condition: Study there and return to our Land and serve here.' Now, over
> > the years we have huge settlements abroad who seek to follow dharma. In
> > fact I came across at least one person, who has studied the entire Rg
> Veda
> > and is now teaching people even in India, through Skype from the US.
> There
> > are sincere seekers who have said 'the quite, serene atmosphere there is
> > very conducive to dhyāna, contemplation, etc.' This is what is sought by
> > anyone who is a seeker, ultimately.
> >
> > Above all, we have to also remember this:  Between niyama (observances)
> and
> > yama (fundamental moral conduct), the latter takes precedence over the
> > former in spiritual progress and attainment. Swami Vidyaranya in the
> > Jivanmuktiviveka has given references for this rule. He also points out
> > cases of extremity where 'a certain person looked for a pure place all
> over
> > the world to conduct his religious practice and could not find a single
> > one'. What is important above all is for a person to value ahimsā,
> satyam,
> > akrodha, brahmacharya and non-stealing. These are the five yama-s that
> are
> > crucial for spiritual evolvement. Niyama-s are there to support these in
> > the long run. They are not to be belittled either. An
> individual-specific,
> > balanced, view is what is moderate.
> >
> > regards
> > subbu
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > > What is stated in the
> > > Brhadaranyaka upanishad may be contextual to the social situation then.
> > > These boundaries can be widened as contemporary sampradayavits see fit.
> > >
> > > As someone correctly points out, even the Jagadguru of Sringeri has
> > blessed
> > > the SVBF mandir to be set up in Pennsylvania. Surely these Acharyas
> have
> > a
> > > better understanding of the commentaries and how to make them
> applicable
> > in
> > > present times. Personally, I don't see ourselves fit to form a
> universal
> > > opinion for Hindus to follow, but certainly these teachers are in a
> > > position to do so, and they have. So far I have not seen any counter to
> > > this point
> > >
> > > Namaste,
> > > Prashant
> > >
> > > On 6 October 2017 at 11:14, Kalyan via Advaita-l <
> > > advaita-l at lists.advaita-vedanta.org> wrote:
> > >
> > > > I am surprised that in this entire discussion no one has quoted the
> > > > Brihadaranyaka upanishad so far.
> > > >
> > > > Br.Up.1.3.10 advises against foreign travel. Shankara interprets it
> in
> > > the
> > > > same way.
> > > >
> > > > Travel should be confined to lands inhabited by people possessing
> Vedic
> > > > knowledge - this is the gist.
> > > >
> > > > Thus, there is Shruti prohibition against foreign travel.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Regards
> > > > Kalyan
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