Bowing: A Hindu View of Divinity All-Pervasive—Part 5/5

Bowing: A Hindu View of Divinity All-Pervasive—Part 5/5

Bowing and Sadhana

Developing humility is not merely a means of nation building. In fact it is part of Hindu sadhana or spiritual practice. We bow to develop humility as an aid to enlightenment. While bowing has remained as mere etiquette in some cultures, we attach a much greater value to it than that. It is a means of removing arrogance from the ego and making the mind conducive to the reception of the Supreme Knowledge. Therefore the Lord says ‘acquire that knowledge by going to a master and (first) prostrate.” (Bhagavad Geeta 4.34)

Ironically, while bowing or developing a reverential, respectful attitude is essential for enlightenment, this attitude and act is also an outcome of enlightenment! Tulsidas in his immortal Ramcharitmanas writes:  “Knowing God to be present in everything, I put my hands together in an attitude of reverence and prostrate to all things in the Universe”.

As we approach the completion of fifty years of independence let us try to actualize the great words of our anthem which speaks of Trinidad and Tobago as a place “where every creed and race find an equal place.” May be fifty years is too short a time to expect maturity but let it serve to remind us of the goals of inclusiveness, acceptance and understanding. It is a time to reflect and refocus, putting the long term benefit of the nation at heart by committing to its development and evolution through the enhancement of the human capital/resource. It was Abraham Lincoln who said that “a nation divided against itself cannot stand”.

Source: Feature address delivered by Pujya Swami Prakashanandaji at Varsha Pratipada Sansad, 2012

 Pujya Swami Prakashanandaji is a direct disciple of world renowned Swami Chinmayanandaji. He is the Head of Chinmaya Mission Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana with responsibility for the Chinmaya Mission’s works across the Caribbean and Latin America.