Samskrita Sangha:Indian Culture:Lecture 1
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[edit] Brief Abstract
The world 'culture' is derived from the Greco-Roman word cultus which correlates with occupation, refinement or synthesis. However, this doesn�t serve to impart the gist of the word Samskrti, which means "that which is being done well". The first of the talks in this series dealt with the very basic principles of Bharatiya Samskrti. Bharatiya Samskrti is mainly aiming towards sublimation of one's desires and emotions. This is also referred to as Shreyas. Further, it aims more at individual refinement. It never speaks of rights but only about duties. It upholds "Ananda" or "bliss" as the highest value. And this bliss is not due to any external stimulus but it has to be realized within us. We were then introduced to basic terms like Brahma (that which is all-pervasive, that which is within us and beyond), Rta (Righteous thought), Satya (Righteous Speech), Dharma (Righteous Action), yajna (an act of sharing), D�ana and Tapas(sustaining Dana). The second talk of this series will build on these concepts.
