Ripples A Reflection On Dattopant Thengadi's Third Way - Part 16
19 Mar 2022 10:00:15
I have been reflecting in my own way on Dattopant Thengadi Ji's Third Way. I present these small "ripples" that it has caused in my mind in a series. I am glad it has found its resonance in many thinking minds alike. I hope the readers have read the earlier article in the series before moving ahead.
Dattopant refers to Kalidasa ' unless and until the experts are satisfied, I will not consider endeavour of mine commendable' , and ends his long forward to the book.
This is the last part of the Quo Vadis. Dattopant reiterates the need to think in the light of the principles of Sanatana Dharma to be able to develop a socio-economic order which would be suitable to cover all the aspects of the challenge.
While explaining his point, he uses the example of the philosophy of Bharatiya Majdoor Sangh where workers are accountable to nation. And when a complex industrial structure is to be discussed the focus is on well-being of the society and the structure is to be governed by Dharma. In this endeavor, technology, experts, planers need to work within the framework of Dharma.
Unfortunately, the fact is those who have good knowledge of Hindu Scriptures, do not have a good background of western thought. And those who know the western world well are not aware of our own Scriptures. As a result of this, Hindu thought is not presented well. Many times whatever is Hindu, it is treated with contempt. Even Sanskrit scripts are ignored. Many don't have the basic knowledge of these scriptures which explain the thought. So recognizing the fact that the origin of Hindu economics can be traced in Rig Veda has never been focused. We need to know the 'richness of our ancient civilization', not for self 'complacency or fruitless pride 'of it. But to find a satisfactory explanation and to know the way the challenges were dealt with then.
Dr Bokare was a confirmed Marxist for decades. But 'intellectual honesty' inspired him to study the Hindu view as 'absence of dogmatism' is the quality of 'genuine intellectualism'. He resolved to unfold Hindu Economics as his life mission. And proclaimed that Dharmanomics is the only way in this direction.
Dattopant compared western and Hindu way of analysing the complex issue in this part. He specially points out Aparigraa ( non possession) and Antyodaya ( rise of the last person) which really change the perspective of dealing with various aspects.