Satyam Shivam Sundaram

Here is a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Satyam Shivam Sundaram" by Ramesh Upadhyay, in English:

The book "Satyam Shivam Sundaram" by Ramesh Upadhyay delves into the profound philosophical concept embodied by these three interconnected Sanskrit words, exploring their traditional and contemporary relevance. The author posits that this phrase, like many traditional ideas, is not the creation of a single individual but rather a distillation of wisdom passed down through generations, offering both representation and inspiration for new thoughts.

The Concept of Truth (Satyam): The text begins by examining "Satyam" (Truth). It acknowledges that the pursuit of truth is an ancient endeavor, undertaken by philosophers worldwide, including Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, and more recently by figures like Gandhi. The author emphasizes that the more meaningful a word is, the more complex its interpretation becomes due to its flexibility and breadth. A definitive, exhaustive definition of truth is deemed impossible, as such a definition would stifle further contemplation. Truth is described as a state whose existence is undeniable, yet its manifestations can vary depending on perspective. This inherent variability leads to evolving beliefs about truth across different eras, citing the ancient concept of "Brahma satyam jaganmithya" (Brahman is truth, the world is an illusion) as contrasting with modern views. Truth is best understood as a subtle perception, and attempts to confine it to a fixed form can undermine its very essence. The very act of doubting, the author suggests, is what drives the quest for truth. In literature, truth is presented as a permanent and essential value, even in works that might initially appear untrue, as their truthfulness can emerge based on their context. The author stresses that a literary creator's unique approach and honest expression of their experience constitute their personal truth, which may or may not be accepted by the majority. When evaluating literary truths that are not widely accepted, it is crucial to consider the creator's individual approach to truth, to avoid injustice to both the work and the artist.

The Interdependence of Satyam, Shivam, and Sundaram: The book argues that mere factual accuracy ("Sach") is insufficient for a complete work. A creator focused solely on realism cannot be a true creator of truth, as unadulterated truth offers no direction or joy. Therefore, where there is truth, there must also be auspiciousness ("Shivam") and beauty ("Sundaram"). The three words are presented as interdependent, forming a harmonious union. Truth necessitates auspiciousness and beauty; auspiciousness requires truth and beauty; and nothing can be truly beautiful without being truthful and auspicious. The sequential order of the words is seen as purposeful, highlighting their progressive significance and importance, with truth being the supreme, auspicious the next highest, and beautiful the most excellent, though none are considered less important. Their mutual relativity is undeniable.

Satyam, Shivam, and Sundaram in Human Experience: The text then explores the practical application of "Satyam Shivam Sundaram" across humanity's spiritual, material, and imaginative realms. Truth is inherently spiritual, as all philosophical inquiries stem from the desire to discern truth from untruth. "Shivam" encompasses all that is beneficial and worthy of adoption for the world – be it objects, actions, or thoughts. Efforts to create, nurture, and preserve what is beneficial and worthy for humanity are inspired by "Shivam." "Sundaram" signifies the delightful aspect of human imagination. Beauty is not inherent in an object but is a construct of our mind and imagination. It is our inner beauty that allows us to perceive flowers as smiling or tears flowing from statues. The author highlights that even those perceived as unattractive by some are seen as profoundly beautiful by others, indicating that "Sundaram" represents the human mental world.

The Role of Shivam in Progress and Crisis: In the material world, the development and decline of civilizations are observed. Humanity, in its material pursuits, is influenced by both spirituality and imagination. Imagination provides direction for progress, while spirituality acts as a restraint. However, when cultures stray and both philosophy and imagination become distorted, the inclination to prioritize the utility of "Shivam" often instigates a revolution, either in one or both of these realms. This revolution is fueled by the inherent drive to make "Shivam" truthful and beautiful. The author warns that a life solely focused on materialism, devoid of spirituality and imagination, leads to decline, necessitating a leaning towards spiritual philosophy, as implied in the sentiment "one who desires wealth should approach the self."

The Allure of Materialism vs. Idealism: When examining idealism and materialism, materialism is found to be more captivating. Literary works depicting the stark realities of the material world often resonate more deeply than idealistic ideas. However, it is argued that purely realistic or purely idealistic works are rare, as even the most realistic ideas are often influenced by idealism at a deeper level, and idealism itself must be grounded in reality.

The Fate of Ideologies Without Harmony: A review of global political and social ideologies reveals that those that do not embrace "Satyam Shivam Sundaram" tend to fade into obscurity prematurely. While their proponents or a few dedicated followers may sustain them with unwavering conviction, they crumble when confronted with the harmonious synthesis of truth, auspiciousness, and beauty. The author reiterates the essentiality of this harmony, stating that any existence without it is incomplete. This trinity brings superiority to objects, actions, and thoughts.

The Nature and Significance of Beauty: The text explores what constitutes beauty through evocative imagery: the reflection of trees in a lake's blue water, moonlight sparkling on waves, the music of time in stones, an unknown call from the sky, a sense of rhythm even in an earthquake, freedom in sunlight, and enslavement in darkness. The example of a rose plant illustrates the emotional connection with nature. While the thorns offer life lessons, the author contrasts the initial empathy for a wilting rose with the detached, dry knowledge gained from a botanist, leading to indifference when the plant ultimately dies. The purpose of scientific research is described as humanity's entry into nature – seeing through the earth, touching stars, understanding animal languages, discerning the rhythm of time, hearing the unspoken music of moments, and creating a beautiful, loving world through empathy. However, the author laments that science has lost its way, maintaining truth and auspiciousness but neglecting beauty, treating it as untouchable. This neglect leads to a sterile, cause-and-effect tabulation that can become destructive without the softening influence of beauty. Beauty is presented as an inherent consciousness that arises from within humans, their form, and their actions. This consciousness cannot be acquired from books or teachers. Without it, one loses the joy of life.

The True Evaluation of a Person: The author critiques the superficial societal evaluation of individuals based on roles like good spouse, obedient child, wealthy person, or respected woman, calling it an assessment of external appearance rather than the true self. True evaluation requires looking at inner beauty and the soul, fostering a sense of empathy with beauty within one's own heart. A mind that resonates with beauty is sensitive and emotional, responding to any form of beauty with vibrations, joy, impatience, and sensation. Therefore, truth and auspiciousness are incomplete without beauty. Beauty inspires contemplation of the origin of existence and reveals nature's secrets. Experiencing beauty alleviates dissatisfaction and brings rest, not in a passive sense, but as an encouragement for further progress. Love, too, originates from beauty. The author quotes Ralph Waldo Emerson: "In the true mythology love is an immortal child and beauty leads him as guide nor can we express a deeper sense than when we say, Beauty is the pilot of the young Soul." Love transcends human limitations, embracing the entire world. Unity and cooperation stem from love, and the unseen hands extending the bonds of love belong to beauty. Even ordinary objects evoke affection because we look beyond their surface to the potential for beauty within. The author cites Socrates and Kautilya, whose physical unattractiveness did not overshadow their inner beauty. Gandhi, a devotee of truth and benefactor of humanity, admired the beautiful form of Rama, a symbol of beauty with his virtues. Kautilya saw the radiant and beautiful form of the war goddess in the horror of battle, demonstrating his inner awareness of pervasive beauty. Those who dismiss Kautilya as a mere dry politician or economist are invited to reconsider by observing his appreciation for beauty in the play "Mudrarakshasa."

Conclusion: The Call to Integration: The book concludes by stating that "Satyam Shivam Sundaram" is a concept that can be expanded upon extensively, with many books already written on the subject. The true need is to integrate these principles into our lives. The author exhorts readers to embody truth, auspiciousness, and beauty through their thoughts, words, and actions, thereby adding bright links to the long tradition of serving humanity. This, the author asserts, is both a human goal and a duty.