[Advaita-l] shudra

[Michael Shepherd]

Dear Dr Bharadwaj

May I hasten to point out that it was not I who had the impertinence to
suggest that oxymorons were trampling the fields of Advaita and varna ? Oxen
or morons perhaps... :)

On reflection, what my little historical sketch shows is that given a local
breakdown of a civilisation, there was and is a natural recognition that all
the traditional varna -- in their contemporary relevance -- were and are,
'roles' required for a healthy community; and all were equally respected as
co-existent and equally necessary.. Sanatana Dharma lives on !

So varna is to be identified as the 'litmus test' of a healthy society; and
as you say, Advaita is the essence of All That Is. I guess you could say
that Advaita is the white light which contains the rainbow of varna... how
about that ?

Regards,
Michael

-----Original Message-----
From: advaita-l-bounces at lists.advaita-vedanta.org
[mailto:advaita-l-bounces at lists.advaita-vedanta.org]On Behalf Of Dr D
Bharadwaj
Sent: 20 August 2009 04:40
To: A discussion group for Advaita Vedanta
Subject: Re: [Advaita-l] shudra



Dear Sri Michael,
Your views on the applicability/relevance of the concept of varna are
thought provoking. It was nice to read as most of your posts are.

I am not sure that you really meant what you had said about
the oxymoron. But thought I may share some thoughts with you. I think
Advaita and varna are not an oxymoron. To say so is something like saying
that white light and rainbow colors is an oxymoron. Advaita is the Reality,
applies to, consistent with, all that is perceived, all that seems to be,
all that is. If Advaita is an oxymoron with varna, then so is it with
everything else that seems to a name and form, all that can lend itself
for severalized perception.

Advaita is not about non acknowledgement/contradiction of the terms like
'varna'. There is no oxymoron or inconsistency here.

Advaita concludes and resolves every pair that offer an oxymoron for
perception. Advaita and oxymoron may be, in a lighter vein, an oxymoron.



sarvE bhavanthu sukhinah
sarvE santhu niraamayaah
sarvE bhadrANi pasyanthu
maa kaschit duhkhabhAg bhavEt.



SrIramaNArpaNamastu





Dr. D. Bharadwaj
drdbharadwaj at gmail.com
dr.d.bharadwaj at gmail.com


On Thu, Aug 20, 2009 at 5:59 AM, Uma and Ramakrishna <
puttakrishna at verizon.net> wrote:

>
>
>
> Wednesday, August 19, 2009 6:29 PM kman  wrote:
> " I think Varna and  Advaita is an oximoron."
>
> It is not what one thinks. Varna and Advaita have a sampradaya (tradition)
> supported by scriptures. A serious student should respect the
> Sampradaya to make progress.
>
> K. Ramakrishna.
>
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