Essays

Unity in diversity has become a catch phrase for civilized people who celebrate differences and want to end civil disruption, communal violence, religious conflicts and international tensions.

The principle of unity in diversity has its origins in the concept of inconceivable simultaneous oneness and difference. Although the Vedas enjoin; everything is non- different from the God who is the Supreme Soul, this creates logical enigmas. For instance, if everything is one, why do not I eat my kith and kin? Further, how can Brahman be complete since it also presupposes negation of everything material?

The idea of simultaneous oneness and difference may pose problems for rationalists, but it is easily resolved when one accepts an omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent god. In other words, essential truth contain paradoxes, and we cannot know everything by reason and deduction.

For instance, our body functions as a holistic unit, but we constantly make distinctions between stomach, legs arms, eyes, heart and head. Significantly, within over selves, there is unity and diversity.

We want to relate to ourselves and others, and yet be  separate. To retire to a remote Himalayan village, dance merrily on the streets, or find a cave, distant hermitage or ashram where we can just contemplate mystic phenomena for the rest of our lives. Would it not be wonderful to be rid once and for all of responsibility and unceasing duties, and be a renouncing?

Readers of the Gita learn that the true mystic is 'not he who lights no fire and performs no duty*. This theme recurs in Vedic literature. "When one thinks that the living entity is non-different in all respect from the Supreme Lord, there is no doubt that he is in ignorance".

Great sages of the past have taught us that renunciation is incomplete unless we use everything in god's service. Rupa Goswami has written: "When one is not attached to anything, but at the same time accepts everything in relation to Krishna, one is rightly situated above possessiveness. On the other hand, one who rejects everything, without knowledge of its relationship to Krishna, is not as complete as his renunciation."

One can be active but do learn how to dedicate all your activities to god. This is the perfection of renunciation, the deeper understanding of meditational life, and the key to reconciliation between all people. Duty as a sacred principle is joyous to perform. Gita has said: "life dedicated to duty is life fulfilled."

Suggested Readings for Improving Essay-Writing

Following books/newspapers/periodicals can be real boosters to your confidence in essay writing. So, it is advisable to read them as when possible to you all.

1. A local newspaper that will keep you in knowledge of the latest developments in your area.

2. A national daily which will help you to stay in touch of the opinions of the nationwide intelligentsia. It will also help you to stay aware of different developments at the Central or State level Governments.

3. A weekly or fortnightly magazine that gives you special coverage’s of the main events of the interregnum. These are best ways to have a complete body of information and opinions on every new development.

4. An economic journal like 'The Economic Times' that will keep you aware of all economic developments taking place at different levels.