The
wealth of Patala
The society and the world are always evolving; the
evolution in one direction cannot be for eternity. We are travelling towards
destruction as we progress into the future. Let me explain. I see the Indian
mythology as a mixture of science and concepts. Take the cae of Devas and Asurs. Both are supernatural beings and portrayed as brothers –
progeny of Prajapati. Initially Devas
and Asuras were both good. In the fight for wealth and good things some became Devas and some Asuras. The Devas are said to reside in heaven while
the abode of the Asuras is below the feet - Patala.
In post Vedic literature the Devas, now
considered benevolent, represent good and Asuras, now considered malevolent, are
bad. In the feud Devas always win and
usurp all the wealth available and generally have a good time. It is natural
that all feuds result in some wastage and destruction.
It is true that mythology and imagination, are
generated from reality.
Asuras are said to reside in Patala, meaning below the feet. Patala is said to have seven layers (Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talatala, Mahatala, Rasatala and
Patala All food, precious metals, precious stones, water (rains are
created from water drawn from Earth), energy (gas et al) are all to be found in
Patala. The Devas fight the Auras for
this wealth, take away whatever they can and just enjoy.
Déjà vu?
Some of us Sapiens
are unscrupulously fighting the mythological Asuras and usurping all the subterranean wealth in the name of
progress. The modern Devas are
enjoying the spoils. The fighting capabilities of the Asuras ae waning as it becomes more and more easy for the Devas to access the wealth in the Patala. The abode of the Asuras is crumpling. As also is the world of the Devas!!!
How much more wealth remains to be accessed? Your
guess is as good as mine.
Tail
piece
There were extended discussions (more like
arguments) on politics and religion in the whatsapp groups (and many other
social platforms ) these past days. A few days back one participant hit the
nail on the head by attributing the differences to different perceptions….
perceptions are a combination of knowledge and sentiments. Sentiments are
transient, fickle and most times do not follow any logic. Accumulation of
knowledge is a deliberate and continuous action. Where knowledge is shallow,
sentiments override thoughts and actions.
There are two books I would recommend (available
with Amazon) which can enrich our knowledge about evolution of mankind in
general (Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari) and the Indian polity in particular
(Political Violence in Ancient India by Upinder Singh). These books, I believe,
will give us a better perspective of the evolution of mankind and the
inalienable religions in society and the development of politics.
