spirit go the immortal
And this body ends in ashes
Om
O mind, Remember
Remember the actions
Isha Upanishad – 17 (After Death)
I believe that the Upanishads have made some of the most important contributions to humankind. The books tell us about the importance of our culture and religious behavior.[break]
These lines or subject matters have connections with the Hindu culture. More than that, it is related to the Sanatan Dharma, which is something that existed well before Hinduism. In this way, the Upanishads are considered important not only in Asia but even westerners have been fascinated by them, which is why it has been translated into many languages, including German and English, among others.
Photo: Bijay Gajmer
Through the particular verse quoted above, one can understand that when our body ceases to exist, it is only our actions and deeds that count. The shloka stresses on the fact that we are mortal beings, and the only things immortal about us are our spirit and soul. Once we are cremated according to our culture, our body ends in a heap of ash but our contributions to the society continue to live on.
“Om!” here represents the Antim Satya (the ultimate truth). By this, it means that when everything ends, the only thing that remains is what you have given to the society. Here, I would like to quote Lord Krishna from the Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta: “Work but don’t expect any results thereof.” The same thing applies here, too. In life, one has to work hard without always seeking rewards. Only then will a person be able to achieve victory in both life and in death.
In this context, I often remember what Hegel said to his pupil, the widely known atheist, Karl Marx. Hegel told Marx about the importance of religion in creating social happiness, and he believed spirituality to be of prime importance in developing our senses and in decision-making. However, Marx had a different view, and he believed that ideas can be generated only through physical presence or actions, and hence he put the body first over the state of mind. Therefore, the given verse is also easily controversial because it holds different meanings for different people.
About Dahal
Dahal is originally from Sindhuli. However, he moved to Kathmandu where he completed his schooling from the Adarsha Vidhya Mandir (AVM) of Patan. A bright student, Dahal secured the seventh position across Nepal in his SLC Boards Examinations of 2037 BS (1980/81).
Dahal became involved in politics quite early in life. His active participation in the movement against the Panchayati rule also led him to prison. Despite this, he continued his education and was a degree-topper in Social Sciences at Tribhuvan University.
Dahal is a prominent social and political activist, and is also a former Member of Parliament. At present, Dahal is Lecturer of Anthropology at Tri-Chandra College in Kathmandu.
Dahal had his passion for reading since his childhood, and by the age of fourteen, he had already read most of the Hindu religious texts such as The Puran, The Mahabharata, and Geeta. He believes that these books have helped him learn valuable life lessons which have been quite useful throughout his life.
His passion grew with age, and he still considers reading books as a favorite pastime. At present, Dahal is more inclined to reading political and religious texts as both of these subjects have huge influence in his life as an individual.
As told to Nisha Bhatta
Dahal’s five picks
Political Rules of the Road, Edited
by Lou Frey, Jr. and Aubrey Jewett
This book was a gift to me by the US Congress. Through it, one can mainly learn how to become a successful politician. The volume consists of the opinions of different notable people with regards to this issue. I found one particular opinion quite noteworthy: Jimmy Carter, former US President, tells us that you can only be a leader when you are intact with your people, which is quite true.
Chakravyuhma ChandraSurya
by Sarojraj Adhikari
This book mainly deals with the various impacts of the international sector on Nepal’s politics. It stresses on the fact that Nepal’s geopolitical position makes it a safe haven for criminal refugees from all across the world. This imposes a great risk not only on the situation of peace and security in Nepal but also on the country’s political environment.
The Newars
by Gopal Singh Nepali
GS Nepali is a pioneer in Nepali sociology, and his expertise is often reflected in his writings. He explains how every society is comprised of various structures, such as castes and religions, and each of these structures has its own functions, such as marriage and celebrating festivals. The book further adds how the Newar Nation has especially managed to maintain and preserve its cultures and traditions over the years.
Hegemony or Survival
by Noam Chomsky
Although Chomsky is an American, he is against the American government’s policy of taking unwanted leadership of the world – hegemony. In this book, Chomsky constantly criticizes America’s interference in countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, among others. However, in support of the government’s policy, Chomsky also points out that America takes the lead in these situations to safeguard itself from future terrorist attacks, especially after the 9/11 attacks.
Better Humans? The Politics of Human Enhancement and Life Extension, Edited
by Paul Miller and James Wisdon
This book deals with what an individual can do to ensure his longevity. The book also presents ideas for and against critical global issues such as euthanasia and mercy killings. This book makes an overall analysis of various physical and psychological factors that influence human functioning, and suggests ways to enhance these faculties for a longer life expectancy.
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