Indian Scriptures: The Disseminator of Human Values and the Idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

Abstract

Modern times are the times of uncertainty, corruption, wars and decline in moral values. In absence of the moral values the ultimate chaos has surrounded every humanbeing, making it difficult to live in peace and harmony. Religious scriptures come as saviors of mankind during such times of moral deprivation. These sacred books are the indispensable sources of guidance and values for each and every person. They are fundamental in shaping the human mind, behavior and attitude. The ancient Indian scriptures such as Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas are the storehouse of knowledge and beliefs that guide the humanity even today. Theyteach us values applicable to all human beings. For the layman who cannot understand the profound philosophy enshrined in the Vedas and Puranas, the revered sages like Valmiki and Maharishi Ved Vyasa wrote the twin epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata encompassing the same philosophy in an easy manner. This paper hence, is an attempt to highlight the importance of the ancient Indian scriptures that are the store house of the eternal moral values. The reading of these scriptures helps in the regeneration of the fast declining moral values in the modern man. As the modern man acquires the knowledge of these declining moral values, he emerges as a morally enlightened human being, who is dedicated to service of humanity. He treats everyone existing on this earth as the member of one large family of humanity, believing in as well as propagating the idea of the Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, i.e. “the whole earth is a family”.