Supernatural

Sound Righteousness

Knowledge can be developed [Markandeya Purana, p. 4].

A human form should strive to maintain righteousness. [Markandeya Purana, p. 51, 59].

Striving to maintain righteousness, what sorts of righteousness, then? Righteousness (from Middle English rightwise, right + wise) is acting so well in accord with divine or moral law that there is no reason for hearth-felt guilt. Righteousness is without sin (as heart-sensed), right or justifiable. It could rely on an innate and developable sense of justice or morality in the final analysis.

Dharma (righeousness, etc.) is a key concept with multiple meanings in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. [Ebu "dharma"]

In Buddhism dharma has a twofold meaning: (a) The Moral of the Universe as applied to humans; (b) treasured words of Buddha. The latter are collected in texts, where there are many principles to live by. They are held to be generally helpful on and up. Thus, adjusting or conforming to main principles - laid down by Buddha and the elders of antiquity - is much to go for for anyone. What is minded as essential or cardinal principles to live by, differs somewhat, though. For example, Zen Buddhism discards many after-growths of Buddhism to aim more straightway for the main thing, the hearth-felt Bliss of Nirvana. Now there are stages one should adjust to in Soto Zen too. [More]

In Jainism, moreover, dharma (righteousness) is a medium that allows beings to move. [Ebu "dravya"]

The ancient Hindu law-book Manu Samhita (The Laws of Manu) [Mux] spells out the laws of many - and call it divine righeousness to stick to them. The laws promote a caste system and favour upper classes vehemently. For example "Property, the owner of which has disappeared, the king shall cause to be kept as a deposit during three years; within the period of three years the owner may claim it, after (that term) the king may take it [8:30]." The king may take it all, and not the heirs and muffled poor ones, according to this. - In Hinduism, the strivings for artha (wealth, property) must always be regulated by the superior aim of dharma, or righteousness. And what is more, Krishna tells Arjuna in the teaching poem Bhagavad Gita: "Whenever there is a decline of righteousness, Arjuna, and rise of unrighteousness, then I manifest myself!

For the protection of the good, for the destruction of the wicked, and for the establishment of righteousness, I am born in every age. [Bhagavad Gita 4:7- 8]."

A fit question is what is meant by "age" in this. It is "time cycle", "yuga" (qv). There are differences of opinion among Hindus about them. Zoroastrianism:

"Zoroaster (Zarathushtra), a prophetic reformer of c. 7th century BC, apparently professed a . . . stern devotion to truth and righteousness. At the age of 30 he experienced a revelation from Ahura Mazda (The Wise) . . . Later forms of Zoroastrianism apparently had an impact on Judaism." [Ebu "Revelation"]

Ahura Mazda requires good deeds for help in his struggle against evil.

Have we seen "Which righteousness - and whose?" will carry us to Golden Times?

Yogananda Righteousness

The Sankhya philosophy defines true religion as "those immutable principles that protect man permanently from the threefold suffering of disease, unhappiness, and ignorance." - Man's Eternal Quest, Ak 285n]

Many people who enjoy criticizing cannot themselves stand criticism, and may even have the same flaws they so righteously deplore in another. - Paramahansa Yogananda [Ak 317]

One should not kill for killing's sake; for then you become a murderer. One should not take another's life in a moment of violent emotion. But if your country is attacked and goes to war, you should fight to protect those whom God has given to you. You have a righteous obligation to defend your family and your country. - Paramahansa Yogananda [Ak 314]

Mahavatar Babaji said that even a little bit of this dharma - righteous action . . . will save you from great fear. - Paramahansa Yogananda [Ak 108]

To seek money to spread God's work is righteous action. - Paramahansa Yogananda [Ak 116]

Jesus incarnated on earth to give to the world a new expression of Sanatan Dharma's eternal religion, the eternal principles of righteousness. - Paramahansa Yogananda [Ak 285]

☬ No, Jesus did not do that, and never spoke of his work in such ways either. His understanding of righteousness included corrupt sacrifice of one or more innocents according to the Law of Moses - from butchering innocent animals to let culprits go in as usual, and to butchering an innocent Son with similar intent, spells corruption. Those who agree to fundamentally corrupt practive, call it glorious and righteous and needed for salvation, have to be termed depraved. The followers of Jesus are ill sheep, he says. To be an ill sheep lacking in moral, is not the best there is for a human.

Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. - Jesus [Matthew 6:33]

☬ Look elsewhere for a better concept of righteousness than his, for it camouflages tyranny against innocents, and does not eschew corruption. [Morbid righteousness]

Literature  

Ak: Yogananda, Paramahansa. Man's Eternal Quest. 2nd ed. Los Angeles: Self-Realization Fellowship, 1982.

Ebu: Encyclopaedia Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica 2009 Ultimate Reference Suite DVD. London: Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2009.

Ma: Pargiter, Frederick Eden, tr. Markandeya Purana. Calcutta: The Asiatic Society, 1904.

Mux: Bühler, Georg, tr. The Laws of Manu. Delhi: Banarsidass (Reprint from Oxford University's 1886-edition), 1984.



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