The Path to World Peace: Understanding the Essence of Harmony and Happiness | Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj

The pursuit of world peace has been a timeless aspiration of humanity, with countless individuals, societies, and nations yearning for harmonious coexistence. However, achieving true peace on a global scale requires a deeper understanding of the fundamental elements that constitute our world. According to Vedic philosophy, the world encompasses three entities: God, the individual soul, and maya—the illusory material energy. Each entity plays a distinct role in shaping our perception of peace and happiness. This article explores the essence of world peace, delving into the nature of these entities and offering insights into how genuine peace can be attained.

The term WORLD PEACE comprises two words – world and peace. We need to understand the true meaning of both these words. The world consists of three entities – God, the individual soul and maya.

According to Vedic philosophy, God is omnipresent. God has manifested this world through the power of maya and He not only pervades the world, but He Himself has become the very form of the world. Yet, He remains imperceptible and unseen.

The second entity In the universe is the embodied individual soul which can be seen and experienced. We perceive it in various forms as living beings like trees and human beings, etc. The third entity is maya. The lifeless material elements of earth, water, fire, air, and space are all different forms of maya. The combination of the above three entities is referred to as the world.

We all want peace in the world. All lifeless or inanimate objects in this world are not in need of peace. You cannot say that the earth is restless and needs peace! Similarly, there is no need for God to Search for peace because He is the embodiment of eternal happiness and peace, and therefore, complete in Himself.

As per our Vedic philosophy, all individual souls are eternally restless because of being turned away from God. Even if somebody does not have faith in Vedic philosophy, he or she will at least agree that the individual soul is restless, full of sorrow and discontent. One may not know why this is so or since when this has been the case.

Thus, world peace means peace for all those living in this world; they must remain in a state of peace. Each individual should possess divine qualities and have good feelings towards others. Feelings of kindness, oneness, brotherhood, and benevolence should prevail and there should be affinity amongst all. World peace does not mean an absence of war. There may not be external conflict, but if there is some internal conflict within everybody’s mind, then what good is such peace? World peace means a sense of fulfillment and happiness for one and all. Our Vedic philosophy says that individuals join to form a group. According to our philosophy, 

“All living beings are the manifestation of God.” There is only one God and He manifests in numerous forms.

What is the reason for restlessness? It is our own thinking that happiness can be derived from worldly material objects. We all actually want peace and happiness, even though we try to find it in material objects. Have millionaires and billionaires obtained even an iota of peace? The obvious answer will be that such people are even more restless! Russia and America are good examples of this where most people take sleeping pills in order to sleep at night. Thus, we cannot say that material things bring peace. For example, we may leave a person in a palace with walls of gold, having all worldly comforts, but he will not be at peace. Worldly things cannot be the means to attain peace. Countries that have the greatest worldly comforts and facilities are more discontented.

Peace is of two types. One is momentary and the other is eternal. Momentary peace is just like pouring ghee over a fire which temporarily suppresses the flames. It seems to us that the fire has been extinguished. For a moment the flames go downward but then blaze forth fourfold. In the same way, if we have intense longing and desire to obtain any worldly object, and we finally obtain it, there is a temporary feeling of happiness, but this is soon replaced by even more restlessness because the desire grows manifold in the very next moment. Our effort to bypas and get ahead also does not end either and the desire keeps growing. This craving never ends. This is momentary pleasure or happiness which results in a very big loss because of increasing discontentment.

The momentary happiness or pleasure that we derive from worldly objects and comforts are only physical and limited to the body, mind, and intellect. All these are made of maya- the body is made of maya and so too are the mind and intellect, and therefore, the happiness which these three derive upon receiving worldly things is just momentary. This is not happiness at all, as its ultimate result is only greater discontentment. In addition, whatever peace we want relates to the peace of the soul alone. While craving for peace for the soul, we will have to keep the soul and the body separate from each other. If we consider bodily peace to be the same as the peace of the soul, we will never attain peace. Peace of the soul can only be attained by attaining God because the soul is an eternal part of God. Hence, only spiritual upliftment can bring about peace. Peace of the soul will only become possible upon attaining God.

The chief reason for discontentment is looking for happiness in worldly things. On attributing happiness to worldly objects, one will selfishly strive and make every attempt, even commit a crime in order to attain that object thereby contributing to a steep increase in the crime rate. However, if one starts believing in Vedic philosophy, which attributes true happiness to be in God alone, and that God resides in the heart of every individual, that person will attain eternal happiness.

God observes and records our thoughts at every moment. Once people start believing that God is observing everything and that He keeps a record of each and every moment of our actions and thoughts, and that He will reward or penalize us accordingly, then no one would commit any crime. Instead, people would remain alert all the time.

Imagine that somebody is going to someplace in the dark, with the intention of committing a crime. Suddenly a friend of his puts a hand on his shoulder from behind and asks, “Where are you going?” Taken aback he replies, “Nowhere, I was just taking a stroll.” Thus, he was saved from committing the crime.

IN THE SAME WAY, IF WE FEEL AND VISUALISE GOD EVERYWHERE, THERE WILL BE NO QUESTION OF COMMITTING ANY CRIME, AND NO QUESTION OF ANY WRONGDOING EITHER. THUS, WITH CRIME REDUCED, PEACE WILL AUTOMATICALLY PREVAIL.

When it is firmly believed that everlasting happiness dwells only in God and that it is not found in the world, this will provide the primary base for peace. We want happiness and we want peace, but that peace cannot be obtained from any material good; it can only be attained by receiving God’s bliss. The deeper one feels this, the more intense their desire to desist from accumulating worldly goods and comforts. At the same time, our deceitful actions will reduce proportionately and we shall shy away more and more from maneuvering to possess worldly things. If someone does not believe that there is happiness in God, he will naturally believe that happiness is in this world. Once happiness is perceived to be in worldly objects, then one will stop at nothing to accumulate those items, and of the best possible quality. Such a person will employ all sorts of unfair means to attain them, all the while projecting a squeaky-clean image of themselves as being a hefty donor or pretending to receive only a minimal salary, when in reality they make millions, though they make a show for all to see by donating a few thousand.

By having faith in God and practicing devotion, the heart becomes pure. In fact, purification of the heart is impossible without devotion to God. Without purification of the heart, one cannot develop good qualities like truth, non-violence, etc. These divine qualities will only appear when the heart is pure. As the heart becomes more and more purified, detachment from the material world increases. Until one makes the firm decision that there is no happiness in this world and that it is only In God, the desire to accumulate the things of this world will continue. Our deceit and misbehavior will reduce to the degree that we imbibe the decision that peace is not to be found in worldly objects, but in God alone and correspondingly, our desire to accumulate those worldly goods will decrease. A millionaire wants to be a billionaire. If he had faith in God and his heart was pure, on realizing there is no happiness in this world, the thought to donate everything beyond what is absolutely necessary to the poor and needy would arise in his mind.

In this way, it is only through devotion that the feeling of doing good for others can develop. If someone practices devotion, his mind becomes pure and divine qualities such as truth, non-violence, helping the poor, etc. will naturally grow within him, which is the very basis for world peace. Vedic philosophy emphasizes the purification of the heart and mind which in turn will lead to good thoughts, and consequently, attachment, aversion, and disturbance in the world will end.

All forms of casteism and sectarianism will simply end by accepting and sincerely practicing Vedic philosophy.

Conclusion:

In the quest for world peace, it is imperative to recognize the inherent restlessness of the individual soul, which stems from its disconnection with God. Irrespective of one’s beliefs, the universal experience of human restlessness and discontent is undeniable. Material possessions and worldly pursuits may offer momentary pleasure, but they fail to provide lasting peace. True peace can only be attained by acknowledging the eternal nature of the soul and seeking spiritual upliftment. By progressing individually towards inner peace, we pave the way for a collective transformation. The adoption of Vedic philosophy, emphasizing the unity of all living beings and the presence of God within each individual, can foster divine qualities of kindness, brotherhood, and benevolence, ultimately leading to world peace. Let us embrace the profound wisdom of Vedic philosophy and work together to create a world where peace flourishes, and the inherent goodness in every soul is nurtured and celebrated. If you want to explore more insightful content like this, we invite you to visit https://www.jkp.org.in for a wealth of knowledge and wisdom from Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj.