The Concept of ‘Man’ In Indian Tradition: An Overview

Abstract

In the present day globalized world, man has achieved success in every spear of life by the advancement of science and technology, as a result of which, the richness of all luxuries and comforts are available in his living room. With all richness and luxuries he has become bankrupt both in his moral and spiritual pursuits. As a result, his life has turned into an automata, machine or robot, bereft of emotions and passion and values. The universal human values like love, fellow feeling, compassion, sharing and caring have become outmoded. So we witness the strike and strive everywhere in the globe. The present day youths have become slaves of hedonistic pleasure and egoistic happiness. It will not be out of context to describe an incident that, once Baya Baba was asked by his disciple about the nature of loka(man). He immediately replied: where is loka? I see everywhere only poka. At this juncture of time it has become the pressing need to analyze and assess the true nature of man in the perspectives of our tradition, which may pave the way to realize the goal of life There exists a difference in Eastern and Western perspectives of man. In Western tradition man is accepted as a body mind complex. But in our Indian tradition the concept of man extends beyond a mere biological definition. In reality man is more than that which he appears to be. He is not a mere conglomeration of atoms. He is not just a compound of flesh and bones, blood and skin, brain and impulses, nor is he merely the sum of these. He is something over and above the sum of his physical and mental parts. He is essentially a spiritual being, a lordly tenant in a transitory tenement. It encompasses the idea of a spiritual being called Atman, on a journey of Self-discovery and vision with the divine i.e. Brahman. This journey involves the cyclical process of birth, death and rebirth with ultimate goal of liberation or Moksha from this cycle. Man is seen as an integral part of the universe, interconnected with the nature and passing the potential for diversity. Kath Upanishad has rightly observes: know the atman as the Lord of the body, the body as the chariot, know the intellect as the driver and mind as the reins and the senses are the horses and sense-objects are the paths upon which they may travel.(1) In this paper I intent to address myself to the concept of man as discussed in Indian tradition with special reference to the Gita. I will discuss the nature of man starting from the Upanisadic view to the neo- Vedantic period covering the Puranic and the Gita’s view. Finally I would establish in the conclusion that man is spiritual in his true nature. But his physical nature cannot be ignored. So what is needed is that, man has to realized in his true nature, so that all differences will melt away, all ignorance will be dissolved and he will be established in the reality i.e. Brahman and be regarded as stitaprajna by realizing his self in others and others in his own self.