By : Ambika Prasad "Shastri"

 When a free-lancer is anticipated to express thoughts on so general a subject as "Understanding," his approach would be equally general. Socrates developed understanding to declare: ‘I know that I don’t know.’ This is a negative aspect of knowledge synthesized in understanding. The positive is, "Gurprasad" (Guru or Master’s grace). All else would be a permutation of unreliable intellect (Budhi).

It appears that our access is restricted to "Budhi" alone. We incline to apply it to understanding our well being. Therefore, we are involved in understanding the society with a view to begetting good by doing well. This is indeed a sophisticated facet of our existence. This is also an element of religion and sagacious vision.

Understanding as such remains a secret. We know that a two-year old infant has not developed the understanding about the marriage institution. A four-year old child has none about geography and an art student about physics. This illustration denotes certain levels of understanding.

As a matter of fact, understanding comprises individual’s essence of existence, his being. This is ‘Knowing Thyself’. We are manifestations of understanding operating through its million frequencies. The frequencies may be categorised as conceptual (i.e. subjective), objective (claimed to be factual) and metaphysical (i.e. the ultimate).

The first (i.e. conceptual) is dubbed as superstition. The second receive group applause, being regarded as an element of faith. The faith is invariably supplemented with insurance of being ‘factual’ based on one-sided argumentation. Faiths do differ, and history bears witness, some men of faith had to fight for the cause of righteousness.

At this juncture reformers acknowledge their sacred duty or ultimate objective to show the other way i.e. of co-existence, highlighting references, which inter alia, find place in all scriptures. They were never inclined to deviate buttery to derive from, scriptures as if and intrinsic value is hidden in the books. The process is akin to selecting the words ‘sun-set’ to ‘sun-rise’ to prove that the sun moves.

The idea of ‘universal brotherhood’ is sought to be an extension of co-existence. However, this effort has not succeeded in the world. No brain has been able to devise this code of conduct for universal brotherhood. It remains a stage-management. Lord Buddha carried it to the ‘Sangha’ (Order), leaving behind the hearth and home where man dwells. Can’t we suggest to the United Nations body for the observance of the "Year of Oneness of Man?" It is believed that intellectuals all over the world would display great enthusiasm in this direction. They would uphold such an understanding.

The third, that is, metaphysical understanding comprises the essence of existence or being. This knows thyself. (Our existence is our level of understanding). Metaphysical understanding assumes a subjective role. Only he knows whom understanding blesses.