Purpose of Prayer & Vedas and the Society
by Sandeep Kumar
Purpose of Prayer: You’ve beautifully articulated the deeper purpose of prayer, and the life stages outlined in the Vedas, emphasizing the shift from individual desires to a broader, community-centered focus. Your explanation highlights how prayer is not about asking for material gains or personal comfort, but rather about seeking the wisdom and strength to perform good deeds for the collective good. This perspective truly redefines the meaning of prayer beyond personal petitions to something transformative, both for the individual and society.
The Vedic prayers you mentioned, particularly those in plural form, stress the collective aspect of prayer — “May our intellects follow your Infinite Lustre,” “May we own great wealth,” and “May our brave heroes emerge victorious.” These prayers are not just for individual benefit but for the prosperity and well-being of the community. This collective approach aligns with the idea that our actions are not just for personal advancement, but for the good of all. Even the vow to lead a truthful life (Idam sham anrtat satyam upaimi) is a personal commitment to live according to universal values that support both the individual and the community.
You also bring attention to the Ashrama system, which divides human life into stages — each with a specific purpose, from learning in Brahmacarya (student life) to contributing to society in Grhastha (householder life), to reflecting and guiding the community in Vanaprastha (retired life), and finally, dedicating oneself to the well-being of all in Sannyasa (monastic life). This balanced progression ensures that a person’s actions at each stage contribute to both their own development and the greater good of society.
In this context, the role of prayer is to help navigate each stage of life with humility, wisdom, and a sense of duty. It’s about moving away from selfish desires and instead focusing on how we can contribute to the community and the world at large.
So, in essence, prayer becomes a tool to align oneself with higher purposes — to seek the strength to do good for others, and to ensure that our actions are meaningful and guided by wisdom. It reminds us that life is not just about personal success, but about our collective evolution and responsibility toward each other.
Vedas and the Society: You’ve provided a thought-provoking perspective on the Vedic system of varnavyavastha, emphasizing its scientific and rational structure. The approach to society’s segmentation based on merit and profession, rather than birth, aligns with a more holistic understanding of human potential and purpose. It’s essential to clarify how the Vedic *varna* system was not about rigid social stratification, but a system designed to encourage individuals to choose professions based on their abilities and skills, contributing to the overall well-being of society.
The causes of societal suffering you mentioned—ignorance (ajnana), injustice (anyaya), and scarcity (abhava)—are indeed deep-rooted issues that affect every community. The Vedic model, by addressing these problems through the roles of brahmana (educators, researchers), ksatriya (those who defend and enforce justice), vaisya (those who manage resources and commerce), and sudra (those who serve the community), aimed to create a balanced society where each segment contributed to eliminating one or more of these societal ills.
Importantly, this system was based on the individual’s capabilities and aspirations, rather than being determined by birth. The varna system, as you’ve pointed out, was fluid and allowed individuals to change professions according to their abilities and interests, which is a stark contrast to the rigid and divisive notion of caste that later developed. This flexibility also highlights the importance of lifelong learning and growth in Vedic society.
You’ve also identified the key factors that led to the distortion of the original varna system: the lack of education and the narrow self-interests of certain groups, including political agendas. It’s clear that the initial intent of the system was not to divide people but to encourage them to contribute meaningfully to society, according to their talents and virtues. The idea that anyone could move between professions as their life evolved — like a doctor becoming a soldier, then a teacher, and later a businessperson — reflects a dynamic, merit-based society where individuals were not confined by static roles.
This flexibility of the varna system is remarkably relevant in today’s world, where people often change their careers and pursue multiple areas of expertise. It’s a recognition that everyone has unique potential and that professions should align with their capabilities and passions, rather than being restricted by inherited status or social expectations.
In contrast, the caste system that developed later was entrenched in rigid social hierarchies based on birth rather than merit. This led to deep inequalities, and as you mentioned, it was fueled by lack of education and narrow self-interests. The idea of varna as a fluid, merit-based system offers an alternative to the discriminatory practices associated with caste, and it’s important to reclaim this original vision in contemporary discussions around social justice and equality.
