The concept of “self denial” is a well accepted/adopted precept almost in every social system, in this or that form. Though in Western philosophy this phrase got introduced back about in 17th Century, but in true sense, it’s origin may be accredited to ancient Indian Vedic culture. Since the observance of this precept had been in practice from that time either. If we try to find the date of its observance, it emerges up, it had been extant as a part of Sanatana or Hindu practice prior to the origin of other major religions like Christianity, Islam and Buddhism. life.
The issue is not about giving credit of its origin, but its acceptance as an essential practice in life. If we look back, we find out, at the beginning, every branch of knowledge was the part and parcel of religious scriptures in its initial stage. From where, various off shoots of knowledge sprouted with different names in India like political science, herbal/medicinal , theology, economics, military science etc. In Hindu’s culture, religious teachings predominated in social moorings, norms and customs. The concept to become an altruist or benevolent was intermingled heavily in these norms.
From the time immemorial through these religious norms, a Hindu has been taught about some “debts”. He grows with those “debts” and live a life to get free from them as a social obligation. These “debts” are described majorly as ” Father’s debt (parental debt,) Teacher’s debt and God’s debt. Thus a Hindu is supposed to get redeemed of these debts in life in some ways by following a lawful path.To be free from the debt of teacher, he is assumed to teach others or help those who are spreading the knowledge to needful. Likely, in debt of God, he is expected to follow the path of spiritual life by observing the religious rites. Here only, the concept of “self denial” firstly got introduced to all man kinds.
In this process of getting free from debt of God, a Hindu is expected to observe the “fast”. Fasting means denial of food on the day of fasting, and this observance should be without any scruples. And what the “self denial” is? Scarifying the things you like either for religious or moral reasons and in certain cases you don’t have the enough money. But Hindu religious norms don’t insist on the lack the money, they demand your sincerity and religious trust. In the same way, to redeem the Parental debt, a Hindu is expected to enter into Domesticity to increase the pedigree of the family. He is under social obligation for the procreation and raise them properly and transform them as responsible, educated citizens.
When a man procreates children and raises them, in this lengthy process, he too “under certain circumstances” somehow becomes prone to observe the concept of “self denial.” An interesting point we often notice in this process of self denial. The concept of ” self denial” in Hindu mythology preaches the benevolence or charity as its basis and should be with out constraint and with a free will. Then it becomes a true “self denial.” But if we look deep into this observance, we find that a man follow it either under the fear of religion or of social obligation in shape of norms.
Firstly we come to the point of fear of religion. Fear of religion is nothing but the fear of wrath of God. If a fasting is observed freely as “autophagy” (though it too includes some vested interests related to physical and mental health cure,) then it’s an exact “self denial.” It also seems, when our forefathers introduced this concept of “fasting,” they too had its positive effects in mind. Just to force a man to observe it in shape of rituals, they added the thought of fear of wrath of God. They knew, without a fear of punishment, no one was going to adopt this observance.
The another important practice after the “fasting’ was to maintain “celibacy.” This too had the aim behind it. It was to prepare a generation of sturdy, healthy youths. Now we come back to the “parental debt” again. We often notice, as a parent when we raise our children, we happen to get caught in financial crisis due to some unwanted circumstances which may spring because of any reason. It’s a common phenomenon since every person as a head of family is confronted with so many family issues on several fronts. He is to manage his budget to run the expenditure of the house hold. Here, he is forced to impose upon himself a “self denial.”
A person as a father often avoid purchasing new clothes for himself since his college going son or daughter needs a proper costumes to attend the college. Or a father may not prefer to buy a new vehicle for himself, instead a chooses to buy a new bike or scooty for the children. In almost cases it is an outcome of filial attachment. In broader sense, we find “self denial” being practiced in our social system but we are given not to take notice of it.
There are innumerable people who are engaged in charitable deeds. For the sake of charity they spend their own money on others which they could have spent upon themselves for personal pleasure. But here, they too enjoy pleasure in spending the money over other needful people. This is a real “self denial.” Amazingly, many of these benevolent people do this not for the sake of a name. They are real unsung heroes under the caption of “self denial.” Some one is giving tuition to poor children who are unable to attend the school by spending his own money and devoting his time. Others helping people in perilous situation as rescue workers by staking their life in danger.
It’s not that”self denial” is always an imposed factor. This concept has been imbibed in our disposition also. When we extend our helping hand to others by sacrificing our own interest that is also a “self denial.” Every one in his life knowingly and unknowingly go through this process. In this context, when we observe “fasting,” always that is not under the fear of the wrath of the god. Sometimes, theoretically by not consuming the “extra food” we help preserve the food for other needful indirectly as well. I begun this blog in Indian context, only because I could relate my own observations of my surroundings only. The ambiance I am destined to live with. Penned by — Vinay Pharasi —–