SUNDARARAMAN  IYER

Dr. Karan Singh, India's stateman, political leader, diplomat and of course a real Maharajah - the Sadr-i-riyasat of Kashmir has written this book - I Believe which incapsulates his philosoply. It is a wonderful food for thought for all those, especially the younger generation, who seek answers to many questions in the great quest in life. 

Padma Vibhushan Dr. Karan Singh, a true prince in the line of Kings acclaimed in the Raja Tarangini is, the greatest Politico spiritual personality in the world today. A renowned Global Citizen, a statesman and an easily accessible friend to those who know him, a noble soul without a slur in his life, a gifted singer and musician who plays the music of peace and humility,  is an inspiration to Gen Next.  He voluntarily renounced his princely privileges in politics and is respected for his humility and nobility, He is now 88. A Shiv Bhakt who has made a place for himself in the post life abode of the noble and the virtuous.

I believe that his book “I believe” - a Philosophy for the global society,should be included in the academic curriculum of all Universities in India and abroad at an early stage ofeducation. - Sundararaman Iyer

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---------- PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE ---------

AN EXPOSITION - “I BELIEVE” -

BY DR. KARAN SINGH          

1.  Man, still,  is in an intermediate stage between the animal and the divine, can raise himself to a higher plane of being if he makes a conscious and dedicated effort to do so;  and there can be no nobler endeavour  than this aspiration  towards humanity.  I believe that each human being born on this planet, or for that matter anywhere else in this infinite cosmos, carries within himself an unquenchable spark of divinity.  Our true destiny as human beings revolves around fanning of this spark into the smokeless flame of spiritual realisation.

2.  All political, economic and social activities should have as their ultimate goal, the fostering of divinity in each individual   Scientific and technological developments are counter-productive if they do not lead us towards this end. 

3.  At their highest, all religions are so many different paths leading us to the same goal, the ineffable and indescribable union between the human and the divine, that mystics of all human persuasions have realized, have essentially preached the same relligious doctrine of  human love and divine communion; and that strife and hatred in the name of religion is therefore the very antithesis of spirituality and a gross slur on the name of humanity.

4.  India, with its unique heritage stretching to the very dawn of civilisation, has a special role to play in fostering a society which would support this process of evolution.  In a world torn by violence and hatred I believe  India can play a crucial role in  leading humanity towards a new equilibrium within health and wisdom, between being and having.  I believe that we must work for political integration, economic growth, social transformation and secular democracy ... 

5.   As long as millions go without the necessities of civilised existence it is utterly unreal to talk to them about the things of the spirit, and that the basic material needs of man must be satisfied as a foundation for further spiritual growth.  

6.  Politics will always be turbulent, because that is the nature of politics,  as it is the nature of the Sun to be hot and water to be wet and that we must face boldly the battle of life, into which we feel ourselves precipitated.  I believe that approached in the right spirit, political activity can be a powerful instrument for human  transformation, and can thus contribute substantially to the broader goal that lie before the human race.  

7.  Our generation holds the present in trust for posterity and that we have to fulfil this responsibility so that we can repay the debt we ourselves owe to the past.  I believe that we must, therefore, protect this planet from despoliation and blatant exploitation in the name of progress, that we must conserve its atmosphere and water, in forests and wild life, from the destruction they are facing as the result of increasing urbanization and industrialization.  

8.  Life is necessarily a mosaic of joy and sorrow, of pleasure and pain, of success and failure, of shadow and sunlight; that we must accept these dualities as a necessary stage in our spiritual progress until we are able to transcend them; and each experience can be a valuabe means for inner growth; unpleasant situations often according greater opportunities for development than superficially pleasant ones.

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ASs I travel around the world, 

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9. I believe that love and friendshipconstitute the surest bonds in a worldwhere everything is constantly changing,and that these should be cherished foreverwhenever and wherever they are found. Ibelieve that the creation of beautythrough music and poetry, the fine artsand architecture is a central function ofcivilisation, and must be encouraged ... Ibelieve, further, that our system of education, should be designed toinculcate in the young, an awareness inthe primacy of the spirit without in anyway belittling the material foundations on which our civilisation must rest.

10. While each of our one a deep debt tothe country of our origin, as Members ofthe human race, we also owe a widerloyalty, to the planet that has nurtured ourkind for millions of years.

11. I believe that death is a naturalcorollary to life, and must be accepted ina positive matter rather than with fear anddread. I believe that the death of the bodyjourney of the pilgrim soul towards its finalappellations is Mahakaleshwar, the greatLord of death, and when he is ready, soam I.

12. I believe finally that a divine destinypervades the cosmos ... I believe thus, thatthe most effective means of fulfilling thatdestiny is a combination of active outerinvolvement in furthering outer welfare,and intense inner striving to reach the goalof self realisation. I believe that the mosteloquent prayer that has ever beenevolved is one that has resounded in Indiadown through the corridors of time, since the very dawn of our civilization :

From illusion, lead me into reality

From darkness lead me to light

From death lead me to immortality

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