I am very happy to learn about the initiative by Sharad Wagle to establish the Arise Arjuna Foundation to promote Vedic Sanatana Dharma all over the world.

My prayers to Devi Vaak, and Shriman Narayana to make this initiative a success. When Veda Vyasa wrote the invocatory verse to his magnum opus, the Mahabharata, the first verse was addressed to Devi Sarasvati and Divine Narayana:

Narayanam namaskrtya naram caiva narottamam

Deveem sarasvateem caiva tato jaya mudeerayet

Sanatana dharma from Vedic times is a celebration of divine in everyone, every phenomenon of this universe. Dharma is not an easy word to translate into Enlgish or other languages. It certainly does NOT connote ‘religion’ which is a later-day concept. The words in many Indian languages for the word, ‘religion’ are: matam, pantha (roughly translated as opinions or paths). Dharma is a celebration of freedom.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna who is considered in Hindu ethos as the embodiment of Narayana, an avatar, says: yadaa yadaa hi dharmasya glaanir bhavati bharata, abhyutthaanam adharmasya, tadaatmaanam srjaamyaham (Trans. When there is decay of dharma – righteousness – or dent on the cosmic ordering principle, and rise of a-dharma (unrighteousness), then I am born in this world.) Aatma is also a difficult word to translate; it is beyond soul, it is the very essence of one’s being as the aatman is in an incessant quest, to attain yoga (unity) with the paramaatman (supreme divine aatman). In this perspective, everyone, every phenomenon is a spark from the divine anvil.

There is an enormous body of thought available related to sanatana dharma. This has to reach out to every nook and corner of this global village to provide a clear world-view emphasizing the responsibility of every individual to sustain this dharma. Dharma is that which results in abhyudayam (general welfare) and nihs’reyas (ultimate union of aatman with paramaatman) – in both external (paraavrtti) and internal (nivrtti) facets as every aatman endeavors from being to becoming.

I am proud indeed that Arise Arjuna Foundation has undertaken this yagna governed by veda (a word which comes from the root: vid, ‘to know’). In this yagna, this inquiry into knowledge systems, everyone has to participate and make this universe, this globe, this village a place of abhyudayam where every divine spark can glow like an akhandajyoti. The phrase ‘Arise Arjuna’ is apt. This is taken from Gitopades’am (the message of Bhagavadgita) where Sri Krishna tells Arjuna to arise out of the confusions which enmesh him. After imparting knowledge about many facets of life here and life beyond, many profound philosophical thoughts, Sri Krishna tells Arjuna: Arise and do what you think is best – for dharma. Dharmo rakshati rakshitah. Dharma protects those who protect dharma. Dharma protects because it helps one to evolve and to reach out.

Harihi oM

apakrAman pauruSheyAd vRiNAno daivyaM vacaH

praNItIrabhyAvartasva vishvebhiH sakhibiH saha

Om shAntiH shAntiH shAntiH

|| Atharva veda VII. 105||

"Stepping beyond what is human, opt for the Divine word. Establish your leadership along with all the friends you have."

May your efforts be successful by Krishna's grace

Thousands of years ago, Lord Krishna desired that the warrior Arjuna rise and fight, not for selfish purposes, but for the higher principles of sanatana-dharma, the original spiritual duty of the soul. Arjuna represented not just himself, but Everyman. And today there is a need for a new generation of Arjunas to rise once more in the cause of sanatana-dharma. In the first instance, it is an intellectual fight that needs to be waged, to establish the real truth about the history of civilization in India, the civilization of which Arjuna was part. The beneficial contributions this civilization--in the form of its art, philosophy, culture, science, spiritual practices, etc.--are inestimable.

Welcome to this AriseArjuna site. As the ancient Vedas say,

tamasi ma jyotir gama

--come from the darkness to the light!