When we solve a complex jigsaw puzzle, most people try to fix some parts on the edge and then assuming that the piece is in its correct place, proceed to fix others relative to it. It may happen that the assumption was wrong and then one needs to backtrack and fix the error and proceed again. After all the pieces have fit in correctly, one can feel happy that the puzzle has been solved.
Actually, there are 2 ways to end the puzzle: The first way is one in which we have/know what the final solved puzzle should look like. In that case, we can simply compare the pieces and fit them in the appropriate places. Also, when all the pieces are fit in, one can cross check to see if the finished puzzle looks like what we wanted it to be. That would signal the solution of the puzzle.
There is a second way: In this, we do not know what the final finished puzzle should look like. So, we can only find out if we have solved the puzzle by cross-checking if all the pieces have fit in. Even in this, one has to assume that a certain piece belongs to a particular place. If that assumption turns out to be wrong because some other pieces do not fit in, then one has to backtrack and rectify the error.
The study of Vedic/Hindu religion is a bit like the jigsaw puzzle: one does not what is the final picture. Also, one has to assume certain parts are correct. If one makes these assumptions, then one can clearly see all the pieces fall in place one after the other. When the study is done, one could see the overall picture and see if there was any misfit pieces or not.
Just a metaphor...the way I see it.
Friday, December 23, 2005
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3 comments:
I think you are trying to compare most complex thing with jigsaw puzzle. The comparison is quite good and appreciable because you narrowed a complex topic to a single point "Assumption".
Actually speaking our whole Engineering concept is based on "Assumption" without which engineering concepts can’t move ahead and prove out the things. Still there are many things to which science is unanswerable.
In this as you said let’s take example I have 10 solutions out of which 9 can’t be applied to one problem. Since 9 can’t be applied so we assume that 10th solution will solve the problem and we move ahead of course we also assume that there is no 11th solution in the universe this is what our engineering says.
Considering above problem do you mean that Vedic/Hindu religion topic has limited solution to one problem/question because for one question it has chain of assumption and final answer, which can be proved with many ways. I am not questioning about content of Vedic/Hindu religion because it has vast knowledge but one has to learn how to swim in that ocean and pick up the write fish (assumption) because there are many fishes (assumptions), which can soothe your hunger. (Of course fish is just an example and has no relation with Vedic philosophy)
Considering above problem do you mean that Vedic/Hindu religion topic has limited solution to one problem/question because for one question it has chain of assumption and final answer, which can be proved with many ways.
No, the only single assumption in the study of the subject that is required is that the Vedic literature is correct. There is no other assumption required. All other pieces automatically fall in place. (This assumption is required because many things mentioned cannot be proved using mankind's existing knowledge.)
Of course, people might ask how they could be sure whether the literature they are reading (translated or otherwise) is the "correct interpretation" or not. That can be answered by the same logic - if all pieces fall in place, then probably it is the authentic interpretation.
Hi.. Thanks for this informative article. I really liked it. I also came across this similar site with nice articles and videos on vedic prinicples - http://www.vichaar.tv
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