Jnana Yoga (Vedanta Philosophy Lectures)

Society did not exist ages ago, possibly will not exist ages hence. Most probably it is one of the passing stages through which we are going towards a higher evolution, and any law that is derived from society alone cannot be eternal, cannot cover the whole ground of man's nature. At best, therefore. Utilitarian theories can only work under present social conditions. Beyond that, they have no value. But a morality, an ethical code derived from religion and spirituality, has the whole of infinite man for its scope. It takes up the individual but its relations are to the Infinite, and it takes up society also — because society THE NECESSITY OF RELIGION 21 is nothing but numbers of these individuals grouped together — and applying to the individual and his eternal relations, it must necessarily apply to the whole of society, in whatever condition it may be at any given time. Thus we see that there is always the necessity of spiritual religion for mankind. Man cannot always think of matter, however pleasurable it may be. It has been said that too much attention to things spiritual disturbs our practical relations in this world. As long ago as the days of the Chinese sage Confucius it was said : "Let us take care of this world, and then, when we have finished with this world, we will take care of other worlds." It is all very well that we should take care of this world and let the other go, but though too much attention to the spiritual may hurt a little our practical relations, yet too much attention to the so-called practical hurts us here and hereafter. It makes us materialistic. For man is not to regard Nature as his goal, but something higher than Nature.