Revisiting the Vedic culture of India

Jeffrey Armstrong, an American scholar who has studied the Vedic culture of India in depth and has done comparative study of various religions of the world visited the city.

Jeffrey Armstrong preferred to join the Hare Krishna Ashram rather than be a part of the Vietnam War

For his ardent love for Indian Vedic culture Armstrong is fondly called 'Kavindra Rishi'. Before a curious audience Armstrong delivered a lecture about 'The world discovering Vedic roots, a ray of hope for the future' that was organised by ARCOT (Association of Rotary Clubs).

In his speech Armstrong said, "Life has taken a full circle and the things which were forgotten in the course of time have again come on the forefront like the Vedic culture of India, which is oldest and most perfect philosophy for a blissful life.

The British ruled India for over 150 years. As conquerors always treat the defeated as backward and low graded people, the British created colonial barriers that prevented the flow of knowledge and deliberately suppressed Indian philosophy to such extent that even Indians believed in them. In a way it was the justification of British's invasion over India."

Armstrong said that Indian culture guides people to live happily. “There are only two cultures of the world that can give the exact age of the Universe.

According to Vedic knowledge, it is fifteen billion years and modern science also accepts that the age of Universe must be around fourteen billion years while in recent years the problem of global warming has been threatening the world and preserving the environment and nature is the only solution to come out of it. Vedic philosophy advises to preserve and nurture the nature," he said.

While concluding the lecture he said, "Due to globalisation democracy has come in the field of knowledge. This is the time when Indians should come forward and explain their rich cultural heritage to the world."

On this occasion Armstrong also shared his personal experiences of Vedic culture in an open interview anchored by Abhijit Phadnis, Vice Chairman BMA. Armstrong said, "I'm born in a protestant Christian family. From my childhood I used to think about the imbalance of justice between privileged and unprivileged people in the society and I couldn't get answers.

When I was asked to join the Vietnam War, instead of killing thousands of innocent people I preferred to join Hare Krishna Ashram and got the initiation from Swami Prabhupad in America. Next five years I stayed in ashrams in America and realised that Krishna is divine.

During this period I learned Sanskrit, various aspects of Indian culture and also learned Indian Music. I enjoyed eternal joy while playing the sitar. My curiosities in Indian astronomy lead me to London where I learned astrology from my Guru MK Gandhi.

" Armstrong knows martial arts, author of a book on ancient weapons and a competent poet. In this hearty dialogue with the audience he said, "For the last seven years I have been touring all over the world teaching Vedic knowledge and explaining the beauty and depth of Vedic roots."

The event was graced by presidents of rotary clubs in the city including Dinesh Mehata, Smita Mahajan and BM Shivaraj.

Life has taken a full circle and the things which were forgotten in the course of time have again come on the
forefront like the Vedic culture of India, which is oldest and most perfect philosophy for a blissful life
Jeffrey Armstrong, - American Vedic scholar