Secret of happy life: Vedanta philosophy

Nipuni Wimalapala

A potent intellect, a pure mind and a peerless action can keep humans happy and peaceful. The most ideal philosophy to achieve this status is following Vedanta, according to Sunanda Leelaram, affectionately known as Sunandaji. She is the daughter and the protégé of internationally eminent philosopher Swami Parthasarathy of India.

Swami Parthasarathy	Sunanda Leelaram

Under her father's guidance, Sunandaji has been researching and propagating the philosophy of Vedanta which comes from Bhagavad Gita. Though written 5000 years ago, its philosophical value is applicable to the modern society as well.

A series of Bhagavad Gita lectures was conducted by Sunandaji in Sri Lanka recently at Kathiresan Hall, Bambalapitiya. The series was organized by The Vedanta World Colombo in association with the Vedanta Cultural Foundation, India.

The Vedanta Cultural Foundation is a charitable trust founded by internationally renowned Vedantin, Swami Parthasarathi.

It is registered under the Bombay Public Trust Act. The foundation has been accorded the coveted status of 'Scientific and Industrial Research Organization' (SIRO) by the Indian government. The foundation has established the Vedanta Academy in 1988, near Pune, India.

The academy is a unique educational institution which conducts full-time three-year residential course on Vedanta for young students from all over the world. It is highly disciplined and very systematic course through which students are taught human values and how to be happy while being productive and progressive.

It was a series of lectures held according the teachings of Bhagavad Gita. Every evening Sunandaji introduced a few verses and elaborated their impact on our life to usher in peace.

The series drew quite a crowd.

Sri Lankan showed genuine interest in the series, since it is effective in improving the living conditions.

The philosophy educates the public on basic universal human values. Human values do not change though everything tends to change. So we have to keep them within us to live happy and peaceful.

Since Sunandaji is from a traditional Vedanta family of India, she strongly believes in the philosophy. She is totally engaged in research and propagation of Vedanta. Her father, dedicated to educate the public about the philosophy of Vedanta, has authored many a book on the subject.

"It is essentially a philosophy which is a scientific exposition of living. If we need to know how to live properly with peace, we need to follow a proper philosophy which must be very scientific.

"What we want to convince the public is Vedanta is not a religion, but it is a scientific teaching which helps humans live happy and peaceful lives. Western world is highly developed, productive, advanced and prosperous. But they are not that peaceful and happy. They are looking for happiness and peace. But in some other Asian countries are rather united and peaceful, but they are not progressive, productive or developed compared to the western world."

"So our main point is that it's possible to blend both peace and progress together. That is what we exactly want to convince. Irrespective of the background, every human has the capacity to blend both. That is what we need to convey. We particularly focus on young people.

"The whole process is very scientific. We take this knowledge to the public through many ways. This is not a religion, but an Indian philosophy. It is very deep and vast. I have done this in many parts of the world to convey that it is possible to be dynamic, enthusiastic, productive, progressive and meanwhile peaceful," Sunandaji stressed.

Pictures by Roshan Pitipana