Creation & Destruction

I would like to quote the following told by Swami Vivekananda on this topic –

“Temple after temple was broken down by the foreign conqueror, but no sooner had the wave passed than the spire of the temple rose up again. Some of these old Temples of South India, and those like Somnath in Gujarat, will teach you volumes of wisdom, which will give you a cleaner insight in to the history of the race than any amount of books.Mark how these temples bear the marks of a hundred attacks and a hundred regenerations, continuously destroyed and continually springing up out of the ruins, rejuvenated and strong as ever! That is the national mind, that is the national life current. Follow it and it leads to glory”

India, was subject to many conquests throughout its history. Even internally, the various kings were fighting each other. Some of them would destroy cities, temples and take away wealth, etc.

The spirit of the people lies in the reconstruction. In the rejuvenation. In giving it a new lease of life. So, if a conqueror destroys a Temple a hundred times, people rebuild it a hundred and one times! That is the spirit, and its very difficult to destroy that spirit!

Likewise, the speed and spirit shown by the people of Japan for the reconstruction of their nation after Hiroshima and Nagasaki, is another excellent example.

Its a tough question – we have all been in such situations and perhaps reacted both ways, but do you think an eye for an eye is a solution?

Destination Infinity

20 thoughts on “Creation & Destruction

  1. V Rakesh

    I’ve been watching the situation in Japan rather very closely and am amazed at how wonderful the conduct of the Japanese people has been! Truly, it is a display of remarkable character that one can credit this to!

    1. Rajesh K

      I have always admired the Japanese. There is one book by the founder of Sony Corp – Akio Morita – which gives a good idea about their best practices. No wonder their products are one of the best!

      Destination Infinity

      1. V Rakesh

        Yes, that book is titled “Made in Japan” and is a wonderful read!

        1. Rajesh K

          Yeah, I forgot the name of the book – Thanks for reminding me 🙂

          Destination Infinity

  2. Anbu

    I had visited Halebedu in Karnataka some time ago. I wonder how someone could destroy architectural wonders like this.

    Luckily many people had belief in same religion, otherwise no temples would have been left untouched. Just like the Buddhist and Jain shrines been destroyed to build temples in the past, temples would have also destroyed to build their own sacred places of the conquerors.

    1. Rajesh K

      Both Halebed and Belur are wonderful places. There are breathtaking sculptures in both the places! Maybe things get destroyed to test our ability to rebuild them? One can look at it that way!

      Destination Infinity

  3. Bikram

    well no an eye for eye is not a good way to go..

    You talked about temples being reconstructed I am totally against it Not jsut temples, but gurudwaras or mosques.. Haven’t we got all of those enough yet.
    Why do we need to build so many buildings, spend so much money and they have feuds on who is going to be committe member or president etc etc .. WHY..
    That money can be used for a what Out GODS taught us HUMANITY, LOVE. they did not say build them buildings with rich marbles etc etc etc .. Sorry waste of space, time and HUMANITY building all these buildings…

    I went on a tangent there 🙂 sorry

    Japanese are very hard working and they have shows how to deal with problems .. but even in Japan people are slowly starting to voice there opinions ..

    1. Rajesh K

      There is one town near Chennai called Kanchipuram – There are more than thousand temples in that small town 🙂

      Well it doesn’t matter if temples are destroyed, or buildings are destroyed, or sculptures are destroyed. What matters is, whether we can stop living in the past and rebuild such marvels – perhaps making it better with all the technology available with us? Its the spirit behind the rebuilding of those temples that matter more than the temples itself!

      Destination Infinity

  4. Sandhya

    We, Indians do not have the history of conquering or taking eye for an eye, D.I. We had been and are, very soft natured, submissive people which sometimes hurt. If you visit Hampi, you can see the destruction done by the Mughals but still admire whatever is remaining there.

    I remember the Bhuj earthquake and how the whole India came together to help out the people over there.

    I like the Vivekananda quote, you have given here. It is so true. Thank you.

    Just now read the comment – Anbu has written about Halebeedu. We let them destroy us, though we have come out wellnow.

    Japanese are unbeatable in their sincerity and discipline. They will come back.

    1. Rajesh K

      We don’t let them destroy us, but we were not able to defend big armies. Primarily because back then, India was segregated in to many small kingdoms and was not able to win against the armies of bigger kingdoms – say, Mohammed of Ghazni, for example. About 50,000 people died in the war against him trying to defend the Somnath Temple, once.

      Akbar and Aurangzeb were both mughals, but had totally different ideologies and working styles. Like wise, I think it was the Chola Kings who conquered the Sumatra Islands – I guess Malaysia/ Singapore… But these are exceptions, and what you said, holds good generally.

      Destination Infinity

  5. sm

    do you think an eye for an eye is a solution?
    it will depend on the situation.

    1. Rajesh K

      🙂

      Destination Infinity

  6. A

    Eye for eye is not a solution. But it all depends on the situation.

    Japan will recover and rebuild. No doubt about it.

    1. Rajesh K

      Yeah, sometimes offense is the best defense !

      Destination Infinity

  7. Aiz

    inspiring post.
    ahimsa always wins friend.

    1. Rajesh K

      I too think so…. Sometimes its better to be patient and allow time to pass. We get a more clearer perspective that way, instead of reacting immediately.

      Destination Infinity

  8. Prashant Sree

    An eye for an eye would never be a solution… Though sometimes, we succumb to our own belligerence (maybe justified in some cases too), a peaceful solution can never be reached thro’ an ‘eye for an eye’ attitude. The Japanese in this case have been truly wondrous in showcasing the ideal aspect of the human civilization.

    1. Rajesh K

      Its fear, that makes us attack and kill. If people can understand that they could live in harmony with other people and nature, without having to destroy – most of the crimes the human civilization have committed would not have happened.

      Destination Infinity

  9. Nita

    An eye for an eye gives one satisfaction but destroys the person who takes revenge. It is best to use one’s energy to grow and develop, not use it in destructive ways because it will boomerang. Pakistan is one example of a nation consumed with hate and revenge and it has destroyed itself. Even today they talk of hatred, even famous cricketers like Afridi who bring politics into a game. If there are others who hate like him, Pakistan is doomed.

    1. Rajesh K

      One wonders, what if a more powerful/bigger country involves in such hatred!! But what you said is absolutely right – one ought to use their energy to grow and develop, not in destructive ways. But strangely, in many places, development means suppressing others so that they do not go beyond you! Little do people realize that only if they come to your level, you can go beyond them!

      Destination Infinity

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