FUSION OF SCIENCE
& SPIRITUALITY- PRUDENT WAY TO TIDE OVER CORONA
PANDEMIC
Novel Corona virus SARS
COV2 is third highly pathogenic human corona virus after Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). The
Corona virus disease (Covid 19) is turning out to be a real psycho-physical and
social crisis of global magnitude. Its rapid spread is facilitated via
droplets, contaminated hands and surfaces. With WHO declaring this as global
pandemic, authorities and communities world over have responded to the
challenge by engaging in tough and right course of action to contain the ominous
threat. While search for new vaccine and drug is actively in progress, WHO has
launched global mega trial of four most promising corona virus treatment from
existing drugs (Remdesivir, Chloroquine & hydroxychloroquine, HIV drugs
Lopinavir & Ritonavir combination with and without interferon beta)
Fortunately, India as a
Nation has been able to do well but is slowly slipping to stage 3 marked by
community transmission. Stage 4 is endemic and leads to mass devastation as witnessed
in China & Italy.
The President of India
Ramnath Kovind has highlighted medically mandated and self-imposed quarantining
as an opportunity for self-examination and evolution. He held sanitation and
cleanliness personified by Mahatma Gandhi particularly during plague outbreak
as humblest of civic virtues. He also held that major crisis has reassured our
cultural ethos of ‘world as one family’- Vasudhaiva kutumbakam and quintessential
equality and interdependence of mankind. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi
announced a plethora of measures to wisely deal with the pandemic and preparing
for a war like situation symbolized by Janata curfew and stressed upon the
mantra of resolve and restraint. Ms Mami Mizutori, Head of UN Office for
Disaster Risk Reduction has held that pandemics do not recognize borders and
united international response is vital under guidance of WHO. The pandemic has
also underlined interconnectedness and interdependence of mankind and
importance of multilateral institutions like WTO. The lead banks and financial
institutes are playing their part to neutralize economic slowdown.
Notwithstanding this, some world leaders are sadly engaged in mudslinging on
others. Wisdom lies in expressing solidarity and working for collective good in
and through individual good.
Science and spirituality
have different viewpoints on its etiology and cure. But both are significant
and complementary to our understanding and wisdom filled actions. Science
traces emergence and isolation of unknown beta corona virus, 7th
member of the family of Corona virus that infects humans in Wuhan, China. For
the third time in as many decades, a zoonotic corona virus has crossed species
to infect human population. It is round or elliptical often pleomorphic form
(ability of microbes to change morphology, functions and reproductive mode in
response to environmental conditions) with diameter of .06- 0.14 micron. The
genome of the virus has now been sequenced. It is now established that this is
a normal natural variant and is not genetically engineered in a laboratory with
any evil design.
From one spiritual
perspective, this kind of catastrophe takes place when human society as a whole
goes off track in its achar-vichar (thoughts & conduct) and lowers
its collective vibrations to coincide with some negative force. We are
witnessing adhibhautik affliction caused by a tiny microbe that also has
adhidaivik (attributed to some deity)
and adhyatmic (subjective individual)
ramifications. This is referred to as samasti
prarabdh (collective fate) of mankind. This can be attributed to some
mysterious play of the Supreme reality as some kind of compensatory mechanism
to restore the balance and stability in the universe.
Science and spirituality also
converge on several points.
1. Transitory nature of all objects
& beings- Change
is inherent in nature but constant change of structure and biological function makes
design of vaccine and drug a daunting task. Scriptures describe changing nature
of gross and subtle matter as asat or Mithya (having transitory
& dependant existence). Science probes very subtle nature and function of
matter in viral and host cell and is content with this. Spirituality exhorts still
deeper to find the one and non dual substratum that pervades entire existence.
2. Cleanliness & sanitation- Virus emitted from infected person
while sneezing, coughing or nose blowing as fine droplets survives for few
hours and for 2-3 days after settling on inanimate surface like stainless steel
or plastic. This can be transmitted by touching of infected hand to
mouth, nose or eye. Virus like COV, HIV, ELOBA, ZIKA are encapsulated with
lipid-bilayer. Soap or alcoholic sanitizer is able to bind with lipid bilayer and
inactivate the virus, This makes cleaning/sanitation a very effective mechanism
to help arrest spread of virus any further. Most religious and spiritual
practices are aimed at cleansing the body and antakkaran (mind,
intellect & sub conscious) of all impurities so that it can perceive and
realize the atman or brahman, the ultimate reality.
3. Following advisory and wise course of
actions-Global
institutes & Government lays down advisory and action plan based on
scientific & ethical considerations much like code of conduct prescribed by
religious and spiritual texts or wisdom sayings of saints.
4. Realizing uniqueness, interconnectedness,
equality of every individual & nation state- Every individual is unique as a
biological creature and can contribute to both spreading and arresting the
disease. Likewise, every individual can pollute or purify his neighborhood by
his motives, thought processes and actions. Man can raise himself to the
highest heaven or damn himself to the lowest hell. It is all in his hands, says
Swami Chidananda.
5. Serving mankind while practicing
social distancing- Isolation/quarantining
of infected/suspect person is the most primary and effective means to contain
the disease. Many countries have effectively done this. Isolation is also a means
of service by protecting the others. Solitude leads to expression of our
unconscious personality that has many good and bad aspects. “Solitude has its
own charms. The spiritual vibrations in solitude are wonderfully elevating.
Meditation will come by itself without exertion. All saints and sages who have
achieved Self realization have remained in solitude for a number of years” says
Swami Sivananda.
6. Submitting to nature and supreme
reality- Science
relies on genomics and proteomics for probing the cause, effect and solutions.
This has to be supplemented with abiding faith in all pervading and
compassionate supreme reality. “We have to have the faith that in spite of our
ignorance, errors & weaknesses and in spite of attacks of hostile forces
and in spite of any immediate appearance of failure, the divine will is leading
us, through every circumstance, towards final realization, inspires Sri
Aurobindo.
Jayant B
Dave
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