Dharma and Development: Prosperity for All

About the Book In this book, Dr RL Kashyap explained the concept of Dharma through certain examples. He has chosen institutions which offer service on a large scale. The individuals who are responsible for making these institutions for carrying out the exemplary work are complemented Religious heads to politicians, religious institutions to non-governmental organizations are illustrated here to explain how Dharma is leading them to good work or karma.

The book in your hand "Dharma and Development - Prosperity for All" is an invaluable work which emerged out of the vast study of Dr. RL Kashyap. He has made a pioneering contribution to the field of Vedic Knowledge. Dr. R L Kashyap inspired by the vision of Rishis, reveals to the readers the core of Dharma and its application. The variety of examples on all aspects of life, narrated in this book are eye-openers. He has succeeded in convincing us that Dharma is the foundation for all development and prosperity.

His background in Mathematics and Engineering has worked so well in conveying the subject matter in such a way that he finally proves what he wanted to establish.

Indeed this book is a valuable contribution to the present and future generation to come.

This book is the outcome of Dr. R L Kashyap's concern towards the comprehensive development.

Foreword Dr. R. L. Kashyap is a great life in our times. He is a scientist of eminence, a philosopher, thinker author and an outstanding investigator of the store-house of knowledge, lore, learning and wisdom of the Indian heritage. Dr. Kashyap's contribution to the rekindling of global interest in re-discovering the ancient wisdom of India is unparallel. He has provided a vigorous refreshment to the unlocking of Vedic wisdom. He has a special place of honour amongst the Vedic scholars. This book unfolds another dimension of his personality as a developmental economist and visionary.

The present work "Prosperity For All: Dharma and Development" is an investigation into the fundamental values that distinguish mere 'growth' from 'Development'. Dr. Kashyap defines this process of development to implicit in the Indian concept of 'Dharma' and the richness and universality of this concept. Swami Siddeshwarananda, a monk of the Sri Ramakrishna Order who lived in France for many years, in his "Carmelite Mysticism And Hindu Thought" makes a profound observation that religions often raise provocative slogans which produce discord and conflict while the word 'spirituality' could better convey the spirit of the universality of all mystic experience.

Preface This book has taken shape as an expression of my gratitude to the power of Dharma which has been guiding me all these days though I was only aware of some of its simple ideas. Later, I recognised that it is a cosmic force which has an effect on all communities and countries whether they believe in Dharma or not. It is unfortunate that Dharma has no correct translation in English though most Western Indologists and their Indian followers render it mistakenly as 'religion'..

I realised that Dharma is the main force which enables the development of individuals and of their nation allowing the creativity of the individuals to manifest fully in several sectors. But the development has not been visible in countries like India because of the negative forces of adharma such as the Leftists' idea of a top-down approach which believes in the state owning everything belittling the creativity of individual human beings.

Therefore, on the one hand, we see that the sectors in India controlled via the top-down approach of the government have given very little help to the common citizen.

On the other, the non-governmental institutions (NGOs) headed by persons driven by spiritual ideas and ethics have extraordinary achievements to their credit especially in the rural areas. The first person to develop NGOs catering to rural life on a large scale is Dr. V. Kurien via his Amul Cooperatives in 1958.

**Contents and Sample Pages**