The first sign of dharma is “dhriti” or “dhiarya” (patience) as per Naradaparivrajaka Upanishad and the Manusmriti. The destruction of patience is evident in modern science that is devoid of the knowledge of vedas .
Today, we all wish to have easy availability of water through taps and the convenience of a bathroom right next to us, for example. We do not draw water from wells and rivers anymore. (Jagadguru Puri Shankaracharyaji indicates the ease of living with modern technology. Patience is not needed anymore for carrying out our daily activities.)
However, in order to make our lives and our country divine, we do require the virtue of patience. We need this crucial quality for a healthy revolution.
With liberal inventions and the unregulated use of technology, patience – that is the root of progress, spirituality and dharma, is going extinct. The lifestyle of an individual is no longer compatible to walking on the right path (of dharma).
With the rapid use of technology individuals would wish to gain quick prosperity.
To state a recent example (of an attempt for some kind of “revolution”), Anna Hazare ji’s patience could not last more than 15 months and all his supporters were scattered during this time. This means that even those who wish to start a revolution in current times do not have enough patience to persist even for a period of two years.
Today, our expectation is such that we think that just by blowing the trumpet of “revolution” a country shall be formed tomorrow. This shows the lack of forbearance.
Going back to the subject of science that is aligned with the vedas and that which is not aligned, Jagadguru refers to the Srimad Bhagavadgita. As per the eighteenth chapter, when the influence of tamo-guna is strong on our minds, our perception becomes lopsided.
We see vikas or development as vinash or destruction, and vice; we view fear as courage and courage as fear; dharma as adharma and vice-versa; artha or wealth as lack of it, and lack of wealth as artha. This is science without vedas.
In this mechanised age, the virtue of patience has received the biggest blow. – Jagadguru Puri Shankaracharya