Planet earth is currently on the cusp between the Piscean and Acquarian ages. So we earthlings are precariously balanced between the materialism of recent centuries and the idealism of the future. We are indeed on the threshold of a new age which the prophets, seers, guides and other spiritualists say will be ushered in by the shift of the earth on its axis at the close of the century. Scientists also are now weaning towards this way of thinking. The time has now come when science and spirituality should co-operate with each other.

In these lines the greatest prophet of the century Vedamurthi Taponishta Sri Rama Sharma Acharya draws a very clear p icture of the need of the hour. What is man basically? What are his fundamental inherent tendencies? In this connection his origin, his source should be traced. He is a prince of God and has come to play the role of an efficient gardener to enrich and develop His garden, this universe. His inherent nature too, is best-suited to play this role. His body, mind and sentiments are full of divine powers and potentialities by which he may play a dignified role to make the sweep of his life, meaningful.
The modern scientists have delirious notions in this connection. Man existence, they say, is insignificant. He has inherited beastial, tendencies, which he has to fulfil for his satisfaction. They are of the view that life was in the form of creatures like one-cel led amoeba of the sea which developed into different kinds of creatures and in this chain human life came into light as an off-spring of monkey. According to these tenets of beastial tendencies all animals are self-centred, they charge whenever they are provoked. Freedom of indulgence in sex is natural with them. When confronted with danger they fight or run away. According to them, man, too, is an animal and such tendencies are found in man also. Such a proposition strikes at the root of idealistic, moralistic righteousness and places man in the category of animals. Thus, according to such a proposition there is nothing unnatural in man becoming a thief, pilferer, debauchee, terrorist etc. We should not pay any attention to these propositions of the western scientists and ask them if the bodies of all the animals are developing, when did human body develop and what changes will occur in future? In fact, man is having this human body since 100's of thousands of years and there has been no change in his tendencies and habits. He has been revealing his dignity in respect of morality, self restraint and gererosity.

Man is a progeny of the devatas. Even some of the modern space scientists, now regard man being descendant of highly advanced living-beings of some advanced world (loka). Extra-ordinary brilliant and capable persons with higher sentiments have been coming from devaloka(World of Gods) at frequent intervals and contributing to the advancement of the people of this earth. Even in these days the continuance of such efforts can be visualised in the form of flying saucers. The evidence is available in several parts of the world. What is being propounded in the gospel of vedas is, that man is born from the absolute, he is himself absolute and will ultimately remain absolute. Sometimes, the phase of miserable plight dominates, resulting in the fading of light and haziness; just as it happens at the time of solar or lunar eclipses or due to clouds, mist or dust-storm. Buildings crumble that are in a dilapidated condition. In respect of human dignity also there can be such an impediment. This is temporary. Hopeful and encouraging changes are going to take place soon. The current moments of navayuga, pragya-yuga should be viewed in such a perspective in which a seed sprouts, sprout becomes a plant, plant develops into a tree, and the tree merrily blooms with flowers and fruits. Efforts are being made for the human progress in different fields. Physiologists, psychologists, anthropologists are busy planning in their own ways, so that man may, in future, be blessed with longevity, more strength, intelligence and more efficiency. The most effective and subtle influence is of chromosomes, of genes and of effecting changes in bio-chemistry. Though science has made progress to some extent, it has not been able to lay hand to enhance secretion of hormones to control them.

The developed spiritual science fulfils this deficiency and provides an opportunity to the fulfilment of the imaginations and expectations of the advanced modern man. The misconduct which is going on these days in respect of food habits and other daily routine will last only till man does no grasp the importance of health, longevity and strength. Man will soon know the reality and have control over palate and unrestrained sex indulgence. Once it is taken to heart that craving for delicious dishes does more harm than good, the main cause for ruining health will be overcome and people, then, will no longer suffer, as today, from debility and disease. Extremely important is man's mental faculty which completely dominates his life. The fields of mind, imagination, wisdom and discretion, subconscious mind and pretentiousness all combine in the upliftment or degradation of a man. The cleansing and coloring of mind, which in scientific language is known as brain washing or refinement of personality is not very difficult now. Scientific experiments are now able to locate the source-centres of different tendencies located in brain and have been successful to a great extent in changing human tendencies by passing electric currents with the help of electrodes. As a result of these experiments a tiger has been seen becoming amiable like a tiger. In old age tenderness of childhood can be brought and a child can be made thoughtful like an old man. If this mental control could be lasting and aspirations, sentiments, convictions and thoughts could be changed, it should be understood that the formula for rejuvenation has been found on the basis of which the dwarf could be made gaint.

In ancient days, great men of the category of rishis had acquired these supernatural powers. Narada's influence had totally changed Parvati, Savitri, Valmiki, Dhruva, Prahlada, Aged persons like Chyavan, Yayati were transformed into young ones. The rishis had acquired this secret knowledge. By making efforts, that which is lost can be revived again. Science and spirituality are going to co-operate intensely in near future. Their powers are of the standard of danavas and devatas respectively. Till now, there had been no co-operation amongst them and so there was dispute and obstruction. Now they will combine and co-operate together and have before them the higher goal of human progress. There can thus be recurrence of the mythological legend of churning of ocean and recovery of precious gems . The aim of developing and elevating human soul cannot remain unfulfilled. It is quite possible to build sentimental, farsighted, idealistic brain having an excellent mental attitude endowed with Pragya. Of late, scientists are making constant efforts in this connection. Now it is the turn of spirituality. In this field also eminent persons are coming forward. Ascetics are getting stronger and they believe that the power which can turn an ordinary man into extra-ordinary genius can be obtained. With this success and co-operation, a new generation of Angada, Hanuman, Nala-Neela, Bheema-Arjuna can be prepared. The philosophy of Nietzsche produced Hitler and drove the entire Germany to such a frenzy that people there started preparing for conquering the entire world.

In pursuance of that policy, Aurobindo had in his experiment at Pandicherry confirmed creation of Superman. He aspired for the ascent of divinity in man through Poorna-yoga, although that experiment could not be completed in his life time. But it should not be understood that this work has been abandoned. Pragya-yoga has taken the place of Poorna-yoga in achieving this goal. The advent of Pragya-yuga is certain. Its characteristic will be the ascent of divinity in man. If this could materialise it will definitely result in the descent of heaven on the earth. Devatas are waiting to take birth and God will soon incarnate on this earth. This great tradition is now going to be repeated. This is the proper time for human development and refinement. Several countries have been trying in their own ways from time to time to declare and prove superiority of their race and community. Sometime in the past, shak and hoons had their unquestioned sway. There was a time when Englishmen had dominated the world. These days Russia and America are leading at least in respect of weapons, scientific investigations and conquering space. Industrial power of Japan is increasing. Other countries are also advancing in power and material wealth. Most significant of all is the role which India has to play. The rishi tradition has been renovated. It does not matter if the number of eminent persons is insignificant. Persons like Buddha, Gandhi, Aurobindo endowed with divine powers can be counted on fingers but, they swept over the times like a dust-storm, a typhoon. There is ebullition again in this process. It is not necessary that these persons be famous. In the rishi-yuga, six male and one female rishis were regarded as eminent sapta rishis but it should not be understood that besides them there were no other highly elevated souls. This is the pious time, dawn of the descent of sapta-rishis. They are mainly concerned with emancipation of human dignity which has been caught in a mire of baseness and to purify it so that it may attain the climax of spiritual heights.

The greatest need of the day is to make human personality devoid of shallowness and to compel him to adopt idealistic righteousness. Man should be moralistic. He should get liberated from the worldly bondage of passion, greed and self ego and get rid of the handcuffs and fetters of tempatation and illusion. He should not be satisfied in leading a life of an average citizen. The narrowness of family, dynasty should be got rid of, and entire world should be regarded as one family, Vasudhiava kutumbakam. Instead of amassing wealth for one's own family, efforts should be made to make the entire community happy, prosperous, powerful and civilised. If this much could be managed, man would be entitled to be called a man in the true sense and will not get the stigma of being called an animal or devil. Everyone will get the opportunity to sit in the line of super-men, if piousness and brilliance could be infused with righteousness and benevolence. And then, nara(man) will be transformed into Narayan. Purusha into Purushottama, dwarf will become great. No sooner, the evil feelings of craving for greed turns towards good-will and righteous tendencies, the entire atmosphere will change and an astonishing change will be noticed in the activities which are going on. Material needs of man are limited. Anyone can easily fulfil them with the strength of his own hands and brilliance of mind and can get an opportunity to do a lot in the direction of self-purification and public welfare. With this change, the proportion of excellence in thoughts, character and behaviour of man will get immensely enhanced and his dignity will rise to great heights. If people live together in a friendly, co-operative spirit, if they share duly with all and lead an easy smiling, happy life, they will not feel death of any kind.

This earth is so rich in its production that deficiency of any kind cannot be experienced. The shortage is artificial and it appears only on account of extreme increase of greed. Only lazy and careless persons complain about poverty. Wicked and narrow-minded cruel people sow seeds of disintegration and create chaos. If man prepares for self-reformation, moulds his virtues (gunas), actions (karma) and nature (swabhava) in keeping with his dignity, there will be no dearth of mutual affection, goodwill and co-operation. This is devatwa, Godliness. Man's interior is full of these specialities and potentialities. What is necessary is just to stimulate and brighten them up. This change is easy and welcome . In the new era, people will be inspired by awareness of pragya. As a result, the wide-spread darkness will disappear with the advent of dawn. That which is dormant will awaken. With the change in mentality, circumstances are bound to change. Ignorance, infirmity and deficiency often result in calamity and distress. Perversion begets distress. If they are swept clean with the help of a broom, the foul smell and ugliness which over-spreads on account of rubbish waste material will automatically disappear without leaving any trace. The fact that if we change, the era will also change is cent per-cent true. There is no doubt that we will definitely see this truth being materialised in the near future.