Solemn duty
Greetings to all!
Scientists over thousands of years have meticulously observed nature and developed a modicum of understanding of the world around us. This scientific understanding has provided immense benefits to all of us, viz. longer, healthier, and relatively better quality lives. Therefore, science has earned a great deal of respect from everyone.
Those who wish to elevate the respect for religious rituals by connecting them to science, must also do so in the old fashioned way, namely, by demonstrating the beneficial effects that are claimed. Just asserting them is akin to “shop-lifting” scientific respectability.
If sound waves produced by the proper chanting of mathras provide some unspecified benefit, then specify what those benefits are, and then establish the link between the cause and effect through experimentation. Then you have every right to assert the benefit; otherwise it is just snake oil. Same with homas, agnihothras, abhishekam, etc.
If Vedic rituals provide tangible benefits, then it is the solemn duty of those who posses this knowledge to prove it to the satisfaction of skeptics, the same way scientists prove their theories and hypotheses. Some examples of benefits humanity has enjoyed through science include antibiotics, internal combustion engines, cell phones, computers, internet, etc. These scientists had to first overcome skeptical fellow scientists. They took the time and effort to convince the skeptics. Their efforts resulted in enormous benefits for the public and we respect them.
Similarly, is it not the duty of the Vedic scholars, who posses this immense knowledge of religious rituals, to demonstrate the cause and effect between their rituals and stated benefits, to skeptical fellow scientists, so that the masses can get to enjoy these benefits? Is this not their solemn duty towards humanity?
The religious Matams have access to enormous wealth. They can easily fund these experiments, at least in small scale. Once promising results are established in small scale experiments, funding will pour in from various entrepreneurs who are ever eager to make a buck.
If benefits are not guaranteed due to too many uncontrollable variables, then what we have are just empty rituals that provide results no better than a placebo would. In such a case, it is better to stick with promises of benefits to come after one is dead and gone.
Cheers!