The Perils of Judging Religious Traditions Based on Rationality and Empiricism
Ever since terms like Hindutva, Hindu Rashtra, and Sanatana Dharma gained popularity among the urban middle class, there has been a rising curiosity to learn about the traditions of this land. Notice the wording: there is more curiosity to learn about the traditions than to genuinely learn the traditions. While such curiosity is not inherently bad, there are signs that it is taking us in a problematic direction — one where the spiritual depth of ancient traditions is evaluated using the narrow tools of rationality and empiricism. This approach risks distorting the essence of what these traditions stand for, reducing a way of life to mere intellectual debate and measurable outcomes.
Rationality vs. Spiritual Tradition: A False Binary
Religious and spiritual traditions are not always accessible to logic and reason, nor do they claim to be. The traditions of Sanatana Dharma, for example, are rooted in lived experience, practice (sadhana), and a reverence for that which transcends reason. Rituals like daily puja, yajnas, and the observance of auspicious days are not merely symbolic activities — they are deeply tied to inner discipline, continuity, and the cultivation of a relationship with the sacred. These practices may appear irrational when judged purely through the lens of modern science or philosophy, but they serve a different function altogether.
The problem arises when people unfamiliar with these traditions attempt to “understand” them by applying frameworks of logic, data, or empirical evidence. Take, for example, the notion that yajnas must only be considered valuable if their smoke has scientifically verified health benefits. Or that fasting during Ekadashi should be followed only if it lowers blood sugar levels. While it is not wrong to seek correlations between tradition and science, the error lies in thinking that this is the only valid reason for practicing them. A tradition’s worth cannot be confined to what is quantifiable.
The Loss of Intuition and Reverence
Religious traditions operate not only in the realm of the intellectual but also in the intuitive. Practices like bowing to elders, chanting mantras, or seeking the blessings of the guru evoke a sense of humility and gratitude — qualities that are not always explainable through rational arguments. The moment these practices are judged by measurable outcomes, their essence begins to slip away. One cannot measure the transformation of the soul in terms of scientific data or spreadsheet analysis.
Moreover, the growing obsession with proving everything through reason and empirical evidence reflects a deeper anxiety: the fear of being dismissed as “irrational” or “unscientific.” In an age where empirical validation reigns supreme, there is a temptation to abandon practices that cannot be justified through data. This, however, distances us from the core purpose of these traditions: spiritual refinement and alignment with cosmic rhythms.
Tradition as Svadharma, Not Utilitarianism
Another danger of judging traditions through the rationalist lens is that it reinforces a utilitarian mindset. People begin to ask, “What will I gain from doing this?” or “What’s the practical benefit?” But religious practices are not transactional; they are expressions of Svadharma — the personal duty that one fulfills regardless of immediate gain. Following Nitya Karma (daily rituals) or observing the customs of one’s Kula Achar (family tradition) is an act of discipline and surrender, not a negotiation for tangible rewards.
When utility becomes the benchmark, people discard rituals and traditions that seem “unproductive.” The loss here is not just cultural — it is existential. These practices, over generations, have shaped individuals with inner strength, patience, and humility. A utilitarian mindset forgets that the purpose of tradition is not to deliver results in a linear, measurable way but to cultivate a state of being that is in harmony with the world around us.
The Role of Faith and the Limits of Rational Inquiry
Faith, in religious traditions, is not blind acceptance but a trust in the unknown. It is the recognition that some truths can only be experienced, not dissected. Just as one cannot rationally explain the taste of a mango to someone who has never eaten one, the transformative impact of faith-based practices cannot always be conveyed through arguments. Faith functions as an invitation to participate in the mystery of life, not as a riddle to be solved.
A purely rational approach to tradition dismisses this dimension of faith, often branding it as superstition. But in doing so, it closes the door to insights that lie beyond the grasp of reason. The Upanishadic dictum — “Tat Tvam Asi” (Thou art that) — is not something to be analyzed to death but to be contemplated, lived, and realized through inner inquiry. The sacred demands participation, not just observation.
Tradition as Inheritance, Not a Puzzle to Solve
When people approach traditions merely as something to learn “about,” they turn them into intellectual puzzles rather than ways of life to be inherited and lived. The wisdom of ancient practices does not unfold through detached analysis — it emerges when one immerses oneself in them. It is the difference between knowing the steps of a dance and actually dancing. You may read volumes on meditation, but its true value becomes clear only in the silence of daily practice.
For this reason, the focus should not just be on understanding traditions intellectually but on integrating them into daily life. The shastra (scripture) is not separate from achara (conduct); the two are interwoven. When we practice a tradition sincerely, its meaning begins to reveal itself in ways that intellectual inquiry alone cannot achieve.
Conclusion: Reclaiming Tradition with Humility
The urge to judge religious traditions by rational or empirical standards is a modern affliction, rooted in the belief that everything of value must conform to the logic of the present. But traditions like Sanatana Dharma have survived precisely because they do not bend to the whims of intellectual fashions. They offer us a way of being, a path toward self-realization that transcends the limitations of reason and evidence.
To truly engage with these traditions, we need to adopt a stance of humility — acknowledging that not everything valuable can be weighed, measured, or explained. Tradition, after all, is a gift from the past to the present, meant to be lived, not merely understood. The challenge is to move from a curiosity to learn about traditions to a commitment to learning them — and in doing so, discover the timeless truths that lie beyond the realm of rationality.
Written by - Balwantrao
X handle - arjuna0104
I disagree that reverence and ritual is irrational. Why would humility or conveying awe be irrational? Its positive and thats its rationale. Saying thanks holds no purpose other than to affirm positivity. Thats not irrational and to call it irrational is to act like those actions are inexplainable.
And why treat Hindu philosophy as “faith”? Because empiricism can’t be applied to metaphysics? Hindu metaphysics have a basis in logic and reason itself. Just because you can’t empirically measure a metaphysical concept doesn’t mean it holds no basis. Vedanta is a deep philosophical tradition. It didn’t develop from faith but by inquiry. Dismissing it as faith is exactly what leads to it being discarded as unnecessary.
I agree that practice gives a whole other dimension to religious experience/ecstasy that makes more sense when one engages with it. But again to say this is less important than intellectual inquiry is wrong. Adi Shankara once said philosophy & contemplation is the greatest form of Yoga. Hinduism is a philosophical religion and its practices are a living embodiment of its philosophy.
You don’t see Buddhists discarding their religion as faith and their practices as inexplainable traditions. No, they always bring it back to their forefront philosophies.