Lamp To Light Lamps By: Acharya Tulsee
Resolve To
Preserve Self-Confidence
The Character of a Healthy
Society
Self-restraint is a Fountain of Peace
What Was Gained? What Was Lost?
Religion and Sect.
Who is Healthy?
Lamp Of Hope : Light Of
Faith
Three Things Not Available In The
Market
Guarantee Of A Healthy Life
The Basic Task in Life
Playing With Humanity
The Politics of Destruction.
Woman's Three Forms.
Women and their Kitty
Parties.
Solution for all Times.
In The Shadow of Death.
Resolve To Preserve Self-Confidence
There is a
column in the Anuvrat fortnightly called 'I Believe'. Since 1984 I have been expressing my
viewsn through htis column. I thought about political, social, familial, educational and
other matters and different contexts and expressed my faith which could bind people's
lives with threads of faith. But when I analyse my thinking process spread over a decade,
I find that this faith does not have a solid foundation. In superficial terms, every
individual wishes to take others in confidence. But deep within, the doubt persists like
the raised hood of a corba. When a person does not trust anyone else himself, how would
others be able to trust him? The train of life proceeds on the rails of mistrust. One
cannot predict when and where some accident will take place.
A doctor
treats the patient. But the patient is not sure that he is being given the correct
treatment. This is because he knows that his doctor has business connections with several
people. He has such connections with pharmaceutical companies and salesmen. He has
connections with pathologists who do blood-tests, urine-tests etc. After seeing the
prescription written by a particular doctor, the person concerned credits a certain amount
in the name of that doctor. When the medical treatment is guided by financial
considerations, how can the patient have faith in the doctor?
Leaders become
candidates in elections. At that time, they are in direct contact with the people. They
listen to all their tales of woe and promise to remove their hardships and inconveniences.
They make extravagant promises in their election manifestoes, but after their success at
the hustings, do they continue to maintain their contacts (with the people) when they have
crossed the corridors of vote and attained the position of power? Are any attempts made in
the direction of the goals indicated in their promises? Do the promises tend to be kept?
If no such thing happens, how would that faith survive on the basis of which people give
their votes?
Whether it is
a small or a highly-placed government official, the mental attitude of carrying on the
responsibility without any selfish considerations getting is gradually getting crippled.
No work gets done at any level unless there is provision for some monetary gain or for
some tip. If the same process goes on from the highest to the lowest level, who would
blame whom? The bigger the job to be done, the bigger is the amount involved. All have
their fixed share in it. Under these circumstances, when someone talks about honesty and
integrity, he has to face the problem of getting a transfer. The principles of faith and
devotion to work are being ruthlessly eroded. Is there any change of their being protected
by someone?
It is not as
though this drama of personal aggrandisement is being enacted only by big people. It may
be an architect or a carpenter, he too has his connections with the dealers. At the time
of the purchase of good quality marbles or wood or any other material, the person
concerned goes with the dealer and meets the merchant dealing with the required items.
That practice is not confined to any particular person or class. The common man indulges
in this practice and the common man faces it's bad consequences. One can witness
uproarious scenes in many such scandals. But nithing is done to remove the underlying
distrust in all such cases. Today, when all men are losing faith and credibility of the
word, trust, itself is wearing out, should the word faith be used at all? The straight
answer to this question is that those people who have lost faith may well not use that
word. But it is the duty of those whose faith is alive to lend support to the shaking
faith.
The year 1984
turned out all through to the period when the gulf created between the ruling party and
the opposition parties on account of mutual distrust deepend. Similarly, the walls of
trust have been shaken even in smaller fields. If 1985 is to be ushered in on the note of
distrust, the coming year too would once again bear the same stamp. If this situation has
to be changed, all people should agree to resolve to have trust in one another and
preserve that trust. If that happens, I am confident that man's style of living and method
of working would show a visible change.
The Character Of A Healthy Society.
Society is
of two types-a morbid society and a healthy society. No one like morbidity. Every
individual wishes to be healthy. He looks for a healthy society in order to be healthy
himself. But the only difficulty before him is that he gets confused among the criteria of
morbidity and health. The society in which no one is poor, unemployed or deprived of means
of comfort and convenience and is not afflicted by natural calamities is a healthy
society. This is ine criterion. Another criterion revolves round educational facilities
are provided even in all villages and no one is illiterate, is a healthy society. In the
opinion of some other people, the standard of health or a high status of society is the
availability of luxury items. A society in which every individual has his own car,
refrigerator, television, computer, room cooler and similar newly discovered gadgets, is a
healthy society.
Every
individual has his own way of thinking and his own view point. Why should I insist that
the thinking of other people is wrong and my thinking alone is correct ? I am familiar
with Mahavira's doctrine of non-absolutism (anekantavada). According to that philosophy,
everyone's way of thinking has an element of truth. The problem arises when a partial
truth is taken to be the whole truth. The other side of the problem is to presume one's
own thinking to be right and attempt to prove the thinking of others wrong. I do not
believe that my thinking reflects the whole truth and that of others is altogether wrong.
In my view, a healthy society is that in which-
*No one ever
kills any innocent creature.
*No one takes
an initiative to attack anyone.
*No one
resorts to violent sabotage.
*No one
regards anyone else as untouchable.
*There are no
sectarian passion that run wild.
*Unethical
professional practices do not prevail and such practices are not glorified.
*Democracy is
not reduced to mockery and there are no immoral practices at the time of elections.
*In
which society is not held in the tight grip of condemnable social customs.
*In which
there is no consumption of intoxicating substances.
*In which
accumulation of wealth and indulgence in sensual pleasures are not unrestrained.
*In which
environment is not neglected.
There can be many other similar points. These are the matters which are useful not only to a single individual, but also to society or nation. Through them the consciousness of the entire world can be influenced and awakened. By avoiding talking at lenght, this point can be expressed just in one word. That word is anuvrat, the primary vows to be followed by a layman. Anuvrat is the basis on which to build the edifice of a healthy society. Those who wish to make their society healthy should try to mould the life of every individual into the framework of anuvrat. This is a collective enterprise. If the power of the people is fully harnessed, the morbidity in society can be easily eliminated.
Self-restraint
is a Fountain of Peace
Religion is
nectar. Who would like to drink it when it starts having the effect of poison ? Religion
is the symbol of peace and goodwill. Who would give importance to religion if in its name
communal frenzy is encouraged ? Religion and sect. are two different things. The root of
the problem is that the two have been considered synonymous. Can there be a rligion
without sect ? Anuvrat is the straight answer to this question.
Anuvrat is
religion, but it is not a cult. anuvrat is religion but it does not involve any cult
of worship. Anuvrat does not delieve in worship in order to have a better life in the
other world. The anuvrat philosophy is based on the healthy state of the present. It
believes in human values with life.
Anuvrat is the
combination of two words anu and vrat. The term anu has the connotation of subtleness or
minuteness. Vrat symbolises the power of determination. The aim of anuvrat is to take man
beyond the distinctions of community, country, religion, colour, sex, etc. and inspire
humanity in him. Keeping away from the controversies about the temple and the mosque and
showing the path of lofty life is the result of anuvrat. By inculcating the view of
becoming moral before being called religious, anuvrat has put a question-mark before
religion, which is devoid of morality.
The greatest
tragedy of hte present age is the contradiction between profession and practice. Man
professes on thing and does something else altogether. This situation is not confined only
to the political and professional field. When such contradictations become evident even
from religious platforms, man loses his grip over the source which inspires faith. Anuvrat
is a small step in the direction of regaining control over that source. This step
has been taken under extremely difficult conditions and there is a forward movement. If
the process continues in the same manner, it would be able to give fresh support to man's
faith.
Anuvrat is an
inspiration for change of heart. It aims at reforming the individual. But it does not stop
at influencing the individual. Anuvrat has aroused the awareness among the people on the
basis of the aphorism that self-restraint alone is life. I is impossible that man's
epicureanism and easy going mental state can bring results that would lead to happyness
and peace
It is only from the earth which has the sweet fragance of
restraint that happyness and peace would emanate like sprounts. The awakening and spread
of this faith is the greatest need of the present time.
What
Was Gained? What Was Lost?
The greatest
living creature in this world is man. The criteria of his greatness are thought,
discretion and behaviour. No other living creature has the brain like man. From this point
of view, his thinking process is fantastic. No other living creatures have man's ability
to distinguish between what needs to be forsaken and what is beneficial. There is
possibility of the behaviour of other than living craetures being elevated to human
behaoviour. Considering this, he is capable of reaching the peak of perfection. Despite
this extraordinariness and specuility and his potential to reach the state of perfection,
he is agitated, strayed and exhausted. In this age of science, in the age of so many
achievements he did not cease to be gaitated, his illusions were not dispelled and he
found no relief from exhaustion. Why? This is a pussing question which is unanswered even
today.
Men's
achievements are limitless. It is difficult to enumerate them. In his anxiety to get and
collect new things and preserve them, he forgot that he has also lost something. He has
lost 'faith' which is his greatest wealth, Today man has no faith in religion, no faith in
god, no faith in principles and has no faith in himself. A person, who is tied with the
thread of faith, never goes astray even when he moves aimlessly. When the thread of faith
is snapped, what else would one find except mental disturbance? The jungle of illusion
does not grow on the soil of faith. The horses of the chariot of life protected by faith
never get exhausted.
Men has
replaced faith with his attachment to wealth. It is a one-sided statement to say that
wealth is the root cause of all the grievously wrong things. Wealth too has a special
purpose. It has been considered useful and essential for life. but it is also one-sided
thinkimg to suggest that wealth alone is everthing. But today's amn believes that wealth
alone is everything. The word artha has two meanings--
(1) Summum bonum or with a purpose or terse,
(2) Wealth
The followers
of Bhagwan Mahavira were so fascinated by the philosophy formulated by him, that they
exclaimed," This school of thought of Nirgrantha certainly has a meaning, it is
terse. It is indeed the summon bonum of life. the rest is all meaningless and has no
use". But the ordinary people cannot grasp this meaning of artha. They consider
wealth the only meaningful thing, the summum bonum of life and the rest as without any
meaning. But considering wealth as the sole purpose, the supreme purpose, is an open
invitation to mental disturbance.
People say
that they are living in Kaliyuga. What else there would be in Kaliyuga if not mental
disturbance ? It is true that his is Kaliyuga. But the question is-who is ali ? This
question has been answered in the Taittriya Upanished :
"The age
that slumbers is Kali. The age which ababdons sleep is Dwapara. The age which stands is
called Treta and the age which marches ahead attains truth."
The language
of the Upanished is symbolic. How can an age asleep or be awake ? The age never waits for
anyone. With its advent, people think it would last for some time. But the age moves
forward like the current of a river. But the time people are awakened, the age slips out
of their grip. The four ages have been defined with reference to the people living in
those ages. The age in which people come out of their slumber and stir into awakening is
the Dwaparayuga. People in the Tretayug try to rise. This attempt leads them to the
satyuga. People of the satyuga do not sleep. They are always on the move. Only he who
walks finds honey in the form of attainment of his goal. That is why it is said, 'Keep
walking. Keep doing good deeds. Even the Kaliyuga would become for you the satyuga."
The truth
which was revealed through the sanctified words of our sages thousands of years ago is
being forgotten. Man has pledged his brain to the computer. Probably that is why he is
forgetting what needs to be remembered. The computer is very useful. But if one remains
solely dependent on it, one may have to fall a victim to this kind of dependence. Before
depending on others, it is necessary to depend on one's own self. Only he can depend on
himself whose faith is alive. Anuvrat attempts to revive faith. The age in which dwindling
faith in moral values is revived would be the satyuga in hte true sense. People living in
that age would be able to break through the walls of their misguided ideas and would be
able to have a peaceful and balanced life.
Men's
faith is centred on several points. One of the most powerful centres is religion. There
are a large number of religions in the world like Sikhism, Christianity, Islam<
Jainism, Bundhism, ahai faith, Judaism, Taoism etc Each of these religions has its
followers whose numbers are in millions. In their view, the religion which they have been
following is the best of all. Anuvrat says all those are not religions bit sects. Religion
is an individual Truth. it is not divided into parts. What is the points of using any
adjective for it ? Only the religion not qualified by any adjective can be the religion of
the people. If at all religion has to be qualified by any religion, it can be only
religion of man, religion of non-violence, religion of duty or conduct. Can any sect
reject this form of religion ?
Some people
ask- "Can there be any religion without sect ?" The answer to this question is
anuvrat which is not related to any particular sect. If a Jain can follow the path of
anuvrat. Anyone, whether a Harijan, a money-lender or a mountain-dweller can take to
anuvrat is not limited even by geographical boundaries. Anyone from Japan, France,
America, Britain, etc. is an much entitled to take to anuvrat as any Indian. It makes no
disinction between Black and white races. Nor does it give any consideration to the sex of
the person. Like a man, a women can be made the follower of anuvrat with respect and
dignity. Anurat is such a form which people aspiring to live a good life accept.
Some people
ask-"What can anuvrat do when there is so much corruption and there is erosion of
moral values ? " Those who are talking about moral degradation are not wrong. There
is lack of righteous behaviour in every field of life. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that
the righteousness cannot be uprooted from the soil of India. People of India can never be
without conduct. As for the rise and decline, they are to be found in every age. The
important thing is the point of view. The world appears to a person from the point of view
he regards it.
Two friends
were engaged in a conversation. One of them said, "What Kaliyuga this is ? Ther is
darkness all arounf. There is only one day betwen two nights!"
Hearing this
the other friend remarked " I see only light all around. There is only one dark night
between two bright days."
Different
ideas of two persons in the same situation prove the fact that because of different point
of view, the same thing, and the same sence can be seen from several angles and can be
inter-preted in many ways. If the view-point adopted is positive, everything appears nice,
and if it is negative, even light becomes darkness.
As for moral
values, I think that in spite of erosion, values are interwoven in the fibre of Indian
culture. Even today goodness and truthfulness are preserved in this country. They are
lying low like the embers covered with the ash. They need to be brought out on the
surface. If good tendencies are dominant, evil tendencies would not be able to survive.
Evil tendencies cannot thrive on their own. They need support in order to be active. They
can move forward only by suppressing good tendencies. In the life of man, there are both
good and evil tendencies. Being on the alert to see that evil tendencies do not have the
upper hand, can save him from many evils.
Anuvrat is not
any imaginary concept. It does not even include assimilation of very high ideals. It is a
small campaign for the protection of human beings. It is the minimal code of conduct for
good life. There is sufficient scope in it for human behavoiur. At the same time, it talks
about nothing by moving away from the world of reality. Anuvrat is not an attempt to turn
men into gods. Its aim is to make man human. The criteria for human can be as follows :
Men is
restless because he is unhealthy. A healthy man would never be restless. Who is Healthy?
Is the one who is physically healthy a healthy man? Is the one who is mentally healthy a
healthy man? A person who is physically healthy is known as healthy in a superficial
sense. But this is an incomplete defination of an healthy man. Mental health is somewhat
of an higher level but even that is not sufficient in itself. The higher stae of health is
emotional health. Physical and mental health cannot be ignored, but in the absence
of emotional health even the body and mind cannot remain healthy.
Man today is
not as vigilant about his mind as about his body. He pays sufficient attention to his
food, dress, abth, excursions etc. But he is not vigilant about music, literature, poetry,
art, science, beauty, etc. He is not alert about emotions, about the solu. Raising himself
above the worry of earning the livelihood, he does become active in cultural amtters, but
he is nota ble to feel the thirst of the soul. Man goes to a physician when he falls sick.
He gets himself physically examined, takes the medicine and wishes to regain health. But
neither the physician is healthy nor the medicine geniune. Expecting health from the
unhealthy would only bring disaoppointment.
In the proper
treatment to health, it is first of all essential to pay attention to emotions. Emotional
health means purity of emotions. A person who keeps his impulses and passions under check
and frees himself from negative feelings, can have pure emotions. Disappointment, hatred,
acrimony, cruelity, deception, etc. are negative emotions. So long as a person is under
the shadow of these emotions, he would not be abvle to ragain health.
A healthy
lifestyle is the main basis of a healthy life. Man does not stick to a definite time to
wake up and go to bed. Uncertainty about going to sleep and waking up throws the whole
programme out of gear. From this point of view, it is absolutely essential to pay
attention to the style of living. This is the subject which includes way of living,
customs and traditions, festivals, mutual relations, professions,religious faith, etc.
Literature arealso related to it. While thinking about these points, we should not forget
anuvrat, prekshadhyan science of living etc.
What should
man be like ? The code of conduct based on anuvrat is a beautiful model for it. How
can man attune himself to this model ? The answer is prekshadhyan. While anuvrat is a
philosphy, prekshadhyan is its application. Philosophy by itself is incomplete.
Application by itself is also incomplete. It is possible to think of living by
regarding both of htem as complementary to each other. Linking the preliminary process of
a healthy style of living with education is science of living. Only by including
spiritualism and increasing awareness about total human health or healthy life-style can
we achieve emotional health.
The Greek
Emperor Sikandar (Alexander the Great) came to India. He had innumerable questions in his
mind pertaining to the way the Indian people lived, the level of their thinking, their
conduct and character. With a view to get an idea of the situation of the country, he
visited many places and finally reached Takshashila. He camped outside the city in a
field, where the farmer were holding a meeting. Sikandar beckoned one of the farmers
and asked, "What is the matter? What are those people discussing ?" In
explaining the whole thing in detail the man said, "A particular field had been sold
here some time ago. The man who brought the field asked his labourer to plough the land.
That man while ploughing found a pot full of gold mohars. He informed the owner of the
field, who arrived on the scene. Seeing that pot full of gold mohars, he said,
"I have bought this land. I am the owner of this land. But the treasure which has
been found there cannot be mine. I must call the previous owner of the field and hand it
over to him."
The former
owner of the field arrived. He said, "I have sold away the land. now I have no claim
over it. I did not bury this tresure here. Hence, It is not proper that I should
claim any ownership of it. The treasure belongs to the one who owns the field now. It
would be nice if you would not drag me into this afair."
Both the
former and the present owners of the field were adamant. Neither of them was prepared to
carry home that pot full of gold mohars. Ultimately the panchayat was called. The Panch
persuaded both the owners to share the pot with the gold mohars. But they were both firm
in their determination. now let us see what the Panchayat decides.
Sikandar was
very eager to hear the decision of thepanchayat. The Panchayat declared, "Nobody knew
about this treasure which has been found in this field. There is no information about who
buried that treasure and when he did it. Now both these men are refusing to accept the
treasure. They are not ready to accept it even after a great deal of persuasion. In that
situation, the Panchayat has decided that the whole treasure should be used for the
Takshashila University." The two agreed. looking to the selfless attitude of both the
men, Sikandar silently bowed to them respectfully.
On the one
hand, such detachment from wealth! Such selflessness. On the other hand, excessive
attachment to wealth. Such exaggerated attachment that this bright picture relating to the
question of wealth indicated above seems to be the product of imagination. Right from top
to bottom, people ar generally found to be involved in immoral behaviour. At times one
begins to feel that wealth itself has become life. All limits of propriety and impropriety
have been eradicated. Would those times ever return in India when a person would be judged
on the basis of virtuousness in economic matters? Anuvrat is one such lamp of hopes which
could kindle the light of Indian faith in the mind of foreign rulers like Sikandar.
Three Things Not Available In The Market
The Union Planning Minister Shri Gomango visited the Adhytma Sadhana Kendra. He
was impressed by the atmosphere in that place. In the coures of conversation, he said,
"Everything is available in the markets, but three things cannot be found
there."
On hearing
this, the first reaction is that free market economy and the convenient means for import
and export have made the world small. The system was prevalent in ancient times, where all
things of heaven, earth and the netherland were available. In the present times, means of
communication have become so fast that things can reach anyone from any part of the world.
Under these circumstances, Shri Gomango's statement was worth reflecting upon. What does
his statement imply ? In view of that curiosity, he said, "One cannot buy in any
market self-confidence, courage and character. But they can be found here in this Adhytma
Sadhana Kendra."
These days,
the Adhytma Sadhana Kendra, situated on Chhatarpur Road, Mehrauli, Delhi, has become the
main centre for the discussion on anuvrat. prekshadhyan and science of living. Anuvrat is
a human code of conduct. What should a man be ? Anuvrat is a comprehensive model of
it. Anuvrat is a model which creats the self-confidence that man acn be made good and he
can lead a good life.
If man has
self-confidence but no courage, then he cannot go against the current. Looking at the fast
rate at which moral values are being eroded today, it requires immense courage to try to
establish those values. By prekshadhayan, man can regain his lost courage. That is why
after getting training in anuvrat, it is necessary to sit in the meditation centre. One's
will power is strengthened by meditation; it brings about a change to fingh against
adverse circumstances.
Character is
directly related to education. Education influences the charater of the individual, the
society, the nation and the world. India is a very big, democratic country. India is on
the verge of completeing half a century of independence. Even during this long period, it
has not ben possible to have a comprehensive education policy. The tragedy of lack of
character is the contribution of inadeguate education policy. If character had been
given the highest importance in education, India would have been able to preserve its
glory of being the spiritual teacher of the world. A new dimension in the field of
education is the science of living which embodies the new possibilities of character
building.
It is not
compulsory that everyone would necessarily have to come to the Adhytma Sadhana Kendra for
acquiring self-confidence, courage and character. A Adhytma Sadhana Kendra would come up
wherever training in anuvrat, prekshadhyan and science of living is avilable. It is not
necessary to find the eastern direction for the sun to rise. Whichever the direction where
the sun rises, becomes the eastern direction.
There is a group of enligtened and well-to-do young men. They meet together and
dream of socail development. They make plans to take the country to the peak of progress.
But deep within, they have tensions. Thay fell they are breaking down. They suffer the
tragic atmosphere of indiscipline in thier families. Thay rae unable to stop children
going through the dark labyrinthis of addictions. That is why they are sad, although they
try to keep smiling. They are dejected and are looking for some way out that could
guarantee a healthy and pleasant life.
Some young
workers went to one such group. Considering their mental state they raised certain
questions:
Do you desire
to livewithout tension?
Do you wish to
inculcate good sanskara in your children?
Do you wish to
enshrin ehuman values in your families ?
I have heard
that the enthusiastic workers of the Anuvrat Samiti of Calcutta have started a campaign
some time ago. They are contacting enlightened sections of society in the metropolitan
city of Calcutta. Like the Rotary and Lions Clubs, they have selected, for the first time,
six hundred persons from the highly education classes, incluing
doctors,engineers.,lawyers, judges etc.
The decisive
planning of this work has been distributed among the workers according to the number of
persons each one would contact. They first make appointments by writing letters to the
persons, whom they have to meet. When the appointments are given, they meet them according
to their convenience at hteir respective residences or offices. During the interviews,
those people ask-what is your purpose in meeting us? What can we do for you? In reply, the
anuvrat workers ask them the above mentioned three questions. If those people show some
inclination to reply to those questions and expect help in solving their problem, they
continue their meetings. Their aim is to meet and discuss at least ten time in a year.
The workers
give to the desirous persons introductory literature dealing with anuvrat, prekshadhyan
and science of living. They acquaint those persons with these concepts and inspire them to
experiment with them in life. They also demonstrate the processes of meditation,
relaxation of the strate the processes of meditation, relaxation of the body and
anuprekshsa (therepeutic thinking). Those who experiment with these meditative processes,
find relief. The tension resulting from the rat race in urban life, stress pressures and
never-ending ambitions are the biggest problems of hte modern age. All people, young and
old, are affected by them. There-fore, it is not unnatural to be attrated by the effective
way that may bring relief from tension.
Television is
useful in its own way. But the way in which it is being misused is a matter for concern.
It has played a major role in leading to the absence of the sanskaras among children. It
has also affected studies of the students. How would the children who spend hours after
hours sitting before television, ever have time to study?
There are
coumtless people who are anxious to solve both these types of problems. These problems do
have their solutions too. The trouble is that these people do not have a widespread
influence. Religious leaders are not free from sectarian considerations. They get so
deeply involved in the temple-mosque controversy that what needs to be done is forgotten.
they make the mistake of throwing away the seeds of pomegranade and eating the outer
cover. Realising that mistake too can be a big achievement.
If all the
anuvrat committees in the country undertake some constructive work according to regional
expectations, contact the selected persons and inform them in detail about the anuvrat
philosophy and its guiding principles and raise these questions before them, then they can
find some new direction.
An ambitious young man prepared adetailed outline of his future life. He went to
his guru, after making several plans for his progress. Handing over his file to the guru
he said, "Respected guru, I have decided the programme for my future. I have come to
you for guidance. What should I do by way of preliminary preparation to put my plans into
action ?
The guru
hurriedly went through his disciple's plans. Returning the file to the disciple, he said,
"There is no mention at all of the very first plan in all this. So long as that plan
is not carried out, it is futile to think about anything." The disciple felt
disheartened. He asked, "That plan conerns shaping your nature and character. Unless
man's nature and his character are not shaped well, he cannot become great."
The greatest
trouble in the present age is that man desires to be everything but does not think of
becoming human. He makes new plans everyday, but he has no time to make plans for
character building. He wants everyone living around him to change, but he never resolves
to change his own nature. He cherishes dreams of making everyone fit into his own pattern,
but does not develop an attitude of adjusting himself to anyone. If such is the case, how
would he be able to attain fixed goals?
Character-building is the basic task in life. for that purpose, it is essential to have
contacts with people of sound character. It is necessary to understand the programmes for
building a generous character and to actively participate in them. But the problem is to
find time. Today's lifestyle is so tightly packed that htere is no time left for
discussing character or practising in that direction. Granted that man keeps busy. But who
does not keep busy? Every man has twenty-four hours for himself. For every man, the year
consists of three hundred and sixty-five days. That is all the time everyone has. The
question is of apportioning it. If man can make regularity of time his ideal, great many
of his unfinished jobs can be completed.
Anuvrat is a
movement for character formation. Its aim is to turn out good human beings. Balance would
have to be struck between activity and resignation, between thinking and not thinking,
between speech and silence. Balance would have to be maintained between necessities and
aspirations. Self-restraint is the basis of maintaining balance. One can exercise
self-restraint totally or completely or he can do it bit by bit. Total self-restraint is
not within the power of every person. But exercising self-restraint step is possible for
anyone.
The aim of
anuvrat is only that by climing the steps of small resolves, man would reach the highest
point of self-restraint. So long as faith in self-restraint and character persists, man
would continue his efforts to save himself from evil influences. The day the thread of
that faith is broken, there would be no order left in life. This movement which considers
worship secondary and character primary, provides guidance to human race. The individual
would be able to preserve and enchace his wealth of
character only through aiming at character formation and
moving in that direction.
Disasters can be of two kinds-natural and artificially created. Excessive rains,
draughts, earthquakes, floods, cyclones, volcanic eruptions and some fatal illnesses are
the calamities resulting from natural imbalances. Man's fertile brain has discovered ways
to triumph over these calamities, but their percentage is very little. Man however
surrenders himself to nature. In spite of sufficient metereological warnings, he feels
helpless by himself and is unable to avoid natural dangers. This may be called nature or
fate or something else.
Artificially
created calamities are of three
types-the creatures of the lower category (animals,birds,etc)create all sorts of
troubles for the human race.Sometimes unbearable
difficulties arise because of divine wrath.Some difficulties are created by man himself.
How ridiculous it sounds that man should deliberately do things to harm himself.Such
persons are considered stupid.Such behaviour on the part of anyone is not an orderly
behaviour. This happens unwittingly when one behaves without thinking. But what should one
say about the man who resorts to such an action in a well thought,well planned manner?What
name should be given to mindless destructive activitiesof killing on large scale?In which
category should we place the man who plans such conspiracies?He bears no trace of divine
or human qualities.One hesistates to call him even a lower creature or a demon.A poet has
very appropriately described such people:
People who give up their own selfish interests and act benevolently in this world belong
to the highest category of man. Those who act in the interests of others without harming
their own interests are ordinary people.Those who harm the interests of others to attain
their own selfish ends are demons residing in the human bodies.But I do not know how to
describe those who attack violently the interests of others without any rhyme or reason.
Are not the
bomb explosions in Bombay and Calcutta respectively on March 12 and March 16 in 1983
suggestive of a mentality more vile than demonic mentality? In the light of the
information about the widespread bomb explosions in the main commercial and business
centres in Bombay and in the Bow Bazar in Calcutta and about the recovery of bombs on a
large scale in many other areas, the possibility of a well-planned conspiracy cannot be
rejected .I cannot understand the selfish interest of which persons or group were served
by these bomb explosions.
One has never heard
of such a large scale plan of destruction could be made in such an organised and secret
manner. We did not even get an inkling about how many people were involved in such a big
plan of destruction,how much time it took;were all intelligence agecies unconcerned? Or
were they engaged in discovering something more important?Today the people are mouthing
certain questions which contain very grave warnings.The unfortunate incidents at Bombay
and Calcutta do not mean merely the destruction of buildings and loss of human life.They
tell the story of the destruction of humanity.
Whoever may be
respossible for this conspiracy of bomb explosions,whether from this country or from
outside,it seems insufficient even to call him a demon.Would it ever be possible to erase
the mark of disgrace such people bring to humanity?The question is not about
Bombay,Calcutta or India.The question is about such ruthless conspiracies.Atleast man not
be so depraved that without any reason he should indulge in such a dance of destruction so
that its powerful impact should give violent jolts to the world.Let the persons engaged in
such cruel acts stop and think what would they do if those acts were aimed at them? I
believe that only such of sensitivity would be able to give a desired direction to man.
Destruction and construction- both are necessary. Without destruction ,the
chances of construction are reduced. But what needs to be considered is, who is destroyed
and where? There are certain expectations associated with construction. Man has in him two
types of feelings- positive and negative. The positive point of view or positive thinking
or feeling symbolises construction. The disruptive tendency or the negative attitude
symbolizes destruction. For construction and destruction the words yield and ruin are also
used. The element of permanence is a co-variant of construction and destruction. Matter
exists at all times. It leaves its remnants not only after construction but after
destruction as well.
Indian culture is a
liberal culture. It knows how to assimilate everyone. It has given the chance to allow
other cultures to strike roots in its soil. By giving recognition even to matenalists as
an independent philosophy, Indian philosophers have proved how universal is their thinking
and how clear their vision. Indian sages have entitled even the anti-social elements like
thieves and dacoits to join the social mainstream by reforming and purifying themselves.
the unyielding killers like Arjunamalakar, Dridhaprahari, Ratnakar, Rohineya and other
bandits and thieves found the current direction and became saints and sanyasis. Such
incidents in history reveal only liberality of Indian culture.
Whatever man
does has two forms-active and reactive. The natural state is that in which man acts as
guided by his independent thinking. But when he gets caught in reactive mentality, he
loses his sense of distinguishing between what is worth doing and what is not. Are the
incidents over the disputed structure at Ayodhya not reactive in nature? Who is getting
the benefit of it all ? Granted that some people belonging to another religion hurt your
religious sentiments and tried to grab by force what is your cultural heritage. But who is
to be blamed for it? Why did you allow yourself to become weak? Why did your social
and national awareness lie dormant? Blaming others for your own mistake is also a reactive
mentality. No society or nation can become strong without changing this mentality.
The
possibility of dispute with regard to an individual or a nation on account of differences
of opinion, preferences and differences of faith cannot be rejected. There are also ways
to settle the disputes. Any dispute would find no ground to persist if we proceed with the
intention of bringing about harmony and agreement. But an uncompromising stance is adopted
with regard to the subject of dispute, there is an endless series of acrimony, destruction
and killings. A long history of mistakes follows one mistake. The stigma these things
leave on the present cannot wiped out even by many attempts that may be made in future. As
long as the traces of that destruction remain, people would blame a particular section of
the people are responsible for that history of destruction. Whenever such undesirable
attempts were made in the past, when did they ever, get recognised by cultured, refined
and thinking people is not committed a mistake, who is going to benefit by exhuming the
buried corpses?
We have ahd so
many great man like Bhagwan Mahavira, Buddha, Mohammad Saheb, Guru Nanak and others. They
preached their followers peace and tolerance. Are those stories reduced to mere
grandiloquence? Today, as a reaction to the destruction of one disputed structure, temples
are being razed all over the world. Is there any prosperity in such acts of destruction?
Why were there such reactions in Pakistan and Bangladesh to what happened in India? Why
did Muslims in India follow the trends of destruction in Pakistan and Bangladesh? In the
land where Hindus and Muslims have lived like brothers in an atmosphere of amity, whose
interests would be served by such unfortunate passions of hatred and animosity? If
something has got to be destroyed, let it be the destruction of evils, devilish actions
and evil thinking. Temples mosques and other religious places are related to man's faith.
Before construction of temple or mosque, let such a faith be born in the mind of every man
which could protect him against the politics of destruction because, construction may take
millions of years, while for destruction, just one moment suffices.
No one is
unaware of how much the womankind, representing half the world is neglected, exploited and
afflicted. In the patriarchal society, the woman always lives the life that gives
her the secondary status. The woman has always been treated as a subject of controversy in
all countries, developed as well as developing. Whether in social organization or
political system, professional field or educational avenue, family, panchayat or religious
forum, with a few exceptions, the woman's capabilities have not been properly evaluated
and are not properly utilised. I have naturally a high opinion of woman in my mind. If
their power is well established, the family and society will find a new awareness.
The woman has
been considered an embodiment of creation. In my opinion, she can also act as an explosive
factor for destruction. Creation of good sanskaras and destruction of evil feelings cannot
be brought about by law and legislation, nor by arousing fear, not by the exercising of
the power to punish. There have been many laws which though impressive, have been little
effective. The weapon of fear can work on children with undeveloped minds. otherwise it
get blunted. Power to punish can be effective once. In the absence of change in the
atmosphere, the blows of punishment are also the result of putting the woman's power to
use.
The woman has
mainly three forms-- Lakshmi (the goddess of prosperity), saraswati (the goddess of
learning), and Durga (the goddess of power). She can take the form of Lakshmi while
inculcating sanskaras in the family. While educating the children, she can take the form
of Saraswati and for destroying the evils she can play the role of Durga riding the lion.
All that is expected is that regarding all her forms as useful, they are well utilised.
The forum of
anuvrat has given a platform to women for doing social work. their bravery, courage and
understanding have been known on innumerable occasions. But their range is limited. Unless
they are not provided a wide field to operate, how could their achievements come to be
realised? Women have two alternatives before them at present-- joining the blind race of
modernity or utilise their power to create good sanskaras and to destroy bad sanskaras.
The first way is in the interest neither of woman nor of the society.
If they wish to utilise their power for higher purpose,
they would have to opt for the latter alternative.
Life free from
addictions has been considered ideal in indian culture. Alcoholism has been a dreadful
addiction for thousands of years. Many movements and campaign have been carried out to
root out the addictions but they have not been successful. If only the woman's Durga form
would come to the forefront and a struggle would be launched against liquor consumption!
In only she could become like a turbulent river and she could sweep away in its
current all the filth in the form of evils!
Women in some
regions have succeeded in showing their Durga form to the society and the government. The
woman of Andhra Pradesh have launched a campaign against liquor. Among them there are not
the woman who are highly qualified nor the woman from well-to-do families.
Illiterate, uneducated and poverty stricken woman have launched such an attack that
thousands of liquor shops have closed down. These woman have also prevented auctioning of
liquor contracts. Looking at their courage and manner of influencing some special
reformers, some youths and students are also promoting that campaign. Those woman have
made a demand for statewide prohibition.
Not only
alcohol, but the way in which the consumption of narcotic drugs is growing today is a
matter of concern. How far would woman of Andhra Pradesh help in pushing out those
substances which have found their way in healthy lifestyles? Let woman of the whole
country wake up. Let them wake up in the current year which is celebrated as an year of
national consciousness. Let them throw in their strength to fight against social and
national evils. I am sure that if woman use their power on a long term basis and take up
responsibility of this work, then it is possible to challenge the existence of many evils.
One Sitamma or Rosamma would not do for that purpose. All ammas throughout the country
would have to get together and become Durga and carry on that task.
Women and their Kitty Parties.
A new kind of culture has been spreading among Indian woman for the past few years. Woman
of high and middle classes believe that this culture is part of a high style of life. This
culture can be described as one of Kitty parties. Members of the kitty party contribute
the amount decided by their group, they have their get-togethers, they organise
entertainment progarmmes, have their gossips and wind up the party with tea and snacks.
Originally a
kitty party was organised for a basic purpose. A Middle class woman would not be in a
position to spend thousand rupees in one go to buy domestic appliance. Members of a kitty
party would collect through individual contributions of twenty-five, fifty-one, hundred
rupees or more and through a draw of the lucky number would make available the necessary
amount to a particular member. That member would buy the appliance with that money.
Through this process, the necessary amount would be made available to some other member
every month. The name which has come already in the draw would be struck off. This means
to acquire some necessary items is now being made an issue of prestige.
These days,
the purchase of gadgets has become a matter of secondary importance and the kitty party
has become a matter of status symbol for wealthy woman. Now they have come to regard such
parties as a means of entertainment or pastime and treat them only for that purpose. What
would the woman of well-to-do families with no responsibility to cooking meals or doing
any other household work, do the whole day? Family is being so scattered and diffused that
there is no hope of filling the growing vacuum in life. In such a situation attempts are
being made to fill the vacuum with the means like clubs, restaurants or kitty parties.
This is the gift of the modern life style and the urban woman are particularly influenced
by it.
The woman who
have been living in flats feel bored sitting alone at home after their husbands have gone
office and their children have gone to school. Those woman who have no lack of money to
buy domestic appliances lavishly spend the amount collected at the party in eating and
drinking. Some of the woman of this so-called high society do not abstain even from
smoking cigarettes and taking alcoholic drinks. Apart from gossip, entertainment and
lavish food, what do these woman gain? This is a subject which needs to be given some
thought. If only such woman would spend their time in awakening social, cultural and
religious consciousness, they would find additional satisfaction and the society would
benefit from the creative abilities of women.
Inspired by
the high-society women, today the woman of even ordinary families have been taking part in
this kind of competition. In their race for being known as modern, are these woman not
ruining their homes and children and promoting this new culture? Where would this aimless,
unrestrained ways of theirs lead their daughters-in-law? Have they ever concentrated their
attention on this question? Times are moving at a very fast pace. Let woman for once
objectively think about these activities. Let them reform their tastes in order to
maintain the high character of their families. It is essential that they give attention to
purposeful activities to properly utilise their time and energy for their families and for
society.
Man has
two types of instincts- the instinct of a lion and the instinct of a dog. If someone
shoots a bullet or an arrow at a lion, it turns and looks behind. It is curious to know
from which direction the wind came. Who attacked? After that the lion adopts a aggreesive
posture towards the attacker nad wants to make to make his future safe by killing him.
When someone throws a stone at a dog, it stops, but does not look behind. It does not
notice the attacker. It starts licking the stone.
People with
the instinct of a dog aim at immediate solution when they think of any subject. The
immediate solution of a problem is also useful. But the problem does not end with that. It
emerges in a changes form. Some people do not give thought to any problem till they are
themselves affected by it. This also due to narrow-minded thinking. If that problem is
seen as universal and related to people in general, then no individual in nay country can
avoid taking notice of it.
The American
President Woodrow Wilson drafted the Declaration of the League of Nations in 1919. That
declaration stated," Any war or the danger of war, irrespective of any member of the
league is immediately affected, is a matter of concern for the league as a whole."
This way of thinking symbolises the instinct of a lion. Here the problem has been
considered an all time problem. It is necessary to develop this kind of attitude.
Otherwise man's power would get lost in finding the immediate solution to the problems.
Thereby, it would neither be possible to find any permanent solution nor avoid dangers in
the future.
Violence,
terrorism, secessionism, addiction to intoxicating substances are the challenging problems
before the country. Lot of discussion is going on for the solution to these problems. But
the signs of solution are nowhere to be seen. The reason is obvious. There is no search
for the roots of the problems. There are lot of frantic efforts for the immediate solution
of the problems guided by the instinct of a dog. But less attention is being paid to the
root cause of the problems by depending on the instinct of a lion. Reaching the root of
the problem nay take time. But any permanent solution, if it is found, would be only
through this process.
Training in
non-violence is an all time solution for the problem of violence. On the basis of this
idea, we have started making an effort to give training in non-violence. After the
international convention on this subject, we have come to conclusion that if the training
is continued on theoretical and practical basis, if an outline and example of a
'non-violent way of living' are provided then the time would not be far when we may hear
that violence has been replaced by non-violence.
The World
Health Organisation (WHO) is an organisation which is concerned about the health of the
entire human race. For sometime past, it observes every year May 31 as the World Anti
Tobacco Day. The aim of observing this day is to attract the public attention towards the
evil effects of tobacco. According to the scientist who have done research in this
subject, there is a possibility of a terrible loss of human life during the decade of
2020-2030. If this possibility is statistically presented, nearly thirty million people
have been given warning of death. That mass killing would not be the result of any nuclear
explosion nor of any natural calamity like floods or an earthquake. One hundred million
people are likely to be victim of illness resulting from tobacco consumption.
What could be
the reason for not banning tobacco despite the fact that research is done about favourable
and unfavourable effects of the tobacco products, The appropriate reckoning of the
percentage of the people who smoke in the world, the information about the resulting
illness and the clear warning about possible destruction? The World Health Organisation,
the Care Foundation of India and similar other organisations can examine these reasons. We
ourselves have no such facilities nor has it been possible for us to discuss this question
with experts. Nevertheless, from my point of view, there can be only one reason for this
and that is the financial benefit. The companies manufacturing tobacco products have their
own illusions. The companies or persons advertising their products have their own selfish
motives. This business is continuously thriving at the cost of human health. Is it not the
symbol of economic madness?
When some ten
or twenty persons die in an accident, it receives instant attention. Special orders are
issued for the investigation. The matter is raised in the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and the
state Legislatures. The reports of the incident are published with big headlines in the
newspapers as well. But no one is bothered about the incident because of which the lives
of millions of people are coming under the shadow of death. Is this not astonishing?
Tobacco
consumption is declining in the developed countries and it is increasing in the developing
countries. About India, it is said that it gives importance to 'foreign' ideas and things.
Do the people of India have different ideas about tobacco? If the attitude towards tobacco
is changing in the countries considered as world powers, why is it not having its impact
on India?
Smoking is
more common among men than among women. This ratio is even smaller in the developing
countries. A new conspiracy is under way to reduce this difference. Special types of
cigarettes are being manufactured in order to encourage cigarette smoking women. It is
also a matter of concern that innocent women fall victims to this conspiracy. But the
conspirators are so clever that they are duping the wealthy and educated women. I am sure
that if women would have even a little understanding and awareness, they would be
able to keep themselves out of this conspiracy. Otherwise, because of them their whole
families would be standing on the precipice of ruin.
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