When Sattva confronts Tamas, who wins in the short term is determined by whose side Rajas takes. Of course in the long term Sattva will prevail but it would have to persevere, persist and be raedy to make sacrifices and not compromise with it's principles. Human history is full of spiritual leaders who confronted the establishment. But they had to make supreme sacrifices. They had to pay with their lives but in doing so they showed their firm conviction and belief in what they were trying to do.
Christ started out as a spiritual leader. Making miracles happen and showing people the way that he believed to be the right spiritual way of life. But later on he could see the corruption in the society and he had no choice but to challenge that. In doing so he created enemies in high places and those in high places who were close to the ruling class, had his arrested and tried and crucified. He never gave up what he believed in and the result is quite visible to the whole world. His ideas and teachings have prevailed over the centuries.
Sikh Gurus provide another example of how spiritual leaders at some point felt the need to stand up against the establishment who they believed was acting against the interest of the masses. Sikh Gurus did not have to take up arms but they did because they could see the injustice being practiced by the powerful. They had to pay with their lives. Guru Angad, Guru Tegh Bahadur and finally Guru Goving Singh along with his sons were all killed by the ones who were in power and controlled vast financial and military resources. But we also see that teachings of Sikh gurus have prevailed in spite of that and are well and thriving.
Here Christ and his teachings represent the Sattvic. Sikh Gurus and their teaching represent the Sattvic. Temple priests engaged in corruption in the temples represent the Tamas. Mughal rulers and their persecution of Hindus represents Tamas. The money and military power of the Romans at the time of Christ and the military strength of the mughals represent the Rajasic. Sattvic challenged the Tamasic but the Rajas was on the side of Tamas. so Sattvic was defeated and overpowered at that time. But eventually the Sattvic prevailed over the long term.
So how is all this relevant to what Baba Ramdev is doing and facing. He has been a spiritual leader and waking up the masses to a healthier lifestyle. he has motivated millions to get up early in the morning and practice yoga and lead a healthier lifestyle. Many claim to have been cured of diseases that could not be otherwise treated. He has made people aware of nationalism and patriotism. He has been a spiritual leader for many years. When you are trying to improve the life of millions you start seeing the root causes of why it is not happening as it should. You start seeing bigger issues that confront the society and addressing those seems like the next logical step. That is where challenge to the establishment and its corrupt practices became the focus of his attention.
But as you start to challenge the establishment than you become enemy number one for the state. They will first try to convince you to go back to preaching and leave them alone. But if you don't listen and comply than the full might of the establsihment is unleashed at you. That is what happened to Christ, That is what happened to Sikh Gurus and that is what has happened to multiple other spiritual masters who tried to step out of the preacher's role and challenge the greater evils in the society. But those had to pay dearly for doing that but no matter how powerful the establishment, truth prevailed in the long run.
Baba Ramdev has challenged the establishment and teh ones who are powerful. He should not be surprised at the turn of events. This is how the gane is played. Question is: How far is he going to go ? Is he willing to make the ultimate sacrifice ? What if he had allowed himself to be arrested in Ramlila grounds ? What if he had allowed himself to arrested when he tried to enter Uttar Pradesh borders ? What is the worst thing that could have happened to him? With his popularity, it would have been impossible for the Govt to eliminate him. He would have become a bigger hero than he already was. Arrest would have legitimized his movement. By tried to get away like he did he only helped those opposing him.
If he truly believes in what he says regarding corruption than do not give up. Avoid aggression and violence eben when faced with violence. If he is a satyagrahi, offer himslef to be arrested rather than try to get away. Lodged in jail he could be more effective. While lodged in jail he could still conduct his yoga lessons for other prisoners and people working in the jail. He could share his spiritual knowledge no matter where he is, even if it a jail.
No comments:
Post a Comment