Author: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Publication: The Times of India
Date: September 29, 2011
URL: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-29/edit-page/30213283_1_saints-newspapers-nishkama-karma
Introduction: A saint is like a newspaper,
responding to society's needs
A saint cannot be indifferent and apathetic,
nor can a newspaper. At the same time, he cannot be partial and take sides
either. Saints should not align with any party or any single ideology. Or
else they wouldn't do justice to the very party they align with. It is simply
not in their nature. In the same way, a saint will always have to respond
to the need of the vishwatma (society). He cannot shy away from any aspect
of life, whether it is counselling in personal affairs of people, airing his
opinion or guiding the collective concerns of society.
When scam after scam is being exposed and
there is depression in people's minds, spiritual leaders cannot confine themselves
to their ashrams. Even in the Mahabharat and Ramayan, saints have been proactive.
What saints have to guard against, like newspapers, is bias and prejudice.
Saints cannot be like old newspapers. Everyday,
they have to be fresh and respond to the current situation. Newspapers cannot
exclude any aspect of life - similarly a saint also cannot exclude any aspect
of life. They will have to cover all fields whether economic, social, obituary,
entertainment, sports and even spirituality! Whether good or bad, right or
wrong, they have to intervene. Saints will not wait for people to come and
ask for help. They plunge into activity. They do not need an invitation before
the action or appreciation after the action is completed.
Apathy is not the nature of saints. Similarly,
newspapers cannot be apathetic to any happening. If you look back in history,
great sages such as Sri Aurobindo, Swami Vivekananda, Samarth Ramdas, Gadge
Maharaj, Sant Tukadoji Maharaj, Sikh gurus and a host of others have never
limited themselves to one thing and never shied away from political responsibility.
They never showed an iota of apathy for the happenings of that time on the
planet. There used to be a seat created in every king's court for the Rajguru
to occupy and to advise the king. Even the power to dethrone the king was
vested in him. Though today, fortunately for the saint community, this job
is being taken care of by the Supreme Court.
Great rishis of yore like Vasishta, Vishwamitra
or Ashtavakra have never seen life as one-sided nor said that people should
go inwards alone and turn insensitive to societal needs. They have always
emphasised both nivritti (inward serenity) and pravritti (outward duty). They
have encouraged nishkama karma - taking responsibility along with a spiritual
awakening.
In our times, we need to spiritualise politics,
socialise business and secularise religion and make life multifaceted like
the newspaper!
