EPIC PERSPECTIVE - DEMONETISATION

Demonetisation– is not only the hot topic of discussion for an entire subcontinent but also a process demanding immediate responsive action.

From political opportunists to social reformists, from spiritual activists to economical analysts – everyone is either hustling to save their cash and/or debating fiercely against or for the move.

Was it the right decision?

The Epics Mahabharata and Ramayana never give a one sided perspective of any situation. They ordain that any decision has positives and negatives. Additionally, sometimes one is compelled to act despite the decision being positive or negative; there is no choice.

Why?

It is disruptive. For instance, Sri Krishna did not want the war, but the Kauravas impelled Sri Krishna to decide in favour of a war.

Did the war benefit the Pandavas?

They certainly knew the consequences were not black or white. It caused the death of Duryodhana, but it also took Abhimanyu’s life. Gandhari lost all of her sons, and Draupadi also lost her sons, brothers and father. Additionally, subsequent to the war, Pandava’s were acquainted to the fact that Karna was their older brother. 

The decision makers personally did not gain much profit. Yet, there was no other option than to destabilise the destabilisers. The malicious Kurus had stabilised the evil forces as if they were undefeatable. Reforming was only possible with immediate disruption, and what a disruption it was! It took many, many years to stabilise the country.

As an entire civilisation becomes habituated to living a life of avoiding, positive decisions, corruption piles up like an enormous mountain of garbage. Status quo can exist for some time; however, everyone knows that someone has to do something at one point. There is no other option than to create expansive discomfort for some time or even a long time. Moreover, destroying the bad is just one part of the progressive equation, but building the good is a greater challenge; that is the part which challenges our old die hard habits. Therefore, when we see something from the point of view of an old habit, any change appears to be unwarranted, illogical and unlimitedly inconvenient. It is vital to see any decision from the epic perspective, because they are ever fresh and relevant in their approach to life at all times; may it be dealing with demons, the divine or even demonetisation.

GITA’S PERSPECTIVE: SAGE WITHIN; KING WITHOUT

Today is Gita Jayanti, the day when Sri Krishna spoke to a painfully afflicted Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.  The concepts that can be churned from the oceanic wisdom of the Gita are very much needed in our present world condition. Below are some essential principals we can derive from this divine conversation between the Lord and Arjuna.

Gita is about vyavaharasastra (how to live practically) with adhytama (spirituality) in that vyavahara (practicality).  Therefore, Sri Krishna does not condemn any work, including the work of a warrior who may be on the verge of a surgical strike. Terrorists know only how to kill, but warriors know how to save lives. As we have seen, armies are always deployed to rescue people from dangerous situations. A soldier experiences utility in destroying or building and saving or striking.

Gita teaches us to see divinity everywhere.  Arjuna was trying to find peace beyond war, because that is how he understood life.  However, he failed to recognize that war is a constant. There is always an unavoidable external war for dharmik governance, and similarly, an internal war of conflicting tribulations within oneself. Action engages one externally and thinking of God engages one internally.

Gita teaches us to renounce things internally (anasakti) rather than renouncing things in themselves (tyaga). Tyaga is superfluous and artificial, because we have the body, which is the greatest cause of attachment. Therefore, Sri Krishna teaches us that the body can cause bondage or it can be the medium to take us beyond bondage.  It is the tool for Karma yoga (divinity with action). 

Gita does not impose or oblige us to follow any dogma, rather it inspires with dynamic logical concepts to take responsibility of our own growth and progress.
Gita empowers us to become the master of our situations; the commander against fighting our limitations with the support and wisdom given by Guru and the blessings which constantly flow from within through the presence of Paramatma - who is the silent witness to our activities.  Paramatma does not fight for us, but He guides from within; just like Sri Krishna and Arjuna. Sri Krishna did not fight for him; however, He did observe the fighting and confer continuous guidance.

Gita is not a book of law; Gita is a seed bank of the most potential seeds of the external principals of life. Every individual according to who they are, have to take the right seeds and cultivate them.  Providing the seeds is Gita’s job and Krishna’s kindness. Yet, planting, growing and harvesting is the responsibility of the living entities.  While Gita’s principles are eternal and universal, the application is very personal and contextual. 

Gita teaches to be in complete harmony amongst all kinds of so called conflicts. In fact, Sri Krishna begins his teaching by making it very clear to Arjuna, that even He does not interfere into the affairs of the Material nature, but He could teach him to transcend the conflict rather than artificially escape the conflict.
Gita’s final opinion is declared via the mouth of a chariot driver, Sanjay. As Sanjay narrates the entire happenings of the battlefield to the blind king and most important stake holder of the war, Dhristarasthra, he says, “Wherever there is Sri Krishna (the visionary) and Arjuna (the doer), there is certainly victory, prosperity, morality, determination and peace.”

This is the Yoga of success; when Jiva cooperates with God to be eternally successful.  This is the real yoga of life.  Let us invite Sri Krishna to be driver of our thoughts and intelligence. And let us act based on that direction.  This is the best way to experience Gita.

Jai Gita Jayanti!