Skip to main content

Modi is doing what he has to do but are you doing what you have to do ?

Modi is doing what he has to do but are you doing what you have to do ?

I remember a talk by Shri Pandurang Shastri Athavale, in which he was simultaneously joking and lamenting the weak and selfish way that many people who should know better conduct their lives. One comment that really struck me is as follows:
People sometimes ask me “When will Kali Yuga end?” I tell them “How can it possibly end when there are people like you in the world?”
This may seem harsh, and the comment has to be weighed in context, but the message is simply that we need to take responsibility if we want the state of our society, country and planet to improve. We need to strive to live a principled, dharmic, balanced and energetic life (within our own capability). The responsibility is ours, not some saviour’s. It is not acceptable for us to spend our entire time and energy pursuing our own narrow interests and pleasures and still sit around hoping that things will get better. It doesn’t work like that.
To illustrate this, it is striking to observe that Lord Krishna didn’t come and magically solve the Pandavas problems for them; the responsibility was put on the Pandavas to strive, and indeed face the consequences of their own actions if they erred. Krishna’s role was just as a guide and motivator.
Then taking the example of Rama, he did indeed vanquish the oppressors. But look at the family he was born into. They had been striving hard and suffering for generations to create a perfect society and also embody their own principles rather than just pay lip service to them. Only in such an environment where great efforts had been made for generations would a saviour be born to finish off the work.
I could make many more examples, but the message is simple and the same – you don’t have a right to expect others to change things for the better. You should be doing something yourself.
What does this have to do with Narendra Modi ???
I really don’t know if Modi will become the Prime Minister of India. There are certainly formidable forces stacked against him. But we do indeed have reason to believe that if he did come to power (and indeed he is a determined man, so he does have a chance) he would make some real changes for the better to the direction of India – unlike Vajpayee who I feel wasted a historical opportunity.
Narendra Modi is a yogi. He is also fast to act and decisive. He has a much stronger will and encapsulates a much higher level of personal discipline and inner strength than his peers. He is in his own way progressive; not being stuck in the methods and issues of the past (like his former friend, Togadia) but is looking to the future and is in tune with the aspirations of young India. He learns and develops and is clearly open to new ideas and wisdom.
He is far from perfect; any astute observer can note mistakes he has made. Yet for a person more interested in what India is going to be like in 2022 than what happened in Amdavad in 2002, he embodies hope.
However I see too many people pin all their hope on Modi, and seem to be waiting for him to come to power and clean up all the mess. That’s not how it works. We should be using whatever capacity we have within us to ourselves change India (with or without Modi). Remember, even if Modi were Vishnu himself, it wouldn’t absolve us of the responsibility to strive. And we can’t pin all the hopes and anxieties of Hindu civilisation on one man. We need to ensure that regardless of whether Modi succeeds, we personally use some of our own efforts and talents to do our part to cleanse the problems in our own society, raise awareness of issues we face (or better still formulate solutions) and ensure a bright, vibrant future for Hindu civilisation.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The concept of 33 koti devata in Hinduism!

The concept of 33 koti devata in Hinduism: The Vedas refer to not 33 crore Devatas but 33 types (Koti in Sanskrit) of Devatas. They are explained in Shatpath Brahman and many other scriptures very clearly. "Yasya Trayastrinshad Devaa Ange Sarve Samaahitaa, Skamma Tam Bruhi Katamah Swideva Sah”. ~(Atharva Veda 10-7-13) Which means: with God’s influence, these thirty-three (supporting devta) sustain the world. In Brhadaranyaka Upanishad while discussing Brahman, Yajnavalkya is asked how many gods are there. He says that there are three hundred and three and three thousand and three gods. When the question is repeated? He says, thirty three. When the question is again repeated he says, six. Finally, after several repetitions he says ONE. (Chapter I, hymn 9, verse 1) The number 33 comes from the number of Vedic gods explained by Yajnavalkya in Brhadaranyaka Upanishad – the eight Vasus, the eleven Rudras, the twelve Adityas, Indra and Prajapati. (Chapter I, hymn 9, verse 2

Maharana Pratap : Valour and Unbreakable determination personified

Maharana Pratap ( Source of image: rajputras.blogspot.in ) Contents Introduction of Maharana Pratap Childhood of Maharana Pratap Maharana Pratap's Coronation Unbreakable oath to free 'Motherland' by Maharana Pratap Battle of Haldiighat: Supreme fighter 'Maharana Pratap.' Severe destiny of Maharana Pratap Devotion of Bhamashah towards Maharana Pratap Last Wish of Maharana Pratap Introduction of Maharana Pratap   Maharana Pratap is a name worth remembering to begin one’s day with. His name is engraved with gold among the list of valiant kings who protected the Nation, Dharma, Culture and Freedom of this country by sacrificing his life! This is a holy remembrance of his valor! Who does not know the name of the great king of Mewar, Maharana Pratap Singh? In the history of India, this name has always proved to be motivating for qualities like valor, bravery, sacrifice and martyrdom. Many brave warriors like Bappa Rawal, Rana Hamir, Ra

5 Ways How Modi Enhances Women Entrepreneurship in Gujarat

Bangalore: Nurtured with evergreen simplicity, the women of Gujarat have flourished with decades of hard work and dedication. Lijjat Papad  (a handmade thin, crisp circular shaped Indian food, served as an accompaniment in Indian meals) is a unique example of which a small group of women have given their time to make a worthy organization of trust and productivity. Narendra Modi the Chief Minister of Gujarat recently spoke at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), citing examples of entrepreneurial roles played by women. In his talk, he has expressed deep appreciation for the great wonders women have made since years together. Let us take a look at power of entrepreneurship according to Modi that has existed in the History of Gujarat as listed out by Economic Times. #5 Handicrafts The state of Gujarat is blessed with rich traditional handicrafts. Right from needle works to tie and dye (Bandhini), Gujarat celebrates a wide variety of famous handicr