27 Aug 2011
It feels as though this is the battle of dharma in the present era. On the one hand there are the five Paandavas: Anna Hazare, Kiran Bedi, Arvind Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan and Manish Sisodia. On the other side are the hundred Kauravs. We all know that in this battle also, you have played the role of Krishna. Guruji, will the truth prevail in this battle also, and for how long?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
It has happened already. Tomorrow at 10:00am Annaji will break his fast. The parliament has already given their voice vote today. Annaji, and the whole world wanted implementation of the three points: Lokaayukta should be established in all states, lower level bureaucracy should be under Lokpal, and a civil citizen’s charter should be drawn out; and all these three points have been agreed upon.
I didn’t do anything. It is merely the sankalpa that made things happen. Strength lies in the sankalpa; there is a limitation in the field of action (Karma-kshetra). But some effort is necessary. You might ask, ‘you could have remained here and taken the sankalpa; why did you need to go there?’ But it is necessary to make a little bit of effort. This is the essence of the Gita: ‘Be involved in action and have unswerving faith in the power of intention (sankalpa).’
Yesterday I said, ‘come what may, this fast should not extend beyond twelve days.’ I also appealed to him that this should be his last day of fast no matter whether the resolution comes or not. It turned out to be correct!
I didn’t do anything. It is merely the sankalpa that made things happen. Strength lies in the sankalpa; there is a limitation in the field of action (Karma-kshetra). But some effort is necessary. You might ask, ‘you could have remained here and taken the sankalpa; why did you need to go there?’ But it is necessary to make a little bit of effort. This is the essence of the Gita: ‘Be involved in action and have unswerving faith in the power of intention (sankalpa).’
Yesterday I said, ‘come what may, this fast should not extend beyond twelve days.’ I also appealed to him that this should be his last day of fast no matter whether the resolution comes or not. It turned out to be correct!
As per the law of attraction, whatever you resist persists. So the ‘anti-corruption’ word itself seems to make corruption more persistent in the society. Could you please suggest us a more positive word or a phrase instead of anti-corruption?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
‘Divya Samaaj’. This is what we say, ‘Divya Samaaj Ka Nirmaan’ (Building a Divine society). In a divine society there is no room for corruption. Law is merely a treatment for corruption. Our job is to not allow this disease to catch on in society. The more belongingness there is in society, the lesser the corruption. Wherever there is lack of belongingness, corruption increases.
Pain, poverty and prayer – what is the relationship? Why do only those who are in pain, or poverty resort to prayer?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Not necessarily! The four types of people who pray are of course, one who is in pain, one who wants some more wealth they pray, and one who is on a deep quest and wants to know more about this life and knowledge. And then one who is enlightened, who is liberated, they also pray for the well-being of this whole world.
Gurudev, please tell me, what is my role in this life with respect to you? I want to do just that and not yearn for some role which you have not assigned to me.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
See what you can do. Make a list of all that you can do and I tell you, you can do more than what you write down. So first make your own list.
My parents are divorcing after thirty eight years of marriage. How to help them? I don’t want to take sides. Would you tell me what to do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Listen to both of them separately and don’t comment. Tell your father your mother loves him very much, and you tell your mother that your father loves her very much. And when there is love, there are fight and there is difference of opinion also.
What is the plan of Art of Living to enter into active politics?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Art of Living has none because we are in so many countries, in so many places. We don’t want to get into politics at any cost. At the same time we would definitely take responsibility in supporting the right person, the right candidate. So you all have to take an active role in picking the right people. If some Art of living people want to enter into politics, you can do it, most welcome.
Your advice is that we pick out and vote for an honest candidate. What should we do if all the candidates are corrupt?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
That is why I want a revision of the electoral system also. Our electoral system allows for a candidate to win an election with just eleven percent votes, which means eighty percent public has voted for other candidates. We need to change the electoral process.