PM Modi is inaugurating the temples and Deities.
“Finally an Indian PM upholding the vedic tradition has arrived”
“No. PM doing so is unorthodox”.
“No. He is Cultural reviver”
“No. He is Political opportunist,”
“Hindu awakening is happening”
“No. This is Spiritual drama for electoral gain”
In this way there is a long list of diverse views.
This much is evident that spirituality and politics are intertwined at present more than ever in the recent past.
The strategy of Krsna and Ram
Krsna’s and Ram’s approach in regards to politics and spirituality is quite intriguing. It is a fact that world is attracted or addicted to politics, quarrel, hypocrisy, violence, sports, sex and romance. Giving sublime spiritual benefit in such situation requires a tactics born out of compassion. Let us see that from the history.
Two notable instances in the history during political upheaval
Two political groups assembled once and for all to settle things. The battlefield of Kuruksetra -Kaurava sena and Pandava sena. Not only the warriors but almost everybody – socialists, spiritualists, economists and common public. All were looking at it with rapt attention. They were fully attentive and excited – “what’s going to happen? Who is going to win?” – The excitement was very much evident.
At this juncture though Krsna who could have taught Gita to some sage in a forest or in a cave tactfully chose to bring the pinnacle of His spiritual teaching in such a peak of the politics cum battle- in the middle of battle field in between Pandava sena and the Kaurava sena at Kuruksetra. There at the center of everybody’s attention, keeping a political figure like Arjuna in the front Krsna spoke his ultimate message ( charama sloka) to the entire world.
sarva-dharmān parityajya
mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja
ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo
mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ
Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear. (Bhagavad gita 18.66)
Krsna achieved His mission. The world recognised Gita as the heart of Mahabharata.
Prior to that there was a similar situation. On one side there was Ram’s vanara Sena and on the other side across the ocean there was Rvana sena. Even the demigods were assembled to witness the battle. Sages, humans etc were absorbed in that battle. The battle of all battle was set to begin. Ravana’s own brother came there to switch side at the crucial political juncture just prior to the battle. In the middle of the two armies, Ram tactfully delivered his ultimate message, the trancendental message to the worlds keeping a political figure like Vibhishana in the front. That message is,
“sakṛd eva prapanno yas
tavāsmīti ca yācate
abhayaṁ sarvadā tasmai
dadāmy etad vrataṁ mama”
“It is My vow that if one only once seriously surrenders unto Me, saying “My dear Lord, from this day I am Yours,” and prays to Me for courage, I shall immediately award courage to that person, and he will always remain safe from that time on.’” (vamliki ramayana yuddha kanda 18.33)
Ram tactfully delivered his best product when everybody was attentive and involved in the battle. The world recognised. Vibhishana Sharanagati is considered as the heart of Ramayana
Romance
Krsna tactfully taught the world the supremacy of Gopis renunciation and purity of Gopis devotion in the all attractive romantic setting through supremely pure rasa lila.
na pāraye ‘haṁ niravadya-saṁyujāṁ
sva-sādhu-kṛtyaṁ vibudhāyuṣāpi vaḥ
yā mābhajan durjara-geha-śṛṅkhalāḥ
saṁvṛścya tad vaḥ pratiyātu sādhunā
I am not able to repay My debt for your spotless service, even within a lifetime of Brahmā. Your connection with Me is beyond reproach. You have worshiped Me, cutting off all domestic ties, which are difficult to break. Therefore please let your own glorious deeds be your compensation. (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.32.22)
The world of aaryas (civilised people) and the righteous people understood the Rasa lila teaching as the heart of Bhagavatam.
Krishna also exhibited his supreme protection during the disrobing of draupadi in the women centric political situation. Ram exhibited his righteousness towards kaikeyi and Ram exhibited his protection of Jatayu in the midst of women centric political situation.
Of course, whether it is Krsna or Ram, deliverance of dharmic security to the world was more than a mere tactful political strategy. Even if it is so, it was due to their selfless compassion. It is unfathomable intelligence, strategy, tactics and compassion of God in giving the world sublime gift of all gifts.
Current politics
At present in the peak of Indian politics, Ram and Krsna have once again emerged as central figure at least as an unavoidable force. But can it be compared to Mahabharat or Ramayan Politics as mentioned above? Is it fully Ram or Krsna centered politics?
Or Did politician get the leaf from krsna’s and Ram’s political book i.e mahabharatha and ramayana where Krsna and Ram presented themselves as central figures through politics as mentioned above?
Like krishna and rama are the politicians also promoting themselves by using Ram in politics?
Pariksit vs paundraka politics
Parikshit was also a politician but he used politics to promote krishna. On the other hand paundraka used krishna to promote himself. When krsna and Ram use politics for promoting themselves, it is very sweet and dharmic. After all they are personification of dharma. When others promote themselves, it would be like paundraka promoting himself. He became a laughing stock.
It is also unfair to conclude rudely that currant politicians are ruthlessly presenting just themselves by using Ram in politics. It is mixture of promoting Ram and also promoting themselves. But even when Ram is used for personal politics, the eternal Ram is used for ever changing temporary politics. There is still lot of positvity because politics is temporary and it will disappear but Ram is eternal and will stay.
Precarious politics
This country has seen politicians working hard to get political gain by avoiding Ram altogether in the name of secularism or consciously deleting Ram from the feelings of innocent masses. We have seen lot of politicians like putana, ravana, paundraka or surpanaka. Compared to that, if politicians are using Ram or kindling Ram bhakti even in a slightly positive way in the feelings of masses, even if it is done partially for their own selfish political gain it is still better.
It can be still appreciated because it is due to the influence of saints especially of past and present. Atleast the right product- Ram has been identified by them and because of the influence of time etc the identified product may not be purely approached or delivered. It is still far better than delivering even a purest mundane stuff.
Suggested approach
So rather than seeing the negativity, dharmikas, the righteous aaryaas can appreciate whatever sincerity politicians have in presenting Ram through politics even when it is covered by certain selfishness. By doing so and acknowledging them for what they deserve, their heart may still open wider. They will be encouraged more to follow the footsteps of Rama. Devotees of Rama can join hands with them appropriately and try to help them to deliver Sri Rama in the purest form. Or the devotees of Rama can tactfully fully use the politicians for the purpose of delivering Sri Rama to the masses. May be the politicians are also waiting for that.
Devotees should not be in the utopian world and think that the politicians will deliver pure spiritual principles. The saragrahi devotees in any kind of slightly or largely favorable political situations, will not fail to congratulate, recognize and appreciate the politician’s favorable approach, however small or big that may be towards the Ram and krsna centered politics.
Anyhow it is difficult to expect pure politics or any politics for pure spirituality from modern politicians especially in the modern world but nevertheless whether the politics is pure or semi-pure or even impure, let it be. The aryaas-the righteous people should not only be politically alert but also should tactfully depend on krsna and influence the politics as much as possible that one day the country or the whole world can see politics like that of king Yudhisthir’s or that of Pariksit maharaj’s where pure politics and sublime spirituality go hand in hand.
– Nityananda dasa
