More
than 2200 years ago, The Chinese philosopher Hsun Tsu wrote: “When stars fall
or a sacred tree groans, the people of the whole state are afraid. We ask “Why is it?” I answer: there is no (special) reason.... These
are rare events. We may marvel at them
but we should not fear them. For there
is no age which has not experienced eclipses of the sun and moon, unseasonable
rain or wind, or strange stars seen in groups ... but when human ominous signs come, then we should
really be afraid. Using poor
ploughs ... spoiling a crop by inadequate hoeing and weeding ... these are what
I mean by ominous human signs.”
Han
Fei Tzu, a contemporary of Hsun Tsu, wrote: “If the ruler believes in
date-selecting, worships gods and demons, puts faith in divination, and likes
luxurious feasts, then ruin is possible.”
We
Indians are bogged down by both of the above problems. Replace the examples given by the philosopher
with contemporary examples. We have
contractors and engineers, for example, who construct roads or buildings that
have very short lives. Our food is adulterated, our water is no more
free, our air is unbreathable... The cow
is more sacred than human beings.
Our religious
leaders demand sterilisation of people belonging to particular faiths. Human ominous signs are rampant putting us on
our guard.
It
is not the gods in the mythology or the heavenly bodies of astrology that
control our lives. It is us. Especially our leaders who form the policies
and shape public opinions. Quite many of
our leaders are yet to acquire a fraction of the wisdom that some of our
forefathers possessed more than 2200 years ago.
I had read that article on sterilization yesterday. While many opposed the sadhvi's views, I am afraid there were some who supported it too. Right there, in the comments section, there was a religious fight going on.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why some elements are out to provoke people rather than bringing in peace!
Varieties of evils exist in every society all the time. An efficient govt is able to keep a check on dangerous trends and vices. But there are certain govts which directly or indirectly encourage certain vices and evils to take the front stage. Reasons are more political than religious or any other. We now have such a govt at the centre led by a man whose credentials are known to all Indians. Some sick people are taking advantage of the situation.
DeleteThe writing is on the wall!
ReplyDeleteMay more people read it.
DeleteRight! We control our lives. Problem is we are allowing such jerks to feed us wisdom and believe all they seek while they are filing their coffers.
ReplyDeleteThe leadership matters, matters much more than I had ever imagined.
DeleteA very real analogy with our lives and the world we live in today.
ReplyDeleteWe will have to live through it for a few years more, I guess.
Deletevery true and sad ... we don't 'learn' anything from History and mythology .. but yes we do 'know' how to twist a line/story/anything for our convenience ... dangerous .
ReplyDeleteIt is dangerous, no doubt, Kokila. By the time they are done with before the next elections, much damage will have been done already to the nation.
Delete