The seat of power: Pride or Service?

Deccan Herald, 25th January, 2010
H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

A ministership purports to serve the people. However, if it is perceived as a means to derive pleasure or prestige, it will only infest society with corruption, stymie growth, and lead to moral degradation. Then, fear and insecurity will grip society, inhibiting humanity.
It is very natural for human beings to want to feel secure. To overcome this fear and insecurity most people do almost anything. Consequently there is a struggle for the seat of power. However, those who hanker after power are really powerless. They can accomplish very little even after having power. The irony is that even after assuming the seat of power, they remain fearful. In fact, the fear increases manifold. If you are in fear and tension you can’t come up with creative ideas - so you can’t do much, either for society or yourself.
Often you hear ministers threatening to resign if they don’t get their way; but it is irresponsible to take pride in resigning from one’s post. This is not sacrifice; it is the act of renouncing a sacred duty assigned by the people.
Minister ship is not a luxury which you can take pride in renouncing. Most political leaders are ignorant of the concept of true service. Few venture beyond the boundaries of race, religion and nationality. Being confined thus, they do harm to themselves and others. So politicians, too, need to be educated in the conduct of state and social responsibility. Once you realise this, you don’t need a seat or position to serve the people. You can do better without a formal post as did Mahatma Gandhi. Ministers need to cultivate the ability to safeguard against sycophants. In fact, they should listen to the “inner voice”, following their own divine guidance, to sift the right from the wrong.
We have to get out of the politics of hate and mistrust. True politics is to care for all people, regardless of differences in caste, religion, ideology, or language. When service becomes the aim of political power, actions will translate into development. However, often political parties come together because of common enemies rather than common goals.
They unite on the basis of hatred and fear. Diverse parties should work together towards progress for the many. The politics of hatred should end.
A landlord employed two gardeners and each was on duty on alternate days. Both were in disagreement as to how the garden should be. One would till the land and the other would come and undo what the other did. This went on for months. They kept undoing the other’s work. In the end, the land remained unproductive.
This is exactly what political parties do. Much time is wasted in mudslinging and in undoing the work of the others. India will shine truly when political parties complement and honor one another.