First 9 11 Last

  What should be the personality and conduct of volunteers involved in social service so that they may become ideal leaders has been superbly elaborated by Param Poojya Gurudev during his life time. Today, when we observe in other organizations how the so-called volunteers / social worker / public servants are running after posts and pulling one another’s legs and there seems to be dire disappointment all-around, our Gurudev’s guidance on the essence of spirituality - how such organizations should be run and how they can progress – shows us true light in this direction. Our Gurudev wished that we should think and act in a direction that not only makes our nation strong and prosperous but also refines the era as a whole. It will be possible only by imbibing that discipline in our lives which Gurudev has demonstrated in his own life.

Yug Shilpis are those who carve the future of the world by their spiritually empowered devout efforts. Their capabilities and preeminence do not depend upon their educational qualifications, intellectual sharpness, status, age or lineage, etc. Rather, their potentials are integral to their chiseled personality. Seven principles and major disciplines essential for the Yug Shilpis were outlined in the previous issue. Those who will understand and vow to adopt these guidelines will get the opportunity to be the architects of the new era and to be honored like great beings. Success and glory will be showered upon them in proportion to their zeal and sincerity in following these disciplines and cultivating the spiritual qualities of a Yug Shilpi. Those who could do so will also inspire and mould millions of others by their exemplary lives.

It is often seen that people take up service of the society with great enthusiasm, but are soon entrapped by arrogance. The eager desire to become great is so intoxicating that people neither can perceive justice, righteousness, or vision of consequences, nor do they have any humility.  So goes the saying, 'A frog inflated its belly in the craze of competing with an ox in size, so much that it burst its own stomach and met untimely death'.  This tale is also applicable to humans.  The greed of fetching maximum gains in no time, without even paying the due price; playing tricks and masquerading to grab more popularity — this is what the unchecked ambitions of the so-called social workers lead to and drag them to moral and emotional depravity. 

It is ironical to see that men come to the field of social service with a thirst for name and fame.  Well, they could have chosen some other easier mode or shortcut to achieve their mean goals, why had they to choose the arduous path of social service?  Once one has opted for this path, he ought also to have humility – the inseparable companion of service.   The sense of service is incomplete without being blended with serene modesty.  Those devoted to the benevolent service of others should be non-possessive in attitude and polite in behavior. This is what nurtures glorifying personality and possibilities of bright future. One who tries to grab honor, to shine more than his volunteer friends and tries to splash up, will be crest-fallen and lose his self-respect and power.  Why will the fellow colleagues tolerate any-body's arrogant and dominant behaviour?

The tale of giants Sund and Upasund is well known.  Having fallen for a beautiful woman they fought and killed each other.  For many generations Mughals seized thrones tormenting fathers and brothers.  Feudal lords of the medieval times also committed such evil deeds; many a times, though they themselves were mere courtiers, they grabbed the thrones by brutally killing lawful minor heirs.  Even today we see that craving for powerful positions is the principal cause of breaking up of organizations.  Look at how our political parties frequently divide into tiny groups because of ego clashes and opportunism and ruin their own existence. Flouting the norms of righteousness set by emperor Yudhistir, wily and evil-minded Kauravs, in their desperate bid to deprive the Pandvas of their share of the kingdom, took recourse to unprincipled ways that led to the Mahabharat War.  None among the Yadavs of Dwaraka lacked pelf and power, but driven by ego and desire to display their false-prestige each one chose to establish his superiority by disgracing others and consequently met with what amounts to collective Harakiri (suicide).  Commenting on this, Maharishi Ved Vyas wrote what represents a universal trait of human nature:


Bahavah Yatra netarah, Bahavah Mankankïiñah |
Sarve Mahattvamichhanti, Sa Dal Avasidati ||

Meaning: Where there are many leaders, where there are great ambitions and eager craving for fame, that group will definitely be ruined one day.

Yug Silpis should save themselves from this danger ahead of time.  No one among us should be infected with the ambition of fame or public-recognition. If the persons who have vowed to save the world from devastation would be driven by ambitions and attempt to hinder the progress of their fellow colleagues, spread the virus of rivalry in their lust for name and status, they will only cause self-damage and defame and hamper the mission they belong to.

During the Rajsuya Yajna held after Mahabharat War, Sri Krishna shouldered the responsibility of washing the feet of guests and set an example of humility and gentleness.  Gandhiji was never an office-bearer of the Indian National Congress; still he rendered maximum service to it and commanded the highest esteem.  Rama and Bharat as the princes of Ayodhyaya, vehemently refused to accept the throne for oneself and let nothing undone to put the crown of coronation on the head of the other.  In spite of being the Prime Minister of Magadha, Chanakya was living humbly in a hut, so that the glamour of royalty would not corrupt him and that no member of royalty would be tempted to live a lavish life.  King Janak used to plough his land himself.  Emperor Nasiruddin used to earn his livelihood by making caps.  These are the examples from which people should derive inspiration to be humble and austere.  Nahush engaged sages to bear his palanquin and was eventually cursed to live a snake's life.  Chief Justice of the Peshawas, Ramasashtri's wife once accepted costly gifts from the palace. Seeing her with those glittering apparels and ornaments, he closed his door on her face saying — “Spouses of true Brahmans should follow the principle of austerity, otherwise the precious wealth of simplicity and humility will slip away from our hands and we will turn into servants like Dronacharya (the Guru of Pandvas and Kauravas).”

Yug Shilpis should never hanker after wealth, position, and high-status like governmental and corporate officers, nor strive for superiority that would sow the poisonous seeds of jealously and aversion in the holy field of our noble mission.  Greater the degree of eminence more should be the affability.  Follow the precepts and do not expect or look for any position or rank (in the mission) on the basis of your superior talents or abilities.  In the mission, it is not the capability, rather the nobility, which counts; humility and unassumingness are inherently imbibed in it.   No member of our Gayatri Pariwar should have or display egotism in any form.  Remain modest and feel pride in following the norms of a devout Yug Shilpi.  Persons who would override these guidelines or who are thirsty for self-recognition and honor, better not try to be Yug Shilpis.

Sixth Guru of Sikh Panth, Arjundev used to wash utensils of community kitchen with others.  Guru Ramdas, considering others as misfit, chose Arjundev as his successor, as the latter was leading a simple and disciplined life with all humility and without any worldly desire.  In spiritual fields, one’s seniority is not measured by qualifications and, experience and skills, but rather, by nobility, courteousness, humility and freedom from arrogance.  In worldly sense, e.g. in government jobs, seniority and promotion are accorded on the basis of capability.  If this criterion were also applied in the fields of spirituality, there would be no place for emotions and qualities like sensitivity, inner purity, selflessness, nobility of thoughts, etc.  Then, ambitious people would predominantly proclaim their authority for seniority, and nobility and goodwill will vanish from the organization.

For initiation in monk-hood (sanyasa) a devotee needs to renounce his/her lineage, name, fame, status, honor and history of earlier life and follow the norms set by the spiritual guide or preceptor. He has to earnestly remain a humble member of the Ashram he is associated with. Taking to serve the society is also a kind of sanyasa, which demands ascetic dedication, though of a lighter vein.  As such one needs to keep up the dignity of the mission. The so-called capabilities and recognition earned in the past should be obliterated; remaining satisfied with the place one gets as a volunteer and living up to the noble norms of the mission.  It is to be remembered that greater degree of seniority more should be humbleness, as a mango tree laden with fruits naturally bends down.

In Gandhiji's Sabarmati Ashram volunteers were doing all sorts of work including cleaning the lavatories, the work that is usually left for servants to do, considering it disgraceful by most people in the so-called elite society. In Vinobaji's Pavnar Ashram every inmate has to fetch water from the well and serve as a watchman for few hours every night.  Every karyakarta (volunteer) of the Shantikunj Ashram looks after the cleanliness of the premises and security of the campus and the inmates, including the visitors.  No scavenger is employed here.  Lavatories and bath-rooms are cleaned collectively by the inmates.  Strife for leadership may find place somewhere else, but in the field of social service having spiritual merit, even a little bit of craving for possessions and position is considered disgraceful.  Anyone trained in scouting knows that sincere following of the precepts is the principal sign of seniority.  Persons who spread strife and division to acquire ‘positions’ have no place in a voluntary organization aimed at altruistic service.

In Gurudwaras devotees clean the footwear of every visitor and arrange these in order.  Ladies clean the steps with their chunaris (shawls). Golda Meyer, ex-prime minister of Israel used to visit Government Offices herself to discuss and solve the concerned problems then and there.  In Kerala when Nambroodipad was the Chief Minister, he used to go to the office on a bicycle.  It is humility - another name for goodness or kindness.  Yug Shilpis in their service-endeavor are supposed to follow such a code of conduct.  People with an air for leadership get nothing in this field, except losing their reputation and honor.

By their very definition, pious Brahmans ought to be austere, simple, unpretentious, thoughtful, prudent, and ego-less.  These qualities lay the foundation of real superiority.  Pleasure-loving, selfish, arrogant, impudent and acerbic people are considered low in the field of spirituality.  The tradition of Bhiksha (alms) was meant to melt down one's ego. Without austerity, spiritual excellence cannot be achieved. As you know, once stuck, a leech does not loosen its grip before squeezing its full-belly meal of blood.  The victim needs to rub salt to loosen the grip.  Egoism is a sort of leech, to get rid of which stringent means of penance need to be adopted.

Yug Shilpis being the integral components of a great mission effortlessly get respect and earn merit.  They, in public speeches and dealings should better use 'we' in place of “I” (indicative of ego).  The use of “I” may be kept preserved for accepting one’s own faults and defects.  Merit comes with collective efforts and so the gesture of collectivity should find place in all their expressions. We should be the “leaders” in bestowing love, care, compassion and cooperation on co-workers. Efforts and cooperation of all associates should be highlighted while narrating success on any front of the mission.  Adept transaction of duty should be given utmost importance. No authority or rights should ever be claimed. Only if nurtured by such selfless endeavors, the great resolutions (Mahavratas) of being a Yug Shilpi pledged by you would reach fruition and blossom with enormous successes that are regarded as divine boons bestowed upon the devotees of noble service.
********

First 9 11 Last