Acharya Tulsi
The attention of those living in the present decade is already centred on the 21st century. Entry into the next century is being hotly debated, and preparations are afoot for it. After all, what is this furore about the 21st century? According to the Bikram Era, we are already in the fifth decade of the 21st century. If we take our starting point the time of Lord Mahavir and Lord Buddha, we have already completed 25 centuries and have entered the 26th. According to the Shak Era, we are only in the eighth year of the 20th century. The current debate relates to the Christian era. After 14 years from now, we should be ready to greet the 21st century.
A period of 14 to 15 years is not a long one. Some people are eagerly awaiting their entry into the new age. But what does this entry into a particular century imply? What is its significance? Is it going to make any difference in our lives? We are concentrating all our attention on making preparations for entry into the 21st century. Can we, for a moment, leave the 21stcentury aside, and concentrate on how we are going to enter ‘tomorrow’?
It is not possible to live simultaneously more than one moment. What is of significance is whether we are living today and the present moment of the day in the right way. If yes our entry into tomorrow will take care of itself" it is bound to be good. The moment we enter tomorrow, it becomes today and the determinant of the next day’s quality. If we can live each day as it comes with joy and vigour our entry into the 21st century, when it occurs, is bound to be good.
Today‘s man is dreaming of the computer and robot-age. The prospect of these dreams being turned into reality is extraordinarily thrilling to the present-day youth. Along with the computer age, the possibility of entering the space age is becoming stronger every day. A superficial view seems to ensure great prosperity and joy for the 21st century man. But who can tell how many tragedies are in store for him?
Anyway, it is not possible to stall the movement of time. But can we not change its direction? lf time can force a change upon man, is man so powerless that he cannot withstand the pressure of time? After all, man is also the controller of time. However, if man enters the next century with all the evils of the present age infect his future cannot be good.
The present age has, chiefly, two evils—the nuclear weapons and terrorism. The root cause of both is avariciousness. As a matter of fact, it is the root cause of all problems, whatsoever. In the absence of avariciousness neither terrorism nor the atomic weapons can long survive. So, before we enter the new century, we must resolve this problem. We will have to concentrate our attention on the right means of earning and spending. Only then shall man be able to free himself from the evils of his age and go forward.
