Acharya Tulsi
Man is a living being capable of thought and discretion. He has intelligence and power. He uses his intelligence, looks at things from different angles, awakens his wisdom, utilizes his power, and lives a better life than other living beings. He creates for himself all kinds of comforts. Power and wealth are two elements which attract a large number of people. At the root of man’s pursuit of power is the desire for service and behind man’s pursuit of wealth is his desire for living. No man has risen to greatness simply because of power, nor can wealth along raise one to the height of excellence. Those people, who have entered the corridor of power through the spirit of public service and who use money as-a means of livelihood, do not feel any different because of the acquisition of power and wealth. Living a simple life, they utilize power and wealth to promote public welfare.
Some people think that the existence and unique individuality of a person depends upon power and wealth. That is why they try to acquire power and wealth through fair means or foul and if they succeed in getting them, they employ these for advancing their own interest and profit. Such men are not actuated any spirit of social service, nor do they regard money from a utilitarian point-of-view. Wealth and power only serve to increase their Vanity, and the come to look upon themselves as far superior beings as compared to the common man. Here is the dividing line which prepares the ground for a different evaluation of the wealthy and the powerful.
It is difficult for a man of power and wealth not to get intoxicated with these. A man possessed of either is liable to behave foolishly. But when the two are combined, the infatuation is total. Everyone knows this and yet they are not able to subjugate their craving for wealth and power. Those who succeed in fulfilling their desire may escape imbecility through sheer good fortune. But those who fail to acquire wealth and power fall a victim to another kind of frenzy. At first they are sunk in despair, which after some time changes into deep resentment, and then their mind is filled with great envy and anger towards all those who are wealthy and wield power, and these negative feelings become stronger day by day.
lf the feelings of envy and acrimony arise from some cause, then with the removal of that cause, these feelings also subside. But those who fill their mind with malice without any cause, nothing in the world can really satisfy. Resentment becomes an inalienable part of their being and they curse even their gurus. They come to believe that monks and saints, too, give greater importance to monies and powerful men. I have received a number of indirect complaints such as,
- Acharya Sri is all the time surrounded by wealthy people; he can’t spare us even a glance.
- He has no time even to pronounce for us a blessing, but he would talk with prominent leaders for hours together.
- Our prayers go unheard; but wealthy people are granted immediate audience.
- If we had been accompained by some rich man, we might have been heard.
- We come for ’darshan’, and our obeisance is ignored, but if a rich man were to turn up even in the dead of night, he is sure of a welcome.
- Nowadays even the saints are found knocking at the door of prominent leaders.
What have the political leaders to do with the religious mission of AcharyaSri? And yet no big function is held without them.
And such rumours are floated without end, which only serve to mislead the public. The public, too, has little time or patience to investigate what is heard before placing their trust in it. With some people, rumor mongering becomes second nature. In these circumstances, it is the responsibility of every individual to beware of activities which spread confusion, and to delve deep into every happening with a view to understanding it thoroughly.
ln the above context, l wish to make two observations:
Firstly, wealthy and powerful persons are also human beings and not untouchables. They, too, have a place in society, and some utility. ln the assemblies of Lord Mahavir a simple sharavak(householder) like Punia had his utility, but the contribution of Emperor Shrenik and Konick in their respective fields was not less important. So, if a wealthy man or a man wielding power comes to us for guidance, we provide it to him and do not hesitate to give him an opportunity for utilizing his powers for the universal good.
Secondly, out of all the programmes and functions held during the year, only a few are attended by prominent public men, Must one take notice only of those three or four programmes? Why not survey the entire gamut of activities held during the year? If a man does not want to see something, nothing can make him see it. Otherwise, leaving apart certain special ceremonies for the initiated monks and nuns at appointed hours, we are freely to the public from early morning to 9 or 10 O'clock at night. Anyone can come, seek an appointment and talk. And only one, who does so, can know the truth about it.
During our trip to Mewar, a newspaperman asked, "Why do Ministers attend your programmes?”
l said to him, "Do you know where, when and how our programmes are conducted? How can you? You only wake up when you hear of some big leader coming. Then fifty of you would gather to cover his visit. And the many constructive programmes that we hold in the rural areas in the midst of villages, you have never heard of, nor care to attend."
The newspaperman kept silent. l would like all the members of our community not to entertain any kind of miss-understanding or doubt. Whatever they may wish to know or talk about, let them obtain full information at the people. Our doors are always open to you all.
