Dr. Mahavir Raj Gelra
Hundreds of people were waiting with excitement, The President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was about to come to visit their guru, Acharya Mahapragya. Inside the hall where Acharyashree was waiting for him, there was a little flurry of activities. Acharyashree and the President seemed to share something more than just respect for each other. Acharya Mahapragya genuinely appreciated the qualities of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Later he says "I am happy that I am seeing the Rashtrapatiji as a true human being whose value is not derived from any post or power. Therefore, we expect that since he is not a politician but a scientist he will go to the depth of the problem and find its solution."
The appointed time arrived. The President's car drew in. As the President walked into the hall, he greeted Acharya Mahapragya on his birthday asking him which year was he entering?
Acharyashree: 86th year.
The President: So much penance, such hard work and at this age, truly amazing!
Monks: Acharyashree has walked 4513 km. to reach Delhi.
President expressed wonder on hearing this and asked the young monks if they had also walked with him. He also asked them how they enjoyed their walk. They said they had enjoyed it very much.
The President: Acharyaji, when you walk, your perspiration is not droplets of sweat, but each one of them is a weapon of non-violence, against violence. This new weapon for non-violence will release a new flow of faith in the people.
Acharyashree: The contemporary age needs this.
The President: On this great day I have penned some of my thoughts and brought them. Acharya Mahapragya and President then sat down for a private tête-à-tête. The President commented on the picture of Acharya Tulsi with Acharya Mahapragya. This picture showed Acharya Tulsi embracing Acharya Mahapragya. Acharya Mahapragya told the President that this was his Guru, Acharya Tulsi. The President liked the picture very much.
Acharyashree: Rashtrapatiji, you have used the word vivek (noble discretion). The same word has been used by Acharya Hemchandra.
The President: Acharya Hemchandra?
Acharyashree: He was a great Acharya who wrote in praise of Bhagwan Rishab.
The President: Bhagwan Rishab?
Acharyashree: The first Tirthankara. Bhagawan Mahavira was the 24th Tirthankara.
The President: Oh! Adi Bhagwan! In Tirukural we have Agara Mudala Ezhuthellam Adibhagavan Mudatre Ulagu.
Acharyashree: Yes. It is very important to awaken the conscience.
The President: Acharyaji, today corruption has become rampant. It is spread equally from top to bottom. Many people have begun to look at it as an essential part of life. This is creating complications. I feel that some thing should be done to change this. I request your help in doing so. With your great penance and knowledge you will be able to help in this.
Acharyashree: In Jaipur some journalists asked me and I said that today we should not call corruption, bhrashtachar, but shishtachar (courtesy) because those who are proliferating corruption are those who are supposed to set them right.
The President: This is a difficult job but even difficult jobs have to be done. And in this your guidance will be significant.
Acharyashree: I think and feel that for this we should rectify the imbalance in our economic system. One of the important reasons for corruption is our imbalanced economic system. Till the economic system is not balanced corruption can not be ended. Contemporary economists have made man's desires limitless. Against this background, the question of morals and good conduct has got lost. They want to acquire everything whatever be the cost. Today the need is to rethink economics. I have written a book called Mahavira's Economics where I have made a comparative analysis of Gandhi, Marx and Keynes.
The President: What is the essence of these four economists? I want to read your book. Acharyaji, today 26% of people in India are below the poverty line. They can be uplifted. The danger is not from them. The danger is from those who have forgotten their values and virtues. In high levels unless values are reinstated, there will be corruption on the basis of either power or money.
Acharyashree: Let us through FUREC present an economic system to draw up a balanced economic system. I too have seen in my travels that wealth is more dangerous than poverty.
The President: This is very true. The great poet of Tamil Nadu, Idangoadigal has written that when people in power give up good conduct then their Karma (or destiny) become their destroyer.
Acharyashree: This is true. We should do something in this direction through FUREC. FUREC should present the model village where it imparts vocational skills leading to self sufficiency. Along with this it is also essential to present an economic system based on values.
The President: Man can become rich but without values his development is meaningless. He is like a balloon without air.
Acharyashree: There are four measures of development.
- Material development
- Economic development
- Moral development
- Spiritual development
If all these develop together then there would be no problem.
The President: Very true.
Acharyashree: Chanakya presented an important principle for balanced development. He said do not give in so much to your desires that you lose your wealth. Do not pursue wealth to such an extent that your desires are killed. Do not pursue either wealth or desire to such an extent that your dharma is endangered. Do not pursue your dharma to such an extent that your wealth and desires are endangered. This advice portrays the balanced lifestyle of an individual. The problem today is that contemporary economists and sociologists are not able to strike this balance. From the perspective of Anekanta all aspects should be developed equally.
The President: The perspective of Anekanta is very significant. It can bring about better understanding.
Acharyashree: You have to make this dream of balanced development a reality. You have to do this.
The President: You have already given me a very big job to build a weapon for destroying all weapons.
Acharyashree: The second job is to bring sociologists, economists, psychologists, philosophers, scientists and religious and spiritual leaders on one platform to draw up a new economic system. Let it not be the preserve of only economists. It is important for you to bring together all on one platform and do this.
The President: This is a very big job. Even bigger than previous one. Acharyaji, you have given me two jobs.
Acharyashree: They both will be genuine contribution to the times.
The President: How long are you here?
Acharyashree: Till the end ofNovemberorthe first week of December.
The President: I will think about them and let you know.
Acharyashree: This will be a contribution of the President.
President: I will meet you again and discuss with you.
Acharyashree: Y.S. Rajan and Sudhamahi Regunathan will become our messengers for this. Your contribution to FUREC is really significant.
The President: It is a very big job.
Acharyashree: FUREC and President - both have become one like milk and sugar.
The President: FUREC will make spirituality luminous.
Acharyashree: And the resolve for a bright future our country will be strengthened.
