When people are educated in ethics, then a de-centralized world is a result of it. It will be a spontaneous outcome of it when people are very spiritual. This is what is said in the ancient Indian scriptures as well.
There was no need for a king at all at a time when everyone was living knowledge because everybody did their job. There was no need for police, soldiers or an army and no need for even businessmen because there was everything in abundance in every aspect of life.
But when that is not the case and when there are differences in the world on all levels; on a social level, economic level, political level, religious level, and on the level of education, then these hierarchies happen.
There is a scripture in the ancient Vedic tradition that codifies, what is one’s duty and what is one’s authority.
It says, don’t exercise authority, but there is duty for every one of us to do. So if everyone does their duty, then there is no need for one to control anything.
But when people fail their duties, authority comes into power. This is a natural phenomenon.
In Costa Rica, there is no police. If you remember, a few decades ago there was no violation of traffic rules or any crime in Bengaluru or Mysore. About forty to fifty years ago, there was no need of police. You would hardly see a policeman here or there. This was not too long ago. Forty to fifty years ago, Mysore had only one hotel. Every home was a guest house. People would throw open their homes for guests. Guests would come and stay free of cost. They would serve them and treat them like Gods. They would cook for them the best of the foods and offer it to them. And whatever gifts they receive, they wouldn’t agree to take anything. People would put tents on top of their homes and put beds in them so that anybody can go and stay in anyone’s house.
Today, that has completely disappeared. It is not there because of crime. People are afraid to open their doors.
So, that type of moral and spiritual strength when it dawns, authority turns into personal duty.
When crime elevates, authority comes, and authority in turn creates more crime.
This is a vicious circle that happens.
People who control everything, they become the cause of everything that is being generated in the society. At the same time, you can't do away with authorities if there is crime in the society.
But the question is who gets to be the authority?
There is a scripture in the ancient Vedic tradition that codifies, what is one’s duty and what is one’s authority.
It says, don’t exercise authority, but there is duty for every one of us to do. So if everyone does their duty, then there is no need for one to control anything.
But when people fail their duties, authority comes into power. This is a natural phenomenon.
In Costa Rica, there is no police. If you remember, a few decades ago there was no violation of traffic rules or any crime in Bengaluru or Mysore. About forty to fifty years ago, there was no need of police. You would hardly see a policeman here or there. This was not too long ago. Forty to fifty years ago, Mysore had only one hotel. Every home was a guest house. People would throw open their homes for guests. Guests would come and stay free of cost. They would serve them and treat them like Gods. They would cook for them the best of the foods and offer it to them. And whatever gifts they receive, they wouldn’t agree to take anything. People would put tents on top of their homes and put beds in them so that anybody can go and stay in anyone’s house.
Today, that has completely disappeared. It is not there because of crime. People are afraid to open their doors.
So, that type of moral and spiritual strength when it dawns, authority turns into personal duty.
When crime elevates, authority comes, and authority in turn creates more crime.
This is a vicious circle that happens.
People who control everything, they become the cause of everything that is being generated in the society. At the same time, you can't do away with authorities if there is crime in the society.
But the question is who gets to be the authority?
Democracy is the most beautiful thing to have. But misuse of democracy is when criminals get elected to parliament and they become the law makers. The one who breaks the law becomes the law maker of a setup.
Dictatorship is even worse as there is no accountability. But parliamentary democracy has this big problem. Votes can be bought by money and other favours and with muscle power.
Dictatorship is even worse as there is no accountability. But parliamentary democracy has this big problem. Votes can be bought by money and other favours and with muscle power.
So we need to look at the system. Every system has got something good in it and some serious flaws.
Anarchy can take over if authority is reduced. Authority can stifle the freedom of people and hamper progress if it is not in the right perspective, right dosage and right hands.
Anarchy can take over if authority is reduced. Authority can stifle the freedom of people and hamper progress if it is not in the right perspective, right dosage and right hands.
When authority falls onto an anarchist or when there is lack of any authority for a socialist, then they can’t do anything.
Sometimes, lack of progress in some of the third world countries is due to too much parliamentarianism.
To make a road it has to go through the parliament and pass through many levels because nobody wants to take the authority and take the responsibility and act. Everything is postponed or there is a sort of tendency to procrastinate. Things never move.
So, a strong leader is essential.
At the same time what is really needed is wisdom. Being in service of people rather than thinking one has an authority over the people.
Whether it is a business man, politician or an officer, they all should bear this in mind, including spiritual and religious leaders. If they think they have control over people, they have authority over people then it is a disaster. They would cause more harm than good to people.
Many times the religious head of a particular group gives a whip and says you all must vote for this particular party or these particular people. This is very wrong. It is robbing people of their freedom. Many times in the North East if you want to conduct a yoga course there, the head of the religious institution has to give a permit for the yoga course to be conducted. And if they find out that the people are doing yoga, then they create so much guilt in them. ‘You are a sinner; you are going to satanic things.’ This should not be done.
Sometimes, lack of progress in some of the third world countries is due to too much parliamentarianism.
To make a road it has to go through the parliament and pass through many levels because nobody wants to take the authority and take the responsibility and act. Everything is postponed or there is a sort of tendency to procrastinate. Things never move.
So, a strong leader is essential.
At the same time what is really needed is wisdom. Being in service of people rather than thinking one has an authority over the people.
Whether it is a business man, politician or an officer, they all should bear this in mind, including spiritual and religious leaders. If they think they have control over people, they have authority over people then it is a disaster. They would cause more harm than good to people.
Many times the religious head of a particular group gives a whip and says you all must vote for this particular party or these particular people. This is very wrong. It is robbing people of their freedom. Many times in the North East if you want to conduct a yoga course there, the head of the religious institution has to give a permit for the yoga course to be conducted. And if they find out that the people are doing yoga, then they create so much guilt in them. ‘You are a sinner; you are going to satanic things.’ This should not be done.
That is why in ancient days, and ancient people in this country had a very different approach. They never emphasized authority. They only spoke about ‘tyaga’, renunciation.
Many times people ask me, why is there not one pope for Hinduism like you have for Catholics or Islam, for the whole nation. I said, the structure itself is such that it is very different. It is not like one authority; it is an inspiration.
No one had to give me a title; you are a saint from today. It all happens by one’s action. When you walk the talk, you become an inspirational model.
Nobody gave Mahatma Gandhi an authority but his life itself became an inspiration for many to walk the path.
Same with Aurobindo, nobody told Aurobindo, ‘From today you have this authority’. No! But his words had such an impact on so many.
No one had to give me a title; you are a saint from today. It all happens by one’s action. When you walk the talk, you become an inspirational model.
Nobody gave Mahatma Gandhi an authority but his life itself became an inspiration for many to walk the path.
Same with Aurobindo, nobody told Aurobindo, ‘From today you have this authority’. No! But his words had such an impact on so many.
