Fri, 16th May 2014 Bangalore, India
It is very nice to see that the much needed change has come to the country (referring to the results of the 2014 General elections in India).
You know, democracy is all about change. Things always keep on changing in a democracy. One party comes into power for some time, then after some other party comes to power.
It is like when you have a vehicle, from time to time you give it for service and overhauling.
You know, democracy is all about change. Things always keep on changing in a democracy. One party comes into power for some time, then after some other party comes to power.
It is like when you have a vehicle, from time to time you give it for service and overhauling.
The people who were to win have won, but those who lost the elections this time need not feel dejected and sad. They should think that they have now got some time off for self-introspection. They had gotten so tired because of working and being in the government administration. Now the time has come for them to relax, meditate and introspect.
So many candidates had contested the assembly elections. I would urge the ones, who lost the elections to come to the Ashram, go into silence for some time, meditate and relax. This is important as well.
So many candidates had contested the assembly elections. I would urge the ones, who lost the elections to come to the Ashram, go into silence for some time, meditate and relax. This is important as well.
Gurudev, when I see Mr. Narendra Modi (the victorious Prime ministerial candidate of the 2014 General assembly elections in India), I cannot help but swell with pride. Are there other leaders like him who think and work for serving the nation? What should the leader of a country do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
There is a leader within everyone. All that you have to do is simply awaken and enhance those abilities within yourself.
This is a skill which everyone should know. It is present within everyone, only it is lying dormant in some people, while in some it is awakened and expressed.
It is good that this time there was a chance during the elections to enhance this skill, and he made full use of this opportunity very well throughout the country.
This is a skill which everyone should know. It is present within everyone, only it is lying dormant in some people, while in some it is awakened and expressed.
It is good that this time there was a chance during the elections to enhance this skill, and he made full use of this opportunity very well throughout the country.
The voting in this election has been very positive, I would say. Candidates did not go after petty politics, to win by outsmarting and defeating their rivals.
However, one of the candidates (who happens to be my friend) did this. He travelled to Kashi (another name for the city of Benares in Uttar Pradesh) for the sole purpose of showing down another candidate in the hope of defeating him. Instead he was the one who suffered defeat in the elections in that constituency.
However, one of the candidates (who happens to be my friend) did this. He travelled to Kashi (another name for the city of Benares in Uttar Pradesh) for the sole purpose of showing down another candidate in the hope of defeating him. Instead he was the one who suffered defeat in the elections in that constituency.
The feeling with which we sow the seeds of our actions, we will reap the same kind of results too.
When we think in the interests of our nation, then we also will surely benefit. But if we put the nation’s interests aside, and go with petty selfish interests to only defeat someone, then it is we who will lose out in the end.
It is not right behavior to curse and speak ill of others around you, and only think well of yourself. Such behavior shows a lack of intelligence and maturity in the person.
I am not saying that such people are wicked. No, they are slightly immature and inexperienced.
And it is good that the people came to know about this, so that they could make a well-informed decision before casting their vote.
We need to broaden our vision. This is very necessary.
When we think in the interests of our nation, then we also will surely benefit. But if we put the nation’s interests aside, and go with petty selfish interests to only defeat someone, then it is we who will lose out in the end.
It is not right behavior to curse and speak ill of others around you, and only think well of yourself. Such behavior shows a lack of intelligence and maturity in the person.
I am not saying that such people are wicked. No, they are slightly immature and inexperienced.
And it is good that the people came to know about this, so that they could make a well-informed decision before casting their vote.
We need to broaden our vision. This is very necessary.
Gurudev, which ministry or administrative area would you recommend the government to take up first?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
I would not want to make any such recommendation, since this is very subjective, and the area of concern will vary from state to state.
If there is a shortage of water in a state or province, then water supply becomes the chief priority for them. If there are no roads in a particular place, then good roads become their top priority. If there are no schools in a particular rural area, then primary education will be their foremost cause of concern. So it will vary.
It will be unfair to name one particular issue as a priority for the entire country.
If there is a shortage of water in a state or province, then water supply becomes the chief priority for them. If there are no roads in a particular place, then good roads become their top priority. If there are no schools in a particular rural area, then primary education will be their foremost cause of concern. So it will vary.
It will be unfair to name one particular issue as a priority for the entire country.
Gurudev, what problem of the country should be addressed and solved by the government that has recently come to power?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Let them take some time to form the government and the cabinet of ministers. I would suggest them to put all their personal interests and gains aside, and also leave any greed they have for the Prime minister’s post. Also they should not create any kind of pressure on the Prime Minister by insisting that they should get so-and-so ministry only. Once a leader has been chosen, then they should place all their faith and responsibility in his hands, and dutifully take up whatever ministry or post he assigns them.
When all the people work cooperatively like this, then there is scope for a lot of improvement and progress in the country.
When all the people work cooperatively like this, then there is scope for a lot of improvement and progress in the country.
Gurudev, will the new government be able to eradicate the problem of corruption?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
See, a car runs on all its four wheels. If one of the wheels dislodges itself from the car, the car will not be able to run. It will break down there itself. So you cannot make an imposition that this should happen, or that should happen. All issues and priorities will need to be addressed hand in hand.
When a train runs, it pulls all the train compartments and all the wheels of those compartments together as one. So you cannot give top priority to any one compartment or any one wheel of the train, isn’t it?
When a train runs, it pulls all the train compartments and all the wheels of those compartments together as one. So you cannot give top priority to any one compartment or any one wheel of the train, isn’t it?
The issue of black money has its own importance for the country. To improve and boost the economic condition of the country is also another priority.
The situation of the Defense department of our country too is in a very poor state and is another priority issue. So every issue has its own priority, but neither can override the other.
For a hungry person, food is his first priority; for a sick person, health care is the priority. If you only give importance to the healthcare issue of a sick person and do not provide sufficient food to the hungry person, then very soon that hungry person will also fall ill. So all issues have to be addressed together.
The situation of the Defense department of our country too is in a very poor state and is another priority issue. So every issue has its own priority, but neither can override the other.
For a hungry person, food is his first priority; for a sick person, health care is the priority. If you only give importance to the healthcare issue of a sick person and do not provide sufficient food to the hungry person, then very soon that hungry person will also fall ill. So all issues have to be addressed together.
People often change when they come to power. What should one do so that power does not corrupt one’s mind?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
For this, one must continuously take the support of the spiritual path. Have a spiritual perspective towards life. Always consult and take the advice of good people.
When you come to power, do not simply think that you know it all too well. Take the advice of wise people and always have a steadfast devotion to God. Then you will not get caught up in any kind of arrogance after coming to power.
When you come to power, do not simply think that you know it all too well. Take the advice of wise people and always have a steadfast devotion to God. Then you will not get caught up in any kind of arrogance after coming to power.
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