Karma and the people in power

Though we have many faiths and religions -Hinduism, Buddhism, Mohammedanism, Jainism, Sikhism, etc., most people in our nation believe in Hinduism. The Hindus are not made Hindus through Baptism or any other method as in Christianity or other faiths. They are Hindus because their parents are Hindus. That is all. They do not get any formal education or training on the religion as in Christianity like Sunday School or in Muslims like Medersa. The faith in Hindus is a part of their life. They learn and know it as they learn their language, culture in the family, and society.

It is not easy to describe this religion in a few words and sentences to understand other cultural people like other religions. Hindus believe in many gods and goddesses. They called it Tetiskoti Devata (Millions of Gods and Goddesses ). The Trinity is Brahma, the creator, Vishnu, the preserver, and Maheshwar, the judge. Maheshwar is called Mahadeva (the great God or the supreme God). He is also called Shiva, Shankar, Bholenath, etc. The same way Vishnu has many names. Narayan is his most popular name. Again he has some other incarnation names - Rama, Krishna, etc. As we mention here, some men Gods, there are many other women Goddesses. The Trinity (Tridevi) is Saraswati, Goddess of learning, linked to Brahma, Luxmi, Goddess of wealth, related to Vishnu, and Parbati, Goddess of divine strength and power, linked to Maheshwar. They all have many, many different names, which is called Sahasranama (hundreds of names). Hindus know them by other names as they know their language, culture, and traditions. When I think of many Gods and Goddesses and their powers and functions in our religion, I often compare them with the government system. It looks like the cabinet's system, ministries departments, and many different offices and job descriptions to conduct the nation's work. That is interesting and practical. As there are many Gods and Goddesses, there are many religious scriptures in Hinduism - Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavat Gita, etc., which are not easy to go through and know about them at once. It takes time. But they come within you with your daily life and activities, not only by study and training. But the essence of all is that God is the name of supreme power that rules the universe. We are mortal, but the soul is immortal. Life is short. You cannot take anything with you when you die. You need to leave here whatever you have collected and earned except virtue and righteousness. One should do good karma whatever the way one could do. Karma (good deeds) is the way of going to God and Heaven. There is no use to read about or talk about service, love, and charity unless it is in practice and action. According to it, selfless service is the source of righteousness. I think this is the universal principle of all faiths of the world.

Even we do not believe in God, we are not unaware that we are not immortal. Even if we do not believe in Heaven and hell, it is not difficult for us to understand that good karma is always better than bad karma. In this context, we can definitely say that there should not be any doubt for anyone to perform one's duties honestly and efficiently.

It is always better for all to do constructive work for the welfare of all. It is always appreciable to give justice to anyone instead of injustice. As good people say, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

We have many poor people. Our standard of living is relatively low compared to even in many developing countries. There is no question of comparing with developed countries like - the USA or other European countries. Their standard is very high. We even have a problem with food and hunger, shelter and living, health, and education. We have a severe unemployment problem. Even the highly educated cannot have a job quickly. There is much to do even for infrastructure development in different sectors - roads, transportation, health, education, environment, etc. So, we need to do much to create a welfare state that protects and promotes the economic and social well-being of the citizens with many benefits and opportunities - equal opportunity, equal services, free health, education, food security, unemployment benefit, etc. We have to do much for the development of the country and the welfare of the people. Our religion teaches us to do good karma. Despite this truth, I just wonder why our politicians, past or present, spend their time grumbling each other instead of devoting the time to constructive work. The people in positions of power could do much if they wish. There is no doubt, But whoever comes to power, all are the same. Instead of doing good, they do more sinister things. Instead of working for all, they work only for their families and friends. All are self-centred. Even among themselves, when their wishes and selfish motives are not fulfilled, they are ready to fight each other. We saw this drama much since the inception of multiparty democracy either we had the Congress Party government, the Communist Party government, or the coalition government. Now we are experiencing the same thing.

We always have bad governance in the country rather than good governance. We always have corruption, mostly in high circles: the prime minister and the ministers involved in corrupt practices. That is always the talk of the town and discussion of the country. Is it not a matter of shame for any prime minister or the minister to have a bad name? Is it not a matter of pain for these people to be defamed and dishonoured. Is it not a matter of shame for them not to get any honour and respect from people even possessing country's top position?. They all know that even though they are respected at some point, it is done by compulsion, by fear, not by love and heart. Is it unwise to be an excellent honest chowkidar, traffic police, or sweeper instead of a shameful prime minister or minister? I know the honest and sincere chowkidar and sweeper command more respect than these officials. Even though they do not believe in God and Heaven's possession or hell through their karma, all should believe in good karma for achieving good names. That is simple to understand. How can someone earn a good reputation without good deeds? How can someone in power always work for a bad name in our country? Why can they not devote themselves to making life better for all of us? I wish and pray they evaluate themselves and try to be a good servant of the nation to achieve the right name instead of a bad name.