Page 44 - SocialHarmony

48 Social Harmony

If we believe in “Mata Pruthvi Putro’ham Pruthvyah” (the
Earth is my Mother and I am Her son), it makes all of us on
earth each other’s’ brothers and sisters. Why, then, do we need
to engage in war and strife? We talk about “Tatvmasi”, then
how can we be capable of cruelty and barbarism towards our
fellow human beings? If “Aham Brahmasmi” (God is within me),
how have we degenerated to the stage where racial hatred blinds
us to everything else? How could we Indians, who used to
astound the world with our legendary unity, fall to the nadir of
divisiveness and disarray? Our scriptures generously proclaim
“Atmavat Sarvbhuteshu” (there is a soul in every being) and
yet, how can our intolerance unravel the very fabric of our
society?

We will have to find a solution to this problem ourselves.
Our philosophers and thinkers are among the best in the world,
and yet, when it comes to putting our philosophies into practice,
we have failed miserably. Our actions are not in step with our
lofty ideals. The need of the hour, then, is a social revolution
that will use our own strengths and beliefs to infuse fresh life
into our society.

Fortification
Our social unity, national integrity, the lines dividing the

untouchables from the rest of the society and the impregnable
walls that heads of religious sects build around themselves are
matters of grave concern. Rakshabandhan has the potential to
emerge as the solution to this grave problem. The festival which
binds brothers and sisters with the symbolic cord of love also
brings the message of “Balam Upasasva” (I worship the power).
This power is the power of harmony. “Sanghe Shaktihi
Kalauyuge” (the power of unity is stronger than any other in
all ages). The strength of a united, harmonious society is what
will prevail over that of any individual or kingdom and even of
all the wealth in the world. Even if we want to venerate power,
we shall need to cultivate the strength of unity and harmony.

Indrani had tied a “Raksha” to Indra as a prayer for his
safety when he challenged the demons. Today, we face the