On Fights

‘I do feel guruji that true love has to be concerned and caring about one’s fellow beings. It also has to be daring. This means we will have to fight, even violent battles, for protecting the life and dignity of those whom we love. Revolutions are nothing but collective expressions of this concern for the exploited and suffering fellow humans. What if they are violent? How do you see this reality, oh revered one?’ Atma Prakash asked Guruji.

The Baba looked at Atma Prakash as if reading into his mind. He then said:

‘Atma Prakash, my beloved son, you are right. We need to be caring and daring. We need to be concerned about our fellow humans, especially about those who are poor and helpless. It is our duty. We also need to fight for them and fight with them to uphold their dignity. Sometimes we will have to use force. You have studied the Bhagawad Gita. Lord Krishna motivated Arjuna to fight against his kith and kin…… 

‘The important questions are: ‘why we fight ? and what is our ultimate motive ?’ 

‘Most of us fight because of hatred and anger towards the ‘enemy’ or because of our greed to acquire and possess wealth and power. Fear also can lead to fight. Our pride, ego, and desire to control and rule over others will inevitably lead to violence. These motives will only destroy both parties concerned, both ourselves and others…..

‘But if we fight because of love and compassion, because of our care and concern for others, because of the moral and ethical values that are to be protected and upheld, we will be doing good to ourselves and to others, including our ‘enemies’, even if we have to kill them. Fight your battles you must, but do it with loving concern for the welfare of all. Both the killer and the killed will stand to gain when the motive is to protect and uphold moral and ethical values. This was the essence of what Lord Krishna taught Arjuna in the battle field of Kurukshetra. We need to fight if and when required. This is our divine duty, my son.…. 

‘But there is another kind of battle. This is fought against the invisible enemies within. In such a battle, it is better to die than to kill. This was what Sadguru Jesus Christ had taught us. This was what Gautama Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi had demonstrated to the world. This is what all great saints and sages of humanity have based their lives on. ….. 

‘For this we need to have great love and peace within us... We need to love one another, including our ‘enemies’…

‘We need to rebuild economics and politics, as well as science and religion, on the foundation of love. This is the battle that we have to engage ourselves in, the Integral Revolution that we need to bring about, my son. 

‘For this kind of an Integral Revolution we need ‘enlightened leadership’… ”

Atma Prakash looked at his guruji gratefully.

Excerpts from Integral Revolution