Model conduct

[1]

Raji P. Shrivastava [1]

The emotionally charged protests over a brutal gangrape in Delhi have given rise to introspection. Let us leave aside the theories and focus on that which concerns the aam aadmi directly: Why are our mothers, sisters, daughters and friends not safe in a country with a rich tradition of peace and amity?

Modern management believes that responsibility rests in large doses at the top, so the conduct of role models in society needs to be scrutinised closely.
“Yadyadaacharati shreshthastat tadeveytarojanah,
sa yatpramaanam kurutey lokastad anuvartatey.”
“Ordinary men emulate whatever a great man does. Whatever standards he sets, the world follows those.”(Srimad Bhagavad Gita, 3:21)
Ideals like satyam vada, dharmam chara (“speak the truth, follow right conduct” from the Taittiriya Upanishad) have been cast aside. We venerate Devi and worship girls on Ashtami as forms of the Goddess, but kill female foetuses in the womb, deny education and healthcare to girls, burn brides, ill-treat mothers and leave widows to die. The notion of collective good has come crashing down at
the altar of greed, lust and power.
If ordinary people are unable to look up to leaders with admiration and respect, and likewise children to parents, students to teachers, soldiers to generals or congregations to spiritual masters, the results are bound to be disastrous. The leadership deficit is as much in the social, spiritual and intellectual realm as in others.
For extraordinary and inspiring solutions, one can reflect on the manner in which Goddess Durga killed Raktabeeja, the demon who spawned new ogres as drops of blood fell to the ground from his battle-wounds (Ch. 8, Shri Durga Saptashati). Vice and crime are like Raktabeeja’s droplets that give rise to more of the same. Durga asked Kali to lap up the drops before they touched the ground. Soon, Raktabeeja lay vanquished, drained of life-blood.
Likewise, we must use the persuasive and inspiring force of moral education and value-based teaching to prevent vice from taking root in the minds of the young. Development with sensitivity towards all sections of society and concern for the environment should be our goal. Enforcement of law must be strict and sure, like Kali’s fierce countenance that sends terror up the spine of wrongdoers.
Devi Durga herself is the innovative amalgamation of the shakti of various deities, with each deity endowing her with some attribute, weapon or ornament to equip her to vanquish Mahishasura, the buffalo-demon who committed unspeakable atrocities. In the spirit of lokaah samastaah sukhino bhavantu (may everyone be happy and content), every educated and aware person must lead by example, help spread awareness of the law and participate in community service. This will reduce illiteracy, disease, deprivation and crime in society.