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If we examine history since its very beginnings, we can know in detail what great personages were born, in which sections of the Hindus. Incarnations, Divine personalities and Jeevanmuktas like Rama, Krishna, Balarama, Janaka and Parikshit, Rajayogis like Viswamitra all arose among the Kshatriyas. Brahmarishis, great Pandits, Sastric Scholars, Vedic Rishis, originated in the Brahmin section. Sudras predominate in the epic books, like Bharatha and Bhagavatha. Among the great devotees of the Lord, members of the lower castes form a large number. To attain holiness without being affected by the world, and to reach Paramatma, each one's Sadhana is important; other things like caste will not be a hindrance at all. But, one should deserve the Grace required for it; one should become regular and disciplined in practice. Many Bharathiyas, however, now bring endless disgrace on the Hindu religion by neglecting the principles of life of the above mentioned great personages, not studying them and following their instructions, by modifying their way of life to suit the changing times and (as the saying goes "The hour of ruin brings wicked thoughts") by becoming slaves to name and fame and the craving for power and position and out of concern to promote the well-being of their wives and children through selfish means. Still, there is no dearth of persons who love all in equal measure, who are devoid of selfishness, who are engaged in the promotion of the welfare of all, who have dedicated themselves to the service of mankind and who are ready to sacrifice everything. But they are suppressed; they are not appreciated or placed in positions of high authority for fear there will be then no place for the wicked, the crooked and unjust. However broad and deep the ocean, when the earth quakes underneath, the
waters part off themselves, and when the commotion subsides, they resume
their original position. So too these good men keep away without being
caught up in it during the earthquake of injustice, unrighteousness, selfishness
and ostentation; and as soon as the hullabaloo subsides, they re-enter
the world. Evanescent authority and self-glorification cannot be permanent
"To grow is only to decay", it is said. The present peacelessness is decay
not growth. For, see how the Bharathiyas who from the beginning, grew
up in righteous ways with pure feelings, with self-control and reverence
for the good name, who were fed on the breast-milk of the Vedas, Sastras
and Upanishads, who have welcomed and honoured even races driven out of
their own country and vouchsafed to them love in equal measure, today,
for love of power and self, accuse their own brethren, one person impatiently
envying the prosperity of another, deceive their own brothers maddened
by selfish greed, keep at arm's length their real well-wishers, pursue
only each one's selfish end, multiply bad qualities hitherto unheard of
in the Hindu fold, follow wrong paths and ways of life, and become the
target of conflict and restlessness, on account of the absence of fear
of sin, fear of God, discipline, reverence and faith. The fall is indeed
incredible. |