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Culture of Respect- a detail or crucial?

“Azam Khan, a respected leader of Samajwadi party calls RSS leaders as homosexual” read the Zee News headlines. Tejaswi Yadav, the deputy chief minister of Bihar ridicules the Prime minister as a foreign travel freak who comes to India to only get his clothes washed. It was heartening to note that the PM on his part was gracious during a parliament debate; he pacified the defiant opposition members by appreciating the works of all past and present leaders. He even invited the former PM for a discussion over tea, to understand better the opposition party’s concerns over the government’s policies. However the opposition remained adamant with virulent personal attacks on government leaders.

With unabated mudslinging by prominent politicians, the country of India is witnessing a tragic phase. Leaders in their desperation to seek power are going bonkers; they assassinate characters and charge others with terrible accusations. Personal vendetta seems more important than discussing issues of national importance. Why is this wrong?

The Vedic scriptures describe the culture of respect as critical for the growth of any society. Where respect is conspicuously absent, and people revel in vilifying others, grace and decency disappears. What to speak of active humiliation as our present politicians are doing, even ignoring those worthy of respect is a grievous offense. Indra, the king of the demigods was busy watching a dance performance in his assembly when his spiritual mentor Brahaspati entered. It wasn’t the first time he was coming inside but Indra, in a moment of inattention, lost himself in pleasures, and disregarded the arrival of this noble sage. Disgraced, Brahaspati, quietly left, without making a scene of it. However Indra lost it; his arrogance and familiarity with his guru caused him dear. Soon he lost all of his power and the demoniac forces took over. Another learned sage Romaharshana was a renowned speaker of the scriptures, yet he refused to acknowledge and respect Lord Balarama and the Lord immediately recognized his faulty mentality and with a tiny blade of grass bought an end to his life. The Srimad Bhagavatam also reveals that generally when one is blessed with good birth, education, beauty and wealth, pride and the resultant offensive behavior follows suit. Unless of course if we are careful to weed out these dangerous inclinations.

Through these instances the scriptures teach how respect of superiors is not a detail but a crucial limb of a civilized society. The Supreme Lord Krishna personally practiced this principle and his hospitality to his dear friend Sudama is part of legendary folklore. Sudama was a poor man and was visiting his childhood friend Krishna who was living as an emperor. He was no match to Krishna in terms of external opulence or position, yet the Lord not only welcomed him befitting a royal guest, He also offered him His own bed for rest. When the Lord appeared as Rama, He menially served his teacher Vishwamitra, doing his every biding. As Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who appeared five hundred years ago, the Lord honored his spiritual master Iswara Puri with utmost care and respect.

Lord Chaitanya even protected the honor of the arrogant scholar Keshava Kashmiri who had come to challenge scholars of Navadwip, the town where Lord spent His childhood. Although the Lord effortlessly defeated him, he ensured none of his students made fun of Keshava Kashmiri; in fact the Lord presented himself as a fool and wished to learn from him. Not only was the scholar humbled, but also convinced that he had confronted the Supreme Lord. He remained ever grateful. Another of Lord’s senior Ramachandra Puri always found faults in Lord Chaitanya; he criticized Lord’s eating habits and insulted Him. When others were angry with Ramachandra, the Lord forbade them from retaliating. He accepted his own faults and reduced His eating.

We wish our esteemed politicians learn from these examples and challenge the issues and decisions rather than assassinate characters.

4 Comments

  • nisha kanwar
    Posted December 24, 2015 at 1:38 pm

    Important learning, by nature I have habit to argue with seniors, many time while talking I treat both seniors & equals on same platform. Ys

  • Amit Patel
    Posted March 21, 2016 at 9:35 pm

    Hare Krishna Prabhuji,
    dandvat & pranam,
    How we should offer respect to senior devotees and act with equals and juniors in brahmachari ashram as i have always seen in my behaviour when i was working outside that i’m always envious of seniors, competing with equals and harsh with juniors.I’m afraid that this nature does’nt continue in brahmachari ashram.Can you please tell me how should be our attitude towards this three types of devotees especially with seniors, by considering the system in ashram which often tend me to see and act in same manner with seniors and equals.
    ys
    Amit Patel

    • vraja bihari dasa
      Posted March 25, 2016 at 4:20 pm

      prabhu the principle to follow always is we are servant. if we are focussed on what would help me serve best now and here and what is best for overall relationship with this devotee accordingly we behave.
      as long as we are sincere in our desire to serve, krishna will surely guide us to act and speak appropriately
      ys
      vraja bihari dasa

      • Harsh
        Posted June 6, 2022 at 9:12 am

        Significant learning, commonly I have propensity to contend with seniors, many time while talking I treat the two seniors and equivalents on same stage. Ys

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