True transformation lies not in vengeance but in reconnecting with the divine qualities of love and peace
Today we are living in a world where violence has become our culture. It may be seen in the hundreds of wars going on in different parts of the world or it may be seen through innumerable violent incidents that occur every day in cities and homes across the universe. So, what exactly has led to the spread of violence so much even though people strongly denounce it? We all know that the history of human civilisation is an epic saga of violence punctuated by episodes of relative calm. Violence, subtle and gross, manifest and incognito, has been the defining force of humanity’s quest for power in the last two millennia. The rise and fall of empires, the religious crusades and socio-political uprisings down the ages were impelled by violence on a massive scale.
One of the major reasons why violence has become so deeply embedded in the human psyche is that on the one hand, we denounce it but on the other hand we condone or even justify it. In the 21st century, which we all boast of living in, violence has been glorified in ingenious ways by the media, especially television, the internet and films. A world that has been fed so much on violence is no wonder becoming increasingly dangerous to live in for its occupants. It’s a known fact that today violence has become the means to seek political and social justice. Men kill men in the name of the almighty and later on, these killings are then justified as dharma by the custodians of religion when it is used for a righteous purpose. Amidst all these, a question that comes up is, Can one justify so much Violence? Or, can violence ever root out adharma (unrighteousness)?
Well!!!! To conquer dharma we need to first understand the true dharma of the self. We all must realise that good or evil are the traits of the human soul and even after death these traits or sanskar are carried on to the next birth. This sanskar may change or become stronger as per the person’s karma in the next life. Hence, it follows that one may kill an evil person but one cannot destroy the evil in that person. It would instead increase due to feelings of hatred and revenge. Remember!! An evil act is bound to be punished as per the Law of Karma in the present or the next birth because there is a natural justice system that works infallibly and eternally. Hence, one must never think that if someone avenges a wrong by doing wrong in turn, he/she will not suffer. No!!
The truth is that in this case, both persons will have to pay for their respective wrong actions by undergoing some suffering because any act done with ill will towards others is violence and it is bound to bring sorrow for the doer. Hence, a person may escape the laws of the land but his karma will catch up with him sooner or later for sure. We all need to understand the philosophy behind the word religion or dharma. Dharma in the true sense simply means living by eternal spiritual values such as peace and love. When we share love and goodwill with others it is bound to stir up similar feelings in that person. On the contrary, when we hate and harm others it is bound to spark ill will in them. The world that God created for us was a completely non-violent and harmonious world where no evil existed. Goodness exists eternally; it is when we begin to lose touch with our real values that we are enslaved by negative tendencies. We are all children of “Almighty” who is the ocean of love, peace and joy, so his qualities are our qualities too eternally, aren’t they? That is why all humans resist hatred. They never resist love or joy. He is always merciful and benevolent towards all, so how can he justify violence? And the only way to bring peace and harmony back on earth is to empower ourselves spiritually and rid our minds of all negativities. This will uproot violence completely out of the world and the world would become the one that it was, serene and peaceful.
(The writer is a spiritual educator & popular columnist, views are personal)
