The Sai Dictum
The Failure of Democracy?
From Democracy to Vedas?
One statement in the Sai Dictum alleges that democratic systems of governance in nations which allow businessmen and workers to be elected to government is faulty as these people are driven by the instinct to make money. This, according to the author of the Sai Dictum, "leads to corruption and allows exploitation to flourish".
The author of the Sai Dictum predicts that systems of governance all over the earth will be changed. Men from the warrior caste (the military) will be brought in to lead and will be advised by the priestly and spiritual scholars (Brahmins) "all over Planet Earth as per vedas and vedic culture".
Power and Pelf
It is not disputed that there is corruption, greed and exploitation in many countries, and there is more in some nations than others. Child labour, human trafficking, slavery and the persistent demeaning of the dignity of the human estate are evident in this day and age. A few have not risen above the animal state, nor the demonic state, as evidence by their actions and subsequent apprehension.
Power, rulers and officials have been here for thousands of years and will be here for a long time yet. They arise from a collective effort to organise life, ensuring some degree of order and safety, including financial safety, and economic and social development. Governments and their institutions keep evolving and this will stay that way.
The problem of people holding positions is the same everywhere and it is a general problem of people on earth. Namely, it is egoism. Under this influence people who are to protect the public welfare and take care of development, think about themselves and how to procure everything for themselves.
Leaders and Leadership
Kasturi reports a visit by disconsolate Maha-Rajas and Princes who had lost their kingdoms in the unification of Indian States. They had come to Puttaparthi and sought an audience with Baba. After some days, Baba told them to prepare for a great meal, and so tents were put up, food was cooked and the feast was laid out. When Baba came, he told the kings, maharajas and princes to get up and then told their clerks, servants and slaves to sit down, and the kings and maharajas were to serve them.
The kings were dismayed, but Baba would not relent. Love all, serve all is what he told them. There was a new order, and the people came first, and the task was to serve the people.
So the kingly task, the ruling task, the leadership task is always to put the welfare of the people first.
In the Mahavakya on Leadership Sai Baba spoke about the qualities and facets of a good leader.
A good leader has to possess what may be called individual (or personal) character and national character. Only such persons scan become ideal leaders. Giving up selfish interests, eschewing totally ideas of mine and thine, the true leader should be dedicated to the welfare of all and uphold the reputation of his country. On all occasions he should march from in front rather than issue orders from the rear. He should set the example by his actions.
So good leadership sets the example, leads from in front, and must have national character, that is, a good grasp of the culture and the mind of the nation, the likes and dislikes, the history and traditions, the habits and dispositions of its citizens.
Only one path to transformation
Sai Baba teaches that culture is alive, it is a living thing, and it is largely formed by the minds within that culture. On the other hand, culture shapes mind. It is very hard for persons within one culture to appreciate other cultures if one has not experienced them. So society and culture have a profound influence upon the person, and the question rises, how does transformation come about?
Transformation begins with the individual. It is the individual heart that must change, for the seen reflects the seer. If the seen is all bad, all corruption, greed and exploitation, then it is simply a reflection of what is within. Change what is within, and what is seen and experienced outside will also change. Sai Baba teaches that the change of society and culture to goodness, beauty and truth comes from within and expands outwards. To cite Sai Baba on this:
If there is righteousness in the heart,
There will be beauty in character.
If there is beauty in character,
There will be harmony in the home.
When there is harmony in the home,
There will be order in the nation.
When there is order in the nation,
There will be peace in the world.
Vedic Culture or True Humanness?
The author of the Sai Dictum wrote, "all over Planet Earth as per vedas and vedic culture". The author of the Sai Dictum says there is only one solution to the world's ills, a one-size-fits-all imposing the Vedas and Vedic culture onto everyone!
Sai Baba has given the Five Human Values to modern man. The Five Human Values of Truth, Right Conduct, Love, Peace and Non-violence are simply the teachings of the Vedas dressed up in language that modern man can assimilate, understand and practice. The key word is Practice. Sai Baba repeatedly says listening to discourses, reading the scriptures are of no use. Practice is what is needed. Practice brings about changes in the minds of men; nothing else provides the foundation for transformation.
Sai Baba often addresses people as Bharathiya; many mistake this that he is addressing people of Indian origin only. This is not true, for all who live and practice the noble values of Bharath, that is, the vedic culture and vedic teachings as embodied in the five human values of Truth, Love, Peace, Right Conduct and Non-Violence, are Bharathiya. They are sharers in the divine destiny of Bharathiya, and makers of both the Golden Age and Akhanda Bharath, the world filled with the vibration of Truth, Love, Peace, Right Conduct and Non-Violence. This is the one-size-fits-all solution; Human Values bring about True Humanness.
This is the solution for all the countries which do not have the Vedas nor vedic culture as their foundation. All are practising the vedas if they are living and practising the five human values. True humanness is human beings practising human values. Human values are what make the human being truly human. Nothing else confers true humanity upon the human being.
As the Ruler so the People
The Ruler, the Leader influences the people led. If the ruler errs, then the people will err. If the ruler or leader seeks only wealth and power, they are not a good leader. "As the ruler (Raja), so the ruled (Praja)," says the proverb. "As the teacher, so the pupil" seems to be equally true. The ruler must form a good team around him, be cognisant of the needs of the people and have only their highest welfare at heart. Sai Baba says that rulers have to:
When you go out into towns and villages for propagating Dharma, you have to tell the people: "Do not cause harm to any one. Do not abuse anybody. Perform your duties with devotion. Make your heart pure."
Therefore, the rulers have to set the example themselves; they must be shining exemplars of dharma.
Sai Baba has told of rulers who go to ruin and ruin others:
If an arrow hits a person, he alone is injured. But when a ruler pursues an unrighteous policy, the entire state is ruined. The people as well as the ruler perish. By succumbing to bad counsel and evil ways, you are leading your kingdom and your dynasty to disaster. This is not proper." Vidura warned the king to recognise the truth. He did not mince words in his accusation of Dhritarashtra. He said: "Those who are born blind or deaf and dumb, those who are insane and those of unsteady mind have no right to rule. When any such person is a ruler, he causes universal ruin. You are a great sinner. And because you have been enthroned, you are destroying the kingdom with your own hands.
Your Rights, Your Duty, and Dharma
When the ruler fulfils his duties with the welfare of his subjects in first place, then rights accrue automatically. What rights are these?
You have to enquire into everything thoroughly. Dharma is a word that has originated in Bharath (India) and is misinterpreted often. The attitudes of the Westerners and the noble sons and daughters of Akhanda Bharath (those who practice human values) who practice dharma differ widely. In the West, they are more keen on the rights of the individual. Immediately on birth, the child acquires a right. Father, mother, society and government each has a right. The worker has a right, the ruler has a right. While in the West, they were more concerned about rights, yet the noble sons and daughters Akhanda Bharath (those who practice human values) have been laying stress on Dharma or the duty of everyone.
You have the right to perform your duty only. You have no right to demand the fruits of your action. No one has got any right other than doing his duty. He has the responsibility to discharge his duty. But, today people are clamouring for rights and don't want to discharge duties. The result will always be there whether you ask for it or not. Right and Responsibility are like two wings of a bird which make it fly or like the two wheels of a vehicle which facilitate a person to ride on it. How long can you drive with a single wheel? How can a bird fly high with one wing?
If you discharge your duty with responsibility result will take care of itself. This is what everyone should clearly understand today. If everyone does his duty well there will be no trouble in the world. It is because people claim rights without doing their duty there is chaos and confusion. Man is immersed in self-conflict because he is keen on exercising his right without discharging his responsibility.
Dharma is not a word to be bandied about. Repeating oft-quoted aphorisms like Dhaarayatheethi Dharma (Dharma is that which sustains) and Dharma Rakshathi Rakshithah (Dharma protects its protector) are easy enough. But what is needed is practice of Dharma. Right conduct alone constitutes Dharma. The man who leads a righteous life is bound to find peace.
Realisation of the Divine is the goal. But most of our actions are related to worldly concerns. The only way to sanctify all actions is to do them as acts of worship, as an offering to the Divine. Thereby life itself becomes sacred.
You must shed the feeling of mine and thine. You have to realise the truth that the Divine dwells in every being. You must develop this sense of oneness and share it with others.
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