Handling Power
Power is stimulant energy; which works like an instant tonic and boosts up self-esteem in people’s mind. As power gives rights and responsibilities both; so a person with power, gets a great opportunity to do selfless service for others.
But problems start with powerful people; when they love to use their rights alright, but forget their responsibilities towards others, and miss the golden opportunity to act for well being of all.
Power game is seen everywhere. Parents are more powerful then children, teachers are more powerful then students. High ranking officers, politicians, wealthy people, all hold power with different degrees.
Some earn power with their own efforts, some are born with it, (being born in rich families), and some are lucky to get it by circumstances. When one tastes power, he does not want to lose it. So there is always an element of fear of losing power works in the subconscious minds of power holders. May be that is why, often they grab their rights and tend to be selfish, self-centered and arrogant. They easily forget their responsibilities towards others. Then power loses its shine and glory; and brings sufferings.
Actually power itself is neither good nor bad. But good and evil results come by the right and wrong application of power.
Mahabharat points out that, by purifying and strengthening one’s inner abilities, one can learn to handle power better.
To form any perception or to deal with externally acquired power; we use our two instruments, body and its sense organs and mind. Here by using three very significant Sanskrit words, Mahabharat explains, the right ways to handle power. These words are:-
“Mada”, “Dama” and “Sama”. “Mada” means pride, which comes with power and blurs the vision of the power holder, and he does wrong things, which bring lot of sufferings to all.
“Dama” and “Sama” mean; perfect control over body and mind. It means having perfect control on body and mind one never gets influenced by pride or arrogance, and can discharge responsibilities successfully. To deal with anything successfully, one needs some prior training.
Keeping it in mind, in ancient Indian tradition, Kings always had some spiritual gurus, to guide them in right direction, so pride and power could not distract them from the path of performing their noble responsibilities towards their countrymen. Powerful kings like Rama, Bharata, Ashoka Shivaji and many others are known as “Rajarshi”, which means Royal Sages. They had great power, but they were trained to be mentally detached from pride, greed, and selfishness. Combination of power and rishihood (saintly qualities) made them Rajarshi. With little spiritual training, their concept of “I” expanded, it included all others in it.
According to Bhagavad Gita, this value oriented attitude, can be developed by all. With little spiritual training, self control and self introspection one can perform his duties better. Zen monk Thick Nhat Hanh said, “true mental health and happiness can only be obtained, if we throw out the notion of self, and relate to people in the light of inter being”. (The Path of Emancipation)
Today, we see misuse of power in every level of society. Corruptions, oppressions, injustice and exploitations are happening everywhere. Common people are often harassed by high officers, and are forced to give bribes, when they come for legitimate sanctions of some deals. Poor countries are often exploited by rich ones, and constant conflicts and tensions are being created all over the world.
Mishandling of power creates misunderstanding and conflicts, which can be stopped, if we care to develop little Rajarshi qualities in us.
Power gives us a great opportunity to do service selflessly. As a fruit laden tree, always bends down, like that one with power should learn to be humble, and should feel fortunate to get a chance to do something good.
Bhagavad Gita teaches, one should perform all his duties as a trustee of God, and be humble by realizing that only with God’s will one gets some power and position to serve others. The world is to give. And by giving, one becomes truly rich. This is nature’s law. We see flowers bloom to bring fruits, water evaporates, to come back as rain and make this world green and fertile. Power of love is the greatest power on earth. With the touch of self-less love, all actions become sublime. As Tao wisdom truly says,
“Mastering others is strength, mastering yourself is true power”.
