Duty of Resistance to Adharma
Only in the nation in which the goddesses of dharma (righteousness) and shanti (peace) are adored will genuine prosperity and happiness exist. Today many are indulging in actions opposed to dharmaand truth, and on the basis of their caste or community are promoting strife and conflict in the country. Elders in the nation are remaining mere spectators of all the unrighteous and violent actions that are being done by the evil elements. Even the scholars and intellectuals remain silent. Persons holding high office are merely watching what goes on. No one, however, is making any effort to stop this menace. They are not resisting the evil elements. It appears as if all their knowledge, position, and influence have been reduced to nothing. Such persons, though they may not be indulging in unrighteous acts, are giving encouragement to them.
Here is an example from the Mahabharata:
Considering that war should be a great universal calamity, Dharmaraja (the eldest of the Pandavas) appealed to Krishna to go as an ambassador of peace to the Kauravas. Entering the audience hall of Duryodhana, Krishna described at length the disastrous consequences of war. The great Acharyas [teachers]—Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, and Ashwathama, who were present on the court, were intently listening to Krishna’s words. But Krishna’s appeal was of no use to them. Because of their long association with the wicked Kauravas, they became abettors in the crimes of Duryodhana and others.
Vidura, who was a witness to the evil that was being committed, resolved to oppose it. He pleaded with the Kauravas in many ways to listen to the wise words of Krishna. His appeal fell on deaf ears. Rather than stay amongst such evil-minded persons, Vidura felt that it was better to go on a pilgrimage and left the country immediately.
Bhishma, Drona, and others, having been beneficiaries of the sustenance provided by the wicked Kauravas, chose to be loyal to them and stayed on. All of them were great preceptors. They knew well the distinction between righteousness and evil. They had enquired into the nature of the eternal and the permanent. Of what avail was all that knowledge? When it came to practicing what they knew, all their knowledge was of no use. In the final outcome, all of them met with the same end in the great war as the evil-minded Kauravas.
Krishna looked upon those who even if they were good in themselves did not oppose unrighteousness and injustice committed in their presence when they had the capacity to do so as actual participants in the crimes. When evil and injustice and violence are being perpetrated, if individuals look on unconcerned, they must be regarded as accomplices in the crimes. In the end they also suffer as much as the criminals. By their passive association, they provide encouragement to the evildoers.
When the good are associated with the wicked and do not oppose them, they share the responsibility for the deeds of the evildoers. The Divine will not consider whether they are learned or ignorant, wise or unwise. If they are learned or wise, why did they not stand up for truth and justice? Why did they remain silent? It means they are tainted by the same guilt. The failure to resist evil is their offence. It is only when we resist acts of unrighteousness and injustice and try to put down malpractices in society that we can claim to be assisting in the task of restoring dharma.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. XIX, P. 156-158
“Do not walk in front of Me. I may not follow you. Don’t walk behind me. I may not lead you. Walk beside me and be My friend.” If you attempt to walk in front of Me, you may be taking the wrong path. If you walk behind Me, you may possibly desert Me. Walk abreast of Me, then there is no chance of you going astray or away from Me, because I am with you. The inner meaning of this is: “You and I are one.” Divinity is omnipresent. Divinity is the Indweller in every being. That being the case, there is no need for you to go in front or walk behind. Take the Divine with you wherever you go. This is the true mark of the sadhaka [aspirant].
Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. XIX, P. 162.
You must be prepared to face any kind of crisis and meet any type of calumny. Calumny and abuse should not affect one who has firm faith in God. The man who experiences the bliss of union with the Divine has the strength of a thousand elephants. He has boundless courage and knows no fear. The God-centered person has three qualities: purity, perseverance, and patience. Without these qualities, a man is a weakling. But with them, he has all the strength and courage he needs to face any challenge.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. XIX, P. 163
