The Seat of Power: Pride or Service?

May 27, 2004, 12.00am IST
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

A ministership purports to serve the people. However, if it is perceived as a means to derive pleasure or prestige, it will only infest society with corruption, stymie growth, and lead to moral degradation. Fear and insecurity will grip society, inhibiting humanness.


It is natural for human beings to want to overcome fear and insecurity. Most will do almost anything to feel secure. Consequently there is a struggle for the seat of power. However, those who hanker after power are really powerless. They can accomplish very little even after coming to office. So let’s not blame them. The irony is that even after assuming the seat of power, they remain fearful. In fact, the fear increases manifold. If you are in fear and tension you can’t come up with creative ideas — so you can’t do much, either for society or yourself.

Often you hear ministers threatening to resign if they don’t get their way; some followers threaten to even kill themselves. But it is irresponsible to take pride in resigning from one’s post. This is not sacrifice; it is the act of renoun-cing a sacred duty assigned by the people. Ministership is not a luxury which you can take pride in renoun-cing. Similarly, conferring a ministerial post on someone is to expect and demand their best service — it is not to be construed as a reward.

Once you realise your innate power, you don’t need a seat or position to serve the people. You can do better without a formal post as did Mahatma Gandhi. Often a ruler is not a reformer and a reformer doesn’t rule.


Emotions are the main motivating factor for most people. This is especially so when illiteracy is high. Hence it is important to counter this with a broad-based education system that’s both scientific and spiritual.

Most political leaders are ignorant of the concept of true service. Few venture beyond the boundaries of race, religion and nationa-lity. Being confined thus, they do harm to themselves and others. So politicians, too, need to be educated in the conduct of state and social responsibility. The import of the term Vasudaiva Kutumbakam (global family) has to be explained to them. Ministers need to cultivate the ability to safeguard against sycophants. In fact, they should listen to the “inner voice”, following their own divine guidance, to sift the right from the wrong.

We have to get out of the politics of hate and mistrust. True politics is to care for all people, regardless of differences in caste, religion, ideology, or language. When service becomes the aim of political power, actions will translate into development. However, often political parties come together because of common enemies rather than common goals. They unite on the basis of hatred and fear. Diverse parties should work together towards progress for the many. The politics of hatred should end.

A landlord employed two gardeners and each was on duty on alternate days. Both were in disagreement as to how the garden should be. One would till the land and the other would come and undo what the other did. This went on for months. They kept undoing the other’s work. In the end, the land remained unproductive. All their effort was in vain.
This is exactly what political parties do. Much time is wasted in mudslinging and in undoing the work of the others. India will shine truly when political parties complement and honour one another. Satyuga or the golden era will dawn when opposing parties work towards common goals — to alleviate the suffering of the poor, to give them confidence; to make the rich charitable, the innocent less vulnerable and the educated incorruptible.