Disciple:
Pranam, Gurudeb.
Gurudeb:
Pranam, my son.
Disciple:
Gurudeb, in yesterday's episode, you spoke about how the youth and women of India are heading toward a dangerous path. In that context, I wanted to ask—and many others have also asked—what is the way out of this?
Gurudeb:
There is only one way: awakening the human conscience. That is the first point—awakening the conscience. If conscience and consciousness are awakened, people will naturally distance themselves from these social ills. Conscience must be awakened and consciousness must be raised; only then will society be uplifted. There is no doubt about that.
Gurudeb:
Trash and mess will always exist in society, but someone eventually comes to clean it up. We have seen this before throughout history—be it during the Vedic period or the era of the Upanishads—society has declined many times and then risen again. People brought it back. Given the current situation, I say: awaken your conscience. Once your consciousness rises, society will automatically improve.
Disciple:
But Gurudeb, to bring about this consciousness or to awaken the conscience, is a medium or a guide necessary?
Gurudeb:
A medium might be needed; people are certainly needed. But others cannot simply force it upon you. They might offer advice or words of wisdom, as is usually done, but they cannot go door-to-door to purify everyone individually.
Gurudeb:
The most important thing to understand is that where there is brute force, conscience does not work. Imagine fifty people gathered with no consciousness or conscience; they destroy things, and in doing so, they are destroying their own property and the country's resources.
Gurudeb:
However, where there is consciousness and conscience, brute force fails. If the conscience awakens, muscle power will automatically be defeated. What we see today is often just a show of muscle power—driven by excessive desire and the imitation of Western culture. We have abandoned our own roots to stay busy with the West.
Gurudeb:
If conscience is awakened, this muscle power will perish. Today, there is a mindset of: "I will say whatever I want; I won't respect anyone." We see a lack of respect for teachers, doctors, and health workers. If we don't respect them, who will we respect? Teachers are being beaten, health workers are being attacked, and even officials are being harassed. Until human consciousness awakens, nothing will change.
Disciple:
But Gurudeb, regarding health workers or teachers, we shouldn't just blame one side. Sometimes they also do wrong.
Gurudeb:
Yes, they do, but a teacher rarely intends to commit a major wrong, nor does a doctor. They don't want to abuse a student or neglect a patient. I haven't seen a situation where a doctor intentionally wants to harm a patient.
Gurudeb:
Yet, people proceed with this mindset of displaying power. There is a segment of society that encourages this violence—urging others to hit or attack. Without that encouragement, people wouldn't have such enthusiasm for violence. Teachers and doctors are being humiliated before our eyes. This isn't new; it has been happening for a long time. But there is no one to speak up—to ask why someone is raising a hand against a teacher, a doctor, or a policeman.
Gurudeb:
It is very difficult to produce a doctor or a teacher. When they are humiliated, they begin to wonder why they should even bother teaching or serving people. They are withdrawing. And while many educated people exist in society, they often remain silent out of fear. They worry that if they speak today, they will be attacked tomorrow.
Gurudeb:
This is the era we live in. I don't know how we will be free of this, but every time society reaches this point, someone comes to save it. We have seen it with Swami Vivekananda and many other sages; they were oppressed and humiliated, yet they stayed the course. Today, some people have become so arrogant that they actually want chaos to prevail.
Disciple:
And our politicians give lectures on TV in the afternoon, but nothing actually happens on the ground.
Gurudeb:
Exactly. It's just discussions and criticism, nothing else. People are afraid. If I speak today, I might be targeted tomorrow. Even the government seems indifferent or lacks deep insight into these issues. They rely on reports that may or may not be true. Now we see the RAF (Rapid Action Force) deployed in various places. No one wants to speak out. People will continue to suffer until consciousness dawns.
Disciple:
Gurudeb, for conscience to awaken, a great personality is usually needed. Is that possible now?
Gurudeb:
Someone must come. Otherwise, everything becomes a lie. But such a person usually doesn't arrive until things reach an extreme stage. Society is already quite corrupt, though some good people still remain. Once those remaining good people are gone, the situation will become very dire. But someone must come—it has happened in every age. History tells us that someone always arrives to uplift society.
Disciple:
Gurudeb, hundreds of people come to this temple. Listening to your discussions gives us so much knowledge. We try to move cautiously so as not to harm anyone. I feel that if such spiritual guides were present everywhere, these problems would be solved.
Gurudeb:
It isn't happening everywhere. Today, a Maharaj from Guptipara called me and we spoke for a long time; he agreed with me completely. Unfortunately, many temples have become grounds for political play. Instead of focusing on God, there is more "partibaji" (politics). If all spiritual leaders truly came forward, society would be saved.
Gurudeb:
I try to explain this to everyone who comes to me. Hundreds of people visit daily. I scold them, I tell them to be alert, and I try to explain to those who have lost their way that they are not doing good work.
Gurudeb:
To tell you the truth, since I started giving diksha (initiation), I have had people come to me who owned guns. One person from outside came for initiation, and I told him, "Give me your pistol." He said he had left it at home. I told him he must never use it again. Many people with weapons have come here, and I have convinced them to throw their weapons away. Initiation is only granted on the promise that they will never use such things again.
Disciple:
Gurudeb, do you think the person who will save society will be a spiritual person or an ordinary person?
Gurudeb:
Definitely a spiritual person. People will not follow an ordinary person in this regard. Ninety percent of people, whether they are scientists or doctors, will bow their heads to spirituality. Someone will come as a messenger of God to uplift this society. Society is currently going beyond its limits. I see hundreds of people daily, and it makes me disappointed. Many educated and uneducated people come, but no one has peace. People say they find peace sitting here at the feet of "Ma" (the Goddess). They often leave in tears because seeing Ma brings out their inner emotions.
Disciple:
Gurudeb, from what I understand, if people stay connected to their faith and spirituality alongside their work, their conscience might awaken. Is that what you mean?
Gurudeb:
Yes, exactly. Do your work, but stay connected to your religion and spirituality. Only God can truly calm this situation—the power before whom everyone eventually bows.
Disciple:
Gurudeb, thank you for this discussion. I hope the viewers find this helpful and follow your advice to improve their lives. Pranam to you.
Gurudeb:
Pranam, my son.