October 31, 2025
Whenever I read or speak about The Mahabharata, I am overwhelmed with a depressing thought. The hundred wicked Kauravas acted as one man, hardly ever arguing, hardly ever even disagreeing with one another and ever-willing to overlook their differences of opinion. On the other hand, the five noble Pandavas spent too much of the time and energy arguing (almost bickering!) among themselves. I can understand this, justify it, but cannot appreciate it. 'Good' people in the world are more eager to reform one another; they expose one another's faults in the name of truth, honestly, sincerity, etc. Criticizing one another is considered a demonstration of moral courage. All that is excellent. But what they tend to forget the whole time is that they have forgotten the real problem: the Karuavas (wicked people) multiply proliferously.
If the leaders of the world religions combine their energies, pool their resources and work in harmony, they will succeed in clipping the wings of “Satan”. Will they get out of their own shell and take a broad view of the world?
No one for one moment would deny that in every part of the world there are good people and there are not so good people. But it is doubtful if there is any justification whatsoever for the sweeping generalizations that we, in our ignorance, often make.
If you move around the world, you might be surprised how hazardous such generalizations are. There are good people throughout the world: of this I have no doubt. It is high time we gave up making sweeping generalizations born out of our own ignorance and prejudice and made a special effort to link up with the divine forces of love, harmony, unselfishness and divinity which exist throughout the world as oases exist in the deserts.
Among materialists, you will find many spiritual beings; among atheists you will find devotees of God; among the superstitious you will find highly intelligent beings; among fanatics you will find those who are full of love and tolerance. The fact that they exist surrounded by the opposites makes them more valuable and precious: oases in the deserts.