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From Gandhiji to Anna Hazare, the so called “revolutions” we have seen, are not spiritual in nature. Their roots have been in greed for wealth, power and selfish purpose/enjoyment. These cannot be called “kranti” since they actually a healthy method for “krandan” or lamenting and whining. Therefore, standing nowhere near any idea of “revolution”.
True revolution can take form only under strong spiritual (adhyatmika) leadership.
The first revolutionary is Devashri Narad Muni. He had powerful influence on the unborn child of Maa Kayadu – who grew up to be the great bhakta Prahlad. This happened through spiritual discourses of Devashri Naradji. His words that made a strong impression on bhakta Prahlad who heard them while in the womb of Maa Kayadu. He was a great satyagrahi.
Gandhiji was asked if anyone else did satyagraha before him. However, he never mentioned bhakta Prahlad and instead said that Rajas of the past were supporters of violence and there was no such attempt. The reason why Prahladji was not mentioned is because the credit for this was desired by Gandhiji himself. Irony is that Gandhiji’s revolution of ahimsa, resulted in violence unleashed upon lakhs of people. Gandhiji’s “non-violence” gave birth to intense violence and made Bharat the slave of British even after independence. How can that be called a “revolution”?
Learning about svasth kranti from our ancients
Devashri Narad Muni was a true revolutionary. In Kaliyuga, there are some special qualities of his to learn from, explains Pujyapad Puri Shankaracharyaji. He is worshipped amongst the good as well as the wicked (Prahladji worships him, as well as Hiranyakashyap). He is respected everywhere due to his divine qualities. The very important quality he has, is to consider all dear and intimate, from the heart (atmiya). He also considers everyone to be the form of Atma (Atma Swarup). This strength of Naradji brings divinity into his life. He supports the flourishing of those who are full of good or divine qualities (example, Prahladji). He is elevated at a spiritual and behavioural level.
A true healthy revolution can only be led by one who considers all as dear from the heart and all as Atma Swarup but tries for the victory of those who are good.
Prahladji, who was guided by Naradji, did not abuse or resort to violence, but ended the terrorizing rule of Hiranyakashyap. Prahladji did not use any violent means, but violence was ultimately needed to bring Hiranyakashyap to his end. This role was played by Bhagavan’s Avatar Narasimha Bhagavan, and Prahlad was allowed to remain the non-violent satyagrahi.
There is One Bhagavan, but His ways of blessing different people are different. Bhagavan Narasimha kept His hand on the head of Prahladji and blessed him, while His tearing the body of Hiranyakashyap was the blessing on the latter. Both these aspects were a blessing.
Devashri Narad, Bhruguji, Vashishthaji, are some examples of revolutionaries. Shivavtar Bhagavadpad Sri Adi Shankaracharyaji, a true revolutionary, gave a discourse and changed the heart of the ruler Sudhanva who returned to sanatana dharma after converting to Buddhism. If you read about the contribution of Bhagavadpada Sri Adi Shankaracharya to sanatana dharma and Bharat, you will learn more about svasth kranti under Him because of which we Hindus still exist. Similarly, Chanakyaji, Samarth Ramdasji were true revolutionaries. After the time of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, there has been no svasth kranti.
In contemporary times, we can only say that the efforts of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose were close to that of a revolution. However, it also cannot be called a healthy spiritual or adhyatmika revolution.
A true revolution or svasth kranti can only happen under dharmic leadership. As we can see till today, Gandhiji’s revolution has proved to be a headache for us.
The svasth kranti we shall learn about is based on the sanatana methodology of Bhagavadpad Sri Adi Shankaracharyaji. Today, we are blessed to be guided by Pujayapad Puri Shankaracharyaji for this purpose.