麻豆约拍

A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Shaunaka Rishi Das, Director of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies

Good morning.

In these days of so much talk about leaders, I remember once asking my father-in-law, Sefton, about his idea of leadership. He replied that when someone invites others to leave a room, and they follow, that鈥檚 a leader. 鈥淥therwise鈥�, he said, 鈥渋t鈥檚 just someone going for a walk鈥�. I liked that. He went on to say that there were many leaders, but few good leaders, or as he said it, 鈥渓eaders who are good鈥�.

The Ramayana, a poem beloved of many Hindus, was spoken in response to the question, 鈥淲ho is the best of leaders?鈥� Valmiki, the speaker was happy to tell the story of Rama, a prince of Adhyodia. Rama was asked by his father to renounce his claim to the throne on the eve of his coronation. Rama did it without a second thought. Wait a minute. If he renounced the throne, how was he to become the best of leaders? Well, simply put, Rama wasn鈥檛 interested in power or image, but in doing the right thing 鈥� in character.

The idea of being king, while disrespecting his father鈥檚 wishes, didn鈥檛 cross his mind. That would have meant that his kingship was built on disrespect, and hurt, and that was unthinkable to Rama. He wouldn鈥檛 set such an example to others, and this, Valmiki was teaching, is good leadership. Rama鈥檚 example, in this and many instances, has inspired for many generations. The comedian Groucho Marx, once quipped, 鈥淚 have principles, and if you don鈥檛 like 鈥榚m, I got other ones鈥�. Rama was trustworthy because he followed his principles, and thus had self-respect.

Dear Lord, we鈥檙e all called to lead someone in life, as mothers, fathers, teachers, politicians, or friends. Whatever the result of our efforts may we act with kindness, with clear principles, with support for those who do good, and mindful of setting a good example.

Hare Krishna.