Corruption has wrecked India like a deadly disease. Three pathological factors influence the manifestation of this disease: temptations of easy money, lackadaisical laws, and impure character. Temptation lures to cheat, strong laws scare, and a weak character succumbs to temptation.
Temptations especially appear when we are vulnerable. Often our colleagues or sometimes our intelligence detect them. The solution is to avoid company of the corrupt and materialistic people.
Stronger laws are a good deterrent. In ancient India the punishment for theft was cutting off the hands of the criminals. A modern person may find this gruesome, but this made sure that crime rate was under control. Currently in India, corrupt persons can safely assume that they can manipulate the laws and escape scot free or with minimal punishment.
Character is the most important influence on corruption. Nothing can stop persons with impure character to cheat. Even the tiniest of temptations can lure them, and the strongest of laws can fail to curb their soaring greed. Therefore, the need is to invest in creating a good character amongst the people. It is the strongest weapon in the fight against corruption.
Recognizing this need, many state Governments have introduced value education in academic curriculum. While it’s one thing to teach moral ethical principles, it’s another to live by them. Integrity means just that—to live by these high values in good times or bad times, in joy or in pain. Real integrity only develops when morality is combined with a spirit of devotion to God and His will. When we are aware of an omnipresent God watching all our actions, we know that we can cheat the world but not God. The knowledge of good and bad karma coming back to us will make us think before indulging in selfish gratification. We will be satisfied with our own share and not hanker for excess, knowing that it’s meant for our brothers and sisters—the children of our loving father, Krishna. We will be satisfied with simple living, knowing that our pure and honest hearts are the best offering that pleases God the most. A spiritual foundation will help us face the numerous hurricanes and tempests of life and remain truthful.
Sprirituality hits at the root of corruption, which is greed. Greed prevails within all of us. It is never satisfied. The more you yield to its demands, the more it aggravates. Like a raging fire it consumes all offerings only to erupt in a more virulent form.
We can control greed by purifying our hearts. Anyone who follows any true religion with real sincerity, deep faith and dedication to God develops purity of heart. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu described that the easiest method in this age to cleanse the heart is to chant the holy names of the Lord: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare/ Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare. By practicing spirituality we have less greed, less anger, less pride, and less lust. We become content. We find satisfaction in our hearts. Then there is no drive to cheat. We are satisfied in simple living and high thinking.
Spirituality purifies greed. Then, instead of serving our selfish interest we can use our greed to serve others, to surrender more to God, to offer more to God. When God sees how much we are fighting against temptations, when He sees our selfish greed transforming into greed of giving, He is pleased. And then He fills our hearts with peace, love and light. In this spirit of love by we should live a simple life and utilize our excess wealth for the upliftment and service of humanity. Then even while living in the filthy waters of this material society we can remain untouched and uncontaminated like a lotus flower.
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