Political Sketchbook: Religion and The Politics of The Next Generation of Hindus

This past week the City Hindu Network had their fantastic annual ball – sadly I was away.
Next week it will be Remembrance Sunday. The vast majority of the readers of this paper will be Hindus. But what I am about to write is relevant to us all, just as the teachings of the Holy Book the Guru Granth Sahib were very much relevant to me as when this week I was privileged to be an Honourary Sikh for an evening at the British Sikh Association Annual Dinner several years ago.
Dear City Hindu Network,
Hindus are warriors. They are fighters. Whether it is in the Mahabharat, the Gita, or Ram, Krishna or Arjun – our stories and legends are of war. Pray and wish that your lives may be filled with troubles, as a soldier wishes in battle to prove his mettle. It is in such conflict you will keep the Lord close to your hearts. It is with troubles around you, you will always remember the Lord.
But ours is not a faith that is about war against other peoples. It is about fighting for ideas. For justice. For doing right. Following Dharma. But it is also about standing firm against all foes and injustices. To show strength in the face of struggle. That is duty. And to fulfil these duties you will follow as the children of Ram and Sita.
There will come in your lives three great battles. Three great wars.
So as you have left being a student, now in a great city, so dedicate to a great cause. This is your first war. A great war to right wrongs. They are all around you. Look for those conflicts. For this be political – in the best traditions of politics. Not petty, but to right great wrongs. Fight them with righteousness at your side and arise Arjun.
The second war you will fight: know you will time and again find foe dressed as friend as did Arjun. You will be fighting to do right, to do duty. It may not be a great cause, but it will be your everyday life. Fight these persons. Fight those who will put you down, try to destroy you, make life difficult for you. Fight and arise Arjun.
The third war you will fight all your lives is against yourself. For where there is fear and worry, there can be no faith in God. God resides within, just as Krishna and Arjun were the same person – you. Overcome fear, and find the God within. With discipline and mind controlled – do you see Him now? Then show courage above and beyond the call of Hindu duty. Arise Arjun then.