The Way Forward
My overriding concern throughout this investigation has been to find a way to do damage control in order to protect the broader interests of dharma. This requires a pragmatic approach. Given the state of affairs, it seems that the mess cannot be created without the swami leaving the movement and going into a strictly private life of meditation and self inquiry. I worry for the young ashramites who I feel are amazing individuals but in need of proper mentoring. They have a solid commitment to the cause and their personal spiritual paths, but they lack the sophistication and maturity to deal with what they face today.
Swami Nithyananda should resign immediately and hand over all his organizations to senior spiritual masters, preferably Shaivites practicing the Shiva Sutras and related traditions. He told me in an interview hat I recorded on March 9th that he was willing to leave everything and become a wandering sadhu again. I wish that interview had been aired.
The new spiritual leaders would give the ashram a new life and chance to revive itself. It could either remain a place for spiritual training or turn itself into a Hindu social service organization. Either way it would be a better outcome than the likely alternative of the government stepping in to take over the ashram and turn it over to administrators who are not positively disposed to Hindu spirituality – as has happened in numerous similar cases of government takeovers of Hindu temples and organizations despite claims of being “secular”.
Besides giving up the organization, Swami Nithyananda should return to his personal sadhana under their guidance. Let them evaluate him and his organization, and issue their independent report to the public. Swami Nithyananda should fearlessly and humbly submit himself to their judgment of what happened and what the remedies ought to be.
Hinduism has survived for many millennia and faced many kinds of crises, just like all the other major religions of the world. It has its own internal resources and mechanisms to deal with such situations. These need to be put to use and they need to become modernized. This is not the last such scandal Hindu groups are going to face in the near future!
Editor’s thoughts + Also read below:
1. Instead of Swami Nithyananda resigning one must examine the Church angle closely. In fact he must clear his name and continue the good work. Those who oppose your work will do anything to pull you down. If you resign they win. Stay put and fight like a true blooded Kshatriya.
2. In India the Media can convict you even before the Courts. Do not get demoralized. Lie low, work silently and bid your time.
3. The average Hindu believes that goodness will prevail and cannot imagine that a smooth talking opponent could launch a well coordinated multi location attack. Like many politicians before and after him, Atalji learnt the hard way in Kargil after Lahore. Be friendly but prepared to counter attack. Never let your guard down.
4. Any good lawyer will tell you that the way to legally entangle an opponent is to file a Criminal case rather than a civil one. A simple incident can be made into a criminal case.
5. Since Hinduism does not have a Church or a central governing body the average Hindu is unable to fathom that followers of Semitic religions could attack in an organized yet subtle way.
6. Gurus must realize that as and when politicians feel that a Guru’s work is threatening their votes a counter attack should be expected.
7. Swamis must hand over day to day management to a Managing Committee.
8. A Swamis inner circle or atleast the Managing Committee should have those belonging to the four varnas. Cross pollination of thoughts will produce better results.
9. There should be a team dedicated to Media Management. About nine years ago I met a Christian Father who was studying Mass Communications at Mumbai’s St Xavier’s College. Hindus need to emulate.
10.Maintain a List of those devotees who have influence in various sectors. So when a problem arises in a given sector the crack team knows whom to contact asap.
11.Maintain a database of the wrong doings of your opponents. Selectively leak them out from time to time. Keep your opponents busy defending that would leave them less time to plan an attack.
Also read:
1. Arrest of Kanchi Sankaracharya Insights
2. Supreme Court judgment transferring Sankaracharya’s case to Pondicherry
3. Electronic Media and Hindu sentiments
4. Kumbh Mela and Media
5. Analysis of Foreign Funding into India
6. In Defense of Hinduism by Swami Vivekananda
