Bhajans and self-defense
A few minutes after singing bhajans, I got aggravated over something. Inciting situation was not happening for the first time. The receiver of my scolding was surprised and stated that it is unbelievable that I am showing this belligerence after Bhajan singing.
Therefore, the question is this-
Can we fight, argue, defend ourselves, give punishment to someone, and go ahead with implementing consequences for repeated assault after singing bhajans and praying?
I think it is natural and justified to protect ourselves.
Since the very beginning of creation, good and evil forces are coexisting. We heard stories of Asurs, Daityas, Danavs, Rakshashas, Yaksha, etc.
Everyone has god-gifted defense mechanisms e.g. some animals have very sharp eyes, and/or ears, some have a specific type of teeth or smell, some camouflage, etc. Even a cow has horns.
Devi and Devtas fought wars to protect themselves and their dharma.
Vishnu took many avatars and fought with evil people to restore peace and dharma. Kali killed horrible beings. Shivji fought with hideous, nasty people. Shivji is called Mahayogi. He is the ultimate meditator, still when needed he does Tandav.
Rishi's used to curse if someone interfered with their activities or disobeyed them/disrespected them.
In dwapar yug Ram defeated Ravan. In treta yug, Krishna restored dharma by facilitating the defeat of Kauravas and defeating Kans.
The following verse from Gita clearly says not to be attached to inaction.
Gita chapter 2 verse 47
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि
You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to inaction.
कर्तव्यकर्म करनेमें ही तेरा अधिकार है फलोंमें कभी नहीं। अतः तू कर्मफलका हेतु भी मत बन और तेरी अकर्मण्यतामें भी आसक्ति न हो।
There are nasty people, hostile animals, birds, beasts, and even dark/evil places filled with negative energy. We have all the right to prevent ourselves from being exposed to negative interactions and negative energies, even if it means waging a war against someone.
Durga's, Shakti's, Rudra's, etc. are created as a consequence of overflow of injustice, suppression, taking away dignity, indifference, abandonment, mocking, humiliation, etc.
Choosing violence over Cowardliness is courage. Violence is not the answer to everything. However, when it is the answer, it is the only and most appropriate and Dharmic answer. Without this courage, we can not live or survive peacefully long enough. When explanations, teachings, kindness, etc. are not working, physical and mental violence may be the answer as we can not risk losing our and our community's sanity and life. We can not stay inactive observers and fall, we need to fight back with strength and strategy. This brings endurance to our inner self.
Karma can be good or bad. Good deeds are good karma is a common belief. However, good karma means doing your duty even if it involves so-called bad deeds.
Imagine a mother killing a snake to protect her child. Is this good karma or bad? Killing a snake is bad karma. However, her duty is to protect her child, she must protect her child. So, is it not good karma?
Equally important is to fight and defeat evil inside us.
Fearlessness, bravery, and courage are virtues. Many of us acquire these virtues only in times of crisis. A moment of courage to live or survive comes along with the readiness to die. One courageous moment may become a dreadful memory for the rest of our lives. However, if courage is for accepting our vices and correcting those, or for others, then it is always inspiring and motivating. It never becomes a terrifying memory.
Courage is of two types- Physical and mental.
It is easier to acquire physical stamina but comparatively harder for many to gain mental courage.
However, physical courage may be needed for mental courage and mental courage is needed to develop physical courage.
Everyone has different ways of protecting himself. Some of the ways are:
- Stay away from the evil person, force, or interaction
- Keep tolerating them or have so much control over your mind that evil forces do not affect you
- Express your unhappiness about their behavior and request them not to irritate/annoy/bother you
- Try to change them to good, dharmic people/ educate them
- Ignore them
- Confront them
- Fight back if nothing else works
- Singing bhajans and praying does not prevent you from fighting to get what you deserve whether it is respect, privacy, peace, or anything else.
Bharti Raizada