It is estimated that world over approximately one trillion dollars are spent every year by various countries on what is called ‘ Defence’ or ‘ Security’ and yet its quite surprising that insecurity is increasing rather then decreasing. Whats more saddening is that all the diversion of resources to war purposes deprives the poorer sections of society the help which they need or infact deserve. In this respect, it is essential to redefine security and to break the link between security and military force. We need to understand that our security lies not in armed state of readiness for war but in friendliness, love and peace with others. Our real enemies are not men and women but suspicion, fear, hatred, violence and feeling of revenge and these enemies cannot be eliminated by military means. It has, therefore, rightly been said in the Gita: ‘Arjuna, the soul is its own best friend and it is its own worst enemy’. We must therefore know that it is love that can eliminate hate, kindness that can kill cruelty and compassion that can calm down passion.
Scriptures have mentioned about a time in the distant past when there were less and less wars and where the environment was clean and people lived in amity and peace. Such an era was known as Golden Age or Satyuga. That was the time when there was Universal Harmony. It is that new world which we wish to usher in again. And, we need those attitudes and that thinking which can restore harmony in human relations again. But how can we bring about that change? It’s very simple, for that we need to realize that most of our problems arise from our spiritual illiteracy which has to be eradicated. If, therefore, we can get rid of this kind of illiteracy and have a new lease of consciousness beyond war and enmity, then we can open to a new paradise, otherwise we will end in eternal darkness.
