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From The Editor's Desk
(Hinduwebsite Editorial -
Exploring Truth Amidst Lies and Distortions)
We do not know clearly what happened in case of Swami
Nityananda and whether it was a
conspiracy or a fact. However,
we know
that in a human body all souls are subject
to certain limitations and temptations and that even the most
advanced souls cannot escape from its tight hold completely.
When you are in a spiritual mode, you are in a serious
confrontation with Nature and trying to transcend it. It is like
swimming against the tide. Nature, being
an automaton, works tirelessly to enforce its laws,
against which we do not always succeed.
There are however certain issues, which Swami Nityananda failed to
answer clearly or consistently and it is where we would like to
focus and draw his attention. What happened in his case was not
an allegation or a rumor, but a visual presentation of very
private and intimate scenes in graphic detail. What we saw would remain in the
memory of people for a very long time to come. No evidence has so far come forth to
prove convincingly that what was shown in those videos was fabricated or
false. The swami said they were fabricated, but he did not
explain where and what exactly was fabricated and which part of
the videos were true and which were not. He did not explain
clearly and convincingly why and under what circumstance he
allowed himself to be in those situations which gave rise to the
controversy.
The swami further claimed that he was in a trance. To those who
watched the videos, he didn't appear to be
in trance and he did not show any signs of being in a trance. He
was wide awake, at times watching the TV and at times reading
some book and at times simply gazing into the persons who were
serving him. He did look tired and sick at times but not in
trance. He did look uncomfortable and lost in the presence of
the women, but he was not entirely unresponsive or inattentive. The swami ought to explain
his actions in their presence and what made him cross the line
of decorum. If he was in trance,
he should let the world know what type of trance it was. Was it sabija or nirbija, savikalpa
or nirvikalpa? Was he aware? Was he utterly and totally lost? Is
he saying that it was all the fault of the women who were
serving him? Secondly he said he was experimenting. He did not
clearly explain what experiments he was doing and who gave him
the right to experiment (play) with the lives of poor women whose
names were tarnished forever? Now,
experiments are for ordinary people, people who are ignorant and
who want to ascertain truths or test their hypotheses through experiments.
The swami is known to be an enlightened person, a knower of
truth. He is even worshipped by some as a deity. So if the swami
claims that he was experimenting, it logically follows that he
does not know truth and he is not enlightened to
the extent his followers want others to believe. If he is prone
to experiments, then he has no right to guide people because
only a knowledgeable and enlightened master can guide people,
not those who are still experimenting with truth.
Thirdly what is noticeable is that the swami never showed any real signs of
repentance.
He was appalled by the vitriol and shocked by the
reaction people showed, but failed to accept responsibility for
what happened. He tried to defend himself and protect his image,
which is actually against the spiritual tenets of Hinduism and
which goes to prove that he is still attached to certain aspects
of his present existence. In several words he presented himself as a victim
of some big conspiracy, which may be even true, but failed to
show compassion and
apologize to his followers for letting them down knowingly or
unknowingly. Finally, in one of his speeches available on
the YouTube, he claimed himself as having a clairvoyant vision
and the ability to see things in 360 degrees. In the same video
he narrated how he was able to know what was happening behind his
back, without even turning his head.
It makes one wonder how he failed to see the cameras hidden in
his room so many times and
how he let the recordings happen. Probably God played a major trick
upon
him and his witness consciousness was lost amid distractions.
We believe the swami is a spokesperson for Hinduism, whose
voice is heard and respected by millions of Hindus. He has a
responsibility to restore the faith people lost in their
religion because of
what happened. Even if we assume that there was a conspiracy
against him or against Hinduism, the
swami allowed it to happen in no small way. He ought to have
been careful and shown exemplary character, knowing that people
were plotting against him. He has a
responsibility towards all those who feel shattered by the whole
experience and whose faith in the religion and the ideals is
thoroughly shaken. It is not important whether the swami will be
able to gain respect among people. If he is a true sanyasi, he
wouldn't and shouldn't care. He should rather spend the rest of
his life serving the very people whose faith he has damaged, in
some cases beyond repair. He must forgive those who hurt him and
accept personal responsibility for what happened. Finally he
should clarify and clear the position of the women whom he
implicated indirectly by claiming himself to be in trance and
innocent.
Suggested Further Reading
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