“Gurudev, look at all these documents and papers, very damaging, they show your clandestine investments abroad, money laundering, violation of FEMA.”
” know, I know but you would agree that I have not earned any money from doing any “illegal business”, I mean black-marketing, smuggling, gambling or the like, all this money comes from my disciples teaching spirituality, guiding them how to live in peace and tranquility, giving them lessons of Yoga. Most of the donations are being accepted in the name of different trusts. All that money is being spent on philanthropic objects.” Baba made a futile attempt to earn sympathy.
“Gurudev, I am not concerned with your philan-thropic deeds, I know your trusts are doing great service to the society at large. But I can’t ignore all these papers and documents which implicate you individually. You are caught with your pants down.” For a while there was pin-drop silence in the room. Baba was flipping through the documents and papers.
“Why don’t you hand over those papers and documents having my reference as if you did not detect them at all ?” asked Baba staring at the chief.
“Ok, but not without price! What about other papers having names of your confidents, I mean second in command of the your Ashram ?” responded the chief.
“It’s for you to decide. Who am I to direct you?” the chief got pampered by Baba’s unexpected respect.
“Well, all right, I understand, so the deal is struck” said the chief.
Baba scribbled a figure on the paper and said, “Is this enough for you ?”
“It’s all right, but what about others?” queried the chief.
“Oh I just forgot them, how many are they?” asked Baba.
“Seven” said the chief making headcount on his fingers.
Again Baba scribbled a figure per member of the raid team on the paper and stared at the chief for his approval.
The chief hesitated, he asked for more.
“Okay, I increase the amount as you desire. Can you give me guarantee you will not pocket the amount meant for them ?” asked Baba.
“I would call them right now if you suspect my honesty towards my colleagues” retorted the chief.
“Om Shanti Shanti Shanti, I am sorry, I am sorry” said Baba with a smile on his face.
Baba got a “clean” chit. His team of chartered accountants managed to convince the assessing officer that in Baba’s case everything was on “board”, nothing hidden or concealed. However Baba’s three disciples were implicated to the hilt for concealment of income and violations of different provisions of the Income-tax Act, FEMA, Customs, etc.
So Vikrambhai, my questions to you:
First how do you differentiate between Baba Ramjay and the chief ?
Second, what works in any given situation ?
Third, both Baba Ramjay and the chief are dishonest persons. Who would you prefer as a friend ?
If you remain silent knowing the answers to my questions, I will chop your head with your sword.” Vetal roared.
Vikarm began to answer,
“Both Baba Ramjay and the chief are social evils. But Baba is more dangerous than the chief. Forget his philanthropic deeds. The chief is an ordinary corrupt bureaucrat. Whereas Baba is an extraordinary corrupt member of the society, he pretends to be ‘spiritual’ for the society at large on the one hand and amasses huge wealth in the name of spirituality on the other hand. I think an avid spiritual person tends to abandon the mundane world in his pursuit to practise the principles of spirituality. Well, the chief has greed for money, whereas Baba has greed for money and ‘image’ both. Greed for image is more powerful than the greed for money.
Answer to your second question, in any given situation it’s not spirituality, ethics traditions or culture, but ‘survival instinct’ of an individual works. This survival instinct varies from individual to individual.
And lastly, I would prefer the chief as my friend instead of Baba Ramjay, Baba Ramjay is more selfish than the chief. He betrays his close confidents. On the contrary, the chief looks after the interest of his colleagues.”
“Vikrambhai, you broke the silence, I am vanishing” again VetaI’s laugh was echoing in the graveyard.
