The Real Meaning of Independence

The question we have to ask ourselves is whether we are really independent! The word 'independent' is a misnomer! It is defined as a state in which you can do whatever you want according to your whims and fancies. Are you really independent? Is your family, or country independent in real terms? The answer is only in the negative! The term independence can better be rewritten as " in dependence" which is really what we find in the society of ours! TILAK may say that swaraj is my Birthright and the Mahatma would have fought for the Independence of India. But the truth is that every individual, family, and nation has to depend upon another family, or society or nation for many things!

Our body depends on the many activities of the endocrine organs. We have no control over the cardiac muscles. There are involuntary muscles in our body. Our health depends on the proper working of these parts of the body. Some times, in spite of our great effort, we fail to control certain diseases. Thus there is not a single individual in the Universe who can call himself truly Independent! Even the Gods are not independent according to the Vedas, Upanishads, Itihasas and the Puranas! They speak of a Supreme Power, which controls the Universe! The Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara are subject to the authority of ADI PARASAKTHI or Sri RAJARAJESWARI! SRI CHAKRA depicts all the Devas, Gods and the Goddesses offering worship at her lotus feet! The Upanishad says that it is by the fear of the Brahman that Fire burns, Wind blows the Sun shines and Indra carries out his duties! It is also because of that Power, Yama, the God of death does his work of taking away the lives of people!  "bhishasmad vatah pavate bhishodeti suryaha bhishascagni schendrascha mruthyur dhavati panchamaha iti" says the Taittiriya Upanishad!

Unrestricted independence poses many dangers to the individual, as well as to the family and the Nation. A Lady walking along the center of the road said that she is independent and can walk wherever she wanted to! The truck driver who questioned her said that he too had independence to run over her! Our independence stops where the other man's independence begins! You should never encroach on the liberty of others. So long as you do not step on the Liberty of others, you are safe! In order to enjoy our Liberty, we have to curtail it to some extent!

Liberty or Independence is not a personal affair! It is a social contract! If every one acts, as he likes, there will be confusion and chaos. No one would be able to enjoy freedom or Liberty! The Police constable at the road junction is not a despot or a tyrant who stops your car and whom you want to shoot for stopping your vehicle! He is the symbol of safety and a benefactor who saves many lives on the road. We know what havoc is caused when some important signals at a road junction fail! Let us not crucify these cops who protect the Liberty of every one in society! Total liberty can be exercised in matters of individual taste and dress and other things that do not affect others. You can wear any color you like or eat any kind of food that is taste tingling!

We talk of many types of independence like political, economic religious independence. Political independence has no meaning as every politician depends on Money and Votes! The nation depends on the MPs and MLAs and the cooperation of the neighbors. We know how India is surrounded by hostile nations and the problems she has been facing! Economic independence is another misleading term. India receives large sums from the World Bank and America as loans and grants! India and America depend on Iraq, Iran, and Libya for its oil supplies! Religion has generated fanaticism, more often than not, from time immemorial! The present crisis in Iraq, Palestine, Libya and the ruthlessness of the ISIS are the signs of impending danger to the very existence of social order! Hence it appears that Providence did not want any one, family, society or country to be totally Independent! He wants, not independence but inter dependence or "IN DEPENDENCE" Brotherhood, understanding, mutual Love and respect among people, society and Nations for peaceful coexistence seem to be the guiding principles of GOD the Creator! But unfortunately Man in his arrogance, Ego and power has lost his head and is destroying himself. Let us hope that good sense shall dawn upon him soon!