Uniqueness is a Type
By Karmayogi
In the history of the world, we
have witnessed power struggle of all descriptions. One who has all the power in
his own hands giving it away to others is not heard of in the history of the
world. Mahatma Gandhiji did so. Therefore, he was unique. What is unique joins
the list of wonders of the world. It is true some men are unique, and many
things are unique. Its opposite also is true. Nothing can ever be unique. If
you buy a rare camera in your town and it is not available anywhere in your
town or any other town, it does not mean some company produced only that
camera. Just because it is not seen anywhere, it does not become unique. Some
company has produced somewhere many such cameras and one by some chance has
reached our town and our hands.
Unless the whole society unconsciously prepares for something, no single
pioneer can rise anywhere. Historically, what was unique at one time has become
commonplace later. There is a Gandhiji in each of us. But we have seen only one
Gandhiji. It is easy for man to consider himself unique. Those who have studied
human personality often hear from others or everyone, I am not
one of those many. I have not met a man like me. In all modesty, I can say I am
the only one who has this capacity - I am unique.'' In the writings
of great playwrights or novelists, we rarely meet a character repeated. It
gives us the impression that that character is unique. The truth is uniqueness
belongs to a type.
Democracy is an institution that illustrates it well. The monarch who ruled the
country is now found in each individual who has the power to vote. For a long
time I have been vainly explaining this FACT to a foreigner whenever he is
struck by the Indian wisdom. It does not belong to that one man from whom he
hears it. It is there in the entire population. We may wonder at an Englishman
fluently speaking English, but we forget that everyone in England speaks so. Recently
I came to know an idealist, an efficient, good man who gave up a lucrative job
to serve the cause he believes in. This is the first time I have met such a
one. To me it means there are a great many idealists in this country. When such
people come to rule the country, India will raise her head in her original
spiritual splendour.
|