Use, Misuse and Abuse of Powers

Lord Indra has gone away from Amaravati, the capital of the Devas. A small misunderstanding with Bruhaspati, the Guru and chief advisor of his clan had brought a chain of bad tidings. After a series of undesirable happenings he was forced to abandon his abode and spend his time sitting in the stem of a lotus in Maanasa Sarovar, a divine lake in the Himalayas. The Devas were left without their leader and captain. This was not acceptable in the order of things. They were constrained to find a temporary substitute. Finding a suitable alternative to Lord Indra was no easy task. The position carried so much of power and responsibilities with it that it was indeed impossible to search for one who filled the gap perfectly. He had to be strong, knowledgeable and capable of controlling and commanding the loyalty of the mighty stalwarts of the upper world. The bigger problem was not in finding a substitute; it was in ensuring that the substitute vacates his position when the original occupant returned in due course. 

An acceptable substitute was finally found in King Nahusha, who was the emperor of the middle world, the earth. This King was indeed a perfect fit; he had administrative experience and was a friend of the Devas. There was no possibility of his betraying the trust of the Devas and joining hand with the Asuras, the occupants of the lower world. King Nahusha believed in the rule of righteousness (Dharma), did not believe in sticking to the chair as a limpet, and ever willing to shoulder additional responsibilities of any nature for a good cause. He was not ambitious and yet not shirking in accepting additional duties. When approached to take over the post of Lord Indra, he agreed without much conditions. The only condition he placed was that he should be free to access any source and stream of knowledge he desired that enabled his efficient discharge of his duties. An agreement was reached on seat-sharing and he took over as Lord Indra till the time the original incumbent returned.

King Nahusha entrusted his kingdom on earth to his son King Yayati, and proceeded to the heavens with his wife Virijadevi. As he progressed in his duties, all his ministers and subjects were much impressed by his administrative skills and problem solving techniques. He was an expert in judicious use of the powers vested in him. Agni (Fire God) and Vayu (Wind God), the two senior most ministers started wondering why the previous Indra and they themselves were not aware of their own powers and had not thought of utilising those powers in solving the various issues confronting them. Guru Bruhaspati, who was now back as the chief advisor was also surprised by the way in which Nahusha was able to exercise the powers vested with Lord Indra. Guru Shukracharya, chief advisor of demons and an adversary of Bruhaspati was also dumbstruck at the administrative acumen shown by Nahusha. He was now a made a part of the advisory council of the upper world, which was not even dreamt in the rule of the regular Lord Indra.

Instead of holding on to the powerful chair as long as he could, Nahusha started his pursuit to find the original incumbent and restore the seat to him. He enquired as to the reason for Indra's exile. Having come to know that Indra was hiding to escape from a evil force, he marshalled all resources at his command to get rid of the evil force. That would make way for return of the original Indra.

He chided both Agni and Vayu for not solving this issue earlier. "You are both bestowed with abundant powers for facing such eventualities. Both of you can fall back on your Omnipotent powers (Vishwaroopa dharana) during an emergency and thereby destroying the evil force. Even Indra could have done this. All of you did not use the powers already vested in you. Instead, you were looking for outside force to solve this issue. Now I am commanding you. I am also giving you detailed instructions for action. Go ahead and get Lord Indra released. This is my order!", he thundered.

Agni and Vayu were now transformed by the realisation of their own hidden powers. They succeeded in destroying the evil force. Lord Indra was released. Nahusha did not worry about losing the throne on which he could have had a much longer tenure. The seat was restored to Lord Indra permanently. The Devas also learnt the secret of exercising powers vested in them efficiently and effectively. Exercising powers was totally different now and they were indebted to King Nahusha for this valuable lesson.

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We often hear the words use, misuse and abuse in the context of exercise of powers by various public authorities and private enterprise. Some are unable to exercise powers vested in them. There are others who misuse the powers given to them. There are many others who go much forward and abuse the powers that are given to them by gross exceeding of their contours. 

What do these three words actually mean? When does use of a power become misuse? When does that cross even that border and turnout to be abuse of powers? In the context of what is happening around us in these times, it is indeed time to understand the real import of these three phrases of use of powers, misuse of powers and abuse of powers.

The word "Use" is so common that it is defined as "Making use of" or "Put into use". It denotes positive exercise of powers as it ought to be. Not using of one's powers is indeed a failing in discharge of one's duties. Many functionaries at all levels fail to exercise their powers. Some are not even aware of their powers. Some others do not know how to use them. Many are afraid to use them! All of them have wonderful arguments justifying their positions. Nevertheless, they cause irreparable damage by not using their powers. The real tragedy is that not exercising powers takes a back seat due to misuse and abuse of powers in the surroundings.

The word "Misuse" denotes wrong or improper use of anything. It is use of power for a purpose other than what is prescribed by law or rules. It often goes unnoticed and may not be harmful to others. It may not even be treated as an omission. The nature of misuse is such that many authorities consider it as normal use and others also consider it as a normal or routine thing.

The word "Abuse" represents unrestrained exercise of one's powers and authority with intention. Here the person abusing the powers is well aware of the actions and their impact on others. It encroaches on the area of others and denies what is rightly due to others. The element of "Mens rea" associated with criminal jurisprudence is present here. Abuse often brings personal gratification to the person exercising powers or his associates. Arrogance is its hallmark and preparedness to further abuse the powers to meet the consequences its main feature. Abuse is immensely harmful to the society and the institutions that they represent.

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Devudu Narasimha Sastry (1895-1962), popularly known as Devudu, was a scholar par excellence and well known literary figure. He was known for his mastery in Sanskrit, English and Kannada literature. He was an actor, journalist and novelist as well. He was also associated with film world and stage plays. He was an expert in various facets of vedic knowledge and revered for his good qualities. His commentary on Mimamsa, "Mimamsa Darpana" is a highly acclaimed work in that field. He had the fantastic ability to bring out the hidden knowledge in ancient works through novels couched in simple language and yet profound in their meaning and impact. His trilogy of works "Mahabrahmana", "Mahakshatriya" and "Mahadarshana" are masterpieces and won critical acclaim and awards. His short novel "Mayura" deals with the life of King Mayuravrama of Kadamba dynasty. Mayura was made into a film with Dr Rajkumar in lead role. The film is very popular and is considered as a milestone in Kannada cinema as well as Rajkumar's career.

Devudu's novel "Mahakshatriya" deals with King Nahusha's life and his tenure as Lord Indra. Devudu has made some subtle changes in the original story from Mahabharata and transformed Nahusha into a great character. The various aspects of use, misuse and abuse of powers are dealt in this novel in a simple and yet effective way. It is a book that all those who exercise powers ought to read and appreciate, especially in the present times. 

You Have Not Availed The Limit Fully

The Managing Partner of the firm was sitting before the Bank Manager. He was discussing about his application for enhancement of the firm's working capital limits. When he put in the application, he was confident that the enhancement requested would be approved without any trouble. After all, his firm was one of the old customers of the bank and the dealings were always satisfactory. As the key person handling the finances of the firm, he exercised utmost restraint while using the funds from the working capital loan account sanctioned by the bank. Drawings were always kept at the minimum and interest was serviced as soon as it was levied. There was not even one instance of seeking excess withdrawal during the entire year. In fact, the drawings were mostly less than half of the limit sanctioned to the firm. He did not quarrel about the service charges levied by the bank from time to time. Inspectors deputed by the bank were free to visit the unit and see the stocks and books of the firm at any time of their choosing. They were treated with due courtesy and all their questions were promptly answered. The books of accounts were always up to date. Financial statements and information required by the bank were submitted without any reminders for them. There was absolutely no reason for the bank to decline his request for enhancement. If the bank does not approve enhancement for a client like him, who stands a chance for enhancement of the limits, he reasoned.

He was flabbergast at the way in which the Bank Manager looked at the application for enhancement of the limits. "There is no doubt about yours being one of the best accounts we have at the bank. We would have no hesitation at all in enhancing the limits except for one issue. There is no justification for enhancing the limits this year. You will appreciate that you have not availed even half of the limits approved for you last year. Bank has placed scarce resource at your disposal by sanctioning the limits. But you have not availed the limit fully at all. Whatever was sanctioned earlier has gone a waste. When the bank gives you a limit, we expect you to avail the same. If you did not really require it, bank would have placed the funds at the disposal of someone else who needed it and earned interest. Funds sanctioned to you were blocked and remained unused. Hence we find it difficult to enhance the limit now", the Manager said. For the first time, Managing Partner realized the importance of availing the limits fully. 

"You are a good client and we respect you for that. Bank will certainly meet your genuine requirements. But the resources placed at your disposal have indeed to be used. If they are not used, it leads to the inescapable conclusion that they are not required by you. It would be given to someone else who has more needs for it.", the Manager concluded.

*****  

Saint Vijayadasa is one of the most revered philosophers and composers in the "Haridasa" heritage. He lived in Raichur district of North Karnataka in the 18th century (1682-1755). He is credited with more than 25,000 compositions in Kannada language and continuing the tradition of Saint Purandaradasa. His compositions are sung and practiced even today. He was born in a very poor family and had very difficult upbringing. He had to withstand the ridicule and humiliation heaped by his relatives and other villagers on his mother, brothers and himself. He took all the suffering in his stride and believed in the path chosen by him. He did not hold any rancor or hatred even against his worst tormenters. He was highly respected for this approach to life and became a cult figure during the later part of his life. He had many followers and disciples who conferred many luxuries on him out of reverence and affection. While he did not have two square meals a day during the early part of his life, he was able to manage a large group of students and disciples who accompanied him on his tours, by providing for all their requirements. He was given palanquins, servants and all other items required for a luxurious living. While he received any item given to him by others, he never used them and remained a humble being leading a simple life.

Gopaladasa was among the foremost of the disciples of Vijayadasa. His childhood and upbringing was very similar to that of Vijayadasa. Gopaladasa had a different view about using the many items given by his Guru's followers. He was not happy with his Guru not using the items offered by the people with reverence. "Guruji, All these items are given by your followers due to the respect they have for you. In a way, it is given by the Lord himself through them. If you do not use them and let them go a waste, is it not an insult to the Lord himself? Any resource that he gives us is to be used properly. Allowing them to go waste is not acceptable to the Lord. Unless used properly, these material things lose their vitality and become useless. Lord has created these items for proper use. You should use them henceforth", he told Vijayadasa. Vijayadasa agreed with the views of Gopaladasa but did not yet like to use them. "I agree with your line of thinking. But I have got used to my present way of life. I suggest that you use these items on my behalf. Thus the resources will not be wasted. Please do so", he advised Gopaladasa.

Thereafter Gopaladasa put all the items received by his Guru to proper use. If he did not use it himself, he would give it away to the needy. It is said that he would proceed in the palanquin ahead of the Guru and advise those waiting to see Vijayadasa about his arrival. "I am not the Guru. He is coming behind me by walk. Please receive him and pay your respects to him", he would tell the gathering!

*****  

The conflict of spirituality and using material comforts at the same time often confuses us. Some believe in giving up all material comforts and lead a hard life as they think that it is the real practicing of spiritual living. There are others who believe that material comforts are gifts of the Lord and as such they should be respected and used. Vijayadasa and Gopaladasa represented these two streams of thinking. Who was right and who was wrong? Apparently both were right in their own way. 

The real answer for the conflict appears to be a golden mean between the two. Use of material comforts to an extent that it is not a vulgar display of luxury could be the middle path. What is vulgar display of luxury? There can again be many interpretation of this. Use of material wealth without attachment would be the key. Using them when available and not craving for them when they are not around, would not obstruct one's spirituality.  

A banker does not renew or enhance a credit limit unless the earlier sanctioned limit is availed fully. A banker wants the borrower to avail the limit and pay interest to him. Otherwise, he would place the resource at the disposal of someone else who needs them. What does the Lord expect when he showers some material conveniences to us? He expects us to use them judiciously without let them go a waste. He does not expect any interest like a banker. A mere acknowledgement of his kindness and treating his other subjects fairly is all he wants!

What about those who do not believe in the existence of The Lord? They are the lucky ones without any problems and conflicts. For them, material wealth is the means as well the end in itself.