The power of the word

The widespread agitation in several countries, following a little-known filmmaker’s purported blasphemy – the anti-Islam film that has been made (in)famous by the equally blasphemous killing of innocents – leaves one wondering about the interpretation, reinterpretation and deliberate misinterpretation of religious and spiritual texts by vested interests, provocative agents and uninformed public.

Ironically in such situations, protestors in the guise of “right action” do everything that is described as “wrong” in the very texts they feel have been wronged. No religion, thinker, holy man, philosopher, spiritual guru or balanced ruler has advocated retaliation or retribution.

On the flipside, given our times, one can only wonder what it is that drives intelligent and creative people – Salman Rushdie being a case in point – to be insensitive to the sensitivities and sentiments of millions by using sensitive material in ways that can be interpreted otherwise.

As writers advocating independent opinion, freedom of speech and the power of the written/spoken word, we have no choice but to recognise that today’s times call for greater propriety, and a better understanding of the value imbued in words like sayyam (balance) and saboori (patience).

The importance of the repetition of sacred words is known to mystics. The Hindu practice of Japa, the Parsi Gatha, the Jewish practice of repetition of names and verses from the Kabala and the Sufi practice of Zikr, to cite a few examples, all stand as testimony for the true import of the word and the power invested within.

The Sufi mystic Hazrat Inayat Khan when asked about the meaning of such practices said, “If it be asked what is the purpose it may be answered that as the purpose of all rain is to return to the ocean, so the purpose of every soul is to return to God.

Some drops unite in little streams, to flow down the river which ultimately loses itself in the ocean. Wazifa is both positive and negative, to build up faculties which are necessary and to remove undesirable qualities.

Sufis use Wazifa in purification, but the Sufi always recognises God as the perfection of love, harmony, and beauty, as the perfection of all qualities, and as the perfection of perfections. If strength is needed, strength comes from God; if love is required, God is love; if one must perform justice, God is Judge and Forgiver.”

However, words of wisdom often become easy to mouth platitudes. To rely on the tenets of Mahatma Gandhi and uphold the virtues of Swami Vivekananda may be a good thing in theory. But if one’s actions stand contrary, words remain just that: Empty words.

Leaders, in particular, wear upon their shoulders the moral responsibility of having to choose their words with greater care, and importantly, marry their words with their actions. The gap between words and actions and between words too can either make or break: The unspoken has a way of revealing itself between the lines.

A phrase such as ‘brotherhood of mankind’ assumes utmost significance today in fragile environments where one-eyed rulers are king. For to cite a cliché, an eye for an eye, is likely to leave the whole world blind.
 

The author is a published writer and an independent arts consultant and can be reached at mehta.anupa@gmail.com