Why we need more Swami Brahmaviharidasji than Asaram Bapus and Swami Nithyanandas

In this age of a million outrages a day - a news dispatch from Thirssur, Kerala reported ''Woman Translator of Dr Abdul Kalam denied seat on dais". It transpired that the chief guest - the Head of the local Swaminarayan Ashram - had requested that no woman be present on the stage - as per the injunction of his spiritual order to avoid close proximity with women. This was considered ''anti-women'' by the lady translator (who was obviously keen - perhaps, rightfully so - to share the flashlights of the cameras) and she was able to mobilise support of various left organisations who stormed the venue and occupied the stage. Finally, the publishers decided to keep the Swami himself away from the function and conducted the ceremony with another chief guest.

The question is not about the translator's ''entitlement'' to be present on stage - which is an issue she ought to have sorted out with the publishers - but that of linking it to the request of a monastic person, who happened to be also the prime invitee, giving it the twist of "anti-woman attitude" and making it a full-blown controversy with rent-a-cause protestors. It is surely the prerogative of organisers to decide on a chief guest. By any measure, the choice of chief guest was logical and appropriate considering the book itself was about the "spiritual experiences" of Dr Kalam with the current chief of the Swaminarayan sect. It is also good form all across (not just a part of Indian or "Hindu" tradition) to respect the preferences and sensitivities (sometimes even idiosyncrasies) of the principal dignitary of a function.

The idea of "Brahmacharya" in Hinduism doesn't merely mean celibacy and abstinence. It starts at the core - from eschewing carnal thoughts or avoiding all things that might trigger such impulses - which obviously includes association with members of the opposite sex. It is naive to assume that - just by donning a saffron cloth (or, for that matter white cassocks - as we also know) one can automatically rise above sexual desires. It can only be an outcome of deep, life-long "Sadhana". In fact ancient spiritual masters and later-day psychologists both understood "spiritual progression" is like climbing a slippery pole and those pursuing the difficult path are often more susceptible to falls. Hence, our rishis and sages (of, practically all cultures and religion) prescribed need for safeguards and strict rules for monastic life.

Let's first accept - to embrace a certain religious denomination is a personal choice - as indeed is decision to be a follower, disciple or devotee of that order. From a layman's perspective - it may be argued - such restrictions on segregation of sexes are not practical in this day and age. Therein lies the rub. Even without going back to our mythologies - we know of many instances in recent times when the sexual code was breached by spiritual "gurus'' of standing - including some famous ones even now languishing in jail. And, one must hasten to add this is not restricted to Hindu sects alone even in "God's own country" Kerala.

Therefore, it is not without reason that many "conservative" religious orders - including a relatively modern and progressive one like the Ramakrishna Mission - impose stringent restrictions on their members. That brings me to a parable from the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. He narrated, once four young novitiate monks sat in meditation in the woods on the periphery of a village. Of them, three were celibate and one had been married briefly in his early youth. After sometime - a young girl was passing by on her way to fetch water from the river. While the first three remained undisturbed, immersed in meditation - the fourth - instinctively sensed the feminine presence even from a distance and tried to furtively catch a glimpse of her from one corner of his eye. The point being "sanskars" (or sensual residues as it were) are not easy to cure.

So it could be - far from meaning it as an "affront" to a woman - the Swaminarayan Saint - may have considered it traditional monastic propriety. If we had more of Swami Brahmaviharidasjis than Asarams and Nityanands - there would probably be fewer instances of sexual exploitation under the garb of spiritual guidance.