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.Such art and the artists that create it are of high importance tosociety.Using great works of art in the decoration of our homes and cit-ies can be a powerful way of cultivating the desirable Rasas. 24Social Work and PoliticsWhile poverty may be an excuse for feeling bad,many do not need it.Rasas and CastesIn the Indian Rasa tradition, particular Rasas were attributed to par-ticular castes (varnas).This was not originally intended in the way thatit was sometimes interpreted later, when agreeable Rasas were seen asthe prerogative of the higher castes and the less agreeable Rasas as thefate of the lower castes.The original intent was to show the relationshipbetween social status and the dominating quality of the Rasas that mayresult from it.DOMINATING RASAS IN THE VARNASVarna Caste Dominating RasasBrahmin Priests Love, Joy, Wonder, CalmnessKshatriya Warriors Anger, CourageVaishya Merchants SadnessShudra Servants Fear, Disgust183 184 OUR RASAS IN SOCIETYThose who are concerned about the quality of Rasas in society can-not ignore the impact of social status.If one often has difficulty in mak-ing ends meet, like a Shudra, then Fear and Disgust are hard to avoid.Ifone is often caught by Fear and Disgust, then one's actions more easilybecome disgusting and terrifying to others, whether one is a Shudra ora Brahmin.While it is principally unjust, this interaction explains whyhigher castes and especially Brahmins began to look upon the lowestcastes as untouchable, fearsome, and disgusting.The life of a Brahmin is the most suitable to develop the agreeableRasas, because a Brahmin lives on minimum requirements but restsassured of access to basic needs.The practice of disciplines and the con-centration on dharma, devotion, and truth also helps.The Anger Rasa is most suitable to the warrior caste, as Anger canbe a useful tool for people who must defend their own.Anger is friendlyto the more agreeable Courage Rasa that is the main Rasa attributed tothis caste.A merchant is often too busy to develop and enjoy Calmness, Loveand Beauty, Wonder, or Joy and Humor.And he has too much to lose tobecome a hero or a warrior.He is expected to be kind to every customer,may feel pity for others who are less assured of wealth, and may distrib-ute some of his own wealth in charity.Hence Karuna is the dominatingRasa.Rasas and Social WorkThe above demonstrates two principles that are actually very commonknowledge in any culture: Money doesn't make you happy but havingno money is not a good option either if your stomach is empty.For thosewho are interested in social work, it means first of all that the basicmaterial needs of people must be met.But it also means that to helpthose people be happy when their basic material needs are met, it is moreefficient to concentrate on spreading truth and the agreeable Rasas thanto continue increasing their wealth.Social work should thus combine basic material help with the pro- Social Work and Politics 185motion of spiritual knowledge, art, joy, and so on.All desires are ulti-mately desires for happiness, so if people can be taught to pursue hap-piness more directly, it will be the very best help one can provide.Onecannot blame poorer people who desire the security and pleasures ofwealth that they see in others, but one does not need to help them inpursuing those illusions.Rasas and PoliticsIn ancient India, politics were the task of the kings who belonged tothe warrior caste.When the country was attacked, they were respon-sible for defending it.When the country was at peace they needed tohave equal courage and determination in ruling it to the benefit of theirpeople.In modern times, the question is: "What benefits the people?" Poli-ticians should structure society in such a way that it takes care of thebasic needs of everybody and spend whatever resources remain on pro-moting the more agreeable Rasas through art, enjoyment, and educa-tion.Unfortunately, politicians with the Courage required to take careof both are few.Most politicians are so absorbed in the worship of thedeity of wealth - which they call Economy - that they do not even care.They do not respect dharma in their power struggles, but abuse the lessagreeable Rasas of the people to gain worldly power by deceit and faultyrhetoric.One can easily understand the importance given by the VishnuPurana (see chapter 20) to the greed of the rulers in causing the loss ofmorality in general.Rulers and the ruling classes have so often abusedmorality for their own gain that it is not surprising to see so many peo-ple losing belief in moral values and regarding anyone claiming themas hypocritical.Religious leaders entering the power struggle have notexactly been very helpful in changing that dynamic; in fact the oppositehas often been true.These abuses are just another sorry aspect of this Kali Yuga age,which one day will pass.Kings come and go, and so do presidents, prime 186 OUR RASAS IN SOCIETYministers, and political parties.If one wishes to pursue the agreeableRasas, then entering politics is not an easy road.In a war fought byunfair means, it is difficult not to become tainted.It is only an option forthose who feel they have the Courage needed to fight for justice withoutviolence in thought, word, or deed
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