‘Spirituality is impossible in politics’

What does spirituality mean to you?
So many people I know go on pilgrimages or attend ceremonies in temples or listen to saintly discourses and then engage in the dirtiest dealings. That is not spirituality to me; it is hypocrisy. On the other hand, one can appreciate wine, wealth and women and be spiritual, as Krishna showed us. And as he said, spirituality is about performing your duty honestly, with your heart, mind and tongue working uniformly. But in the profession I am, it is impossible to have those three things aligned. Usually there is something in the mind, and something else in the heart and yet a third thing in words. Otherwise people will think you are insane and asking for trouble! So I guess I am not a spiritually correct person right now.

Do you believe you are guided and protected by a superior force?
Absolutely. I must be protected by some force because nothing came to me in life thanks to my family. I had no legacy to inherit, I am a first generation politician and industrialist. I fought for every inch of recognition I have got. I come from the gutters and this is actually my biggest strength. No matter where I am and how low others may try to push me, I will still be higher than that lowest point.
And somewhere, I feel it is all thanks to God’s will.

Do you believe you have a special mission or purpose in this life?
Part of spirituality is to accomplish your karma, your duty. But even though it may not be wise to admit it, I am yet to have really found the meaning of my life. I am not unsuccessful as a politician or as a businessman but I am not where I would have aspired to be. When I started in politics I was fascinated by it as an instrument of change. Today I am largely disgusted by it. Enemies are enemies and friends are jealous. You have to fight on all fronts. So the inner churning has begun and something will come out of it.

What is spirituality for you in your day-to-day life?
I do certain rituals or recite certain mantras, but not for their spiritual power, rather because it gives me mental peace and tranquility in a quite stressful daily life.

What has been the role of spirituality in your public life?
Spirituality is about a clear conscience and steering clear of hypocrisy. But it is just impossible in the world I am in. If I did not do certain things I dislike, or tolerate others which are completely wrong, I could not survive in it. So I am brutally frank in admitting that at the moment spirituality is rather dormant in me. But maybe one day it will get emancipated and the political compulsion instead will be suppressed.