Recently, I got to know about a disgusting statement made by a very famous YouTuber. He has a huge fan following amongst the masses. He has even invited the likes of HG Gauranga Prabhu, HG Amogh Lila Prabhu, HH Svayam Bhagavan Keshav Maharaja to his podcasts. I suppose a few devotees might also be his fans. He has an app called Level Supermind that features various meditation practices, and he even won a national award for the best “content” creator.

Yet, after making one controversial statement in an adult-rated comedy show, this personality has seemingly lost all credibility. Three FIRs have been registered against him, and the Supreme Court has condemned his words as coming from a “perverse mind,” calling them “disgusting,” “abusive,” and “way below acceptable standards.” The same person behind whom people would run for a selfie is now hiding from the public in disgrace.

He is facing heavy criticism from all corners for his slip (or rather, misuse) of the tongue. The same fans who once praised him are now burning his effigies. Some argue that there are far more pressing issues in our country—such as rapes, murders, and corruption—that need attention. Others are busy ridiculing our country – stating that in India, bad jokes are a crime, and crime is a bad joke.

Whatever that may be, but as spiritualists, what all can we learn from this episode? Here are some thoughts.

A Leader Must Present and Represent

When a criminal commits a crime, it is expected. When a base actor or actress promotes vulgarity, they are termed “bold” by like-minded people. But when a person who invites many spiritualists to his podcasts—and who claims to be deeply spiritual—speaks in a lascivious manner, such hypocrisy only invites the wrath of others.

Had he been just another shameless internet personality with a low-level following, he might have gotten away with it. But he is a prime influencer for today’s youth. Many parents even encourage their children to learn from him. But what he has spoken is disdainful, to say the least.

Bhagavad Gita 3.6 states:

karmendriyāṇi saṁyamya
ya āste manasā smaran
indriyārthān vimūḍhātmā
mithyācāraḥ sa ucyate

“One who restrains the senses and organs of action but whose mind dwells on sense objects, certainly deludes himself and is called a pretender.”

Śrīla Prabhupāda writes, “He who makes a show of being a yogī while actually searching for the objects of sense gratification must be called the greatest cheater, even though he sometimes speaks of philosophy. His knowledge has no value, because the effects of such a sinful man’s knowledge are taken away by the illusory energy of the Lord.”

If spirituality is just a superficial ritual in one’s life—rather than a guiding force—it cannot transform a person. When there is a contradiction between one’s speech and actions, it creates havoc, not only in one’s own life but in the lives of those who follow such people.

The Illusory Fame and the Dangerous Pride

Ranveer has apologized for his statement, calling it an error in judgment. But statements like these should never be spoken in any kind of audience. If one’s tongue can utter such words so casually, it reflects the perverse conditioning of the mind. It also possibly indicates an excessive amount of pride (thinking one can say anything and still be adored).

But pride in what? In one’s accomplishments, or one’s fans and followers? He has around 10 million followers on YouTube—which is a mere 0.7% of India’s population. And what does it take to follow someone? Just a click of a button. If someone believes they have won people’s hearts simply because of subscriber count, they are living in a great illusion.

Fame in this world is flickering. Numbers can be deceiving. One day, people glorify; the next day, they vilify.

Furthermore, Bhagavad Gita describes humility and pridelessness as the very first symptoms of true knowledge. Also, it is said – vidya vinayena śobhate – Knowledge is adorned by humility. Without humility, all learning becomes a burden rather than a blessing.

Beware of the Tongue

The Nectar of Instruction (Upadeśāmṛta) begins with the fundamental teaching of controlling the urge to speak.

vāco vegaṁ – A sober person who can tolerate the urge to speak, the mind’s demands, the actions of anger and the urges of the tongue, belly and genitals is qualified to make disciples all over the world.

Similarly, Bhagavad Gita 17.15 describes the austerities of speech:

anudvega-karaṁ vākyaṁ
satyaṁ priya-hitaṁ ca yat
svādhyāyābhyasanaṁ caiva
vāṅ-mayaṁ tapa ucyate

Austerity of speech consists in speaking words that are truthful, pleasing, beneficial, and not agitating to others, and also in regularly reciting Vedic literature.

If Ranveer claimed to follow the teachings of the Gita, how could he miss every single aspect of this verse? His words:
• Were agitating, not peaceful.
• Were untruthful, not aligned with reality.
• Were displeasing, not endearing.
• Were harmful, not beneficial.
• Were against dharma, not scriptural.

Furthermore, what he spoke disregarded all sensibilities of a cultured person.

Association Matters!

The first principle of Krishna consciousness is: asat-saṅga-tyāga,—ei vaiṣṇava-ācāra – For a Vaiṣṇava, the standard behavior is to avoid the assocation of ordinary people not interested in kṛṣṇa-bhakti.

Ranveer’s biggest mistake was his bad association. The show where he made this statement—India’s Got Latent—is filled with people who thrive on vulgarity and non-sensical subject matters. Srimad Bhagavatam describes such an assembly as a place of pilgrimage for crows. Can anything good come from such company? It was bad association that made Dvivida fall from Lord Rama’s army and become a demon, and it was bad association that caused Kaikeyi to disown and banish Lord Rama. Our associations—both online and offline—can make or break our character.

Even if one takes good association periodically but corrupts it with bad company, it is bound to produce opposite results.

Content Creation v/s Soul Destruction?

Being a content creator does not mean one can speak anything.

If we look at the content of Bhagavad Gita—it is breathtaking. Krishna’s words always bring out the best in people. Arjuna got inspired to fight the war of Dharma, Sudama developed a fond remembrance of Krishna’s heartfelt dealings and worshipped Him with greater intensity, the ugly Kubja became beautiful on serving him, and even the evil Sishupala merged in His body after being killed by him. Krishna gives the topmost destination even to His enemies, what to speak of His devotees.

But when people follow baseless influencers, the entire content of their heart and consciousness gets polluted. The Iśopaniṣad describes such people as – atmaha – “Killers of their own soul.”

Our words should elevate, not degrade. They should inspire, not disturb. They should uplift, not destroy.

Conclusion:

With influence comes great responsibility. The bigger the personality, the greater the weight of each word spoken. Krishna says in BG 3.27,
yad yad ācarati śreṣṭhas
tat tad evetaro janaḥ
sa yat pramāṇaṁ kurute
lokas tad anuvartate
Whatever action a great man performs, common men follow. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.

Ranveer’s fall from grace is a reminder that the world is quick to glorify and even quicker to condemn. It is also a warning to us to use our god-gifted talents wisely and carefully in God’s service. This episode is a lesson for all leaders to not become proud of their ‘big’ accomplishments, and to use every bit of their existence to help people lead responsible lives, and not be reckless in their speech, behaviour and actions. This debacle also teaches us to choose our association wisely.

We sincerely pray that Ranveer emerges from this episode wiser and humbler.

After all, Krishna gives everyone a second chance.

But does this world give?

And more importantly—does it forgive?