Q: Guruji, what is the point of being good? What is the use of being good? We see all those who are doing corrupt practices and who are ruthless, are happy. They are moving in their life very well. Why should I be good? Please tell me. See, for example Ravana. He enjoyed all his life and when he died, he attained Moksha. Duryodhana, he ruled the whole kingdom. He ruled India all his life and when he died, he also went to heaven before Yudhisthira. So what is the point of being good? Why you say we should be good?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Look, forget about Duryodhana and Ravana. Have you done something wrong? (Reply was - Yes, Guruji.) So when you did something wrong, that day could you sleep? Did you enjoy your food? (Reply was - Guruji how can I do that? When I do something wrong, I cannot sleep. I go drink and then get myself drowned in unconsciousness.) See, that is what it is. When you do something wrong, you cannot have peace of mind. You cannot sleep. You cannot enjoy the things that life has provided you. So it’s not that being good will give you some reward sometime in the future, it rewards you right now. There is a comfort that the dharma or righteousness gives you which nothing else can give you. The inner comfort that you get, the peaceful sleep that you get, the food that you can enjoy, the simple things that you can enjoy in life is possible when there is honesty. There are many principles but people don’t follow principles, they follow people.

---