When the coronavirus attacks started in the Wuhan region in China, many governments and people around the world thought it was a localized affair and the Chinese government would tackle it.  However, when the coronavirus started spreading across the world, a sense of fear gripped the people. Further, when several governments, including the USA, declared a national emergency to tackle the crisis, a worldwide alarm and fear among people set in. Today, the world community is under the vice-like grip of fear psychosis, making people extremely anxious and restless about their own safety and that of relatives and friends.

Even after a few months and after the death of over 5000 people from the Coronavirus attack and thousands more being treated, there is still no conclusive evidence as to why the virus occurred, how long it would last  and what could effectively be a cure to treat the virus attack.

Countries are closing their borders, denying visas to foreigners, while many suggestions have been made, such as washing hands, wearing masks and avoiding shaking hands, etc.

However, everyone knows that panic is not prevention.

The situation has now become so grave that everyone looks at others with suspicion. Even a slight fever or cough are being looked at as possible indications of the Coronavirus attack, and such people are treated as untouchables. The fact that fever and cough have been happening to people all over the world for several thousands of years when coronavirus was not known is not enough reason for people not to fear a simple cough or runny nose.

While the scientists and medical industry are striving hard to find drugs to treat the virus, no one seems to be thinking of strategies to tackle the “mental attack” that people are facing now. It appears that no religious heads or non-governmental organisations or activists have thought about the need to build a proper mindset amongst people in facing this coronavirus crisis.

Today, while a fraction of the world population has been identified as suffering from coronavirus, billions of people around the world are shivering with fear about the “impending coronavirus attack” on them from anywhere.

 
In this difficult situation, the Hindu philosophy has an answer and shows the way. Hindu philosophy discusses what is known as the “Karma theory,” which means that every act of human beings in this life are predestined and will occur at the appropriate time, which is unpreventable. Hindu philosophy virtually asks people to reconcile themselves to the pre-destined situation.

At the same time, Hindu religion does not advocate inactive or action-less life. It calls for everyone to do his/ her duty and strive for achievements at every time and opportunity. It certainly does not ask people “to go to sleep”, while facing problems in life.

While advocating the concept of destiny and, at the same time leading an active life, Hindu philosophy further advocates the concept of detachment. This implies that everyone should work and strive and, at the same time, accept the developments as the will of God, wherever He is and whatever He is.

This Hindu philosophy is very apt for today’s prevailing conditions, where the scientists and medical industry should strive to develop drugs for the treatment of the virus and every individual should observe all suggested precautions to safeguard himself/herself. At the same time, individuals should not allow themselves to get into a psychosis of fear and develop a panicky mindset as if a coronavirus attack is on the doorstep.

Strive hard to prevent unhappy developments and develop a mindset of reconciliation, if any unfortunate event were to happen.

(The writer is Trustee, Nandini Voice For The Deprived)