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A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with journalist Vishva Samani, a Hindu centred in Vedanta, the philosophical teachings of the Upanishads.

Good morning.

I often wonder where the tremendous inner strength and power to pursue a great goal arises from.

When I read of Greta Thunberg’s uncompromising determination to change human behaviour in a way that works for the environment or -consider how much Malala Yousafzai has given for the sake of girls' education – I’m reminded of the profound devotion that the hero of the Hindu festival of Holi, Prahlad, had for his goal.

His father, the evil king Hiranyakashipu believed in his own supremacy and declared the world should worship him alone. But his son, Prahlad, still a young boy, only had a deep love for the Lord in his heart. Enraged by his son’s refusal to submit he attempted many times to have Prahlad killed. It culminated in the boy being forced into the lap of the evil king’s sister Holika as she sat in a fire. A strong wind blows a fireproof shawl she was wearing to prevent her being burnt onto the little boy Prahlad, as he continuously and calmly chants the Lord’s name. He is left unscathed while the flames burn her. It is Prahlad’s glory and unflinching devotion that enabled him to endure so much, that is celebrated by Hindus during Holi each year.

Whether a person’s goal is material, political, or spiritual, like Prahlad’s – it seems that a deep, considered commitment to one sole aim can be incredibly powerful.
When it is directed to the greater good of society, the effects can be felt for many years after.

So as the two-day Hindu festival of Holi begins today, let us reflect on those inspiring individuals who’ve been committed to a cause that has mattered to us and let us pray that we too can develop just some of that single-pointedness in our lives.