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Good morning. We’ve now got a picture of the voting in yesterday’s US Congressional elections. The turnout has been extraordinary with both sides of the political divide buoyed by the sense that this has been a battle for the ‘soul of America’. And both sides can claim some success, so it’s hard to see this being the end of hostilities or of the deep polarisation that seems to permeate American society. As Hindus today celebrate the festival of Diwali, perhaps many of them have noted the significance that this year it coincides with these critical elections. For Diwali commemorates and extols the principles of good government and leadership as exemplified in the character of Rama. These days, the way we choose our leader may be different, but I’d suggest that the duties of responsible governance haven’t changed. The democratic system fosters party politics to enable someone to gain power, but once elected, we expect politicians to rise above partisan allegiances to serve the people. The Hindu text, Ramayan explains that good citizenship cannot be enforced, it requires encouragement and guidance by example. Rama is described as seeing himself as a law-follower, rather than a law-maker. Regularly, he would meet the public incognito so that they could freely express any adverse opinions and criticism. He would then consider their views and adjust his behaviour accordingly. In drawing lessons for modern executives from the Ramayan, the Hindu scholar, Shubha Vilas, described Rama’s style of collegiate management as Ram being one point of a circle of counsel; and in the centre of that circle was the welfare of the people. In a divided two-party system, neither group will deliver everything that the electorate wants. But as Vilas quotes from the text: When the water of good advice is poured on to the already full jug of someone’s arrogance, it may be rejected. Whereas the sponge of a self-assured person can absorb and use it. It’s said Rama was like a father to his people – equally kind to both his supporters and detractors and deeply concerned to diminish all of their worries. As the Gita says: when our minds are disturbed by desires, fears and distrust, there is no chance of peace; and without peace there is no chance of happiness. It may be easy to dismiss the depiction of Rama’s governance as mythology and irrelevant to the cut and thrust of modern politics. But, such paragons are powerful nonetheless; ideals are the standard by which we gauge the state of our reality; and if we do drift, perhaps it’s idealised values that can point us back on course. I wish you all a happy Diwali.