Acharya Prashant addresses a question regarding the recent increase in traffic violation penalties in India, explaining that while it may seem harsh, it reflects a deeper reality of human psychology. He argues that most people are currently driven by fear rather than understanding or wisdom. This fear is not limited to traffic police but permeates all aspects of life, including the fear of bosses, social status, and the future. He notes that society has normalized these fears to the point where they are no longer questioned, yet a sudden increase in traffic fines feels unbearable because it disrupts a superficial sense of freedom. He further explains that human beings, despite their technological and scientific advancements, often operate from primitive, animalistic tendencies, which he metaphorically refers to as the 'gorilla' within. While human intelligence has evolved, the underlying nature or 'vritti' remains rooted in greed, attachment, and fear. Because most individuals do not live from a center of 'Bodha' (spiritual understanding or awareness), external force and the threat of punishment become the only effective means to maintain social order. Without such deterrents, the primitive ego would lead to total chaos. Acharya Prashant emphasizes that the only way to move beyond a fear-based society is through a fundamental transformation of the individual's center of operation. If a person lives a life guided by understanding and love, they would naturally follow rules and respect others without needing the threat of a fine. He suggests that the real problem is not the strictness of the law, but the fact that humans have allowed fear to become an inseparable part of their existence. He concludes by suggesting that if there were a way to issue 'spiritual fines' for living wrongly or keeping bad company, most people would lose all their wealth, as the internal 'gorilla' influences almost every aspect of modern life.
