A dynamic young woman, a very well known television personality, and india’s first veejay, ruby bhatia has created a niche for herself in showbiz, from playing lead roles in prime time television serials to endorsing the most prestigious products in multimedia advertisements, from acting in big-banner films to singing in hugely successful pop music albums, from hosting all kinds of concerts and corporate events to creating television history by being the first woman ever to host three hours of live television everyday at a major international cricket tournament (the icc champions’ trophy, 2002). Exclusive interview with the golden girl of indian television, Ruby Bhatia.

• Soul Curry: Everyone has an individual understanding of religion and spirituality. How do you perceive these?

• Ruby Bhatia: Being brought up in a very traditional family, I have been influenced by both: religion and spirituality. My Mom follows Arya Samaj where God is perceived as formless, which is very spiritual; my Grandmother was born in the land of Lord Krishna, Vrindavan, and my Father follows Sanatana Dharma, so we have Krishna Puja, Ladoo Gopal celebrations too. Since I went to Catholic School for studies, I also have an understanding and respect for Lord Jesus and Mother Mary. So, my understanding has been rather very expansive, to say the very least on religion and spirituality. However, let me answer to your question in a proper way. To my understanding, Truth is constantly within us and we have to realize it. As in The Bhagwad Gita, the Lord had declared ‘Beejam maam sarva bhoothaanaam’ i.e. I am the seed of all beings. God is omnipresent, and manifests Himself in all aspects; in you, in me, in nature, and just everywhere. Please understand that there is nothing but God. The uncountable variety of creatures that we see have all come out of the beejam, that is, the Lord, Nature being the Mother and, God the Father. I strongly feel that God is the source of all religions; be it Christianity, Hinduism, or any other…all lead to one spirit. Religion refers to the rules, regulations, discipline of a certain sect, and the common moral of all religions is the truth. Following the norms of a religion do help in understanding the truth but ultimately one has to realize it oneself and the Prophets, the Gurus act as a link on this path. Eventually, it is all about knowing, understanding, and realizing the Truth, moving from darkness to the light which prevades all. This is not my knowledge but all that I have learnt from my Guru Sri Paramhansa Yogananda.

• SC: You have been conducting seminars on personality development. What are the five topmost grooming personality development tips you would like to give to our readers.

• RB: First is Sincerity - Be sincere in your efforts, be sincere to yourself. Second is Smile - Always give a genuine smile, the one that reflects itself through eyes and cheers the onlooker. Third is Desire for Self Improvement - Only an intense desire for self improvement leads to action. Fourth is Perseverance - A firm resolve is very essential. Fifth is Yoga and Meditation - To clear your mind.

• SC: You have been a student of philosophy, what is your philosophy of life?

• RB: My philosophy of life is the ancient eightfold yoga outlined by Patanjali, as mentioned in the book, Autobiography of a Yogi by Sri Paramhansa Yogananda. The first two steps yama and niyama, both require observance of ten negative and positive moralities. These are avoidance of injury to others, of untruthfulness, of stealing, of incontinence, of gift receiving (which brings obligations); and purity of body and mind, contentment, self-discipline, study, and devotion to God. The next steps are asana (right posture); pranayama (control of Prana, or subtle life currents); pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses from external objects). The last steps are forms of yoga proper: dharna (concentration) or holding the mind to one thought; dhyana (meditation), and samadhi (super conscious perception). This is the Eightfold Path of Yoga which leads one to the final goal of “realization of the Truth beyond all intellectual apprehension.”

• SC: You travel extensively to places, round the year. What fascinates you to travel so much?

• RB: Traveling is part of my job. It gives me an opportunity to live one day at a time and to be without any responsibilities…empty mind…without any tensions, which is why I enjoy it. I feel the whole environment has been built by our own karmas, and most important, our desires. Perhaps because of my desire to travel, it has become part of my life and I enjoy it very much.

• SC: Referring to your help columns in Sunday Mid Day, and Shaadi Times, what is the most common problem that you think people are facing?

• RB: I would talk about youth in this regard. The most common problem of the youth today is the conflict between one’s self understanding of marriage and imposed arranged marriages. I believe that parents go on compelling children to choose a life partner the traditional way. On the contrary children want to live their life on their own terms. People are also highly confused about the relationships. Look at this; there are so many divorces happening, so many relationship are breaking up… The attitude towards the whole concept of marriage needs to be changed; a perfect balance needs to be established. It is not like buying a shirt that you see the size, colour and if it suits, you buy it. Be it love or arranged marriage, one needs to understand what you need in a relationship and then give some time to understanding the other person. It is definitely important to respect the views of elders but it is also important to understand what you expect from a relationship. The decision should never be taken in haste. I am not saying all this theoretically. It has been my own experience. I have been through it. I was greatly influenced by Bollywood…to such an extent that I started expecting the same in my real life. But life, I mean real life, is not a movie. Every one wants to be happy and I realized that true happiness can come only from within. I discountinued writing columns long time back. After all, for how long can you write on yoga, meditation? It’s high time, one has to seek truth oneself.

• SC: Does receiving accolades for your extraordinary performances as well as the recognition ever influence you as an individual?

• RB: When you have everything, it is only then you realize that it’s nothing. Not before that. Then you lose the purpose of life. Fortunately, for me, my achievements never made me arrogant but, yes, they did make me a bit irritable. Fame…Name…Money…Luxuries… at one point all of it was at my fingertips. It is just like when you get everything easily, you don’t enjoy it much. Well.I was looking for quality of life and this was the turning point.

• SC: What are you seeking then at this point of time?

• RB: I am seeking realization of truth. One has to be on the path to reach the destination. I had known that I was not on the path, so firstly I needed to come on the path. I needed to walk on that wonderful path. It was at this time that I started visiting ISKON temple, which is right near my house. There at the temple, the whole ambience is so cheerful, peaceful, tranquil, and joyous. When I met my Guru, all the questions left my heart and I could feel that this is the man of truth; so authoritative; the one whom I can trust completely. After initiation, my life has changed. I realized that without God all is dark and only God is the ultimate light. So, the ultimate goal of human life is self-realisation. That is the only thing worth pursuing.

• SC: Meditation is commonly perceived as the way to still the restless mind. What does it mean to you?

• RB: Yes, meditation has certainly helped me calm down, to say the least. But it all depends upon what state of mind you are in when you sit to meditate and the results vary accordingly. I don’t feel hasty now…there’s profound patience. Normally we think that meditation is concentration but concentration can be done only on a thing; it is more like concentrating or contemplating on God, when the cosmic consciousness enters one’s being and makes one feel part of the whole. Eventually, meditation must happen on its own, that is the real experience.

• SC: When you are free from work, how do you unwind?

• RB: I am not working so often now, but whenever I want to relax I just get in touch with nature; looking at sky…stars…enjoying nature…feeling nature…feeling breath…all this connects me with my true self.