As to Shakti, I agree. We have become too much seekers after philosophical knowledge and too much of emotional bhaktas. Both these things are no doubt important like the heart and the brain are to our bodily existence. But neither of them will be able to achieve much if there is want of Shakti, the Force that animates all with life and translates the dreams of the Spirit into tangible material realities. Shakti is needed for everything including for Gyana and Bhakti and the seat of Shakti is Will. It is will and not that is central to our existence. And to strengthen the will one has to curb desire.
What you experienced however is not lack of courage but actually something without which courage and valour is incomplete. It is Prudence. A fool can seem courageous when he acts impulsively but courage must be calm to be truly effective and prudent to be victorious. After all these men were drunk with no holds barred. And you were with your loved one. Her safety was your first priority. To get involved in a brawl with a bunch of drunk hooligans is not courage or valour, nor is the cause strong enough to merit a combat. Engaging in street fight for which one is unprepared, unless the cause is compelling and one is trained or strong enough to take the bull by the horn is not a wise thing to do. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone as an action is not meant for that. One should do what needs to be done in a given circumstance to ensure maximum safety. That is the first necessity when attacked and often that is all that is necessary since you cannot change them. Of course one can register a complaint or get after them later after assessing the situation. But given the totality of circumstances perhaps you did the right thing.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
