THE NEED FOR HUMAN VALUES

THE NEED FOR HUMAN VALUES

To be born as human being is a rare opportunity provided by God! It is mainly because of one’s purva punya or the good deeds performed during the previous births! But unfortunately man does not remember his past  and spends his days in gross ignorance of his noble nature. He indulges in material comforts and luxuries and wastes his time and energy!  Man is a combination of the qualities the human and the Divine. He has to a certain extent asuric or the qualities of demons and animals. Involved in the cycle of samsara he is prone to develop the asuric and animal nature rather than the Divine. As the  highest evolved creature in the universe, he is expected to understand the aim and purpose of his life and act accordingly. As everyone agrees, living is not important but the way in which we live is important! Animals also live, reproduce and die. Man is provided with reason and intellect and has to follow the most important values that can raise him to the level of the Divine.

“ Man can rise from the level of the human to the Divine only by practising human values. One with compassion, love, forbearance, sympathy and sacrifice alone is a true human being” declares Bhagawan Sri Satya Sai Baba. What are these human values? Are human beings devoid of these human values altogether today? To a great extent it is a fact that many are not bothered about these human values. Satya or Truth, Dharma or Righteousness, Santhi or peace, Prema or Love and Ahimsa or Nonviolence are the cardinal principles that form human values. By  practising these virtues it is possible for man to raise himself to Godhead!  But not many understand the significance of these values and are satisfied with the humdrum life of a work a day world!Truth is the first value to be cherished and practised. ‘ satyameva jayathe' say our Shastras.The Vedas proclaim “ satyam jnanam anantam Brahma”- Truth,verily, is Brahman, the absolute Brahman. It is to be true to his word that the great king Harischandra suffered untold miseries! It will be very difficult but it is worth living for truth! A life of falsehood is the worst that one could live. We also say ‘God is Truth!’ which signifies the value of truth.

Practice of Truth leads to Dharma or Righteousness A life according to the dictates of our Sastras, Scriptures, morals and ethics is called dharmic life.There shouldn't be a conduct that strays away from the accepted principles of ideal human behavior. The most important mandates of the Vedas “ satyam vada, dharmam chara, matru devo bhava, pitru devo bhava,acharya devo bhava” and others have to be followed discreetly. Speak the truth, follow Dharma, consider mother, father, teacher and the unexpected guest as God are the imperative dictates to be practised by all! But they are more followed in the breach than in the observance! Truth is displaced by falsehood and dishonesty, dharma by adharma! Father, mother and the teacher are no more respected and adored.On the other hand they are disrespected, mistreated and subjected to humiliation and cruelty.

Shanti or peace is the outcome of a life of truth and rectitude. When we follow the ordained tenets of truth and dharma we  experience peace or calmness in mind. Mind and heart are totally at peace since our actions and thoughts are in conformity with the time old principles. Peace reigns in the absence of falsehood, dishonesty, fraud and other evil qualities. Peace of.  mind has become scarce in the present because of greed, violence, revenge, and lust and other wicked deeds. There is violence everywhere in the world and the whole generation is much agitated This is because of the neglect of the other two human values.The barbaric atrocities being committed by the ISIS and the terrorists have made life in the world dangerous and peaceless! How can internal peace be present where there is raging violence everywhere? Unfulfilled desires of man have robbed him of this invaluable peace of mind.

“ Love is of permanent importance among the human values. It is in us right from the time of birth.” says Sri Satya Sai Baba. Divine love transcends human love and is causeless whereas human love is selfish and very often conditional! Paternal, maternal,fraternal love is personal and selfish. Man should love all others equally so that it becomes ideal and all encompassing. “ Love thy neighbor as thyself” says the Bible!” Universal love should be the goal of man. “ Love is born in the womb of seva” says Sri Satya Sai. It transforms into service to humanity. Relieving the suffering of the less fortunate, the poor and the downtrodden is the greatest form of universal love. According to Sri Satya Sai love is the fan which will make you  glow with Divine effulgence.By serving others you serve yourself and get rid of your ego.You raise your level of spirituality. All service should be done without expectation of any reward. Then only it can be called “ nishkama karma’”. Service to man is service to God. Hence love occupies a dominant Part in the life of man. In fact love is God!

The next human value is Ahimsa or Nonviolence in thought, word and deed. No creature should be injured wantonly. This is a rare quality exhibited by the Jain community. Generally we are not conscious about this and indulge in harsh thoughts, words and deeds that hurt others. Harsh words are worse than the poisoned arrows that pierce the hearts of people! We must cultivate the habit of talking softly and gently and pleasingly. The Sastras say, “ Ahimsa Pramo Dharmah” -non violence is the best way of life.Violence begets violence for which we have examples plenty in the present.The clashes between Israel and Palestine, ISIS murders and atrocities, Pakistan terrorism  and turmoils in other parts of the globe have made life insecure. These propensities indicate the animal and asuric qualities of man over which he has no control.Man has controlled almost everything on earth but lost control over himself! The need for these human values is more now than ever before for the benefit of humanity.