MAN AND SOCIETY

                                                                        

“Man cannot live in isolation, like a drop of oil on water. He is a product of society. He has to live in it, grow with it and work for it” remarks Bhagawan Sri Sri Satya Sai Baba in one of his Divine discourses. ( S S S Vol X) Man is not only a rational but a social animal. Without society he is a fish out of water. He cannot exist alone without the company of others. It is the duty of man to join others and cooperate in tasks of common interest. Man can derive bliss or ananda in the company of others in society. Seclusion is not a sign of strength. It is a sign of fear and timidity and escapism. Man can learn certain sterling qualities of character through his association with others in society. Morality, justice, compassion sympathy, love tolerance, equanimity and a host of other qualities that build up one’s character can be cultivated through association with other members of society. Unfortunately, Man is selfish and in search of his personal happiness. He does not think that his happiness depends upon the happiness of his brethren in society. Pride, arrogance, ego and lust take him to the level of the beast. These  evil tendencies can be set right by keeping company with the good and the wise.

How can man express his gratitude to the society where he is placed? Is he only a receiver out and out? Man is indebted to society in many ways and has to repay his debt in one way or the other. He has been nurtured and fostered by the society and has to pay back according to his mite. Society is called as the manifestation of Divinity.  It is not just an admixture of human beings.” IT has to be wedded into a unit by consciousness of kinship in God, by sharing of each other’s joys and sorrows. The individual has to manifest through word and deed the ‘ ananda’ inherent in him and in society” says Swami in his Divine discourse. Active participation in society with the spirit of dedication is essential for every individual member. Every act should be considered as an act of worship.  All men should be considered as the form of God! The company man keeps has a tremendous influence on him. “ Tell me your friends and I will tell you who you are!” is a popular saying.

There should be a proper understanding of the relationship between the individual and the society. Questions like this may be asked: “Why should the individual serve others?” How can society have a claim on the individual Sage Vyasa the codifier of our Vedas and the Upanishds clearly lays down the duty of man in society. “Paropa karartha midam sareeram”—This  body is for the purpose of helping others. He further defines punya or holy acts as the help done to others. Papa or sin is to trouble other members in society. “Paropakaraya punyaya papaya para pidanam.”The individual can find fulfillment in society alone. Born and brought up in society, man ends his life in society. Swami says: In the word Samajam (society)’ sam’ represents ‘unity’ ‘aa’ means going towards. ‘Samajam’ means going forward in unity.” Swami compares society to a beautiful  many petalled  flower. Every individual is a petal. All the petals make the flower beautiful. How can there be a flower without its petals?

Society is sometimes compared to a chariot with four wheels. The for wheels symbolize the four qualities namely Unityor (Aikamatyam), Control (Swadhinam), Knowledge ( Jnanam)and Power (Sakthi) These wheels take the chariot of Society forward.

Vedic societies flourished because of the human values patronized by the emperors and kings.King Pruthu Dilipa and various rulers followed the righteous path and societies remained happy and fruitful.  No society can be called human without values. The more human values are followed and practiced the better shall be the society. Mere stress on academic achievement in the educational system will not be enough for the progress of society. It should be mixed with  the promotion of human virtues. There must be an adaptation of our ancient  cultural and spiritual traditions  inherited from the past to the daily needs of the present. What are the five human values that an individual or a society should cultivate? They are: 1 Ahimsa or non violence 2 Satyam or truth 3  Astheyam or non stealing 4  Brahmacharyam or celibacy and 5 Aparigraha or non acquisitiveness as per Vedanta.

Ahimsa really means that no harm should be done in thought, word and deed! Truth in the real sense is that which does not change with time! Astheyamis the quality of non  stealing what belongs to others! Brahmacharya is not merely remaining a celibate but to concentrate on the Brahman or the Supreme Reality! Aparigraha , in reality, is what is called Nishkama Karma- action without expecting any reward!  It is self effacement to the extreme! Unfortunately all our actions are done with self interest and expectation of personal reward or benefit. People have started to bargain with God!!How to become a good citizen in society? One has to seek good company and friends. Seekers and the detached. This way man will be illuminated. Reading our holy scriptures and listening to holy discourses shall influence human mind for good.  it is regrettable that holy days have become holidays  when there is revelry, or picnics or outings or indulgence in sensual pleasures. Fire which cannot be touched receives hammer blows as it is associated with the base metal Iron! In the same way ordinary thread , in association with flowers and fragrance as garland  reaches  women and even God for worship and decoration!  Hence it is absolutely essential that man seeks good company, follow human virtues and advance in society and allow the society to advance on healthy lines!