Inspiration from the 15th century

Vaishnav Jan To Tene Kahiye, the famous Gujarati hymn penned by the 15th century poet venerable Shri Narasimha Mehta Ji is one of my favourite hymns.

''Vaishnava Jana To'', which says that a true human is one who feels the pain of others, removes misery and is never arrogant.
वैष्णव जन तो तेने कहिये, जे पीड परायी जाणे रे।
Vaishnav Jan To, Tene Kahiye Je, Peed Paraaye Jaane Re

One who is a Vaishnav, Knows the pain of others
पर दुःखे उपकार करे तो ये, मन अभिमान न आणे रे॥
Par Dukkhe Upkaar Kare Toye, Man Abhiman Na Anne Re

Does good to others, especially to those ones who are in misery, Does not let pride enter his mind
सकळ लोकमां सहुने वंदे, निंदा न करे केनी रे।
Sakal Lok Maan Sahune Vandhe, Ninda Na Kare Kainee Re

A Vaishnav, Tolerates and praises the entire world, Does not say bad things about anyone
वाच काछ मन निश्चळ राखे, धन धन जननी तेनी रे॥
Baach Kaachh, Man Nischal Raakhe, Dhan-Dhan Jananee Tainee Re

Keeps his/her words, actions and thoughts pure, O Vaishnav, your mother is blessed (dhanya-dhanya)
समदृष्टि ने तृष्णा त्यागी, परस्त्री जेने मात रे।
Samdrishtine Trishna Tyaagi, Par-Stree Jene Maat Re

A Vaishnav sees everything equally, rejects greed and avarice, Considers some one else’s wife/daughter as his mother
जिह्वा थकी असत्य न बोले, परधन नव झाले हाथ रे॥
Jivha Thaki Asatya Na Bole, Par-Dhan Nav Jhale Haath Re

The tongue may get tired, but will never speak lies, Does not even touch someone else’s property
मोह माया व्यापे नहि जेने, दृढ़ वैराग्य जेना मनमां रे।
Moha-Maaya Vyaape Nahi Jene, Dridh Vairaagya Jena Man Maan Re

A Vaishnav does not succumb to worldly attachments, Who has devoted himself to stauch detachment to worldly pleasures
रामनाम शुं ताळी रे लागी, सकळ तीरथ तेना तनमां रे॥
Ram-Naam-Shoon Taali Laagi, Sakal Tirath Tena Tan Ma Re

Who has been edicted to the elixir coming be the name of Ram, For whom all the religious sites are in the mind
वणलोभी ने कपटरहित छे, काम क्रोध निवार्या रे।
Vanlobhi Ne Kapat Rahit Chhe, Kaam-Krodh Nivaarya Re

Who has no greed and deciet, Who has renounced lust of all types and anger
भणे नरसैयॊ तेनुं दरसन करतां, कुळ एकोतेर तार्या रे॥
Bhane Narsaiyyo Tenu Darshan Karta, Kul Ekoter Taarya Re

The poet Narsi would like to see such a person, by whose virtue the entire family gains salvation.

Perhaps you have encountered, worked with or for a fully unselfish person, one whose focus is on the sheer joy of working for others, for the public good, through contributing to society and humanity without asking this question ‘What is there in this for me?’

Increasingly, we see examples of individuals and communities who live in fear of others, from the traveller shot to death for turning into a wrong driveway in the US, to communities in India fearful that a rival community wants to take control of their land (To be fair, it is unclear whether what we are seeing is an increase in this behaviour, or just an increase in its being reported and known about, as a result of the growth of social media or broadcast technology).

Nevertheless, among individuals, communities, in politics and business, we see (or believe we see) fewer examples of ‘How may I help you?’, ‘What can I do for you?’ or ‘What can I do to benefit others?’, and more ‘What is there in this for me?’, ‘Why should I help or support you or your cause?’

We can suggest different reasons why this should be so. Much of it is driven by economic fears, of not having enough of what we consider we need today, and not having enough in the future. Some is driven by fear of those who are different, often stemming from a lack of awareness, understanding or appreciation of other cultures or ways of behaviour, as when encountering migrants and refugees fleeing persecution or violence. Often, this is phrased in terms of someone else’s culture coming to dominate our own.

But imagine someone who does not hate anyone, who is not angry, but instead focuses on demonstrating love, care and compassion, a 'STHITAPRAGNYA' (स्थितप्रज्ञ), ‘one whose intelligence is fixed in self-realisation’. Ultimately, such a person regards praise and abuse, happiness and misery, as equal. But even if few of us are able to completely eradicate that consciousness of ‘self’, the improvement in quality of life makes such an attempt worth the continuing effort, to focus on others rather than ourselves at least.. 

Whether or not you believe in an ultimate goal or the spiritual dimension , actively seeking to expand your thinking in this way can lead to an improved quality of life and relationships. And were a critical mass of society able to achieve even this limited aim, the transformation of the society could begin.

Begin by seeking to actively demonstrate love,  kindness and compassion towards others. Thinking about doing it is one thing; doing it is another.

Nishant R

Nishant R is constantly in pursuit of enhancing his spiritual journey and spreading 'Light and Love'.