Page 46 - SocialHarmony

50 Social Harmony

society; it is only through the individual that we can tap the
outlook, ambitions, effectiveness and even the very existence
of the society as a whole.

A Society Directed by Religion
We have never believed that an individual is separate from

the society. The welfare of the individual and the welfare of the
society will always go hand in hand. To ensure this, our ancient
sages had come up with a unique solution – they did not tie
individuals with rights but bound them with religion and duty.
They came up with a system wherein all social obligations are
defined as religious duties. Hence, we have the religious duties
of a mother, father, woman – Matrudharma, Pitrudharma,
Stridharma. By equating social duties with religious ones, these
sages were successful in extending the worldly life of people to
their divine lives through “Dharmo Vishvasya Jagat Pratistha”.

Keeping the individual at the core, his social responsibilities
were determined in conjunction with the indestructible bond
of religion. No society can be stable if it is based only on self-
seeking social interactions; neither can it be sound on the
foundation of personal freedom alone. The individual and the
society can co-exist and be mutually beneficial only if society
nurtures the welfare of the individual and the individual
associates his own duty with the society.

If this delicate equilibrium is broken, there is a clash
between social welfare and personal interests. This leads to
disruption of unity in the society, which is why there is a dire
need of efforts to create and maintain the basic social unity. This
end will be achieved only if long-lasting steps are taken, not
merely from an election point of view. It is important to set up
and achieve concrete goals. The process of development of
individuals will strengthen the feeling that all of us are one.
The sentiment of unity will spontaneously emerge and distinct
objectives will be achieved without any feelings of bitterness.

‘Up°ya∆ Cintayan Pr°jµa: Ap°yamapi CintayÆt’(A wise man should

think about adversities, while thinking over the means of
success.) It is imperative to create the attitudes of comradeship,
righteousness and mutual cooperation among people. One of