Geethartha Chinthane 154: Sacrificing Personal Joy for Universal Welfare

Team Udayavani, Jan 13, 2025, 8:35 AM IST

When Rama was preparing to leave for exile, Kausalya pleaded, “You are leaving to fulfill your father’s command, but you don’t have to go. Fulfill your mother’s wishes instead.” Rama replied, “A father has the right to command his son, but a wife has no right to order her husband. Moreover, Dasharatha is a king, and a royal command supersedes all. Hence, I will proceed to exile.”

Even though Dhritarashtra was blind, he was the king. Bhishma and Dronacharya respected his authority and followed his orders. Similarly, even if a court judgment seems incorrect, one does not have the right to criticize or disobey it.

Consider this scenario: one car is following another. If the leading car takes a wrong turn, the car behind, knowing the correct path, should guide it back on track. Simply abandoning it and going the right way alone is also wrong. No one has the right to disrupt the system for personal reasons.

The distinction between personal and universal concerns is crucial. Personal happiness must often be sacrificed for the greater good. Renouncing personal joy and sorrow is the essence of relinquishing the fruits of action (karma phala tyaga). Kamayanam Karmanam Tyagam…However, this does not imply giving up the ultimate purpose of actions.

While renouncing self-centered intentions, one cannot abandon the goal of universal welfare. The aim of collective well-being is essential and must be upheld.

~ Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji of Paryaya Sri Puthige Sri Krishna Matha

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