Me, My Guru - on On being part of the Society and Social responsibilities!

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Me, My Guru - on On being part of the Society and Social responsibilities!

So saying he became silent lost in thoughts. Both he and King sat on a rock there that over looked the entire kingdom. It was dark already and the entire kingdom was lit. It looked beautiful and prosperous. Sounds from various quarters talked about the joys and merriment of the entire kingdom. But King and his minister were sad.

“How serious do you think is the situation?” asked the King.

“If and enemy attacks now, each of our subject would think of saving only his skin and possessions and not want to sacrifice or fight for the Nation. They would either flee the country in search of better pastures or sell themselves to the enemy. They would think only of themselves. That grave is this situation – thanks to this mindset” minister replied in choked voice. King was totally shaken and felt to the ground. What he thought was reason for celebration and culmination of his hard-wok ended up being reason for pain and loss. His entire life seemed wasted.

“Where did I go wrong?” he asked when he collected his senses a bit.

“All through you concentrated on the development of Infra-structure and giving prosperity, comforts and benefits to your people. You forgot to ‘educate’ them about their responsibility towards the Nation. You gave them excellent opportunities for individual to prosper and grow rich. But you assumed their character would grow along with riches. You gave them their rights and didn’t teach them their role in Nation-building. In a family of say 4-5, each contributes as per his mite and thus shares responsibility of the family and in upkeep of that unit as they enjoy the privileges of staying together as a unit. One cooks, other earns, one cleans other shares the responsibility of bringing in spirituality into that family. Yet, they all consider themselves as ‘part of family’ and so contribute their share of work and responsibilities.

Nation is a bigger family. If it is not understood or seen that way then why would I keep its road clean? Why would I feel responsible towards its share of work?”

The King sat head bent and night darkened further” our Guru completed this story. But even as she was telling this story we more or less got our answer and few of us felt a bit ashamed.

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