Pujya Bhaishri visits Leicester after 6 years, sharing the divine message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’

Pujya Bhaishri visited the city of Leicester last week to give a special discourse in Gujarati. He spoke of the Hindu perspective on the ‘Big Society’ initiative that Prime Minister David Cameron and the UK Government has been promoting over the last year. The title of the talk was ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, meaning ‘the whole world is one family’.
With his usual mix of examples, humour, stories and scriptural references, Bhaishri enthralled an audience of over 2,000 people for 2 hours at the Prajapati Association on Ulverscroft Road, and gave an inspiring and uplifting discourse.
Bhaishri believes that ‘Big Society’ is a great initiative and something that Hindus have embraced since ancient times. Taking an active role in their communities, Hindus have always placed great importance on volunteering, or ‘seva’. Supporting charitable endeavours and social enterprises through giving time, ideas, resources and funds is also something that has been encouraged by the ancient Rishis. Bhaishri believes “Using money to support good causes purifies our funds.” He also encouraged that ten per cent of our wealth and time should be given to serve society.
Bhaishri said that compassion for society only comes when we begin to see others as our own. “If we detach ourselves from the little that we claim as our own, then we find that the entire world and all the living beings of the world become ours. We’re being too narrow-minded when we talk of what is our own and what is that of a stranger. For the gracious-hearted, the entire world is but one family,” said Pujya Bhaishri referring to the ancient Hindu sutra: ayam nijam paroveti gananaa laghu-chetasaama, udaara charitaanaam tu vasudhaiva kutumbakam.
“If we see ourselves as children of God then all fellow humans are our own family members. Why should we then discriminate against them, whatever their gender, race, caste, religion or background may be? Such boundaries need to break if we are to create oneness. We should all see each other as a part and parcel of society.”
Bhaishri further referred to another Sanskrit verse: maataame paarvati devi, pitaa devo maheshvarah
baandhavaah shiva bhaktashcha, svadesho bhuvana trayam, which means “My mother is Goddess Parvati, my father is Lord Maheshvara (Shiva), my relations are the devotees of Shiva, my country is the whole of creation.”
Bhaishri talked of how selfish people of the world only see the world as a ‘market’ whereas the altruists see the world as a ‘family’. In ancient India, the Rishis encouraged us all to see the world as a family for better harmony, mutual success and progression. Such ideals are perhaps needed now more than ever before.
The event, hosted by Sanskruti Foundation UK and sponsored by Dullabhai Lakhani and family, saw Bhaishri return to Leicester after a break of 6 years. The event was attended by Pujya Shri Madhavpriya Swamiji of the Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Fill out this field
Fill out this field
Please enter a valid email address.
You need to agree with the terms to proceed

Menu