Woman – The Pillar Of A Value Based Society
As a precursor to the celebration of the Sacred Day of Advent, in honour of and to recognise the contribution of women, Beloved Mother Sai declared 19th November to be respectfully and joyfully observed as Ladies Day. The above lines are a tribute to all feminine beings in creation…winged, finned, four and two legged. May they know in some unique way that their presence and essence is being appreciated and applauded. A reflective article by Sri Jullie Chaudhuri.
Made in the image of Shakti,
So empowered instinctively and energised dynamically,
To fulfil her supreme purpose –
To establish and sustain all around harmony…
Born to remove any and every kind of woe,
Woman is a symbol of all things human…
…personifying Grace and Quality –
Woman is the true pillar of a value based society!
Women are the makers of the home, the nation and the world. – Baba
Creation and Creativity. Man and Woman are so created to complement each other. In alignment, each has their function to perform and while doing so rhythmically, in resonance with the Divine Plan, together they form a whole. To build something one needs a sturdy foundation. Then on, to support any structure one requires powerful pillars.
That foundation…that support…that power of creation and creativity has been bestowed upon every woman! She embodies infinity, she characterises eternal qualities and exuding all this positively, she quite compellingly impacts eternity.
There is nothing in this world that women cannot achieve. – Baba
A society is made up of innumerable individuals, families, people from different walks of life…an intermingling of colours and flavours…strata and status…faiths, views, beliefs, cultures and economics ever so diverse. Doesn’t it all need a binding thread? And much more significantly, don’t these individuals have their origin in the womb of a woman?
Ethics is what makes a society thrive…and a woman of quality who believes in equality has it in her to uphold and make these ethics come alive.
Only if the women come up in society, the whole world will turn sacred. – Baba
A woman is born to play myriad roles: a daughter, a sister, a friend, a wife…integrating acts which continue on even after marriage while cementing new associations…and even as she plays out these roles she constantly exudes the highest undertaking – that of a Mother. Whether she goes on to have a child or not, every woman is a born mother, her mission intrinsically is that of a mother…a tender caregiver. She is blessed with many hidden facets along with a natural flair for compassion, care, concern, nursing, making amends, giving, forgiving, bringing together, blending, and harmonizing. She simply needs to be mindful, centred and receptive and tune in as she experiences this adventurous expedition called – Life.
As a daughter she puts her parents on a pedestal, reveres them, yet, gives gentle guidance whenever necessary. As a sister, friend, colleague, teacher she will not hesitate to step in, once again channelizing righteousness.
However, what about her role as a Mother?
Upon the female of any species, whether amongst the animal, winged and aquatic or humankind, lies the singular onus of rearing the newly born. Most often, especially in all other species, she patiently rears the young ones all on her own – protecting, nourishing, nurturing, freeing. Freeing subtly, gently, firmly refers to demonstrating, drilling, inculcating ‘Life Skills’.
In the animal kingdom, in their natural wild habitat, these skills take on a different meaning altogether from what it denotes in the more complex kingdom of man.
Deep is the innate responsibility of the woman, of the human mother, to inculcate moral codes, basic principles and behavioural conducts. Children are not only the future citizens of the globe, but they are the inheritors of all the natural resources, the vast mineral wealth, the magnificent hills and lush plains, the grand glaciers, refreshing rivers and gushing streams, the surging seas and mysterious oceans, the dense forests, the exotic flora and wondrous fauna…and as such they grow up to become the custodians of all the abundance, the keepers of Mother Earth.
Intuitively keeping in focus this salient truth, women as mothers, aunts, grandmothers not only do all they can to promote the physical wellbeing of their children but they foster the mental, emotional, psychological and spiritual progress too, equipping them with ethics that will regulate the flow of their conscience, consciousness and overall growth.
Women embody the aspect of Mother Nature and the ancient sages found solutions to problems in life by recognising this truth. – Baba
Woman and Poise. When there is accord between the heart and the mind there is an inner harmony. The world is raging with unrest for the poise within is lost. Desires and greed are drawing, dragging, and clasping humans and humanity into the dark fathomless maelstrom of no return. It is imperative that a balance be restored and a vital equilibrium maintained. The world needs beautiful minds. The inherent feminine qualities need to come to the rescue. Outer beauty is of no worth if not accompanied by a beautiful mind ensuring not only positive thoughts, words and deeds but a synchronicity between them.
Women are the heirs of our ancient culture. Culture means refinement.
Women are the torch-bearers of refinement and they are toiling for the emancipation of the nation. – Baba
Woman and Love. Temperatures are soaring, rivers are going dry leaving the soil ever so arid…for there is no love left in the human heart. Women are naturally conditioned to love unconditionally for that is their inborn motherly instinct. They excel at it. As mothers, they are the first guru, guide and teacher of their children assisting them to consciously be aware, beware of unfavourable influences, trust the inner voice and evolve. This process of learning all things wise and wonderful, of loving and being exposed to the human values of Sathya, Dharma, Prema, Shanti, Ahimsa…of loving selflessly begins in the womb itself.
Women have satvaguna in ample measure. They are by nature helpful, tender, compassionate, humble and trustful. – Baba
Woman and Values. Essentially a woman is a reservoir of goodness. She is the backbone of her family…and she quite logically extends this ‘family’ kindred sentiment to not only include in a micro way the society she lives in…but goes on to, in a macro way, extend her ‘TLC’, her know and knowledge, her tending abilities to envelope the vaster global civilization…in a true spirit of oneness. In her was placed the womb…a foundation for the human race…in likeness to the Cosmic Womb – the genesis of creation.
The womb of mother symbolizes mother earth. – Baba
The Feminine Soul is eternally grateful for having being chosen for this role of bringing forth individuals of steadfast substance exuding the essential essence of ethics that forms the basis for a principled progress as well as a peaceful coexistence. A woman who understands the depth of this privilege puts her heart to her task sincerely, while passionately wooing the values and safeguarding a lifelong alliance with them. Per se, reverentially, she knows herself to be profoundly linked to all in the feminine sphere, the echelons in the ‘Motherly Hierarchy’…Divine Mother of the Universe, Mother Nature, Mother Earth, Mothers of varied species…wherein the focal point, the spotlight is always away from the self and focussed towards the cultivation of selfless attributes, enhancing patience, tolerance, forgiveness and unconditional giving…sustaining it all and wholesomely surviving.
In the human species this feminine aspect is called – Woman. And, in her has been placed the courage, capacity, capability and competence to value all life, to value living, to value values, to value ethical progress ultimately advancing towards a higher way of thinking, existing and being.
Primarily, pre-eminently, quite vitally a woman values being a woman! Thus, a woman having found her own place of value under the Sun is untiringly committed to relentlessly be the pillar of a value based society.
That is how the Universe blessed her to be.
Dharma can be made to occupy its position in society and restored to its pristine glory only by women. – Baba
II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II
The Pillar Of A Value Based Society – Building Life on Character
The Pillar Of A Value Based Society is not wealth, power, technology, or outward progress alone. A society becomes truly strong when its people live with truth, compassion, discipline, responsibility, and respect for one another. Buildings, roads, institutions, and systems may support daily life, but character supports the soul of a community. Without values, even the most developed society can become restless, selfish, and unsafe.
Every society is shaped by the thoughts and actions of its people. If individuals become dishonest, careless, and selfish, the social atmosphere slowly becomes polluted. Trust weakens, relationships become fragile, and public life becomes filled with fear and suspicion. But when people value honesty, kindness, and duty, society becomes peaceful from within. Good laws are important, but good character is even more powerful.
The Pillar Of A Value Based Society begins with the family. A child’s first lessons are not learned from books, but from the atmosphere at home. If parents speak truth, respect elders, help others, and control anger, children naturally absorb these values. If children see quarrels, dishonesty, greed, and disrespect, they may accept such behavior as normal. Therefore, the home is the first school of values, and parents are the first teachers.
Education also plays a central role. Education should not be limited to marks, degrees, jobs, and competition. It should teach students how to think clearly, behave responsibly, and serve society with humility. A sharp mind without a good heart can become dangerous. True education should build both intelligence and character. It should teach children that success without honesty is incomplete, and knowledge without compassion is empty.
The Pillar Of A Value Based Society is strengthened when teachers become living examples. A teacher does not only deliver lessons; a teacher shapes lives. Students observe how teachers speak, correct mistakes, treat weaker students, and handle responsibility. When teachers are patient, fair, disciplined, and loving, they silently plant noble impressions in young minds. Such influence can guide students for a lifetime.
Respect is another important value. A healthy society respects parents, elders, teachers, workers, women, children, nature, and all forms of honest labor. No work should be looked down upon when it is done sincerely. When respect becomes part of daily life, people feel valued and protected. Disrespect creates pain, while respect creates unity.
The Pillar Of A Value Based Society also depends on truthfulness. Lies may provide temporary benefit, but they destroy trust. A person who lies in small matters may slowly lose the strength to stand for truth in bigger matters. Whether in business, politics, education, family life, or personal relationships, truth is the foundation of trust. Without trust, society cannot remain stable.
Compassion gives warmth to values. Rules may create order, but compassion creates humanity. A value based life asks us to notice the pain of others and respond with kindness. Feeding the hungry, helping the sick, supporting the weak, comforting the lonely, and speaking gently to the troubled are not small acts. They are signs that the heart is alive. A society without compassion becomes cold, even if it becomes rich.
The Pillar Of A Value Based Society is also seen in responsible leadership. Leaders influence the direction of people. If leaders are honest, service-minded, and humble, they inspire public trust. If they are selfish, arrogant, and corrupt, society suffers. Leadership should not be used for personal gain alone. It should be used to protect justice, uplift the weak, and create opportunities for all.
Spiritual values give depth to social life. They remind human beings that life is not meant only for comfort, consumption, and competition. Truth, love, peace, right conduct, and non-violence are not old ideas; they are timeless foundations. When people remember the Divine presence in all beings, they become less likely to harm others. Spiritual awareness makes values stronger because it connects conduct with conscience.
Service is a practical expression of values. A person may speak beautifully about goodness, but real goodness is seen in action. Cleaning surroundings, helping neighbors, guiding children, caring for animals, protecting nature, and supporting those in need are all forms of service. When service becomes natural, society becomes more united and humane.
The Pillar Of A Value Based Society cannot be built in one day. It requires continuous effort from families, schools, communities, leaders, and individuals. Every person has a role. One honest worker, one sincere teacher, one loving parent, one disciplined student, and one compassionate neighbor can make a difference. Social change begins with personal change.
In modern life, people often chase speed, comfort, and success, but they may forget peace, gratitude, and responsibility. This imbalance creates stress and moral confusion. A value based society does not reject progress; it gives progress a noble direction. Technology should serve humanity, education should build character, wealth should support welfare, and power should protect justice.
In the end, The Pillar Of A Value Based Society is the character of its people. When hearts become truthful, words become gentle, hands become helpful, and minds become disciplined, society becomes strong from within. The future does not depend only on better systems, but on better human beings. If values are protected, humanity is protected. If values are lost, even outer progress cannot save society from decline.
Singing Unto Infinity…