We would like to begin our first blog with a verse from Maha Upanishad which states, “The world is one family.”
It is so valued that it is engraved in the entry to India’s parliament building.
अयं बन्धुरयंनेति गणना लघुचेतसाम्
उदारचरितानां तु वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम् ॥
Ayam bandhuryamneti ganana laghuchetsam
Udarcharitanam tu vasudhaiv kutumbakam
The distinction “This person is mine, and this one is not” is made only by the narrow-minded, the ignorant who are in duality. For those of noble conduct, who know the Supreme Truth, the whole world is one family.
This is a beautiful verse to ponder upon and appreciate the depth of the Hindu way of living. This verse brings us the right perspective to lead a life of awareness and appreciation for all elements of earth and living things– plants and animals around us.
The phrase Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is made up of three Sanskrit words, Vasudhaa (earth/world), iva (like) and kutumbakam (large/extended family). The verse finds mention in Maha Upanishad (VI. 72); and is further referred to in the Hitopadesha and other literary works.
In the alternate spelling, vasudha means the Earth. The overall meaning of the expression is the same – that all of the world, universe or reality is one.
In context, the verse vasudeva kutumbakam describes the individual who lives spiritually. For this individual, all are the same and equal, and all are embraced as one family.
The Bhagavata Purana describes vasudeva kutumbakam as the “loftiest Vedantic thought.” It affirms the worth of all life – human, animal, and plant – and the value of their interconnectedness on Earth and in the universe.
It is the same thought that Swami Vivekanand delivered on September 11, 1893, at the first World Parliament of Religions. He addressed the audience as “Sisters and Brothers of America” and continued… “I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth.”
He discussed the unity of all, regardless of nationality and religion– a beautiful example of why vasudeva kutumbakam is an important teaching.
Ramcharitmanas is another scripture that shares the same message,
मैं और मोर तोर, तेही माया, जेहि बस कीन्हें , जीव निकाया
I and Mine is Maya .
This feeling of I is the main obstacle in our spiritual path. The limited sense of I and the concept of ‘My’ and ‘mine’ is all illusion.