Importance of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam in
the 21st century
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam's philosophy encourages harmony,
dignity, and accountability and has the capacity to improve
the world through advancing sustainability, understanding,
and peace. By embracing this concept, we can work towards
creating a better, more inclusive and harmonious world for
all. Here are a few sample essays on Vasudhaiva
Kutumbakam "वसुधैव कुटु म्बकम्".
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is a Sanskrit phrase that means
"the world is one family". It is a philosophical concept that
embodies the idea of universal brotherhood and the
interconnectedness of all beings. The phrase conveys the
message that every individual is a member of the global
community and that we should treat each other with respect,
dignity and compassion. This principle highlights the
importance of embracing diversity and promoting peace,
unity, and cooperation among all nations and cultures. In
today's increasingly interconnected world, the message of
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is more relevant than ever, as we
face challenges such as poverty, inequality, and conflict.
The true meaning of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam encapsulates
the
essence
of
universal
brotherhood
and
the
interconnectedness of all beings. This ancient Indian
philosophy highlights the idea that the entire world is one big
family, where every individual is a member, regardless of
their race, religion, nationality or ethnicity. The phrase
represents the belief that we should treat everyone with
kindness, compassion and respect, and strive to live in peace
and harmony.
Importance of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
In today's fast-paced and interconnected world, the message
of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is more relevant than ever
before. We live in a global village where boundaries between
nations, cultures, and people are becoming increasingly
blurred. Hence, it becomes imperative to embrace the
philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and strive to create
a world where everyone is treated equally and with dignity
and integrity.
The principles of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam offer a roadmap
to a better future. By promoting unity, cooperation, and
mutual respect, we can work towards resolving conflicts and
reducing inequalities. This will create a world that is more
peaceful,
harmonious,
and
inclusive.
Vasudhaiva
Kutumbakam offers a powerful reminder that every
individual has a role to play in building a better world.
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is a Sanskrit phrase that has been
in use for centuries in Indian philosophy and spirituality. It is
believed to have originated in ancient Indian scriptures such
as the Mahabharata and the Upanishads, which emphasise
the
idea
of
universal
brotherhood
and
the
interconnectedness of all beings. The phrase became more
widely known in the modern era due to its use in Indian
literature, music, and art.
Over time, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam has come to be seen as
a symbol of India's cultural and spiritual heritage, embodying
the values of compassion, respect for diversity, and a
commitment to promoting peace and unity in the world. In
recent years, the concept has gained greater recognition and
popularity, with many organisations, governments, and
individuals embracing the philosophy as a way of promoting
global cooperation and understanding.
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is a timeless principle that has
been a part of India's cultural and spiritual heritage for
centuries. Its message of universal brotherhood and the
interconnectedness of all beings remains as relevant today as
it was in the past, and continues to inspire individuals and
organisations to work towards creating a better, more
harmonious world for all.
Inculcating the Philosophy
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is a Sanskrit phrase that means
"the world is one family". This is how we can inculcate the
philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—
Embrace diversity | Accept and celebrate differences in
people, cultures, and beliefs.
Practice empathy | Try to understand other people's
perspectives and feelings.
Promote kindness | Spread love and positivity, and help
others in need.
Lead by example | Show through your actions that you
believe in the unity of all humanity.
Educate People | Share your knowledge and beliefs about
the interconnectedness of all people and encourage others
to do the same.
By incorporating these principles into your daily life, you can
help to create a world that values and respects diversity, and
where everyone feels a sense of belonging and connection to
each other.
Relevance of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
The philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is highly relevant
today as it emphasises the idea of unity and connectedness
among all human beings, regardless of their race, religion, or
nationality.
Promotes peace | By recognizing that all people are part of
one global family, it encourages a sense of empathy and
compassion,
which
can
lead
to
greater
peace
and
cooperation.
Encourages respect for diversity | By embracing diversity, the
philosophy promotes mutual respect and understanding,
which can help to reduce conflicts and promote harmony.
Fosters global responsibility | By recognizing that the actions
of one person can impact the entire world, the philosophy
encourages a sense of global responsibility and encourages
individuals to take actions that benefit not just themselves,
but also others.
Supports sustainability | By promoting the idea that all
people are interconnected and that the well-being of one
person is linked to the well-being of others, the philosophy
supports sustainability and encourages the protection of the
planet for future generations.
The philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam promotes unity,
respect, and responsibility, and has the potential to make a
positive
impact on the
world
by promoting
peace,
understanding, and sustainability.
As we know the world has been transformed into a global village;
globalization is having a major impact not only on the business world
but also on the whole humanity. Global recession, global warming,
climate change, poverty, conflict and violence are the main
challenges that have dominated the first decade of the 21st century.
So we need to understand the concept of Indian philosophy
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Our Indian culture came into being from
this concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. So what does it mean? And
how it is helpful in the 21st century? We need to spread the message
of peace to the world that we all are one and we all belong to the
same family. Hatred separates people. In modern era, some countries
fight with one another unnecessarily without understanding that we
are all related and our relationship is based on love and affection. If
this practice of hatred continues, is there any meaning in saying
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam?
Researcher has also described some stories of Panchatantra and in
those stories the word vasudhavia kutumbakam signifies the real
meaning of peace by Indian philosophy. Moreover there are so many
scriptures that clearly talk about peace and the concept of
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. It is a philosophy that teaches an
understanding that the whole world is one family. It is a philosophy
that tries to substitute an understanding that the whole of humanity
is one family. It is a social philosophy originating from a spiritual
understanding that the whole of humanity is made of one life energy.
It is a cosmic organization. And it is an organization by the people, of
the people, and for the people. It is absolutely organic and
existential. It is basically built on the very need of existence. We are
all here in the world to fulfil that individual need and in turn fulfil the
very need of the existence. This paper includes some References :
from our Sanskrit texts like Hitopdesha in which we can find the
origin of the great philosophy of India Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. And
we can cure the problems of current situation of the 21st century
with love, affection and kind attitude towards other. This gigantic idea
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is an entirely Indian contribution to the
world peace. The underlying philosophy of this ancient nation
evolved a world-view based on the motto loka samasta sukhina
bhavantu (let the entire world be happy) thousands of years ago.
That is the reason why India receives, accepts and respects people of
all faith and races. Key words: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, t is nothing
but an ocean of blood. According to Indian philosophy India relies on
a simple basic law of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
It means we Indians believe in peace. We are living in the 21st
century, a century of advancement, technology and terrorism, a
century where people are diverging from the path of spirituality and
kindness. So we need enlightenment inside. According to some
researches the term ―enlightenment‖ was used by some
philosophers and artists in the 18th century in Europe and America. It
started out of the Renaissance and continued till the beginning of the
19th century. People of this Enlightenment era believed that they
were emerging out from the centuries of darkness and ignorance into
a new era, enlightened by reason, science, love and respect for
humanity. Due to the discoveries in the field of science of natural
laws, self-confidence also increased in the society which was also an
equally important feature. The Journey of Indian Languages:
Perpectives on Culture and Society ISBN : 978-81-938282-6-7
Volume:3| 2019 www.baou.edu.in Page 103 But we Indians used and
preached enlightenment from thousands of years before in the form
of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Here, we can take one quote that occurs
in Hitopadesha and Panchatantra. “Ayam nijah paro veti gananaa
laghuchetasaam Udaarcharitaam tu vasudhaiva kutumbakam” [This
is my own and that a stranger – is the calculation of the narrowminded, for the magnanimous-hearts however, the entire earth is but
a family] The above verse is also found V.3.37 of Panchatantra (3rd
century BCE), and in the 1.3.71 of Hitopadesha – (12th century CE).
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is a Sanskrit term that means the world is
one family. The earliest reference to this phrase is found in the
Hitopadesha and as well as Panchatantra, collections of fables and is
part of all the Hindu philosophies. So here is the story taken from the
Hitopadesha: Once upon a time, in the Champakavati forest of
Magadha, there lived two friends – a Deer called Chitranga and a
Crow named Subuddhi. It so occurred that a Jackal named
KshudraBuddhi, (the proposer of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam), was
passing by and his eyes caught hold of a strong Deer as he was
grazing nearby.
The lust to consume him immediately arose in the Jackal‘s mind, but
knowing the Deer to be too swift in a chase, he decided to fall back
on his cunning – to win first the confidence of the Deer. The Jackal
therefore approached the Deer, saluted him, and introduced himself
as a lonely newcomer with friendly intentions, and proposed a
friendship and brotherhood with the Deer. The innocent Deer fell for
the sweet words of Kshudra-buddhi, and not knowing his true
intentions, invited him to his own residences. So, they started
towards the Deer‘s place, and on their way sitting on the branches of
a Champaka tree was Deer‘s old and intelligent friend Subuddhi the
Crow. Looking at them passing by, the Crow asked the Deer, ‗O
Chitranga, who is this second fellow with you? ‗‗A Jackal, my new
friend‘, answered the Deer. To this, the crow asked: ‗But, do you
know him well enough? One should never offer friendship and
shelter to anyone without knowing their real nature and intentions,
learning the history of their type and giving them a test of time.‘ The
Deer informally shrugged this aside, saying, ‗But this Jackal is very
friendly‘. Seeing his friend in delusions, the Crow warned the Deer
against trusting the Jackal without learning more about him. So far
the Jackal had kept quiet, and it is at this occasion that he opened his
argument with the famous shloka of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,
demanding the Deer to not be of a narrow mind by considering the
Crow a friend and himself an unknown.
The Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam speech successfully put to rest all
doubts that had arisen in the Deer‘s mind, and dismissing the Crow‘s
wise council he went ahead in bringing the Jackal into his home. The
remainder of the story can be summed up in two sentences. The
cunning preacher of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, Jackal started dwelling
with the naive Deer, and as soon as the opportunity arose, pushed
him into a deadly trap. However before he could kill the Deer, our
wise hero Subuddhi the Crow devised a clever trick by which not only
the Deer was rescued but also the preacher of Vasudhaiva
Kutumbakam, Jackal was slain. Now, that is the context in which
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is recorded in the Hitopadesha by the great
pandita of politics Narayana, and he is decidedly clear about its
application when he dispenses this shloka to come from a
brotherhood-preaching shrewd subversionist. It gives a clear warning
against blindly welcoming any idea, individual or group without due
attentiveness of studying their history, nature and intent. The
Journey of Indian Languages: Perpectives on Culture and Society .
The Jackal became trustworthy to deer just because the thought of
‗Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam‘, all creature of the world is belong to one
family. So the moral of the story is that Indian philosophy of
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is preaching to the world that the whole
world is one family that no one is our enemy, we altogether are one.
There is not just one but there are so many stories where one can
find so many moral values of the world. One or peace, current
scenario and stories We are almost at the edge of hell just because
we are living in this world One or the other way Vasudhaiva
Kutumbakam prevails in the world. Current Scenario In the 21st
century the world lived through the culture of conflicts & violence. It
is unfortunate that the twenty first century too has started in an
environment of hostilities and holocaust. As we know that the world
has been transformed into a global village. Globalization is having a
major impact not only on the business world but also on the whole
of humanity. Global recession, global warming, climate change,
poverty, conflict and violence are the main challenges that have
dominated the first decade of the 21st century. Humanity is facing a
terrible challenge to its own existence. The 19th century was known
as Industrial Revolution and the 20th century: a century of
Globalization, population explosion, increasing poverty, ‗Information
Technology Revolution‘ and also century of conflicts & wars. At
present we are living in a fast changing, modernizing and globalizing
society with mixed population – different religions, race, culture,
faith, and multi-diversity and many more. Presently, we are living in
the age of darkness means age of fear, insecurity which is also known
as the Age of Globalization and it also increasing poverty, inequality,
wars and terrorism due to destruction of human values. Humanity is
facing with common enormous social and environmental challenges
like retional and moral problem.
We are living in a world of crisis i.e. crisis of poverty, educational
crisis, economic crisis, crisis of environmental degradation, cultural
crisis, crisis of religions and crisis of human values. In total sum – we
are facing crisis of peace and peaceful co-existence. We have built a
society, which is violent and explosive .We are living in extremely
explosive times where the context of human life is changing every
moment. Our society is crumbling; the wave of destruction is
constantly taking over the way of life. The ecological crisis,
population increase with increasing poverty, hunger, violence,
economically unbalanced world, arm race, expenditure on
armaments are forcing man to think and face the realities of
destruction of humanity. India has a meaningful notion to save the
world. From the western point of view they believe “World is one
Market” - people‘s motto is only profit oriented. This is the age of
Globalization i.e. age of corruption, conflicts and violence due to
decreasing human Values. This has created culture of materialism.
From an Indian point of view we believe in “Vasudhaiva
Kutumbakam” i.e. World is one family - means that the whole world
is one single family, which promotes global citizenship and culture of
peace through Ancient Wisdom.
Human values are eroding at very fast rate resulting in declining the
quality of life. At the dawn of the new millennium, there is greater
need for Indian philosophy of ‗Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: World is
One Family‘ for the welfare of humankind in 21st century. The idea of
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is India‘s contribution to world peace, and
it is based on the prayer “Lok samasta sukhino Bhavantra” Meaning
let the entire world be happy. Here are the five fundamental
principles of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: Five fundamental principles of
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. 1. To be one with everyone, principle of
oneness. 2. To love everyone, principle of love and compassion. 3. To
respect everyone, principle of respect and co-operation. 4. To believe
in ahimsa (non-violence), principle of kindness to others. 5. To accept
everyone as it is principle of tolerance and acceptance. The first
principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam says that whole world belongs
to the one supreme God then how can we differentiate one from the
other. In the story of Jackal and Deer, Jackal uses the phrase of
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and through this philosophy of peace the
Jackal became trustworthy of the deer and after that he thought that
we are one and he will accept his friendship.
So Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam taught us to be a single unit, the whole
world is one. Second principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam says that
to love everyone because after so much violence people need love.
The whole world diverged from their real path of love and kindness.
According to the Hitopadesha and Panchatantra lots of fables follow
the rule of love and compassion. Through love, care and concern the
crow saved the life of the deer and taught the lesson to the world of
love. The whole world is in need of love and kindness. Third principle
of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam says that respect each other. Accept all
religions and respect them as we respect our own religion. Why and
for what we are going towards animosity? Why we respect our family
members just because they are the part of us. But in the same way
whole world is our family. Respect everyone‘s religion and co-operate
with them. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam itself means that ‗whole world
is one family‘. Fourth principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam says that
believe in ahimsa (nonviolence). It is needed the most because the
temperament of the people is gradually going to become short
tempered. Right now not just India but the whole world is in the vein
of wars, with the whole world preparing for war; for that they
indulge in making of deadly bombs and other war materials. Why are
all these things needed if whole world can control over their short or
illogical temperament. Be kind to everyone. Lord Buddha taught us to
be kind to every creature of the world not just human being and as
same our great Vedas also taught same thing. Fifth principle of
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam says that adopt the worldly law of
acceptance and tolerance. Tolerance improves the interfaith harmony
and relationship between the people & between the societies &
nations. Why ocean is great?
Just because of the acceptance and tolerance. All rivers of the world
being with ocean and the ocean tolerate all creatures who lives in it.
Same thing relates to the world‘s nations if everyone starts following
the rules of acceptance and tolerance. Then every nation of the
world becomes great by itself. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is not only
way to being one it is the way to became great. Why India is the most
spiritual county in the world? Why does India accept all religions and
their people? Why India has unity in diversity? Why the whole world
follows Indian philosophy and Indian concept of spirituality? All other
nations of the world respect India just because of the great
philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. We Indians belong to this
great philosophy, it runs in every Indian‘s vein like blood. In the end,
every creature of the globe wants to live, and nobody likes to die.
Therefore nobody has a right to destroy or harm any other living
being. Rather the right mantra is ―be united, live united‖. There is
only one caste - humanity. Conclusion Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam:
―whole world is one family‖ Hitopadesha and Panchatantra are not
just fables for children but it teaches us the moral values of life and
teaches us how the world will survive through the concept of love,
The Journey of Indian Languages: Perpectives on Culture and Socity
acceptance, kindness, tolerance and peace. If the tree is the one then
how can a leaf of tree differentiate with others?
If the supreme soul is one and we all have to meet that supreme soul
then how can a soul be different? People, Peace & Planet are
interdependent & interconnected. We are part of a global whole,
everything in the universe are interconnected & interdependent
through the principle of integration. The oneness of humanity has
been a fundamental belief of Indian Civilization. Global Peace is
Oneness of Humanity. Oneness of Humanity can only be achieved
through interfaith harmony. All religion and all scriptures spread the
message of unity.