Acharya Prashant addresses the common human tendency to live for the sake of impressing others, noting that this behavior usually stems from an inner sense of insecurity and a lack of self-worth. When an individual seeks attention and admiration to pamper their own ego, it becomes a problem because they are relying on external validation to feel certain about themselves. He explains that seeking to impact the minds of others is not inherently wrong, but the motive behind it must be examined. If the goal is to extract something for the ego, it is exploitative; however, if the goal is the welfare of others, it becomes a beneficial influence. He highlights that great figures in history, such as Shri Krishna and Buddha, have left indelible impressions on billions of minds, but their influence was rooted in selflessness rather than a desire for personal gratification. Acharya Prashant further explains that even if one begins a task with a desire for recognition, the process of selfless work can gradually purify the mind and reduce the urge for appreciation. He emphasizes that no amount of external admiration can provide true self-respect if one feels inferior or incomplete internally. Since every relationship inevitably involves mutual influence and impression-making, he advises that one should aim to impact others in the most auspicious and pious way possible. Ultimately, he suggests approaching others with an inner assurance and completeness, rather than using shrewdly crafted attempts to gain attention, as extracted responses from others can never truly satisfy the seeker.
