On YouTube
उचित-अनुचित में भेद || आचार्य प्रशांत, युवाओं के संग (2014)
6.5K views
5 years ago
Right and Wrong
Conditioning
Consciousness
Society
Tradition
Decision Making
Identity
Freedom
Description

Acharya Prashant responds to a question about how to decide what is right and what is wrong. He begins by stating that this is a decision we all make day and night. There is no one who does not constantly decide what is appropriate and what is inappropriate. Whether to walk right or left, go up or down, speak or not speak, or raise a question—all these are decisions about right and wrong that we are continuously making. These actions happen every moment, sometimes in the form of thought and sometimes in a physical form. Since we are constantly making these decisions, the speaker suggests first examining how the world around us determines what is right and wrong. He illustrates this with an example: when a Hindu passes a temple, it is generally considered right for them to stop and offer a prayer. However, for a person of another religion, this is not considered the right thing to do. The individual does not need to decide what is right or wrong; they are given an identity, such as a specific religion, and that identity has already made the decision for them. Similarly, when two countries are at war, a person does not have to decide whom to support; their nationality has already decided for them. The world runs on such pre-determined notions. The tradition that exists today is what you are expected to do, and that is considered appropriate. You did not have to decide. The speaker points out that what is considered right is not absolute; it changes with time and place. For instance, 250 years ago, people had full faith in the practice of Sati, and it was considered right. A woman who immolated herself with her husband was considered a goddess. Today, that is not the case. This shows that what is considered right is not truth, but merely custom and human blindness. Acharya Prashant explains that our lives are largely programmed. We don't have to make decisions because they have already been made for us by our identity, traditions, and society. He challenges this by presenting an alternative: a person whose decisions do not come from outside. This person lives in their own consciousness, not dependent on scriptures, society, family, or fashion. Such a person is not born to be tradition-bound, nor do they feel a need to break traditions. They live in their own joy, from their own vision, and in their own love. Their life is not one of fear but of love; not of bondage, but of flight. This person is the flower of humanity, the salt of the earth. The speaker concludes by challenging the listener to consider if they can be such a person, or if they will remain like a sheep in a herd, following what has been predetermined for them.