Chapter XVI

The student seeking Vidya must possess kindness, compassion and love towards all living beings. Kindness to all beings should be his very nature. If it is absent he becomes a boor. Vidya means, more than everything else, the quality of compassion towards living beings. If a person bears ill-will against any being, his education has no meaning. The advice given in the Gita, "Adweshta Sarva Bhoothaanaam", "with no ill-will towards all or any being," conveys the same message. In the same manner, the Gita warns off and on that any insult or injury or even neglect directed against any living being is an act that insults, injures or neglects the Divine. "Sarva Jeeva thiraskaaram Kesavam prathigachchati." Love and compassion must not be limited to mankind only. They must enfold every living being.

The Gita says, "Sunee chaiva svapaakecha, pandithaah sama darsinah." That is to say, the learned man who has acquired humility through Vidya must treat the cow, the Brahmin, the elephant, the dog and the eater of dog-flesh with equal compassion and consideration. Uniform compassion shown in this manner transforms itself into uniform welfare for the recipients. Wishing well for all is the sign of one who has earned Vidya. The narrow vision that is limited to the community has to be given up. Bharathiya culture emphasises the highest truth, the broadest vision. Imparting this ideal is the purpose of Vidya, as laid down in Bharath. No other country has placed before its people such a lofty all-inclusive, beneficial ideal.