Vivekananda Mailing List -1/4/03

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The Bhagavad-Gita frequently alludes to duties dependent upon birth and

position in life. Birth and position in life and in society largely

determine the mental and moral attitude of individuals towards the

various activities of life. It is therefore our duty to do that work

which will exalt and ennoble us in accordance with the ideals and

activities of the society in which we are born. But it must be

particularly remembered that the same ideals and activities do not

prevail in all societies and countries; our ignorance of this is the

main cause of much of the hatred of one nation towards another. An

American thinks that whatever an American does in accordance with the

custom of his country is the best thing to do, and that whoever does

not follow his custom must be a very wicked man. A Hindu thinks that

his customs are the only right ones and are the best in the world, and

that whosoever does not obey them must be the most wicked man living.

This is quite a natural mistake which all of us are apt to make. But it

is very harmful; it is the cause of half the uncharitableness found in

the world.