Importance of Character in Life

One may be well-versed in many branches of secular learning; one may have gained mastery over many worldly skills; one may occupy exalted positions of power and authority; one may have at one’s command enormous wealth, but if one is not endowed with an impeccable character, which is the greatest of all possessions, one would forfeit in a trice the advantages derived from all acquisitions and possessions. 

Enriched values, ennobling attributes and refined culture form the basis of good character. A person devoid of virtue is no better than a mere brute. Character is man’s richest ornament. Men of the world may set much store by external beauty, but in God’s view, good character is the real wealth, and good conduct, the real treasure.

Even the wisest of the men will fall into abysmal depths if they are not guarded by restraint, humility and obedience. The fruits of knowledge gained through strenuous endeavour will prove futile without character. Nothing is beyond achievement. In the spiritual field too, one cannot attain unqualified success. Man’s worth cannot be evaluate in terms of temporal possessions or material affluence. Therefore, he should not remain complacent with the attainment of these physical and mental powers. He must strive to develop good character so that he may shine in all walks of life. 

Indian tradition proclaims in emphatic terms the primacy of character-building for religious fulfilment. That religion which does not stress the importance of character is no religion at all.

Several people today attach importance to external practices and make a fetish of religion in a parade of pomp. They care little for internal purity. Some don the ochre robe, smear their brows with ash and wear rosaries round their necks in order to draw the attention of onlookers and win their admiration with such superficial paraphernalia. They also make an ostentatious display of rituals and sacrifices. But such outward show is no sign of good character.

Without purity of mind and sincerity, mere rituals and ablutions cannot cleanse his mind. He remains impure even after bathing ten times. One may take a morsel of food in the palm and take it round the mouth three hundred times, but unless it is put into the mouth the relish of food cannot be known. Likewise, the development of good character consists of not in practising external but in exercising the internal. Inner purity is the prerequisite for cultivation of character. Seekers should, therefore, be very cautious in this regard.

There are three vital aspects of character which every individual should strive to cultivate and foster: purity, patience and perseverance. These are in fact the stepping stones to real success in all spheres of human endeavour. Men who have these virtues are sure to reach the goal.

Every student must read the scriptures besides his text books so that he may fill his mind with pure thoughts. Man must cultivate patience, for, through patience, he can accomplish even the most difficult task or solve the most intricate problem. Man can tide over the worst crisis through patience. Perseverance, the third vital aspect of character, involves man to proceed undaunted on the path of progress and achieve the ultimate goal. Life is hallowed existence with these three virtues. Devoid of these, it is diabolical.

Character has two facets which have to be considered—individual character and national character. A harmonious development of these will ensure individual and collective progress. Individual effort will fail to bring positive results even if one of the two facets of character is ignored, for, they are like the obverse and reverse of the same coin. The coin will not be current if either side is worn out.

Indian culture attaches the highest importance to individual character. People who have the three attributes of purity, patience and perseverance will be respected and honoured by the society at all times. Ancient Indian community never held in esteem a person who lacked these three priceless qualities, in spite of his wealth, position of authority or erudition. Pedants in whom the vices of selfishness, vanity and envy prevailed were never regarded as philosophers. But unfortunately, such norms of social censure of individual fallings are going out of vogue. 

Modern education and contemporary society are not giving due recognition to individual character. People today are carried away by high-sounding speeches, imposing personality and glaring publicity. Nobody bothers about individual character and no one reproves a person wanting in character. Society is beset with many problems today because people condone the lack of individual character in men occupying high positions. Character and conduct are deplorable, and people change their ideals from day to day.

Great men in the past made history by leading exemplary lives. They adhered to the cannons of Dharma and put into practice high ideals. Rulers lives as models for all as they lived the ideals they bade everyone to cultivate.

They possessed impeccable character and none can design to find fault in their personal lives or their administration of the state. Illustratively, we may take the case of Shivaji—without having to mention the illustrious lives of Godmen. Shivaji’s life and his rules were governed by spiritual values, and he had a blemishless record of personal conduct. The nobility he exhibited in the treatment of Muslim women captured in war is remarkable, for he looked after them with as much respect as he showed to his own mother and restored them to their kinsmen without any humiliation or ill-treatment.

It is for several such great virtues that Chatrapati Shivaji is remembered well in the annals of history. His son Sambhaji, however, invited only ignominy, in spite of his valour and skill in warfare, since he did not have the wealth of personal character. This poverty of character on his part led his people to great disaster. Rulers endowed with good character are the guardians of the land. The ideals set by a person of strong character and noble conduct constitute a treasure for the race. Men without good personal character sink into oblivion. Great harm to the nation will be caused by those whose lives are bereft of character. Our internal weakness will be exploited by the enemies. Educated persons, responsible people and rulers of states must bear this truth in their minds. If they are devoid of character, the enemies will devour the country. That nation is doomed whose intelligentsia is wanting in national character, and history provides many an instance of the disastrous consequences of lack of character. 

Among men, particularly among the learned, we notice another weakness. They easily fall victims to flattery. Ensnared by flattery, some do any favour that is solicited.

When they are praised as ‘Indra’ or Chief of Gods and ‘Chandra’ or Moon, some lose their heads and go to any length. They lose their sense of discrimination, and do not distinguish between what they should do and what they should not do. Discernment also forms a part of character and wise men ought to recognize this. It must be realized that love of flattery undermines individual character. In the battle of life, one may withstand anything but sycophancy. 

In ancient times people did not employ crooked tactics as they do now to depose kings and dismiss ministers. If a crisis arose, the advice of the family preceptor was sought and appropriate action was taken at once. Because of the absence of a selfless sagacious preceptor, kings and ministers become victims of sinister strategy. During moments of crisis, educated people with individual character and good traits must give the lead. Only then will there be peace and security in the country and the society. 

Today, however, education is promoting only selfishness and is making people slaves of their senses. Real education must teach man how to master the senses and keep them under control. Education should enable the individual to manifest the innate divinity of humanity. It must help us blend our new experience with the old and evolve a fresh outlook on life.

The paramount aim of education is Self-revelation. It is wisdom gained from direct communion, not indirect communication which is capable of bestowing the supreme vision. To acquire this direct experience which is of vital importance in life, individual character is absolutely essential. In the past, we have had many pious people having strong personal character. There was no dearth of patriots. We had myriads of valiant, daring and powerful heroes. Even today the number of such heroic men in this sacred land of Bharath is considerable. There are millions of that brand, but the pity is that there is no place for them in the society. At present, there is great demand for those who are experts in worldly skills and those who show off in a pompous manner. The one with a stringent tone carries the day and the world is dominated by sheer ostentation. People who possess wealth of character are brushed aside. Therefore, it is the crying need of the times that individual and national character shall be simultaneously cultivated.

Patriotism is an expression of national character. One must feel that the country where he is born is as dear to him as the body he bears. The motherland must be as dear to man as the life that pulsates within him. The body and the country are like the object and its reflection. They are like the two eyes of man. A sense of national unity or national spirit is also an expression of national character. People today confine their vision to the narrow boundaries of their own states. National spirit is disappearing and the land is being broken up into fragments by petty and selfish regionalism. Each part loses sight of the whole and consequently becomes enfeebled. 

Owing to lack of national spirit, Man Singh betrayed his countryman Ranapratap, the famous hero, and became a slave of the foreign rule. Out of selfish designs, Jayachandra joined hands with Mohammad Ghori and brought about defeat of the valiant hero Prithviraj. Some priests professing to be votaries of Lord Shiva, helped Mohammad Ghazni and became instrumental in the destruction of the renowned Somnath Temple. Individually, they may have been good, but they were deficient in terms of national character and broad national view. As narrowness of vision and self-seeking mentality gained the upper hand, they joined the enemy ranks and harmed their own people.

Devotion to one’s motherland is as important as devotion to God. Honesty and integrity are essential for the bright future of an individual. Likewise, national character and patriotism are necessary for the welfare of the country. When integrity and patriotism are developed in an individual, his vision becomes broad, and his outlook, balanced. Every student and every citizen should utilize the wealth of noble character acquired by him for the uplift of society. Without expecting any reward in return, without hankering after ephemeral and illusory fame, honour or recognition, everyone must consecrate to the nation in a selfless manner all his powers and possessions.

As one receives higher education, one must shut the door of his heart against evil tendencies like envy and ego. Humility and obedience should be recognized as the highest goals of education. One must develop love and devotion towards one’s motherland and cultivate individual as well as national character. We must love the land of our birth as deeply as we love our mothers who gave us birth. Students would do well to ponder over an episode found in the Ramayana which enshrines noble ideals. It is evident from this incident that Rama also had intense love for the motherland.

Sri Rama and Lakshmana, aided by the armies of vanaras, crossed the sea over the bridge built by them, crossed the sea over the bridge built by them, conquered Lanka, killed Ravana and rescued Sita. Lakshmana looked at the golden city of Lank which was blooming with prosperity and plenty. In order to proclaim to the world Rama’s intense patriotism, Lakshmana playfully remarks thus: “Brother! Why not make Lanka your capital and rule from here? Why should you leave this happy land and return to Bharath which is impoverished and dismal?” Rama replies, “O Lakshmana! This may be a golden city. The mother that gave us birth and the land of our birth are dearer than heaven. None discards his mother because she is not good-looking. Similarly, one loves and honours the land of his birth in spite of its poverty. That is the sign of patriotism.” In the illustrious kings of the solar race, we find the happy blending of personal and national character. On account of this, the name of Rama reverberates in every nook and corner of the land.

On one occasion when Swami Vivekananda was about to return to India after touring in affluent countries like America and England, some correspondents arranged a conference. They questioned him about his views on his motherland, India. After a few moments of meditative silence, he replied with a sad smile, “I used to love India very intensely in the past. But now every speck of Indian dust is very dear to me. India is the sacred land of God for me.” This is divine effulgence from the flame of patriotism. 

Besides developing the two-fold aspects of character, one must cultivate discipline also. However intelligent a person may be, his education will not bear fruit if discipline is absent. Discipline is essential for all citizens, not only for boys and girls. 

It steers life in every occupation. Whether it is in an organization, a political party, the army, or in any trade or profession, discipline alone leads business, industry, educational institutions and political organizations to success. The nation too progresses only through discipline. 

A sense of discipline must be cultivated right from childhood. Discipline must be cultivated from childhood. Discipline cannot be learnt from the pages of books. It is only through constant practice that discipline gets strengthened. The captain’s word must be implicitly implemented. When we sing devotional songs in chorus, we must seek to create harmony. It is not desirable to sing, play or issue statements as one pleases.

Discipline, unfortunately, is conspicuously absent today, and indiscipline has become rampant. Students are often on the rampage, and many universities in the world are closed down. There is instability among political parties as discipline is absent. We find turmoil and trouble in several spheres of life because personal character, national character and discipline are now at the lowest ebb. Only when these three are practised by all, will there be peace and security in the country.

Above all, a spiritual attitude must be steadily cultivated. It would be wrong to regard philosophy and spirituality as the preserves of ascetics. Nevertheless, one must realize shelter in hermitages, for, wherever you go for shelter, you cannot shirk your responsibilities. You must strive for your own uplift, remaining in society.

Man cannot take any step in life disregarding the influence of the social environment. Every thought of man is determined by the law of necessity, which depends upon surrounding factors and purity of heart. In the attempt to love himself, man is bound to love all others around. Love, happiness and delight are the treasures of the Spirit. They are best enjoyed when their fruits are shared with others in a spirit of friendliness. 

Helping oneself necessarily leads to helping others.

The fruit of envy is agony. 

Hate begets hate.

If you torture, you shall be tortured. 

If you love, you shall be loved. 

Sri Sathya Sai Baba