QnA with Sri Sri
MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2015

Q: Sometimes there seems to be conflict between love for my own country and the idea of a One World Family. Can the smaller be dropped for a bigger cause?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: I do not see any conflict between the two. One can have love for one's own country, and at the same time have love for humanity. You can do both.
It is just like how a family person serves his family, but at the time also comes out and serves the society. It is not that if you are into social service, you must neglect your family. That is not right. You have to do both, you have to attend to the family and also do your social service. Now, if a family member is upset for no reason, then what can you do. But from you side, you should make sure that you do not do anything to upset anyone.
In the same way, you can serve the country, and also be part of a One World Family.
Moreover, hating somebody is not patriotism. Patriotism does not mean that you are against the others. You are not against anybody, but at the same time you protect your country, and work towards its development. This is Dharma.
In Mahabharata also, Lord Krishna never advised the Pandavas to hate the enemy. He never spoke about hate. Lord Krishna said, 'Yudhyasva vigata-jvarah'. Fight without feverishness. If you fight with feverishness in your mind then you will be disturbed. Fight with a calm mind. That is why he said, 'Yogastha kuru karmani'. (Meaning: Be steady in yoga and do whatever you must do. Give up attachment, be indifferent to failure and success. This stability is Yoga). India has fostered such high ideals and have set an example for the rest of the world.

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