Madhava Niloya

Character of Humanity

The message of Shree Madhab

  • “Humanity is the essence of the Truth Absolute”.
  • “Human body is the ‘Sanctum Sanctorum’ i.e. the Supreme abode of Divinity”.
  • “Only one religion is encompassing this whole universe. It is the religion of Absolute Truth, which is manifested and revealed through the true essence of Humanity. ”

A pertinent question can be – how do we define the character of Humanity?

The table below is coined by Shri Madhab Himself to help us self-evaluate whether we have attained the Character of Humanity –

Characteristics of a person devoid of Humanity Characteristics of a person endowed with Humanity
1. A person takes it for his/her right if you offer shelter in his/her distress. 1. A person seeks to leave the shelter as early as possible, offered to him/her in distress.
2. A person misjudges your politeness to be your weakness. 2. A person takes it for your greatness if approached politely.
3. A person forgets your service offered to him/her by next instant. 3. A person remains ever grateful to you for the services provided to him/her.
4. A person shirks his/her duty on being employed. 4. A person never falters on duty on being employed.
5. A person can never be satisfied by any means. 5. A person becomes satisfied with even a trifle.
6. A person never returns things given by mistake. 6. A person returns everything given by mistake.
7. A person will command you if fawned upon. 7. A person never likes to be fawned upon.
8. A person will mistrust you on being offered some good chances. 8. A person gratefully welcomes the chances offered to him/her.
9. A person takes your praise for flattery always. 9. A person takes praise for a bond of friendship.
10. A person laughs at your best compliments. 10. A person accepts compliments with humility.
11. A person turns down good advices. 11. A person heartily welcomes good advices.
12. A person sharply reacts against honest company. 12. A person welcomes honest company zestfully.
13. A person goes berserk on being led to the right track. 13. A person takes you for a friend on being led to the right path.
14. A person becomes caustic to you if you help him/her. 14. A person ever retries to repay the debt if you had helped him/her once.
15. A person harms you if you trust him/her. 15. A person remains trustworthy if you trust him/her.
16. A person protests vociferously if he/she is not trusted. 16. A person becomes sorry inside if he/she is not trusted.
17. A person regards any gift of kindness to be his/her rightful demand. 17. A person ever remains grateful for any gift of kindness given earlier.
18. A person usurps the valuables if entrusted to save them. 18. A person protects the valuables if he/she is entrusted with them.
19. A person harms you if you love him/her. 19. A person comes closer if you love him/her.
19. A person harms you if you love him/her. 19. A person comes closer if you love him/her.
20. A person steals money if asked to shop for you. 20. A person maintains proper accounts if asked to shop for you.
21. A person takes recourse to lie if advised to be honest. 21. A person honours him/her as a preceptor who advises him/her to be honest.
22. A person deceives you if you purchase anything from him/her. 22. A person deals honestly with all his/her customers while doing business.
23. A person deserts you when his/her purpose is served. 23. A person maintains human relationship beyond selfish ends.
24. A person’s protestations of love and affection are as hollow as anything. 24. A person’s love and affection is as soothing as a cool bath on a hot summer day.
25. A person becomes jealous of other’s happiness. 25. A person becomes happy in other’s happiness.
26. A person finds out means to exploit others, when the other person is in a sorry state. 26. A person fully empathises in another person’s sorrow.
27. A person contradicts good advices from honest people. 27. A person seeks to understand the precepts of honest people to the core.
28. A person never admits his/her own mistakes. 28. A person is always ready to purify him/herself by correcting his/her own mistakes.
29. A person never falters to lie for selfish ends. 29. A person remains truthful even at the cost of his/her life.
30. A person harms others by alluring them. 30. A person allures none, harms none.
31. A person always tries to fish in troubled waters. 31. A person always extends a helping hand in other’s distress.
32. A person is always an egoist and arrogant. 32. A person is fearless out and out.