Some Universal Values to Be Inculcated in Children

Some Universal Values to Be Inculcated in Children

What are values? Values are what make a person valuable and important. They make a person stand out in a group, earn respect, and make that person trustworthy. Values shape your perspective on life, define what you consider important, and set the main parameters of how to live.

There are universal values that apply across geographies and religions, common in most regions and faiths.

Truth – This is a universal value. Even in materialistic societies like the West, if a politician or statesman is caught lying, it becomes a big issue and makes headlines. Truth is upheld as a great value everywhere. Functionally, when you submit an affidavit or declaration, you are expected to be truthful; otherwise, it is an offense, a crime. This shows the importance placed on honesty and truthfulness. If you are not truthful, you will land in trouble sooner or later. Even in matters like taxation, you must declare your income accurately. Otherwise, the tax authorities will come knocking, and it becomes a crime. People even go to jail for dishonesty in such matters. So honesty is not optional anymore. East or West, societies have made honesty mandatory. In many societies, honesty stems from respect for the law, but in Sanatana Dharma, we see it as a virtue because it brings internal benefits—it purifies, strengthens, and makes you bold.

Compassion is another universal value—kindness towards the weak and those in need, helping others, and providing for them. Feeling for those in trouble is an expression of compassion.

Love – Compassion depends on situations, but love is constant. Love for fellow beings, family members, animals, plants, and nature is a universal value. They may not need anything from you, but you still give to them—that is love. Externally, it is a gift; internally, it is a feeling.

Fairness and Justice – Everyone should receive what they deserve, and nobody should be deprived of their due. In modern society, fairness often means equality, equal rights, and privileges. Unfairness should be corrected through a system of justice, sometimes involving punishment to maintain balance. This value is also universal across regions and religions.

Respect – Even where it seems to be fading, respect for elders, achievers, performers, and the noble is still considered valuable. Fading respect happens because equality and respect sometimes oppose each other. When everyone is equal, respect for some may seem unnecessary, but we still see forms of respect, like addressing the President as "Mr. President" instead of casually.

Courage is another great universal value. Seeing someone in an army uniform evokes respect because of the courage it represents. A person who risks their life to protect others embodies courage and always commands respect.

Self-Reliance – Being independent, meeting your needs, and supporting yourself is valued universally. This quality of self-dependence adds reliability to a person.

Chastity and Fidelity – Across cultures, complete faith between husband and wife is a virtue. Sometimes laws emphasize individual liberty over fidelity, but deep down, we know that breaking chastity usually brings a need to hide something. Violating chastity openly in front of one's spouse is unlikely unless there are other issues, as most sane people wouldn’t have the courage to do so without guilt. The law may support individual liberty, but the internal understanding of fidelity remains.

Discipline is another respected universal value. Whether self-discipline or societal discipline, it is recognized and admired. A disciplined person, who sticks to routines, fulfills duties, and avoids procrastination, is reliable and trustworthy. Discipline brings predictability in behavior, which makes a person dependable.

These are some of the universal values that we find across cultures, regions, and religions.

Knowledge Bank

Lord Krishna's Divine Departure: The Mahaprasthana Explained

Lord Krishna's departure, known as Mahaprasthana, is described in the Mahabharata. After fulfilling his divine mission on Earth—guiding the Pandavas and imparting the Bhagavad Gita—Krishna prepared to leave. He was meditating under a tree when a hunter, mistaking his foot for a deer, accidentally shot an arrow at him. Realizing his mistake, the hunter approached Krishna, who reassured him and accepted the wound. Krishna chose this method to end his earthly life to fulfill prophecies and scriptural predictions. By accepting the arrow's wound, he demonstrated his acceptance of the world's imperfections and the natural course of events. His departure highlighted the teachings of detachment and the impermanence of the physical body, illustrating that the soul is eternal. Additionally, Krishna's reaction to the hunter’s mistake showcased his compassion, forgiveness, and divine grace. This exit marked the completion of his mission and his return to his divine abode, Vaikuntha.

Why Kunti abandoned Karna?

Karna's birth was a surprise shock for Kunti. Sage Durvasa had given a mantra to Kunti. With that mantra, she could invoke any Deva and be blessed with a child. Out of curiosity, she tested the mantra and called Suryadeva. She asked Suryadeva to go back but he was bound by the power of the mantra. Kunti conceived and delivered Karna. She was still unmarried. She abandoned Karna to keep what happened a secret.