We all like to be perfect and try to acquire the qualities that will help us to become so. Two of the attributes essential in this regard are purity and benevolence.
Who is truly benevolent? The answer to that question is easy and, at the same time, deep. One who is benevolent and uplifts fellow humans sees the virtues in others. Even when they notice anyone’s defects, they have good wishes for the other person and encourage and help them to overcome their weaknesses.
To be benevolent is to share one’s virtues, such as peace, love, and courage, with others. Such caring souls are peaceful, happy, and powerful, and untouched by sorrow.
They are charitable in their thinking, speech and behaviour. They easily relate to others and share their joy with everyone. All who meet them go on their way happier.
Only one who is content can be benevolent, so such souls have no desire to get anything from others. Nor do they expect or wait for others to act first, before helping them. Their actions are not conditioned by what others do or do not do. They never say: “I will change when the other one changes. That one should change a little first.”
Those who have such feelings cannot uplift others. Instead of being charitable, they are like businessmen, who make deals. “When that one does this much, I will do this much”, “Why should I always have to give in? How long must I do this?” — big-hearted souls do not think in this manner. Such thinking comes from the influence of some weakness, and it is a form of begging; it indicates lack of power.
Benevolent souls realise that the other one lacks strength, and it is unreasonable to expect anything from them. To get something from others before giving, is not benevolence. Instead, these beneficent souls make the weak powerful with their love, cooperation, and zeal and enthusiasm. They have mercy on those who speak ill of others, and are kind to even those who insult them.
Even though they can discern the shortcomings of people, their feelings towards them do not change, nor do they gossip about others’ faults.
The result of all this is that everyone is content with such kindly souls — they create hope in the hopeless, and nurture courage and confidence in those rejected by others.
If someone, due to their naivety, desires praise or something else that may bring temporary joy but cause long-term harm, benevolent souls will not respond with criticism. Instead, they will inspire them to aspire for higher goals, helping the other soul realise their error and become wiser.
This kind of magnanimity brings lifelong rewards, in the form of goodwill, regard, and gratitude.
Those who uplift others in this way automatically elevate themselves — they receive heartfelt blessings from all, and are not just respected, but venerated.
B.K. Brij Mohan is Additional Secretary General of the Brahma Kumaris.