Question 4 · 1083 words written
Opening
This is a story of a poor old woman from Tamilnadu. In her youth, she lost her husband and had no children of her own. There was no other family member to support her for the remaining life. She lived alone - with despair and hopelessness. However, what made her famous today, was her path of virtue despite of the misfortune.
She started to contribute towards the society through planting trees, one by one. Till she reached her 80s, she had already planted more than 10,000 trees. This gave her the popular name of 'Mother of the trees'.
This story is of Padma Shri awardee Saalumarada Thimmakka, who showed utmost virtue of selflessness,
Altruism and Righteousness in her action, while struggling with misfortune of helplessness, hopelessness, and poverty.
Similarly, there are several examples of people who showed true proof of virtue while struggling with misfortune. And there are also many, who pretend to be virtuous in comfort, but can't live upto it during misfortune.
In this essay, we will see, what is virtue and why true proof of virtue can only be tested while struggling with misfortune. Then we will go through various spheres of life to analyse its manifestation.
At the same time, we will also examine the anti-thesis, where many philosophers gave a anti-perspective of the topic. Finally we will try to find a way-forward for future.
So, the question is What is virtue ? Well, virtue refers to the act of upholding right values and following the ideals of these values in every step of our life. Plato and Socrates are the pioneer philosophers who talked about virtue. Plato held that there are four cardinal virtues - Justice, Prudence, Courage and Temperance - that makes a person virtuous in life. However, there are many types of virtue like - honesty, truthfulness, benevolence, altruism, integrity etc.
Now, the question arises, why true proof of virtue lies in struggling with misfortune. Because, it is always easy to follow the path of virtue, when in comfort or wealth or good fortune. For example, many wealthy people offers charity ,
donations etc . But it becomes difficult to follow the same path , when in misfortune like financial crisis , economic losses etc. They tend to do corrupt practices , compromising with their long-standing values or virtue.
For example , the stories of Vijay Malya , Nirav Modi exemplifies it.
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__However, a virtuous person never compromises with the path of virtue . There are |many such manifestations| , where true proof of virtue has been established in the struggle with misfortune starting from ancient times to modern-day .
In the |ancient India| , leaders like Maharana Pratap and Chhatrapati Shivaji never compromised with virtue of 'Swaraj' and 'Dharma'
Even when [Maharana Pratap] was struggling inside forrest after the defeat in war with Akbar, he did not compromise with his ideals to fight for his people until death.
Similarly, [Shivaji] continued his fight against Aurangzeb without compromising in return of his offers and even when he lost most of the occupied forts.
This showed their true proof of virtue i.e. of independence, self-rule and righteous leadership. Similarly, in pre modern history, [Mahatma Gandhi] held onto his virtue of non-violence despite oppression of British. [BR Ambedkar] was struggling with misfortune of discrimination, untouchability in his childhood; but exemplified virtues like temperance & persewerance to become one of the best lawyers and father of constitution of India.
In a similar manner, if we look into a broader perspective of International affairs, India has consistently showed true proof of virtue that it believes in, despite struggling with misfortune of food crisis, war etc.
In 1960s, when USA denied food grain supply to India under PL-480 agreement, India suffered with a major misfortune. However, with showing virtues like dedication and perseverance, India invested in Green Revolution. And today it is a net-exporter of food grains.
In 1999, when India faced Kargil war, Atal Bihari Vajpayi - then PM ensured that India follow the Shimla agreement and does not cross LoC to win the war. Even in
the misfortune of war, India showed the virtue of mutual respect and internationalism. Similarly, despite being surrounded by two nuclear-powered rogue nations, India follows a No-first Use policy as nuclear doctrine.
All these events show us that those who are truely virtuous, never fails to uphold virtue even in the dire misfortune. However, there has been a view anti-thetical to the above statement. Sometimes following virtue while struggling may not be a best option. As Chanakya in his Arthashastra explained, sometimes we need to tackle misfortune as injustice by going beyond path of virtue. He suggested the use of 'Sama-Dam-Dand-Ved' doctrine. That is, if required, we
should not hesitate to use unethical or immoral ways of deceit, violence to win over our misfortune.
For instance, in case of war, international relations, a nation must do 'anything' to achieve its national interest. Therefore, he suggested to follow 'Realism' over 'idealism' for greater interest.
Therefore, though both the perspectives are right in their own place, it is the person who needs to take the right decision in the case of misfortune. [In] summary, it can be said that, the ability to follow virtue even in the struggle of misfortune, makes one truely virtuous. But, when needed, for larger societal interest, one can bypass this path.
As a way forward, the ability to gather the necessary courage, temperance etc to be able to follow the right path comes from practice. Since school days, a child must be provided oppurtunity to learn to walk on the virtuous path. By giving value education, exposing one to various stories from texts like Ramayan, Mahabharat, Jataka, Panchatantra, it will be possible to impart the attitude to be virtuous throughout one's life. It will ensure right thought process and right perspective to fight with the misfortune to get over it in a virtuous way.
- In conclusion, it is evident that the world and
human life faces with struggles . with misfortune . But to be able to win over misfortune by following virtuous path is the need of the society . At last , the lines from Bhagvad Gita can be the motto to achieve true virtue →
"Karmena Vyadhikaraste Ma Phalesu Kadachana"
Close
That is , we have to believe in 'Nishkama Karma' - following the 'righteousness' without worrying about results . That will ensue us to be virtuous , even in the struggle with misfortune .
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