The individual s fulfilment, in the joy of liberation, is undoubtedly, the fruit of the tree of humanity. But, when you yearn for the fruit, you cannot neglect the roots, the trunk, the branches, the leaves, the buds and the blossoms of the tree; they all help the fruit to manifest and to be filled with sweetness. When Pakistan invaded India last year, their armies did not attack Madras; but, yet did you not rush forward to teach them a good lesson? Attachment to the nation, affection to the language, reverence to religion and loyalty to Society are all essential. They are all facets of the overwhelming sense of gratitude one feels for all that has shaped one. Each such loyalty, instead of running counter to another, must feed and foster all the rest. Then they are most desirable.
Patriotism prompts man to understand the ideals of the past and the teachings of one s forefathers, based on their deeper experiences; it urges him to live for those ideals and gain experience for himself on the paths laid down by the sages of one s country. But, there are in India people who call themselves patriots, though they are neglecting and even harming those ideals and ridiculing those experiences and those paths. Adhering to one s own likes and dislikes, however harmful it may be to the interest of the culture of the country, is very injurious to both.
When the hand is amputated, it is not merely the limb that suffers, a great quantity of blood also flows out from the rest of the body and makes the system weak and exhausted. So too, when one separates himself from the Society or Nation and insists on a path that is not part of the culture and traditions, not only does he lose support, he harms the nation too. (SSS Vol.12, pp. 5-6)
Men today are concerned solely about their rights and have no regard for their duties, obligations and responsibilities. Universities today have become factories for turning out degree holders and not real centres for knowledge. Education should serve to develop powers of discrimination and foster the sense of patriotism so that the educated may engage themselves in service to society.
Lacking in love for the Motherland, many today are hankering after foreign things. We should not have aversion to anything. But esteem for things national is essential. Appreciation and regard for one s own country and its achievements is a sacred duty (Dharma). It is not the mark of good education if one forgets one s own country and goes after the exotic. (SSS Vol.20)
Devotion to one s motherland is as important as devotion to God. Honesty and integrity are essential for the bright future of the individual. Likewise, national character and patriotism are necessary for the welfare of the country. When integrity and patriotism are developed in an individual his vision becomes broad and his outlook balanced. (SSS Vol.21)
Fifty years ago, young people strove for the freedom of the country in a patriotic spirit. They tried to follow the example of great national leaders like Sivaji, Samarth Ramdas, Bala Gangadhar Tilak, Sardar Patel and others. They walked in their footsteps. They used to adore the pictures of these leaders.
If you examine the attitude of young people today, you will find chaos and confusion in their hearts. Patriotism has disappeared. Self interest and selfish concerns rule the roost. In their rooms, in the place of pictures of national heroes, you see only pictures of film stars. These are the deities whom they worship. On their tables you see transistor radios and video sets. Love of the nation has vanished from their thoughts. What is the reason for this? The root cause is the absence of exemplary parents and teachers. Even among the leaders, there are few that can be considered ideal examples. It is only when you have ideal leaders, ideal parents and ideal teachers that the students will be inspired to act on right lines.
Therefore, if today we seek to set the students on the right path and raise them to a higher level, the parents should consider it their primary duty to set the right example. But parents do not seem to pay much attention to this. (SSS Vol.23)
The future progress and welfare of the nation depend upon how education is imparted. Students must be imbued with genuine patriotism. Starting with love and reverence for the parents, students should cultivate love and reverence for the Motherland. All your education must be a preparation for serving the nation. (SSS Vol.21)