How to Achieve Greatness in Life

 

Q52:    Swami!  Kindly tell us how to achieve greatness in life?

Bhagawan: Never allow this sort of idea to get into your head.  You are mistaken if you think that you have achieved something very special and unique by becoming great.  No, not at all.  Becoming great in life should not be your aim.  There are several great people in society.  I don't think this is important or that this matters most.  Goodness is superior to greatness.  Instead of aiming to be great, try to be good.  It is far more important to be a good man than a great man.

What is the difference between the two?  A great man sees man in God, while a good man sees God in man.  Ravana, as portrayed in the Ramayana, was undoubtedly a great man.  He considered Rama, the Lord, a mere man.  But Rama was an ideal good man.  Rama saw divinity in a bird like Jatayu, in squirrels, and even in rakshasas like Vibhishana.  Women like Sabari, illiterate people like Guha as well as saints appear to Rama like his own reflections.  So Rama was good.  So you should try to get the reputation that you are a good man and not a great man.

(From: "Satyopanisad" Vol. 1 by Prof. K. Anil Kumar)