Paropakaram Idam Shariram: This Body Is For Service

 Paropakaram idam shariram

This human body is not merely for our own pleasures, but for helping, serving, and uplifting others. 

This statement appears in many Sanskrit texts such as the Hitopadesha and Subhashita collections, which preserve pearls of wisdom for righteous living. The essence is clear: human life finds fulfillment only when it is used for the benefit of others.

History offers us many examples, and one of the brightest among them is Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln rose from humble beginnings to become the 16th President of the United States. His leadership was marked by one defining act of courage, the abolition of slavery. In a world torn by divisions of race, power, and prejudice, he chose the harder path: to stand for freedom and equality. People of his time said, “God in heaven and Abraham Lincoln on earth – we only have these two to look after us.” Such was the reverence he commanded, not because of wealth or status, but because of his selflessness and unshakable moral compass.

History shows that those who co-operate, who stand together for a cause greater than themselves, are the ones who rise to true heights. 

In leadership, paradoxically, it is by giving that one receives. A selfless leader does not shrink in identity; instead, they expand, becoming a symbol of hope and inspiration. 

In our own families, workplaces, and communities, we can choose to live by paropakaram. To smile at someone in distress, to lend a helping hand, to speak truth when it matters – these too are acts of service that elevate the human spirit.

In today’s world of competition and self-interest, the teaching of paropakaram is a gentle reminder that our life gains value only when it touches other lives. A professional who mentors others, a teacher who lights the lamp of knowledge with care, a citizen who contributes to community welfare all live this principle in practice. 

When we act selflessly, we don’t lose anything; instead, our sense of identity expands. Service enhances the self, giving us joy, respect, and immortality in memory.

True greatness is born not in self-centered pursuits but in selfless contributions.