On my way to an outstation trip, a thoughtful conversation
unfolded with a gentleman Dr. Dubey. What began as a simple offer of the Srimad
Bhagavad Gita quickly deepened into a profound exploration of what
“religion” truly means—and how the highest service to humanity might
look very different from what we usually imagine.
I approached him to offer Srimad Bhagavad Gita.
“I think that helping human beings is the greatest
religion than distributing religious books,” he said sincerely.
“Good… May I please know what’s the meaning of
religion?” I asked gently.
“I told you—to serve humanity,” he replied.
“And how?” I asked.
“By meeting their needs, helping those in need…”,
he replied confidently.
“In need of what?”, I again asked.
“Help for their requirements or needs…”, he
told.
“Which requirements?”, I asked.
“There are many—it can’t be explained one by one; it
depends…”, he replied.
“Absolutely,” I responded, “that’s exactly
what I wanted to hear. There are indeed many needs, and they all belong to this
temporary body. So why not help people in such a way that they no longer have
to take this body again?”
“You mean what?” he asked.
“I mean the soul has been transmigrating through
countless species since time immemorial. As soon as it takes birth in any form,
needs and sufferings follow. The absolute welfare—for human society and the
entire world—is to provide the knowledge by which souls can recognize their
real self, understand its eternal source (Lord Krishna), and return back home,
back to Godhead. That is the ultimate help we can offer anyone.”
“So what’s the religion then?” he asked
thoughtfully.
“To develop love for God…”, I told.
I handed him the Gita with a smile. “Please read it and
spread its message so people can know the real meaning of religion and
love.”
“Will try to… Thanks,” he said, accepting the
book with a reflective nod.
In that moment, something shifted. A doctor—who already
dedicates his life to healing bodies—had just glimpsed the deeper healing: the
liberation of the soul.
I am thankful to Dr. Dubey, who has timely realized the true
meaning of religion and the greatest welfare activity!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada, whose teachings reveal how
to serve humanity at the deepest level.
This conversation is a quiet revolution in understanding
service. We spend lifetimes trying to meet endless material needs—food,
shelter, health, comfort—but the Gita gently reminds us: the root cause of
all suffering is forgetfulness of our eternal relationship with Lord Krishna.
The greatest help we can give anyone is to awaken that
relationship, to help them develop pure love for God. That love dissolves every
temporary need and brings the soul back to its blissful home.
Dr. Dubey’s openness is an inspiration: Even those who serve
others daily can go deeper. If a healer of bodies can pause to consider the
healing of souls, so can we all.
What does “helping humanity” mean to you now? Have you ever shared spiritual knowledge as an act of service? Share your reflections below—let’s keep elevating the conversation.
Keep the light spreading!!