Yuva Pedhi Aur Samaj Seva

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Yuva Pedhi aur Samaj Seva" by Pushkarlal Kedia, in English:

The text, "Yuva Pedhi aur Samaj Seva" (The Youth Generation and Social Service: A Message to Youth Power) by Pushkarlal Kedia, is a direct and heartfelt address to the youth. The author uses the familiar address "tum" (you) to foster a deep sense of connection and respect, akin to how devotees address God.

Kedia begins by emphasizing the immense potential residing within young people. He likens their collective presence to a force that captures everyone's attention, embodying the five elements of creation: the storm in the sea, the tempest in the wind, the forest fire in flames, the patience in the earth, and the brilliance in the sky. He urges the youth to recognize and wisely utilize these inherent, powerful qualities within themselves.

The author then draws a parallel between the lives of great personalities and the youth. He argues that true remembrance and legacy come not from merely living for oneself and one's family, but from living for the betterment of others. He uses the example of Rana Pratap's horse, Chetak, being remembered centuries later, while individuals who lived only a century ago might be forgotten if they didn't contribute beyond themselves. This highlights the enduring impact of selfless service.

Kedia acknowledges the challenging environment the youth face today, bombarded by negative influences from media and advertising, promoting smoking, lust, and extravagance. He laments how respected actors are compromising their dignity for financial gain by endorsing such products. He questions whether the youth aspire to build their lives around alcohol, tobacco, fashion, or any means of earning money, urging them to engage with these actors and request them to refrain from actions that tarnish their image.

The text then introduces an analogy of a compass. Just as a compass needle is drawn to the magnetic north thousands of kilometers away, the human soul is naturally drawn to the Supreme Father (Paramatma), who guides us correctly. However, if the compass is unbalanced or its parts are loose, it fails to show the right direction. Similarly, if we become unbalanced or our mental faculties falter, our soul may not provide accurate guidance. Kedia highlights that while a cheap compass might be available, the value lies in its functionality. He encourages the youth to awaken their souls and become like a high-quality compass, guiding others towards the right path.

Emphasizing the preciousness of time, Kedia breaks down life into seconds, minutes, hours, and days. He points out that even living for centuries, if spent merely on personal and familial needs, becomes repetitive. He stresses the importance of dedicating time to good deeds.

The human body, he explains, is a miraculous combination of five elements. Drawing from Saint Tulsidas, he states that obtaining a human form is a great blessing. He urges the youth to deeply contemplate the inherent qualities of these elements: the compassion of earth, the harmony of water, the life-giving essence of air, the universal brotherhood of sky (ether), and the energy and light distribution of fire. He declares that "Seva hi Paramodharma" (Service is the highest duty), as stated in scriptures. God has bestowed these powers to enable us to evaluate our lives and their potential.

Kedia provides a stark mathematical calculation of how time is often wasted. Assuming an 80-year lifespan, he calculates the hours spent sleeping, working, and on daily routines, concluding that the remaining time is often frittered away on birthdays, marriages, TV, cinema, socializing, and gossip, leaving little for noble pursuits. He reiterates that the proper utilization of time is the true measure of a life.

The author then advises the youth to note down their ideas for serving others. He uses an anecdote of scholars who, while drunk, rowed a boat all night tied to a post, realizing in the morning they hadn't moved. This illustrates the need for concrete resolve and understanding the soul's direction to make progress.

The text addresses the current "age of money," referencing the impact of stock market volatility and the blind pursuit of wealth. He questions why the portraits of the wealthy are not displayed in homes, unlike those of sages and social reformers. He criticizes the culture of fashion and extravagance, where youth readily spend on cricket and cinema tickets but hesitate to use wealth for noble causes.

Kedia uses the parable of a washerman finding a diamond necklace. He gives it to his donkey, a merchant buys it cheaply for his wife, and a jeweler recognizes its value, selling each diamond for a fortune. This story serves to highlight the immense, often unrecognized, potential within the youth. He lists various powers such as organizational skills, memory, endurance, yoga, kundalini, attraction, determination, speech, and imagination, urging the youth to identify and utilize them.

He expresses sorrow that even national leaders have lost their way, promoting gambling, lotteries, and smoking as sources of government revenue, thus appearing helpless and misleading the youth for personal gain, entangling them in the web of elections. This is why the nation's hopes rest solely on the youth.

Kedia identifies pressing challenges like dowry, addiction, extravagance, illiteracy, and corruption, stating that only the youth can confront them. He reminds the youth of India's rich history of individuals with noble characters and exceptional qualities. He emphasizes that good habits and actions from childhood provide the strength to rise in life. He implores the youth to resolve daily to take actions that lead to their own progress and benefit others. He urges them not to let their God-given powers go to waste but to use them wisely, proving their worth to their families, society, and nation.