Ask for the Fifth One Also

In ?Ramayana, the great Hindu mythology, Maharishi Vishwamitra approached King Dasharatha, requesting his young son Ram to battle the demons, the king was perplexed. He asked,

“You are a great sage, possessing immense power. Why do you need my 15-year-old son? With a mere drop of your holy water, you could destroy the demons.”

To this, Vishwamitra replied,

“Rajan, I am a saint. For the enlightened, anger is forbidden.”

He then shared a profound truth:

“There are four things, Rajan. If even one of them takes hold of a person, he becomes arrogant.”

These four attributes are:

1. Yovan (Youth) – The energy, strength, and potential that come with being young.

2. Dhan (Wealth) – The financial resources one accumulates through effort and fortune.

3. Sampatti (Property) – The assets and stability that provide security.

4. Prabhutwa (Authority/Dominance) – The respect, recognition, and power one earns in society.

Vishwamitra explained that if someone possesses all four, it is a test of character. Even Ram had them all—youth, wealth, property, and power—yet, every morning, he humbly sought his Guru’s blessings by touching his feet.

“It is humility that makes Ram who he is—that makes him Maryada Purushottam Ram.”

A Lesson from Today

Recently, a well-known YouTube influencer faced severe backlash for making insensitive comments about parents. I have always admired him for his creativity, intelligence, and the value he added to society through his content. He had achieved remarkable success.

He had all four—youth, wealth, property, and influence. But perhaps, blinded by these very privileges, he made a mistake that cost him dearly. Caught up in his environment, surrounded by people for whom such remarks seemed normal, he failed to recognize the weight of his words. His thoughtless comment deeply hurt people, and in an instant, he lost the respect and admiration he had spent years building.

My Wish for You

My dear son, as you grow, I hope you achieve all four—youth, wealth, property, and respect. There is nothing wrong in aspiring for them; in fact, they are essential for progress in life. But always remember—while seeking these four, ask for a fifth quality: humility.

Humility will keep you grounded. It will help you control your words and actions, appreciate the value of kindness, and navigate success with grace. It will teach you patience, and patience will keep you steady. No matter how high you rise, humility will ensure you remain respectful, compassionate, and wise.

So, my wish for you is this: may you achieve all the success you desire, but may you never lose your humility. That is what will make you truly great.

With all my love,

Papa