Service is not a profession but a responsibility towards society: Mohan Bhagwat
14/11/2026
Nagpur, Nov 13: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday said service should be viewed not as a profession but as a responsibility towards society, emphasising that compassion and sensitivity were the foundations of humanity.
Addressing a gathering after presenting the 'Vidarbha Gaurav' award to Dr Sanjay Paithankar, Bhagwat said people should help those in distress without expecting anything in return.
"Service is not a profession but a responsibility towards society. We do not work merely to earn our livelihood but to ensure that the world continues to function well," he said.
Bhagwat said helping a person in distress, irrespective of whether one has a personal relationship with them, was a natural expression of humanity. He added that such acts should not be considered extraordinary but should come from an inherent sense of compassion.
He said awards were not meant to motivate people to begin serving society, as those being honoured had generally worked without expecting recognition. Instead, awards acknowledged their contribution and encouraged them to continue their efforts.
Explaining the significance of recognition, Bhagwat said appreciating people engaged in social service could also inspire others to contribute to society.
He observed that society survived on compassion and sensitivity rather than economic prosperity alone. While difficult circumstances could sometimes suppress human sensitivity, preserving compassion despite hardships was what made a person truly human.
"What matters is what values they have preserved while living," he said, adding that a person's circumstances, whether marked by poverty or prosperity, should not determine their commitment to humanity.
Bhagwat said people should pursue their respective occupations and fulfil family responsibilities while also contributing to society. Earning a livelihood, he observed, should be a by-product of work, while its larger purpose should be social service.
Referring to the concept of 'dharma', he said its essential values included truth, compassion, purity and self-discipline. "Humanity itself is dharma. Brotherhood is dharma," he said.
He further said that recognising the presence of the divine in oneself and others would naturally promote a sense of belonging, compassion and service without expectation of personal benefit.
Bhagwat also narrated an anecdote about a disciple who could not find a place to eat a fruit unseen by anyone, as instructed by his teacher, because he believed that God was present everywhere, including within himself.
He said such awareness helped create a bond with others and strengthened the spirit of selfless service.
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