There are several human values and moral virtues we tend to club together with compassion, such as mercy, kindness, benevolence, service, charity and love. Even though all of them can help you become a better human being, it is important to note that they stem from different sources and have varied impacts. Unlike virtues and values, which are often constructed and derived externally, compassion is inborn, innate and natural.Mercy and benevolence may seem similar to compassion; they can benefit others and bring you joy and contentment, as well as respect and recognition. But compassion runs deeper. It is that powerful and natural force that transforms not just your personal life but your immediate surroundings and the world. Acts of mercy are often sporadic and spontaneous. You can choose to spend your money or take time out from your busy schedule to help someone in need, but you do not try to eliminate the social, political or systemic causes of their suffering.The hungry person you feed today is satiated for the day and the warm clothes you gave a homeless person could help them survive a cold winter. Still, a single act of mercy does little to lessen their vulnerabilities.Additionally, the relationship between the giver and the recipient of a merciful act is defined by a noticeable hierarchy, in which the former is placed above the latter. Conversely, compassion maintains a relationship of mutual respect and dignity. All of us are already capable of compassion, it only needs to be ignited.Though its makeup is similar to mercy, kindness can have a wider scope. It is reflected in a person’s everyday behaviour and actions. Acts of kindness, like mercy, can help provide momentary comfort to those in trouble. Also, even the kindest people may not be free of an inherent desire for recognition, which motivates them to act.This can be demonstrated through an amusing Persian folktale.There once lived a kind and cheerful man named Mullah Nasruddin who was widely respected for his generosity. Nasruddin was also known to be fond of his clothes. Once, his friend, a poet, was invited to recite ghazals at a mushaira. The poet asked Nasruddin if he could borrow a pair of trousers. Nasruddin gave the finest trousers he owned. When his friend took the stage, Nasruddin asked some acquaintances what they thought of the trousers the poet was wearing. When someone remarked that they were stunning, Nasruddin proudly said they were his. On their way home, the poet told Nasruddin he felt embarrassed by the disclosure.When the poet was invited to another mushaira, he again asked Nasruddin to accompany him. When speaking to some members of the audience, Nasruddin praised the trousers the poet was wearing but added they were not his. The poet again implored his friend to not mention the trousers again. On Nasruddin’s assurance, the poet took him to a third mushaira. This time, Nasruddin drew attention to the trousers by saying he’d never reveal their owner. Exasperated, the poet publicly removed the trousers and returned them.In comparison to kindness, the effects of benevolence are felt for longer. There is a story in the Mahabharata that illustrates the difference between benevolent and compassionate deeds.Having won the battle of Kurukshetra, King Yudhishthira organised a celebratory feast. Thousands of people, from princes to paupers, participated. They enjoyed the delicious spread of food and were rewarded with gifts. Suddenly, Yudhishthira spotted a mongoose. Half of its skin was golden. The mongoose began rolling around where the religious rituals had been performed.Yudhishthira asked, ‘What are you doing?’ The mongoose replied, ‘I’m trying to turn the remaining half of my body golden.’ Seeing that Yudhishthira was still perplexed, the mongoose explained:‘A few days ago, I came upon a tiny hut. I could see a poor family of four — a middle-aged man, his wife, son and daughter-in-law — getting ready for dinner. Four plates were neatly arranged on the floor. The wife said she only had enough wheat to make one roti. Just as she had served them a quarter each of the roti, a hungry stranger approached their door. The middle-aged man invited him and gave the man his share. The other three did the same. The grateful stranger ate all four pieces and left. When the family had fallen asleep, I entered the hut and began rolling on the spot where a few roti crumbs had fallen. That’s when half my body turned golden. I thought that rolling on the spot where a righteous king like you had performed a sacrifice would turn the rest of my body golden but, sadly, that did not happen.’Though both Yudhishthira and the family had fed the hungry, the King had expected his benevolence would earn him good karma, while the family had acted out of compassion, thinking of the stranger’s hunger as their own. In compassionate action, there is no expectation of any form of reward. Service, unlike kindness and benevolence, comes closer to compassion.— Satyarthi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014. Excerpted from ‘Karuna, The Power of Compassion’ (HarperCollins)
