To progress, society doesn’t need ‘leaders’ anymore… When we will all see our role in society as servants, we will all light up the sky together like countless stars on a dark night.
Vinoba Bhave
Light Up the Sky
Topic: Serving Others
To progress, society doesn’t need ‘leaders’ anymore. This doesn’t mean that we won’t have great men* amidst us. I think great men will come and they will be vital for progress of humanity, but they will be so great that they will refuse to take up this position of leadership… When we will all see our role in society as servants, we will all light up the sky together like countless stars on a dark night. Don’t think of society as the sky on a full moon night. The moon’s harsh light blinds us to the true and humble work of the stars. But on a moonless night, the true servants shine forth, as though they are connected invisibly in this vast and infinite cosmos.
*Vinoba Bhave’s use of the term “great men” reflects the linguistic conventions of his time rather than an exclusion of women.
Vinayak Narahari Bhave, better known as Vinoba Bhave, was born on September 11, 1895, in Maharashtra, India. A stalwart of simplicity and wisdom, Vinoba was profoundly influenced by Mahatma Gandhi, adopting nonviolence and human rights as his life’s pillars. Recognized as Gandhi's spiritual successor and honored with the title Acharya, or teacher, his life demonstrated a steadfast commitment to peace and love as foundational human values.
The essence of Vinoba Bhave's contributions is encapsulated in the Bhoodan Movement, a novel initiative aimed at land redistribution through nonviolent means. This movement showcased his innovative approach to addressing social inequities, deeply rooted in the Gita’s teachings on selflessness. His translation of the Gita into Marathi, 'Geetai', made spiritual wisdom accessible, reflecting his belief in service and community welfare as paramount.
Vinoba Bhave's passing on November 15, 1982, mirrored the principles he lived by. After a heart attack, he chose to leave life on his terms, ceasing to eat and thus peacefully transitioning. This deliberate act underscored his teachings on life's natural cycles and the serenity in accepting impermanence. Vinoba’s life, imbued with humility and the pursuit of justice, continues to inspire a vision of a world where love and compassion prevail.
[Photo Credit: Vinoba Bhave, 1978. Photo by Mark Shepard.]
Shepard, Mark. Gandhi Today: A Report on Mahatma Gandhi’s Successors. Simple Productions, 1987. Reprinted by Seven Locks Press, 1987.
Vinoba Bhave
Theme: Serving
About This Vinoba Bave Quotation [Commentary]
Vinoba Bhave’s reflection on leadership and service redefines how we envision progress. He suggests that society no longer needs traditional leaders at its center. While he acknowledges the importance of great individuals, Bhave believes their true greatness will be revealed through humility and a refusal to assume formal leadership roles. Instead of relying on a few to lead, he calls for a collective approach where each person takes responsibility as a servant, contributing to the greater good of society.
Bhave’s imagery of stars on a moonless night illustrates his vision of shared service. He contrasts this with the “harsh light” of a full moon, which represents centralized leadership that overshadows others’ contributions. On a dark night, countless stars shine together, each visible and essential. In the same way, Bhave encourages us to see society as a space where individual acts of service are interconnected and contribute to a larger harmony. The absence of a dominant leader allows every person’s efforts to be recognized.
In shifting the focus from leadership to service, Bhave proposes a transformative model of human interaction grounded in humility and shared responsibility. When each person embraces the role of servant, we “light up the sky together” in unity, just as stars illuminate the night. Bhave invites us to reconsider progress as something built not through individual power, but through collective service—where every person’s contribution strengthens and uplifts the whole.
Gender Balance in Vinoba Bhave’s “A Servant Leader”
In Vinoba Bhave’s “A Servant Leader,” his use of the term “men” reflects the linguistic conventions of his time rather than an exclusion of women. Writing in English—his non-native language—Bhave followed the then-common practice of using “men” as a general term for all people. In Indian languages, such as his native Marathi, terms like manushya—meaning human—carry a broader and more inclusive meaning. Bhave’s teachings consistently advocate for women’s empowerment and recognize their vital role in societal transformation. When he speaks of “great men,” he refers to great individuals, inclusive of all genders. For Bhave, every person, regardless of gender, has the potential to contribute their unique light to the collective progress of society, illuminating the shared path toward a more just and compassionate world.
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