Why People Attach A Lot Of Importance To Prestige And To Public Opinion? Hinduism Answers

Breaking Free from the Tyranny of Prestige: A Hindu Perspective

In a world driven by status, applause and external validation, many find themselves trapped in a relentless cycle of striving for prestige and worrying about public opinion. This attachment breeds stress, anxiety, broken relationships and a persistent sense of unfulfillment. Drawing on timeless teachings from Hindu traditions, we can explore why humans cling to these fleeting rewards and discover pathways to inner freedom, genuine happiness and lasting peace.

The Root of Attachment to Prestige
Humans are inherently social beings. From early childhood, we learn to seek approval from family, peers and society at large. Recognition brings a fleeting surge of confidence, while criticism or neglect can wound the ego deeply. Over time, this craving for praise becomes a habit: achievements, titles and material symbols of success are used as currency in the marketplace of public opinion.

At a deeper level, this attachment arises from a confused sense of identity. When we believe that our worth is determined by what others think, we mistake temporary roles and accolades for our true self. This illusion fuels competition and comparison: if someone else is praised, we must be diminished—or so the ego insists.

The Consequences of Chasing Public Approval

• Emotional Turmoil: Constantly monitoring others’ reactions creates anxiety and self-doubt. One becomes emotionally tethered to every like, comment or conversation.

• Broken Relationships: Genuine bonds suffer when interactions become performances. When people feel used as stepping-stones to greater acclaim, trust erodes.

• Loss of Authenticity: Creativity and compassion suffer when actions are motivated by applause rather than intrinsic values.

• Persistent Unhappiness: Even when recognition is won, its high is brief; the bar keeps rising, and satisfaction remains elusive.

Hindu Wisdom on Equality of All Existence
At the heart of Hindu thought lies the realization that the essential Self—Atman—is unchanging, pure and identical in all beings. The sage sees no real difference between animate and inanimate, high birth or low, praise or blame. This non-dual vision (Advaita) dissolves the basis for comparison.

• Tat Tvam Asi (Thou Art That): This Mahavakya teaches that the same consciousness animates every creature and object. Prestige and public opinion apply only in the realm of forms, not at the level of the Self.

• Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The World Is One Family): When all are seen as members of a single cosmic family, competition gives way to cooperation and compassion.

Karma Yoga: Action without Attachment
One of the most practical solutions offered in the Bhagavad Gita is karma yoga—performing one’s duty with full dedication but without clinging to results. By focusing on right effort rather than outcomes, the mind gradually frees itself from the pain of praise and blame alike.

• Nishkama Karma (Desireless Action): Act for the sake of action itself, as an offering to the Divine.

• Equanimity: Cultivate a balanced mind in success and failure alike, recognizing both as temporary.

Cultivating Inner Strength: Practices to Overcome the Need for Approval

1. Self-Inquiry (Atma Vichara)

   • Regularly question “Who am I beyond my roles and achievements?”

   • Identify and let go of self-images built on external validation.

2. Meditation and Mindfulness

   • Observe thoughts of pride or shame without judgment.

   • Strengthen inner calm so that praise or criticism has less power over your mood.

3. Seva (Selfless Service)

   • Engage in acts of kindness without announcing them.

   • Serving others for its own sake shifts focus away from self-image.

4. Satsang (Good Company)

   • Spend time with people who value authenticity over status.

   • Share experiences of detachment and support one another’s journey.

5. Study of Sacred Texts

   • Reflect on stories of saints and sages who renounced fame and lived in humility.

   • Internalize their example to reorient priorities.

Reframing Success: Inner Fulfillment over External Validation
Rather than defining success by accolades or social rank, Hindu teachings invite us to measure life by growth in qualities such as compassion, wisdom and serenity. True prestige, from this perspective, is not a badge worn on the sleeve but the quiet dignity of a heart at peace.

• Shraddha (Faith): Trust that your intrinsic worth does not rise and fall with popular opinion.

• Santosha (Contentment): Cultivate gratitude for what is, rather than longing for more approval.

A Practical Roadmap

1. Set Clear Intentions: Each morning, reaffirm your commitment to act without craving recognition.

2. Journal Reflections: Note moments when you sought praise and explore the feelings beneath that urge.

3. Small Acts of Courage: Make one choice per day that aligns with your values, even if it risks disapproval.

4. Celebrate Inner Wins: Acknowledge progress in emotional resilience rather than external rewards.

5. Regular Retreats: Dedicate time to silence and self-study, free from the chatter of social media or gossip.

Final Thoughts
Prestige and public opinion may appear indispensable in worldly life, but their power over us is a product of mental habits, not necessity. Hindu wisdom offers a profound antidote: recognize the unity of all existence, embrace desireless action, and cultivate inner virtues that outlast any applause. In doing so, we break free from the tyranny of external validation and discover the true joy of living from our deepest Self.