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The relevant verse in the Mahabharata where these four pious obligations have been indicated are in Adi Parva (Adhyaya 120.17-20). It says,<blockquote>ऋणैश्चतुर्भिः संयुक्ता जायन्ते मानवा भुवि | पितृदेवर्षिमनुजैर्देयं तेभ्यश्च धर्मतः ||</blockquote><blockquote>r̥ṇaiścaturbhiḥ saṁyuktā jāyante mānavā bhuvi | pitr̥devarṣimanujairdeyaṁ tebhyaśca dharmataḥ || </blockquote>Meaning: Every individual should discharge four pious obligations. They are Deva Rna (towards the Supreme Being), Pitru Rna (towards parents), Rishi Rna (towards teachers) and Manava Rna (towards humanity).

The relevant verse in the Mahabharata where these four pious obligations have been indicated are in Adi Parva (Adhyaya 120.17-20). It says,<blockquote>ऋणैश्चतुर्भिः संयुक्ता जायन्ते मानवा भुवि | पितृदेवर्षिमनुजैर्देयं तेभ्यश्च धर्मतः ||</blockquote><blockquote>r̥ṇaiścaturbhiḥ saṁyuktā jāyante mānavā bhuvi | pitr̥devarṣimanujairdeyaṁ tebhyaśca dharmataḥ || </blockquote>Meaning: Every individual should discharge four pious obligations. They are Deva Rna (towards the Supreme Being), Pitru Rna (towards parents), Rishi Rna (towards teachers) and Manava Rna (towards humanity).

It also indicated the method by which the four pious obligations are to be discharged.<blockquote>यज्ञैस्तु देवान् प्रीणाति स्वाध्यायतपसा मुनीन् | पुत्रैः श्राद्धैः पितृंश्चापि आनृशंस्येन मानवान् || </blockquote><blockquote>yajñaistu devān prīṇāti svādhyāyatapasā munīn | putraiḥ śrāddhaiḥ pitr̥ṁścāpi ānr̥śaṁsyena mānavān ||</blockquote>Meaning: One should discharge Pitru Rna by maintaining continuity of the family, Deva Rna by worship of the Supreme, Rishi Rna by the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge and Manava Rna by every type of social service.

It also indicated the method by which the four pious obligations are to be discharged.<blockquote>यज्ञैस्तु देवान् प्रीणाति स्वाध्यायतपसा मुनीन् | पुत्रैः श्राद्धैः पितृंश्चापि आनृशंस्येन मानवान् || </blockquote><blockquote>yajñaistu devān prīṇāti svādhyāyatapasā munīn | putraiḥ śrāddhaiḥ pitr̥ṁścāpi ānr̥śaṁsyena mānavān ||</blockquote>Meaning: One should discharge Pitru Rna by maintaining continuity of the family, Deva Rna by worship of the Supreme, Rishi Rna by the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge and Manava Rna by every type of social service.<ref>M.Rama Jois (2004), Trivarga, Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.</ref>

== देवऋणम् ॥ Deva Rna<ref name=":0" /> ==

== देवऋणम् ॥ Deva Rna<ref name=":0" /> ==

== मानवऋणम् ॥ Manava Rna<ref name=":0" /> ==

== मानवऋणम् ॥ Manava Rna<ref name=":0" /> ==

Manava Rna refers to obligation towards humanity. It stands to the great credit of Maharshi Vyasa that he considered that the three pious obligations on the part of every individual laid down in the Vedas required to be supplemented by the fourth, the Manava Rna, to make the obligation of individuals to society full and complete. Maharshi Vyasa declared that discharging every kind of social obligation to society forms part of the fourth pious obligation. This pious obligation is of great importance and covers every field of human activity. In fact, it is in the discharge of this obligation, that many individuals have rendered yeoman service and have spent considerable part of their wealth for innumerable kinds of social welfare schemes or projects or institutions since time immemorial and continue to do so.

Manava Rna refers to obligation towards humanity. It stands to the great credit of Maharshi Vyasa that he considered that the three pious obligations on the part of every individual laid down in the Vedas required to be supplemented by the fourth, the Manava Rna, to make the obligation of individuals to society full and complete. Maharshi Vyasa declared that discharging every kind of social obligation to society forms part of the fourth pious obligation. This pious obligation is of great importance and covers every field of human activity. In fact, it is in the discharge of this obligation, that many individuals have rendered yeoman seva (सेवा | selfless service) and have spent considerable part of their wealth for innumerable kinds of social welfare schemes or projects or institutions since time immemorial and continue to do so.

It is on account of this fourth pious obligation, that it is stated that 'Service to Humanity is Service to Divinity'. In fact this obligation supplements the first obligation namely discharging Deva Rna. After all, every human being and every living being is an incarnation of the Supreme and therefore serving living beings is equal to serving the Supreme Being. Thus, Manava Rna constitutes a pious obligation and was so declared by Maharshi Vyasa.  

It is on account of this fourth pious obligation, that it is stated that 'Service to Humanity is Service to Divinity'. In fact this obligation supplements the first obligation namely discharging Deva Rna. After all, every human being and every living being is an incarnation of the Supreme and therefore serving living beings is equal to serving the Supreme Being. Thus, Manava Rna constitutes a pious obligation and was so declared by Maharshi Vyasa.  

Swami Vivekananda highlights this aspect and states that every individual who has secured all kinds of help from Society and who has secured education through educational institutions established by the society is under an obligation to serve them. If an individual, after securing education from the institutions established by society did not care for them and fails to use his knowledge in the service of society and uses it for making illegitimate wealth or profit, it is a clear instance of ingratitude and abuse of knowledge.

Swami Vivekananda highlights this aspect and states that every individual who has secured all kinds of help from Society and who has secured education through educational institutions established by the society is under an obligation to serve them. If an individual, after securing education from the institutions established by society did not care for them and fails to use his knowledge in the seva (सेवा | selfless service) of society and uses it for making illegitimate wealth or profit, it is a clear instance of ingratitude and abuse of knowledge.

A few illustrations as to how the fourth pious obligation can be discharged are,  

A few illustrations as to how the fourth pious obligation can be discharged are,