Bahujana sukhaya bahujana hitaya cha (translates to "for the happiness of the many, for the welfare of the many")[1] is a dictum or aphorism enunciated in the Rigveda in Sanskrit.[2]
Hinduism defines five basic traditional philosophical concepts and the fifth concept enjoined to be followed is the concept of "welfare of the many, the happiness of the many".[3]
Gautama Buddha in the fifth century BCE suggested his disciples to work for the welfare and happiness of the masses under the same dictum.[4] Numerous others such as the nineteenth-century Hindu monk Swami Vivekananda[5][6] and Indian nationalist, freedom fighter, philosopher Sri Aurobindo also spoke on this aphorism.
This aphorism is the motto of the All India Radio (AIR) a National Public Service Broadcaster and its emblem depicts the motto.[7]