Contd from the previous blog
Dhruti - Courage : It is steadfastness, courage and perseverance which help us in overcoming fear and indecision while journeying through life. It helps us overcome dithering and wavering in our decisions. In order to achieve our goals, we need to plan meticulously, persist in face of hindrances, push with all our might and pray with faith. When we have perseverance, we go ahead steadily and overcome all obstacles without grumbling or complaining. Many stop a few steps before the final goal as they lose their courage on the way. We must not give way to emotions of hopelessness or fear. Instead, we should forge ahead thinking of our purpose, goals and plans and overcome our negative feelings.
Daya - compassion: We are sometimes insensitive ,callous and cruel towards others. When we inculcate and practice compassion, we can overcome this insensitivity towards all life. It is possible to truly experience love and compassion for all, only when we experience oneness with God and all creation. But before experiencing this , we can start following this principle on the premises that our rishis and saints taught us the truth that we are one with all creation and God. Compassion help us to be kind to man, animals , plants and Earth itself. It helps us to easily forgive those who apologise and let go of others who do not show remorse. Compassion enables us to understand that ego and ignorance is the cause of their actions.
Daya or compassion is an action in itself, unlike Kshama or forgiveness which is a reaction or response to an action. When we help someone in need, we show compassion. Compassion can be shown physically – by helpful actions, orally – by kind and encouraging words and mentally- by wishing others well and praying for their help and success. Compassion gives physical and mental peace. Compassion helps us to be kind and understanding to the needs of poor, the weak, the impoverished, the young, the aged and those in pain. It helps us to fight cruelties and abuse in society and family.
Arjava – Honesty: When we are honest, we are able to overcome deception and our need to be right at all times and at any cost. Arjava is giving up wrong doing and being straightforward in our dealings with ourselves and others. We must act honorably at all times. Cheating, deceit and changing facts to suit ourselves are not right. We must honor and obey the laws of the land and pay our taxes. We must do honest work for the pay received. We should not bribe or accept bribes.
Arjava is ability to own up ones fault’s and rectifying errors made. It helps us to face and accept our faults without blaming others for wrongs done. It makes us humble and helps in overcoming ego. Most of our day to day problems are due to ego. Where there is no ego, relationships are very loving and satisfying. In order to cultivate deep love for God, it is necessary for us to have a soft, simple and sweet tongue and heart.
Mitahar or Restricted Diet: Our body needs fresh nutritious food in moderate quantities. But we generally tend to eat more than our bodily requirements. We eat in excess as we have no control over our mind, our tongue and taste, our cravings and desires and habits. Overeating is harmful for the body and mind. It brings about many diseases, sloth and indolence. As a yogi, we must eat wholesome vegetarian food which vitalize the body and refrain from eating meat, fish, fowl and eggs. We should eat up to three fourths of the capacity of our stomach and at regular intervals only when we are hungry. Food must be chewed well and taken in a good atmosphere. A simple diet is better than rich, oily or spicy foods.
Aparigrah or absence of Greed: It means we should not hoard things in excess. We all have a right to stock food and other things for our regular use and some extra for emergency. But storing a large amount of anything means we are denying the use of those things to others. We should use common sense in deciding how much we need and should store . We should use and enjoy all of Nature’s gifts to us but use only what is necessary and in a controlled manner. The texts say that the one who follows Aparigrah in entirety gets knowledge of past, present and future.
