Sandeha Nivarini - Post 24

46 Maxims continued...

16. Be always vigilant, without a moment’s carelessness, against the eight sins that the mind perpetrates: craving (kama), anger (krodha), greed (lobha), attachment (moha), impatience, hatred, egotism, and pride. One’s primary duty is to keep these things at a safe distance from oneself.

17. The mind speeds fast, pursuing wrong actions. Without letting it hurry like that, remember the name of the Lord at that time or attempt to do some good deed or other. Those who do thus will certainly become fit for the Lord’s grace.

18. First give up the evil tendency to feel impatient at the prosperity of others and the desire to harm them. Be happy that others are happy. Sympathise with those who are in adversity and wish for their prosperity. That is the means of cultivating the love for God.

19. Patience is all the strength one needs.

20. Those anxious to live in joy must always be doing good.

21. It is easy to conquer anger through love, attachment through reasoning, falsehood through truth, bad through good, and greed through charity.

22. No reply should be given to the words of the wicked. For your own good, be at a great distance from them. Break off all relations with such people.

23. Seek the company of good men, even at the sacrifice of your honour and life. Pray to God to bless you with the discrimination needed to distinguish between the good men and the bad. You must also endeavour to discriminate, using the intellect given to you.

24. Those who conquer states and earn fame in the world are hailed as heroes, no doubt, but those who have conquered the senses are heroes who must be acclaimed as the conquerors of the Universal.

25. Whatever acts a good or bad person may do, the fruits thereof follow them and will never stop pursuing them.

26. Greed yields only sorrow; contentment is best. There is no happiness greater than contentment.

27. The mischief-mongering tendency should be plucked out by the roots and thrown off. If allowed to exist, it will undermine life itself.

28. Bear both loss and grief with fortitude; try to nd plans to achieve joy and gain.

29. When you are invaded by anger, practice silence or remember the name of the Lord. Do not remind your- self of things that will in ame the anger more. That will do incalculable harm.

30. From this moment, avoid all bad habits. Do not delay or postpone. They do not contribute the slightest joy.

Continued......

Ramakrishna