Sutra 78. Ahimsaasatyasouchadayaastikyaadi chaaritryaani paripaalaneeyaani.
[Virtues like non-violence, truth, purity, compassion,
faith in the existence of God and Vedas and other excellences of character
should be strictly cultivated and protected.]
Ahimsaa-satya-soucha-dayaa-aastikya-aadi chaaritryaani:
virtues like non-violence, truthfulness, purity, compassion, faith in the
existence of God
Paripaalaneeyaani: should be strictly cultivated and protected.
Just as a plant in a garden is protected from insects, pests, etc., and is given
sufficient manure for its growth, so also those virtues have to be protected
and nourished.
Ahimsa, Satyam, etc., are the Yamas (restraints). Soucha,
Santosha etc., are the Niyamas (observances). All these are the disciplines,
without which no spiritual progress is possible.
Daya is active benevolence. It is the positive expression
of love. Ahimsa is the negative expression of love.
In Sutra 76 Narada advises to perform actions which help
the growth of devotion. In the present Sutra the devotee is asked to practise
five special items of conduct.
In the practice of truth, one must speak exactly what has
been seen, heard or understood about a person or a thing. There should not be
the least exaggeration or twisting. The speech should be truthful and sweet.
Truth which leads to another’s injury is not a desirable thing.
‘Aadi’ - etc. Narada intends to point to the other Divine
qualities such as courage, charity, control of senses, austerity,
straightforwardness, humility, self-abnegation, tranquility, freedom from
wrath, tenderness of heart, sobriety, forgiveness, fortitude etc.
The principles of Yama and Niyama of Patanjali Maharishi’s
Raja Yoga philosophy are embodied here.These are the very foundations of Yoga .
Practice of these virtues purifies the heart and prepares the Antahkarana for
the reception of divine light. Compassion softens the hard heart. Satyam
purifies the heart.
God is an embodiment of truth and He can be reached through
practice of truthfulness alone.
Truth alone triumphs. If one is
well-established in the practice of Ahimsa in thought, word, and deed, all
other virtues will cling to him. Most of the vicious actions are done when one
loses his temper.
Virtues of non-violence, compassion, faith in the lord and in the existence of a higher truth - the righteousness behavior and a virtuous mind must be observed and cultivated. A perfect life of inner, clean administration, Rama Rajya, must be promulgated in the bosom, if the heart is to be transformed into a tranquil seat of peace and harmony- Ayodhya!!