At this point in my life,I look back to see the path that I have come and leads to me ask have I lived my life the Hindu way,which made me look at the Hindu ethics and conduct.Where do I get the ethics and conduct?Though our epics and vedanta are thousand years old it stands good even today,which helps me today to explore and pick out the points which are specified in these books directly or indirectly.There are six great sayings (Mahavakyas) from the Upanishads that give the basic insight into its philosophy.
Aham Brahmasmi “I am Brahman”: Vedic knowledge teaches that our own “Self” is the true Divinity. The Truth is within us, in our own heart. This states the identity of the inner most consciousness of the individual with the supreme Divine.Ayam Atma Brahma “The Self is Brahman”: This states that not only individual soul is Divine but all beings are identified with the Absolute Truth.Tat Tvam Asi “That art thou”: Whatever we see or think about, we are That. We are the ultimate Thou and I in all.Prajnanam Brahma “ Knowledge is Brahman”: Supreme intelligence is present inherently within us and is capable of returning us to the Divine. Our understanding of the truth is the Truth itself.Sarvam Kalvidam Brahma “ The whole universe is Brahman”: Not only the consciousness in you and I but also the ‘principle of being’ are all Divine. The entire universe is Divine, which includes our Self.So ‘ham “Here am I”: This identifies the Divinity in our Self in something that happens naturally like breathing. “So” is inhalation and “Ham” is the natural sound of exhalation.All of these statements point to the fact that whatever or however we worship, be it an image, book, an idea or even a God, it is the knowledge that the Truth is within ourselves that will ultimately lead to self-realization. Self is the true Divinity. This is the essence of Upanishads.
Elaboration of the social code is found in the Mahabharata. There are four great aims of human life (purusharthas), namely dharma or righteousness, artha or wealth, kama or enjoyment and moksha or spiritual liberation; the four stages of life, the student or brahmacharya, the householder or grahasthya, the forest-dweller or vanaprastha and the wandering ascetic or sanyasa.
The Manuva-shastra (codes of Manu) gives details of social rules and practices. Kautilya’s Artha-shastra discusses economics and politics
Other texts that that give insight into Hindu ethics also shaped the life of a Hindu. There is the Manasollasa written by 12th Century Deccan king Someshvara III Chalukya that illustrates Hindu morals. Hospitality, charity and honesty are extolled. Piety, performance of religious worship and pilgrimage are also important. Eight virtues of the soul were mentioned in the law book of Gautama, namely compassion, patience, contentedness, purity, earnest endeavor, pure thoughts, freedom from greed, and freedom from envy. Tamil texts of Thirukkural and Naladiyar also stress on the moral codes.
There are nine basic requirements that a Hindu should be aware of and follow. Personal discipline, good conduct, self-inquiry and meditation are important. Here briefly are the nine beliefs of Hinduism.
1.Belief in the divinity of Vedas.
2.The Supreme Being is both immanent and transcendent, thus both a Creator and Un-manifest Reality.
3.The universe is in an endless cycle of creation, preservation and dissolution.
4.One creates his own destiny by his thoughts, deeds and words. This law of cause and effect is called the Karma.
Aham Brahmasmi “I am Brahman”: Vedic knowledge teaches that our own “Self” is the true Divinity. The Truth is within us, in our own heart. This states the identity of the inner most consciousness of the individual with the supreme Divine.Ayam Atma Brahma “The Self is Brahman”: This states that not only individual soul is Divine but all beings are identified with the Absolute Truth.Tat Tvam Asi “That art thou”: Whatever we see or think about, we are That. We are the ultimate Thou and I in all.Prajnanam Brahma “ Knowledge is Brahman”: Supreme intelligence is present inherently within us and is capable of returning us to the Divine. Our understanding of the truth is the Truth itself.Sarvam Kalvidam Brahma “ The whole universe is Brahman”: Not only the consciousness in you and I but also the ‘principle of being’ are all Divine. The entire universe is Divine, which includes our Self.So ‘ham “Here am I”: This identifies the Divinity in our Self in something that happens naturally like breathing. “So” is inhalation and “Ham” is the natural sound of exhalation.All of these statements point to the fact that whatever or however we worship, be it an image, book, an idea or even a God, it is the knowledge that the Truth is within ourselves that will ultimately lead to self-realization. Self is the true Divinity. This is the essence of Upanishads.
Elaboration of the social code is found in the Mahabharata. There are four great aims of human life (purusharthas), namely dharma or righteousness, artha or wealth, kama or enjoyment and moksha or spiritual liberation; the four stages of life, the student or brahmacharya, the householder or grahasthya, the forest-dweller or vanaprastha and the wandering ascetic or sanyasa.
The Manuva-shastra (codes of Manu) gives details of social rules and practices. Kautilya’s Artha-shastra discusses economics and politics
Other texts that that give insight into Hindu ethics also shaped the life of a Hindu. There is the Manasollasa written by 12th Century Deccan king Someshvara III Chalukya that illustrates Hindu morals. Hospitality, charity and honesty are extolled. Piety, performance of religious worship and pilgrimage are also important. Eight virtues of the soul were mentioned in the law book of Gautama, namely compassion, patience, contentedness, purity, earnest endeavor, pure thoughts, freedom from greed, and freedom from envy. Tamil texts of Thirukkural and Naladiyar also stress on the moral codes.
There are nine basic requirements that a Hindu should be aware of and follow. Personal discipline, good conduct, self-inquiry and meditation are important. Here briefly are the nine beliefs of Hinduism.
1.Belief in the divinity of Vedas.
2.The Supreme Being is both immanent and transcendent, thus both a Creator and Un-manifest Reality.
3.The universe is in an endless cycle of creation, preservation and dissolution.
4.One creates his own destiny by his thoughts, deeds and words. This law of cause and effect is called the Karma.
5.Every soul evolves through a series of births and deaths (janma and punar-janma) until all karmas have been resolved.
6.Temple worship, rituals, sacraments as well as personal devotions create a communion with God.
7.A master or a guru is essential to follow the right path to know the Transcendent Absolute.
8.All forms of life are sacred and are to be loved and revered. All must follow the practice of ‘non-injury’ or ahimsa.
9.No one particular religion teaches the ‘only pathway’ to salvation. All genuine religious paths are facets of God’s Light and Love, deserving tolerance and understanding.
Thus the Hindu is advised to contain and restrain all the emotions that may lead to a sinful existence. He is asked to control such emotions as Kama (lust), Krodha (anger), Mada (ego, pride) and Matsara (jealousy). The moral codes of various texts repeatedly emphasize the importance of being aware of these ordinary but strong human emotions that lead to the disruptions of a harmonious society.
Have I taken a step towards this, Yes....Have I perfected it in becoming a good human being..No...
So dear friends....Look into these code of conduct everyday and ask yourself the question,Have I perfected it, the art of living the Hindu way.....
Really nice post. Thank you. Gives everybody something to work on.
ReplyDeleteSo is it just that by following all the above rules, one could have a karmashaya that leads to good bhoga and aishwarya in the next life ?
However, does it mean that only by perfecting all the codes of conduct, one attains salvation ?
In everyday life it is hard to see such perfection. So, really so far in Kaliyuga, how many souls must have attained salvation? We know some great devotees who have.
We are only looking at humans. But could salvation be attained in any form of life? This may be more of a reincarnation question related to your previous posts.
Latha
Perfecting all the codes should be our aim in life.Following all the rules would definetly make you a good human being.That leads to salvation isn't it?
ReplyDeleteNothing is 100% in this world but we have to strive,so atleast we reach 99%.let us not bother about who are the ones attained salvation or how many.we all travel seperately and each one has a definite path or track. you have your best timing.we should look into ourselves and try to search for knowledge and mukthi.
It is like studying a subject,more the number of times the better you are at the subject,practice makes man perfect. it applies to the athma as well.so if you don't recognize this,then more the number of births.
sooner we realize the better.
Thank you. Lot of food for thought!
ReplyDeleteLatha
Very nice post. Even though it is easy to understand, we have to be consistent in following it.
ReplyDeleteRaghu