goals and aspirations of vedic values dharma: following moral actions in life that nurture and...

GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS OF VEDIC VALUES

• DHARMA: Following Moral Actions in Life

that Nurture and Sustain Physical, Mental

and Spiritual Well-being of a Person

• ARTHA: Earn Wealth and Prosperity

• KAMA: Fulfillment of Righteous Desires

• MOKSHA: Find Ultimate Bliss

Vedic Values: What are they?

• They Start with Following

Dharma in Life.

• Yama and Niyama are also

Integrally Related to

Dharma

Definition of Dharma

Dhriti kshama damo-asteyam shoucham indriyanigrah,

Dhee-vidya satyam akrodho dashkam dharmalakshnam. (Manusmriti 6: 92).

Just the Way Good Food is Important for the Well-Being of the Physical Body, Following Dharma—Vedic Values are the Good Food for the Mind, Intellect and Soul. The Vedic Values Help Us Become Strong, Courageous, Determined and Acquire Wisdom so that We may Follow the Path of Truth and Finally Attain God.

Dhriti: Steadiness, Thoughtfulness with patience and strength, Equnimity.

All important decisions in life must be made after calm, considered and thoughtful analysis and never in an impulsive way. It is crucial to try to make wise decisions since they all have consequences. Further, once a sound decision has been reached, it is important to remain steadfast and not be swayed by people’s critical or threatening comments. The goal is not to please others but to have the patience, strength and courage to do the right thing.

Think before you act.

Kshama: Forgiveness. Kindness. One must learn to forgive other people’s

mistakes. Forgiveness teaches us kindness and love toward others. It also shows us that all human beings are alike. Forgiveness reminds us that we could easily have made a similar mistake.

To err is human to forgive divine.

Kshama: Forgiveness, Kindness. Forgiveness is generally reserved for the

unintentional harmful acts of others towards us as a result of ignorance or change of circumstances. Intentionally harmful or criminal acts, on the other hand, always deserve appropriate punishment by people in authority to deter others from similar actions. God is immensely kind, but God also is just and punishes sinners. His punishment is His kindness.

To err is human to forgive divine.

Dama: Mental Discipline. It is important to learn to discipline the mind

to concentrate upon important tasks, especially those at hand, and not allow the mind to wander aimlessly seizing upon whatever presents itself. The goal is to channel the mind to think good and positive thoughts both towards oneself and others. A major way to achieve this is to reduce material or worldly desires. Disciplining the mind is crucial to both meditation and to the attainment of bliss (Moksha).

Think good thoughts and not make castles in the air.

Indriya-nigrah: Controlling the senses (jnanaindriya) and motor organs (karmindriya).

Controlling the information the mind obtains about the outside world is received through our sensory (or perception-jnanaindriya) organs which include ears, eyes, skin, tongue and nose. The information is processed by the soul (via the mind) and then controlling the response that occurs via the action (motor-karmindriya) organs which include mouth, arms, legs. sex organs and excretory organs.

Indriya-nigrah: Controlling the senses In Kathopanishad, the human body is compared to

an excellent chariot, the senses to powerful horses, the mind to reins, the intellect to a skilled charioteer and the soul to the owner, who via the charioteer and the reins, guides the direction the horses should take (Kathopanishad 3: 3-6). One would certainly want strong and powerful horses instead of weak ones, but one would also want them to be properly controlled rather than run amuck. Similarly, one should aim at having sharp and strong senses, but they must be directed by the soul to the right direction.

Indriya-nigrah: Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil and do no evil.

Asteya: Not coveting, Finding Contentment The common meaning given to asteya is simply,

“Do not steal what belongs to others.” This is punishable by law in most countries and cultures. A more important meaning however, forbids the desiring of another’s property for any reason. The first step involves learning to be content with what one has that was earned by honest effort. Equally important is learning to reduce one’s desires and to acquire only what one needs rather than what one wants. Lastly, one must learn to become generous and share with others, especially those less fortunate.

Do not covet what belongs to others.

Shouch: Cleanliness, Purity. Shouch refers to being pure and clean

both inside and outside. External environmental cleanliness and peace and quiet are essential for physical and mental well-being. Inner cleanliness is even more important. It requires self-examination, the acknowledgement of bad habits and their correction, overcoming pride, greed, lust, anger, jealousy, envy and laziness and acquiring honesty and integrity.

Shouch: Cleanliness, Purity.

God is always pure and radiant, but the soul may often be obscured by

impurities. It is only when these impurities are washed away that the soul may know itself and God and achieve bliss. Manu said that the body is cleansed by water, the mind by truth and the soul by austerity, self-reflection and spiritual knowledge (Manusmirti 5:109).

Cleanliness of mind is next to godliness.

Akrodh: Overcoming anger.

Anger is a terrible vice that may cause even reasonable people to lose all sense of logical thinking and perform acts that at most times would be unthinkable. Anger provokes the tendency to be cruel rather than to be kind and non-violent. During a fit of anger, whether or not the angry person succeeds in harming the other party, he harms himself the most, Overcoming anger eventually makes people happy and improves physical and spiritual well-being.

Akrodh: Overcoming anger. Conquering anger does not mean suppressing it, as it will smolder and then burst forth later on. The Vedic Hindu religion points out that anger will persist until one understands the reasons for the anger and deals with the root problem. The major causes for anger include the inability to fulfill one’s desires (right or wrong), jealousy, vanity and pure blind ego. Ways to reduce anger include reducing desires and wants and learning to think of other people’s needs as well as one’s own.

Anger burns from inside and provokes cruelty

Dhee: Intellect to discriminate between right and wrong.

Dhee refers to intellect with the power to discriminate and separate right from wrong, truth from falsehood and propaganda from correct information. It also helps one understand moral responsibility and the need to act accordingly. Dhee is the intellect that helps a person follow the path of virtue even when tempted to do otherwise.

Without being able to discriminate between right and wrong one is less than full human

Vidya: Knowledge both secular and spiritual.

The Vedic religion considers knowledge far more important than money or material treasures. Knowledge is that kind of treasure that thieves cannot steal, and yet, requires no guards to protect it. The more one gives it away, the more it increases for the giver. The only caveat is that knowledge be transferred to a deserving person rather than to someone who will use it for evil or exploitative purposes.

Vidya: Knowledge, both secular and spiritual.

Secular knowledge of the material world and physical universe is useful in finding a vocation or in better understanding the universe. Spiritual knowledge is beneficial in progressing toward God and attaining bliss. Knowledge exists at two levels: Superficial knowledge involves memorizing a lot of information without attaining a personal positive impact. Deep or discriminative knowledgeenlightens a person allowing him to see things as they really are and to follow truth and virtue in life.

Knowledge is a better treasure than wealth.

Satya: Truth. Truth is that value that transcends all

other moral values. Truth is the foundation on which all human interaction is based. Even liars use the pretense of truth in their dealings with others. It is necessary to always be willing to accept that which is true and discard that which is not in every aspect of life.

Satya: Truth. To be scrupulously honest may require

giving up financial or personal security or social position. Discarding cherished beliefs may be necessary, and in the final analysis, sacrificing one’s life too. Because of the fear of giving up their security or beliefs, most people at times are willing to lie. Also, they are more afraid of getting caught in a lie than actually lying. The inner joy and strength that a completely honest person feels can never be experienced by a liar.

Satya: Truth. It is important to make a diligent effort to adhere

to the truth in thought, word and deed. One Veda Mantra states: “Your inside should be the same as what you state outside” (Atharva Veda 2: 30: 4). When a person says the right words, but the action betrays the words, it’s a deception. Because of this people are judged by what they do rather than by what they say. One must walk the talk and thought. God is considered the Eternal and Ultimate Truth in the Vedas and Upanishads and truth is frequently emphasized as the most important aspect of dharma.

Truth always ultimately prevails.

Eesha vasyamidam sarvam yadkincha jagatyam jagat. Tena tyaktena bhunjitha

ma gridhah kasya swidhanam. (Yajur Veda 40:1)

Eesha vasyamGod, the Master of all dwells

Idam sarvam here around you everywhere, in every spot you can imagine

Eesha vasyamidam sarvam yadkincha jagatyam jagat. Tena tyaktena bhunjitha

ma gridhah kasya swidhanam.

Tena Therefore, you should

tyaktenawithout attachment or craving

(share with others),bhunjitha

enjoy the riches which God has given you and which you have earned by your actions

Yastu sarvani bhutani atmanyev anupashyati (Yajur Veda 40: 5)

Yastu atmanyev anupashyatiWhoever realizes that his true self is

his soul, sees a similar soul

Sarvani bhutaniin all living beings

In a Sanskrit shloka—verse, the same thing has been stated as Aatmanah pratikoolaani pareshaam na samacharate i.e. “Listen! The essence of virtuous living is: Do not do unto others what you wound not like done unto you.”

In Christianity it is called the ‘Golden Rule’ “Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you.”

Prajapatay na tvat-aytani-anyo vishva jaataani paritaa babhuva. Yat kamastay juhumastanno astu vayam syama patayo rayinam.

(Rig Veda 10: 121: 10).

Prajapatay na tvat anyo

Master or Lord none other than You of all people, God i.e. You Alone are,

paritaa babhuva aytani vishva jaataani.is protecting and this entire created

controlling universe.

Prajapatay na tvat-aytani-anyo vishva jaataani paritaa babhuva. Yat kamastay juhumastanno astu vayam syama patayo rayinam.

(Rig Veda 10: 121: 10).

Yat kama tay juhuma

With whatever desire we worship you

Tat na astu vayam syamaMay that be fulfilled. May we become

patayo rayinam masters of wealth and

prosperity.

Shathast samahar sahasarhast samkir (Artharva Veda 3: 24: 5).

Dear Man, Work and Earn as thoughYou have a Hhundred Hands and then You should Share the Earning withOthers as with a Thousand Hands.

Moksha refers to the soul attaining God and experiencing infinite bliss and deep enlightenment. The absolute goal of all souls is to eventually attain moksha. According to the Vedas and Upanishads, after the death of the physical body, almost all souls are reborn as a human being or some other life form, however, a select few are liberated from the cycle of rebirth for a very prolonged period and attain moksha.

In the state of moksha, the soul is always consciously aware of God who is Anandswaroop Blissful), and Jnanswaroop-Prakashswaroop (True Knowledge or Light that enlightens). The soul in moksha, as a bandhu or amini-companion to God enjoys infinite bliss and deep enlightenment. Moksha, however, is not a physical place called heaven or swarga where virtuous souls go after death according to the Abrahamic faiths and many Hindu Sampradayas respectively.

The means for attaining moksha is to live i.e. perform karmas according to dharma, practice meditation with faith and devotion, further one’s spiritual knowledge and do selfless deeds (Nishkama Karma) i.e. helping others . Over time, when these practices become so intense that a person totally devotes his or her life to seeking God (Eeshwar Pranidhan) then during his/her life time, the person attains kaivalyam (counter part of moksha—in a living person) and after the death of the physical body the person’s soul is liberated i.e. moksha is attained.

Tapah swadhyayayishwarpranidhanani kriya yogah. (Yog Darshan 2:1)

THE EIGHT-STEP (Ashtanga) YOGA

YAMA: Self control, abstention from vicesNIYAMA: Moral practices and disciplineAASANA: Postures for the practice of yogaPRANAYAMA: Control of the breathing and the

body’s vital energyPRATYAHARA: Withdrawal of the mind from

sensory stimuliDHARANA: ConcentrationDHYANA: Deep meditationSAMADHI: The superconscious state of

enlightenment

The five Niyamas are as follows:

AHIMSA (or AHINSA): Nonviolence, Absence of doing harm, Love for everybody

SATYA: Truth ASTEYA: Not coveting BRAHMACHARYA: ChastityAPRIGRAHA: Non-possessiveness,

Control of desires.

The five niyamas are as follows:

SHOUCH: Internal and external puritySANTOSH: ContentmentTAPA: AusteritySWADHYAYA: Scriptural study and the

study of self or introspection.EESHWAR PRANIDHAN: Surrender to God

Just the Way Good Food is Important for the Well-Being of the Physical Body, Following Dharma—Vedic Values are the Good Food for the Mind, Intellect and Soul. The Vedic Values Help Us Become Strong, Courageous, Determined and Acquire Wisdom so that We may Follow the Path of Truth and Finally Attain God.

goals and aspirations of vedic values dharma: following moral actions in life that nurture and...

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