Non violence
Ahimsa or non-violence is the most important virtue. That is the reason why Patanjali
Maharshi has placed it first in Yama. Practice of Ahimsa must be in thought, word and deed.
Practice of Ahimsa is not impotence or cowardice or weakness. It is the highest type of heroism.
The practice demands immense patience, forbearance and endurance, infinite inner spiritual
strength and gigantic will-power.
Ahimsa is a modification or expression of truth only. Satyam and Ahimsa always go
together. He who is established in Ahimsa can move the whole world. In his presence, all hostilities
vanish; lion and cow, cobra and mongoose, live together peacefully.
28
ALL ABOUT HINDUISM
Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism lay great stress on Ahimsa. Lord Jesus also has
emphasised much on Ahimsa in his Sermon on the Mount. He says: “If anyone beats you on one
cheek, show him the other cheek also.”
He who is firmly established in Ahimsa can hope to attain Self-realisation. He who practises
Ahimsa develops cosmic love to a maximum degree. Practice of Ahimsa eventually leads to
realisation of oneness or unity of Self. Such a man only can attain self-restraint. Retaliation—tooth
for tooth, blow for blow—is the maxim, doctrine or principle of an Asura or a man of diabolic
nature. This belongs to the beastly nature. To return good for evil is divine. Constant vigilance and
alertness are needed in the practice of Ahimsa. If you are careless even a bit, you will be carried
away by the force of previous wrong Samskaras and impulses and will become a victim of Himsa,
despite your good intentions.
Truth
Brahman is Sat or Existence-Absolute. Truth must be observed in thought, word and deed.
If you are established in truth, all other virtues will cling to you by themselves. Harischandra
sacrificed everything for the sake of truth. He lives still in our hearts. Yudhishthira was also devoted
to truth. There is no virtue higher than truth. Practice of truth and Ahimsa constitute the crown and
glory of ethical life. In the Taittiriya Upanishad, the preceptor says in his convocation address to the
students: “Satyam vada—Speak the truth.” The world is rooted in truth. Dharma is rooted in truth.
All religions are rooted in truth. Honesty, justice, straightforwardness and sincerity are only
modifications or expressions of truth.
Purity
Purity comprises both external purity and internal purity. Purity implies both purity of body
and purity of mind. Purity of body is only the preliminary to purity of mind.
This body is the temple of God. It should be kept clean by daily bathing and clean dress.
Cleanliness is a part of godliness.
The restriction in diet is best calculated to make the mind pure. Food exercises a direct
influence on the mind.
Sattvic food makes the mind pure. Purity of food leads to purity of mind. Mind is only made
up of the fine essence of food. As the food is, so is the mind.
You must be pure in thought, word and deed. Your heart must be as pure as crystal or the
Himalayan snow. Then only the divine light will descend. Purity comprises such virtues as
frankness, innocence, straightforwardness and absence of all evil thoughts. He who is endowed
with purity will find it easy to tread the spiritual path.
29
HINDU DHARMA
Self-control
You must have perfect self-control or self-mastery. Self-control implies both control of the
body and control of the mind. Self-control does not mean self-torture. You must lead a
well-regulated and disciplined life. You must keep all the senses under your perfect control. The
senses are like turbulent and wild horses. This body is like a chariot. Mind is the reins. Intellect is
the driver. The Atman is the Lord of the chariot. If the senses are not kept under proper control, they
will throw this chariot into a deep abyss. You will come to ruin. He who keeps the reins firm and
drives this chariot intelligently by controlling the horses (senses), will reach the destination
(Moksha or the Abode of Eternal Bliss) safely.
Self-control implies self-sacrifice, annihilation of egoism, patience, endurance, forbearance
and humility. Overcome Raga or attachment by Vairagya or dispassion. Dispassion will dawn in
your mind if you look into the defects of sensual life such as birth, death, disease, old age, pain,
sorrow, etc. (Mithya-Drishti and Dosha-Drishti). Overcome anger and hatred by Kshama or
forgiveness, love and selfless service. Overcome evil by good. Return good for evil. Overcome lust
by the practice of Brahmacharya and regular Japa and meditation. Conquer greed by charity,
generosity and disinterested actions. Conquer pride by humility and delusion by discrimination and
enquiry. Overcome jealousy by magnanimity, Atma-bhava and nobility. Conquer egoism by
self-sacrifice, self-surrender, self-abnegation and meditation on the non-dual, eternal,
self-luminous Brahman, the innermost Self, the Inner Ruler, the Immortal.
May you all attain eternal bliss and immortality through the practice of the cardinal virtues
or the fundamental Dharma.
VARNASRAMA DHARMA
The principle of Varnasrama Dharma is one of the basic principles of Hinduism. The
Varnasrama system is peculiar to Hindus. It is a characteristic feature of Hinduism. It is also
prevalent throughout the world according to Guna-Karma (aptitude and conduct), though there is
no such distinct denomination of this kind, elsewhere.
The duties of the castes are Varna Dharma. The four castes are Brahmana, Kshatriya,
Vaisya and Sudra. The duties of the stages in life are Asrama Dharma. The four Asramas or orders
of life are Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha and Sannyasa.
THE PRINCIPLE
Human society is like a huge machine. The individuals and communities are like its parts. If
the parts are weak and broken, the machine will not work. A machine is nothing without its parts.
The human body also can work efficiently if its parts and organs are in sound and strong condition.
If there is pain in any part of the body, if there is disease in any organ or part of the body, this human
machine will go out of order. It will not perform its usual function or work.
So is the case with the human society. Every individual should perform his duties
efficiently. The Hindu Rishis and sages formed an ideal scheme of society and an ideal way of
30
ALL ABOUT HINDUISM
individual life, which is known by the name Varnasrama Dharma. Hinduism is built on Varnasrama
Dharma. The structure of the Hindu society is based on Varnasrama Dharma. Observance of
Varnasrama Dharma helps one’s growth and self-evolution. It is very indispensable. If the rules are
violated, the society will soon perish.
The aim of Varnasrama Dharma is to promote the development of the universal, eternal
Dharma. If you defend Dharma, it will defend you. If you destroy it, it will destroy you. Therefore,
never destroy your Dharma. This principle holds true of the individual as much as of the nation. It is
Dharma alone which keeps a nation alive. Dharma is the very soul of man. Dharma is the very soul
of a nation also.
In the West and in the whole world also, there is Varnasrama, though it is not rigidly
observed there. Some Western philosophers have made a division of three classes, viz.,
philosophers, warriors and masses. The philosophers correspond to the Brahmanas, warriors to
Kshatriyas and the masses to Vaisyas and Sudras. This system is indispensable to keep the society
in a state of perfect harmony and order.