The Hindu : Virtue, a way of life

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 03, 2004

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Virtue, a way of life

CHENNAI, MARCH 3 . Juxtaposing the material and the spiritual life is often punctuated with nuances, which are too deep for ready comprehension by the ordinary devotee. Scriptures do not make for easy interpretation. How does one determine the best recourse for oneself? For example, the Lord says in the Bhagavad Gita, "Having already given up dharma as a means to attain liberation, surrender yourself fully to Me. I will free you from all the sins, do not grieve." Many adherents to scriptural codifications will readily grant that on occasions, they are plagued by doubts of the efficacy of following certain duties. What are the ramifications of the same?

In his discourse Sri Aasuri Madhavachariar said that regardless of the kind of life one opts for, none is exempt from the rites and duties as recommended in the sastras, and contravening them would tantamount to violation of the Lord's commands. Clearly, the guiding manuals will not recommend a particular duty only to negate the same at a later stage. It is said that paying obeisance on seeing elders, praying to God when in the proximity of a temple and other such simple deeds are praiseworthy habits which fetch one greater merits. Sometimes people ask if they could give up daily rituals like "Sandhyavandanam". These are perennial practices that are carried out till the end of one's days on earth. Nothing else can replace the merits of the same. Commentaries of great preceptors such as Vedanta Desika's "Rahasyatrayasara" are unambiguous on this point.

The bottom line is implicit discipline. Embracing a dietary habit that helps enhance a spiritual life; it is also desirable to earn in such a way as to satisfy one's earthly requirements while remaining within the boundaries of virtue. Above all, contributing one's mite in keeping with one's ability is essential. Why do I have to do all this, a person may ask. A wife, by her belief, faith and conduct upholds praiseworthy qualities at home, which is the direct cause of happiness to that household. Similarly, when the time-honoured virtues are practised, the Lord delights in such a devotee. On the other hand going against the grain of virtuous conduct and behaviour displeases the Lord. Virtue should be a way of life. For the purposes of research and edification, research is permissible. However, in the guise of a scholar, if one were to humiliate another aspirant with divergent theology, one is deemed to be violating the ethical code.

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