Prakash Sancheti
Page 26
Text:
Right Conduct (Samayag Charitra)
Before going to the path of Right Conduct, one must acquire Right Vision and Right Knowledge. However, an individual possessing Right Vision and Right Knowledge will not achieve success in self realisation or liberation from the cycle of birth and death unless he practices Right Conduct, just as a sick person who knows his medicine and knowledge of the benefits of the medicine but does not take the medicine as prescribed by the doctor, will not recover from the sickness.
Right Conduct implies a life of self restraint as against self indulgence. It requires control over desires since all the human ambitions are not fulfilled. In other words, practice simple life with satisfaction.
A very important part of Right Conduct is the state of mind. If one is equanimous, peaceful, poised and serene in adversity as well as prosperity, it will be taken as a part of Right Vision and Right Knowledge and Right Conduct. Even if a man hurts you by words or action you should be equanimous or poised. This quality will also make a man the best listener.
EquanimityGood healthThe quality of being equanimous makes a man the best listner. When we achieve the art of good listening we proceed towards attaining vast knowledge. Right Conduct teaches us to be free from attachment (Raga), aversion (Dvaish), hatred (ghrana), infatuation (Moha) and greed (Lobh).
Sense of beautyTo be equanimous helps to be healthy. When the mind is balanced we do not become prey to many diseases. It is because of instability of mind that we may suffer from physical and mental illness.
Beauty is not skin deep but in the Soul. We can not achieve beauty by using the cosmetics and beauty aids of the whole of Paris. If we keep ourselves stable and serene, nature will bestow on us natural beauty.
Positive steps are also necessary for right conduct. They are two in number:
- Non-Violence
- Self-Restraint
