Spiritual Code and Restraints

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 52

Our attention remains drawn to such situations. Our mind stays occupied with the sense of unhappiness, worries, anxiety etc.. Reacting to the situations with such sensation is called Ärtdhvän. Ärt means afflicted and Dhyän, in this context, means remaining engrossed.
Sometimes, however, instead of restricting ourselves to the feeling of pain or worry, we happen to go beyond that. We may lose our mental composure and get mad, wild or desperate at the prevailing conditions. If we feel or perceive any situation as unbearable or intolerable, we may even think of resorting to any foul means for mitigating the same. Or believing that some one else is responsible for causing that situation, we may blame him and may also think of hurting him in some way. In short, we react by indulging in wrath, vengeance, deceit, falsehood, etc. Obviously, these are evil sensations. In our Indian language such sensations are termed as Raudra. Reacting to any situation with such sensations is therefore called Raudradhyän.
Such Artdhyan or Raudradhyan are the root causes of indulgence in physical and mental violence. Indulging in such sensations, in no way, helps in averting the misery or the pain; but that does defile our mind and thereby results in unwholesome Karmas, consequences of which we have to face sooner or later. The right way is therefore to overcome the problems by resorting to equitable measures. If the situation does not change in spite of the right endeavor, we should consider it as the consequence of some operative Karma and face it without defiling ourselves. We should remember that every situation is transitory and passes off in due course. Instead of blaming the situation or the persons concerned, if we face it with the sense of equanimity, we can gain Nirjara (eradication) of old Karmas and would not acquire the new ones.
The third aspect of this restraint pertains to excessive concern for physical appearance. Taking bath or other normal care of the body so as to keep it fit and clean is not objectionable for the laymen. But they need not be overly concerned with appearance. One should remember that youth and attractiveness of the body do not stay forever. The aging process is going to function whether one likes it or not. It should also be kept in mind that the present embodiment is a temporary phenomenon and it has to be given up sooner or later. The excessive concern for its appearance therefore amounts to vanity. Insisting upon the scented soap or water, application of dyes, too much make up, putting on glamorous or fashionable clothes, spraying perfumes etc. constitute such excessive concerns that make us to forget our real Self. Such forgetfulness is, in a way, the worst type of violence, because that violates the true nature of soul. That should therefore be avoided under all circumstances.
The fourth aspect pertains to the modes of entertainment. We, the laymen are not ascetics. We therefore seek worldly pleasure from different sources. Availing of the pleasure is not objectionable as long as it is derived from innocent means. But at times, we stoop to lower level for getting or extending the enjoyment. For instance, we may indulge in pornography, vulgar talks, crude jokes, etc. for the sake of entertainment. Such aspects are really not pleasurable. Only an illusory sense of enjoyment is experienced from the excitement that such talks or shows arouse in our mind. Similarly showering of