World of Philosophy

Author(s): Christopher Key Chapple, Intaj Malek, Dilip Charan, Sunanda Shastri, Prashant Dave
Publisher: Shanti Prakashan

Page 875

May that peace come unto me, Peace,peace,pease." [Dyauh śāntih antariksagun śāntih - Atharva-Veda -XIX.9]
The concept of sacrifice, sharing and charity in Vedic religion is meant for well being of all. Statments like, 'whatever you get, you get it from nature and God, so enjoy the life by sharing it with others' [Tena tyaktena Bhuñjīthāh-Isa Upanisad-1], 'He who eats or enjoys by himself, without sharing with others is a great sinner' (Kevalāgho bahvati kevalādi -Rgveda) . 'One who enjoys without sharing which he gets from society is a great thief' [ Yo bhunket stena eva sah - Bhagavadgitā - III.12], indicate importance of sharing and gratitude towards the society. It is ordained in the Vedic tradition that, householders should not take their daily food without sharing with poor, animals and birds. it is known as vaiśvadevayajña, one of the daily observance that must be observed by all householders, which is still practiced by many adherents of Vedic tradition.
Ethical virtues and moral values are preached by the Vedic tradition, keeping whole mankind in the mind. From the vedic religious point of view the physical, the mental, the intellectual and the spiritual personality constitute human being. Moral values are prescribed for regulating these aspects of human personality. The cardinal virtues such as non-violence, truthfullness, non-stealing, control of senses, non-acquisition, purity, charity, compassion tolerance,courage, honesty,rectitude, fellow-feelings are universal virtues which are to be cultivated and practiced by one and all, irrespective of distinctions of caste, creed, race, sex and religion, for the creation of healthy, cultured and peaceful society [Ahimasā-satyam-asteya-brahmacarya -aprigrahāh niyamah Yogasūtrā - II.30-32 : Dhrtih ksama damo asteyam saucamindriyanigrahah. Dhirvidyā satyamakrodho daśakam dharmalaksanam - Manusmrti. VI.92 ; Ahimsā satyamasteyam saucamindriyangrahah. Dānam damo dayāksāntih sarvesām dharma-sādhanam.- Yājñavalkya smrti, 1.122]. One has to avoid vicious and sinful acts, bad intensions abusing, and falsehood, gambling debt,egoistic enjoyment, cruelty and adultery. A text of the Vedic religion mentions six main evils or enemies or human beings, which are to be avoided or to be controlled. Too much sleep, indolence, fear, anger, softness, procrastination and such other habit-forming evils should be avoided ( Nidrāālasya-bhaya-krodha-mārdava-dīrghasūtratā. - Salient Features of Hinduism - Y.S.shastri. p.35].
Mahābhārata gives list of twelve positive virtues to be cultivated, twelve defects to be avoided and seven pitfalls of human mind to be abandoned. Twelve positive virtues are : 1. knowledge, 2. truth , and 3. selfcontrol. 4 scholarship, 5. tolerance, 6: shame for vices, 7. patience, 8. absence of jealousy, 9.sacrifice, 10.charity,11.courage,and 12. Calmness.
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