The Divine Wealth

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Sai Ram

 

The Divine Wealth consists of 26 attributes described in The Bhagavad Gita,

Chapter 16, Verses1, 2 and 3

Chapter 16, Verse 1:

 

1. Fearlessness stands foremost. Fear is an effect of ignorance.

Identification with the body and attachment to the wordly actions, happeninggs

or appearnesses causes fear. The sage who has realised the Self is absolutely

fearless.

Fear can be removed by constant thinking of the immortal and all-blissful

nature of the Self. If you lead a life of right conduct, and if you remember

God always, you will become fearless.

 

2. Purity of heart. Purity of understanding, cleanliness of life or purity

of heart. Purity of mind, i.e., giving up of cheating, hypocrisy, untruth and

the like, in all dealings with the people, and doing transactions with perfect

honesty and integrity is purity of heart. A purity of mind cannot be obtained

without devotion to the Lord.

 

3. Steadfastness in Knowledge and Yoga . Understanding the nature of the

Self as taught in the scriptures and by the preceptor. Selfrealisation through

meditation on the Great Sentence of the Upanishad, " I am Brahman" (Aham

Brahmasmi) is Knowledge. Yoga is union of the individual soul with the Supreme

Being; it is the realisation of the Self by concentration and meditation

through self-restraint and control of the senses.

 

4. Almsgiving. Distributing food, clothes etc., as far as it lies within

one's power, according to one's means. A charitable man hastens to comfort the

distressed and helps the needy.

 

5. Control of the senses. Self -restraint, self-control, control of the

external senses. The practice of self-control annihilates the union between the

senses and the sensual objects. He keeps the senses under the strictest

restraint. He is moderate in his diet. He checks the outgoing tendencies of the

mind and the senses. He induces the mind and the senses to turn backwards

towards their source. As householders cannot practise perfect control of the

senses, even moderation or regulated and disciplined life will constitute

self-restraint for them. The practice of self-control includes forgiveness,

harmlessness, truth, steadiness and patience.

 

6. Sacrifice (Yajna): The fire worship and the like enjoined in the Vedas

and also the sacrifice to the gods (deva-yajna) or worship of the gods,

Pitr-Yajna, Bhuta-Yajna, Manusya-Yajna and Brahma-Yajna enjoined in the

scriptures (smrtis).

 

7. Study of scriptures (Svadhyaya): Study of the Vedas in order to attain

the 'unseen fruits'.

 

8. Austerity (Tapas): True Tapas is meditation on the Self. It is fixing

the mind on Brahman (Supreme Reality) or the Self. It is to turn the mind

towards the soul.

 

9. Straightforwardness (Arjavam): This is conducive to the attainment of

knowledge. The aspirant should always be candid, upright or straightforward. A

just and truthful man alone can be straightforward.

 

Chapter 16, Verse 2:

 

10. Harmlessness (Ahimsa): Non-injury in thought, word and deed. By

refraining from injuring living creatures, the outgoing forces of Rajas are

curbed. Ahimsa is divided into physical, verbal and mental.

 

11.Truth (Satyam): Speaking of things as they are without uttering

unpleasant words or lies. This includes self-restraint, absence of jealousy,

forgiveness, patience, endurance and kindness.

 

12. Absence of anger (Akrodha). Absence of anger when insulted, rebuked or

beaten, i.e., even under the gravest provocation.

 

13. Renunciation (Tyagah): Literally giving up; giving up of vasanas, egoism

and the fruits of action. Charity is also tyaga.

14. Peacefulness (Santi): Serenity of the mind or tranquillity.

 

15. Absence of crookedness (Apaisunam): Aversion to slander and absence of

narrow-mindedness.

 

16. Compassion towards beings (Daya): Compassion to those who are in

distress. A man of compassion has a tender heart. He lives only for the benefit

of the world. Compassion indicates realisation of unity or oneness with other

creatures.

 

17. Freedom from covetousness (Aloluptvam): Non-covetousness. The senses are

not affected or excited when they come in contact with their respective objects;

the senses are withdrawn from the objects of the senses.

 

18. Gentleness (Mardavam).

 

19. Modesty (Hrih): It is shame felt in the performance of actions contrary

to the rules of the Vedas or of Society.

 

20. Absence of fickleness (Achapalam): Not to speak in vain. Not to move the

hands and legs in vain. Avoidance of useless action.

 

Chapter 16, Verse 3:

 

21. Vigour, energy, brilliance. The aspirant who is bent on attaining

salvation marches boldly on the spiritual path. Nothing can tempt him or

slacken his progress. This unbroken progress towards the realisation of the

Self or the Absolute is lustre. It overcomes the downward pull of Tamas.

 

22. Forgiveness (Kshama): He who is endowed with this virtue does not

exhibit anger even when he is insulted, rebuked or beaten, although he is

strong enough to take vengeance. He is unaffected by the insult or injury.

 

23. Fortitude (Dhrti): The sage absorbs within himself all calamities. He is

steadfast even when he is in very trying and most adverse conditions. This is a

particular Sattwic state of mind which removes depression or exhaustion of the

body and senses when they sink down. Dhrti is a divine tonic when the body and

the senses are in a state of low spirits or dejection.

 

24. Purity (Saucham): This is of two kinds , viz., external and internal.

External purity are done by means of earth and water. Internal purity: The mind

and heart (intellect) are free from Maya; free from deception, lust, anger,

greed, pride, jealousy, hypocrisy, likes and dislikes. Purity is achieved by

the practice of celibacy, forgiveness, friendliness, charity, humility,

nobility, love, complacency, compassion etc.

 

25. Absence of hatred (Adroha): Freedom from malice.Includes absence of

desire to injure others.

 

26. Absence of overweening pride (Atimanita). A proud man thinks that he is

superior to others and that he is worthy of being honoured by others.

 

Namaste - Reet