The Eighteen Ities By Sri Swami Sivananda

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wishing all members A Happy, Prosperous and Safe Diwali.

 

For everyone's success in life and especially for an aspirant's success in

spiritual life, it is essential that he should develop certain cardinal virtues.

Virtue is strength, power and the key to peace. A virtuous man is ever happy,

peaceful and prosperous. People ask me for the specific mention of the virtues

that one should develop. The Song of Eighteen " Ities " enumerates the virtues

that one should cultivate.

 

Take up any one virtue and develop it to a very high degree of perfection;

eradicate in toto its opposite evil quality even in its most subtle form.

Meditate on these virtues, on their benefits and the methods of cultivating

them. Here is the Song of Eighteen " Ities " :

 

Serenity, regularity, absence of vanity,

Sincerity, simplicity, veracity,

Equanimity, fixity, non-irritability,

Adaptability, humility, tenacity,

Integrity, nobility, magnanimity,

Charity, generosity, purity.

 

 

1. SERENITY

 

Be tranquil within. Let that inner peace and joy radiate through a serene

countenance. A serene countenance is peaceful, smiling and serious and does not

betray any violent emotions. It is like the surface of a still lake.

 

2. REGULARITY

 

Be regular in your daily habits, and in your work and spiritual practices. Get

up at a particular time. Be clock-like in your daily activities. You will be

free from worry, fear, anxiety, haphazard and shabby work. You will do the right

thing at the right moment.

 

3. ABSENCE OF VANITY

 

Do not boast of your birth, position, qualifications and spiritual attainments.

Praise others. See good in all. Treat even the lowliest creatures as your equal

and with respect.

 

4. SINCERITY

 

Let your words agree with the thoughts; let your actions agree with your words.

Let there be harmony among your thoughts, words and actions.

 

5. SIMPLICITY

 

Be artless. Be simple in your speech. Do not twist words and topics. Be plain;

avoid diplomacy, cunningness and crookedness. Be simple in your dress. Be simple

in your food.

 

6. VERACITY

 

Be truthful. Stick to your promises. Do not exaggerate. Do not twist facts.

Think twice before you speak. Speak truthfully. Speak sweetly. Be precise in

what you say.

 

7. EQUANIMITY

 

Be calm. Bear insult patiently. Bear injury, suffering, failures and disrespect

calmly. Do not be elated by praise, pleasure, success and honour. Look upon both

with equal vision. Behave alike towards friends and foes. Never let anything

disturb your inner peace.

 

8. FIXITY

 

Remember that you cannot achieve anything if you are fickle-minded. Choose your

goal or ideal and remember it always. Never let it go out of mind even for a

moment.

 

9. NON-IRRITABILITY

 

Irritability is the precursor of violent outbursts of anger. Watch carefully for

the disturbance in the mental equilibrium. Watch for the ripples of anger that

might rise in the lake of the mind. Quell them then and there. Do not allow them

to assume greater proportions. Then you will attain peace.

 

10. ADAPTABILITY

 

Understand well the nature of people with whom you come into contact. Adjust

your mode of approach to them. Adjust yourself in such a way as to be pleasing

to them. Joyfully bear with the eccentricities of others. Always react in a

harmonious manner. Serve all and love all. Have the feeling that the Lord dwells

in the hearts of all as the Self of all.

 

11. HUMILITY

 

Respect everybody. Bow with folded hands before all. Do not talk in a loud voice

before elders and venerable persons. Look at the toes while you walk. See the

Lord in all and feel that you are His servant and so the servant of all.

Consider none as inferior to you.

 

12. TENACITY

 

This is the natural friend of fixity. Once you have fixed your aim and chosen

your path, stick to it. Do not waver. Be steadfast. Never compromise on your

fundamental principles. Have the attitude: " I may give up my life but I will not

swerve from the path; I will not break my vows. "

 

13. INTEGRITY

 

Develop an integral personality. Tie all the loose ends of your character.

Become a man of high moral principles. Lead a life of righteousness. Let

righteousness waft its sweet fragrance from you. Everyone will trust you, obey

you, respect you and revere you.

 

14. NOBILITY

 

Shun mean-mindedness as dung and poison. Never look into the defects of others.

Always appreciate the good qualities of everyone. Be dignified in bearing. Never

stoop to ignoble thoughts, words and actions.

 

15. MAGNANIMITY

 

Take a broad view of things. Ignore the faults of others: Be great and

noble-minded in whatever you do. Avoid silly talk and childish prattle. Let not

the mind dwell on little things and insignificant things.

 

16. CHARITY

 

Give, give and give. This is the secret of abundance. Radiate thoughts of

goodness and love. Forgive the faults of others. Bless the man who injures you.

Share what you have with others. Disseminate spiritual knowledge to one and all.

Use the material wealth, knowledge and spiritual wisdom that you possess as a

divine trust.

 

17. GENEROSITY

 

In whatever you give be liberal. Have a large heart. Do not be miserly. Take

delight in the joy of others, in making them happy. Generosity is a

sister-virtue of charity. It is the fulfilment of charity, magnanimity and

nobility.

 

18. PURITY

 

Be pure at heart. Eradicate lust, anger and greed. Be pure in your thoughts.

Think of God always. Think of the well-being of all. Be pure in your words;

never utter harsh, unkind words. Be pure in body. Keep it clean and healthy. Let

the dress and surroundings be clean. Observe the rules of physical, moral and

spiritual hygiene.

 

These eighteen " Ities " will pave the way for you to march into the kingdom of

God. They will open for you the gates of immortality. You will achieve great

success in this life itself. A man who possesses these qualities in a very large

measure is a saint indeed, who will be respected, adored and worshipped by one

and all.