Noble Qualities from the Path for the Aspirant

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Noble Qualities from the Path for the Aspirant

 

More than all the previous Yugas, the Kaliyuga offers multifarious

paths through which man can acquire discrimination or viveka. If it is

education that is needed, there are as many schools and institutions

as you need, and, if it is wealth that one is after, there are various

avenues by which, with effort, it can be honourably earned. In spite

of this, however, we do not find any increase in human happiness or

peace. Indeed, there is much more misery than in previous ages!

 

What then is the reason? The reason lies in human behaviour, in man's

way of living itself. Human life is undoubtedly the highest in

evolution and to give it meaning, spiritual endeavour is essential,

endeavour that is pure and holy. For this way of life, character is

all important. Character makes life immortal; it survives even death.

Some say knowledge is power, but it is not true. Character is Power.

Even the acquisition of knowledge demands a good character. So, every

one must yearn to attain flawless character, without any trace of

evil.

 

Note that Buddha, Jesus Christ, Sankaracharya and Vivekananda, great

Sages and Saints and Devotees of the Lord, all these are treasured in

the memory of man even unto this day. What quality made them all

memorable for all time? I say, it is the character of each one of

them.

 

Without character, wealth, education, social status, all these are of

no avail. It is the fragrance of the flower; it gives value and worth.

Poets, painters, scientists may be great, each in his own field, but

without character, they can have no standing in society.

 

Doubts will certainly rise whether all those who are now greeted with

respect by Society have the character which we consider essential to

greatness. But, I am speaking of a society and a character, which

cling to certain unchanging values. Ordinarily, society attaches

varying importance to certain qualities from day to day and fashions

in character change with the vagaries of society. But the basic

nature of a flawless character is eternal; it is the same, whatever

the vicissitudes of society. In that sense, it is eternal, being

associated with another immortal entity, the Atman.

 

Among the qualities that make up a flawless character, Love, Patience,

Forbearance, Steadfastness, Charity - these are the highest, these

have to be revered.

 

The hundred little deeds that we do every day harden into habits;

these habits shape into intelligence and mould our outlook and life.

All that we weave in our imagination, seek in our ideals, yearn in our

aspirations, leave an indelible imprint on the mind. Distorted by

these, we form our knowledge, our picture of the world around us, and

it is to this picture that we get attached.

 

Man's present is but the result of his past and the habits formed

during that long period. Whatever be the nature of the character that

he has come by, it can certainly be modified by modifying the

accustomed process of thought and imagination.

 

The wickedness of no man is incorrigible. Was not Angulimala, the

dacoit, turned into a kind-hearted person by the Buddha? Did not the

thief Ratnakara become Valmiki, the sage? By conscious effort, habits

can be changed and character refined. Man has always, within him,

within his reach, the capacity to challenge his evil propensities and

to change his evil habits. By selfless service, by renunciation, by

devotion, by prayer and by ratiocination, the old habits which bind

men to earth can be discarded and new habits which take us along the

divine path can be instilled into our lives.

 

To discuss the nature of this character, its ways and vagaries, and to

inform about the process of reshaping it, this is the purpose of all

spiritual literature, poems, epics, books and periodicals. The

Sanathana Sarathi has just this aim in view; it does not seek either

the exhibition of erudition or the acquisition of name and fame.

 

But, it has to be said, that the mere reading of a book or a journal

will not vouchsafe viveka or discrimination. That which is seen, heard

or read must be put into practice in actual life. Without this,

reading is mere waste of time. If anything is read to pass time, it

passes with time and nothing remains.