ON MORALITY AND VIRTUE

                                                         

Morality in modern society has reached such a low level that we doubt whether it exists at all! Old values that strengthened society are no longer practiced. Actions are invariably indiscriminate, immoral and fraudulent. Man has become so selfish and greedy that he does not care for the means and ends of attaining his desires! He has become a slave of money and power and position! He is ready to attain his aim by hook or crook violating all moral and ethical principles. No wonder, the world is in commotion and confusion by the very unprincipled actions of men. How can society be peaceful and ideal if Man, the rational animal himself, is irrational and immoral?  Much thought has to be bestowed on the absolute need for morality and virtues that would make life worth living, ideal and peaceful! Immorality and resorting to vices is the greatest danger that any society can face. That danger is imminent and if not arrested as early as possible society shall be seriously polluted and degenerate beyond repair!

What is morality? “ Morality is virtuous character. These are the very foundations of progress, the very basic needs. They grow in the realm of spirit. But today the spirit is neglected, physical and animal needs are catered to. They are accepted as the end of living; all efforts are directed to these.” laments Bhagawan Sri Sri Satya Sai Baba. Morality does not consist in the observance of certain rules and regulations in the workaday world. It is the adherence to the ' the straight and sacred path of right conduct. Morality is the blossoming of good conduct' ( Sanathana Sarathi-Jan 1985). Worship with pomp and paraphernalia cannot be considered as devotion. A follower of the moral path is one whose speech  and action are one and the same. One who is compassionate and partakes in other's joy is a better devotee! It is not enough if economic and material values are valued and followed. Moral and spiritual values have to be honored equally. Life has to be a homogeneous mixture of these values with an emphasis on moral strength. “ The honor of a nation depends on the morality of that nation, a nation without morality will be doomed.” Observes Sri Sai Baba in one of his Divine discourses. (Summer Showers,1972)

Morality also consists in cultivating virtues that increase joy an not habits and customs that ruin one's health. Evil habits are also a drain on your money and bring g down the reputation of the individual concerned. It is human conduct that is responsible for either joy or sorrow. When man practices virtue he attains inner peace and his conscience is clear and clean. The pages of history are full of men and women who set an example to others by their virtues. Renowned religious teachers Jesus, Muhammad, Zoroaster, Buddha, Sankara, Ramanuja Madhwa and various others are revered and remembered even today because of the purity of their conduct as well as action. They have become immortal and have a permanent place in our hearts. “ Man must saturate his daily life in truthful speech, virtuous acts and holy thoughts.” (SSS Vol X) Many gloat over their property, others over their wealth and affluence. But the real greatness is cultivation of virtue. This is the royal road for the Grace of God and everlasting happiness or bliss.

It is the great sages Vyasa who said, “ Paropakara punyaya papaya para pidanam” helping others is the highest virtue or punya and harming others is papa or condemnable sin. Virtue is the very breath of life even as character becomes the backbone. No act will produce results without virtue. A man without character is a pot with many holes useless either for carrying or storing. “Virtues or sadgunas are like cows yielding health giving milk. Vices are tigers that fall upon the cows and tear them to pieces. If you build a barricade of NAMA, a fort with the name of the Lord, the tiger cannot harm you or your virtues.” (SSS Vol 4) Vice is the breeding ground for all diseases, bad thoughts and habits, bad company, and bad food. Not only the body but the mind is infected by  evil habits like greed. Justification for the existence of man on Earth is only to live with virtue! All meditation, penance, attempt to realize oneself and understand the eternal Atma shall be futile and fruitless without virtue.

“ Be moral, be virtuous. Be sincere in thought, deed and word. Be honest to yourself. Money comes and goes. But morality comes and grows” says Bhagawan advising devotees. Our educational system and institutions have neglected the most important teaching of morality to the children and youth of the nation. While all possible subjects are taught in detail moral education has been severely neglected! The result is immediately reflected in the conduct and character of people! The youth of the country are drifting without proper direction. Respect for law, women is significant by it’s absence! Deceit, fraud, smuggling, robbery, murder, tax evasion, rape and other horrible acts have become the order of the day! Man has totally forgotten the purpose for which he has taken birth on Earth! He is not interested in escaping the terrible cycle of birth and death through his virtuous and ideal living! Until man learns to live virtuously there is no salvation for him. He has to suffer the consequences of his evil acts without any respite!

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