Episode 01 - List of Virtues Not Discussed.
Dear All,
In the fifteen weeks that we have been at it, we have considered, discussed and hopefully assimilated the following virtues, mostly gleaned from our own most exalted scriptures i.e. the Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads, the Yoga Sutra, the Dharma Sastra (Manu Smriti), cross referenced with other cultures and religious scriptures where appropriate.
We had followed no particular rule or design, but were guided by what we thought were issues more intimately connected with the spiritual context.
While we tried to follow the top drawer intent of these discussions i.e. their spiritual context, we did simultaneously dwell on their relevance and importance to the material world – our day-to-day lives.
On an occasion, when we deviated a bit and considered a virtue with a material world attitude – presuming a ‘permissive’ connotation to one of the subjects, we were put back on rails by the feedback from the Group. I am grateful for that.
Dattam / Danam (Art of Giving)
Satyam (Truth)
Kshama (Patience)
Karunya (Compassion)
Dhriti (Fortitude)
Ahimsa (Non-violence)
Arjavam (Rectitude)
Amanitvam (Humility)
Adambithvam (Unpretentiousness)
Sthairyam (Mental Stillness)
Asteyam (Non-coveting)
AcharyOpasanam (Serving Teachers)
Sauc (h)am – Cleanliness, Hygiene
We are pausing where the road ahead is looking forbiddingly long and awesome: I thought I would seek the feedback and guidance of the Group before setting sail again.
10. List Of Virtues Not Discussed
I would place before the Group an immediate list for suggestions from it as to which ones we should pick and in what order.
SRIMAD BHAGAVAD GITA – CHAPTER 13 (Remaining Ones) Atma Vinigrahah (Self Control)
(Indriyaartheshu) Vairaigyam (Renouncing the Desires of the Senses) Anahankaram (Free from false ego “I”)
SRIMAD BHAGAVAD GITA – CHAPTER 16
Abhayam (Fearlessness)
Sattva-Samsuddhir (Pure Heartedness)
Damah (Self Control)
Svadhyaya (Learning Oneself – from Oneself)
Akrodham (Devoid of Anger)
Tyagah (Renunciation)
Santih (Tranquility)
Apaisunam (Averting Fault-finding)
Bhutesu Aloluptvam (Compassion to all of the Creation) Mardavam (Gentleness)
Hrir (Modesty)
Ac(h)apalam (Determination – Not being weak-minded)
Adroha (Freedom from Malice)
MANU SMRITI (REMAINING OUT OF THE TEN VIRTUES) Chapter VI – Verse 92
Indriya Nigrahah (Mastering the Sense Organs)
Dheer (Wisdom)
Vidya (Knowledge of the Supreme)
Akrodham (Abstention from Anger)
Then we have the four cardinal virtues commended by Plato: PLATONIC VIRTUES:
temperance: (Already considered)
Prudence:
Courage:
Justice:
Seven Heavenly Virtues Commended by Christianity
Chastity,
Temperance, (Already considered)
Charity, (Already considered)
Diligence, (Already considered)
Patience, (Already considered)
Kindness (Already considered)
Humility. (Already considered)
I look forward to a very rewarding, mutually enriching road ahead. Please be guided by your own preferences in suggesting the topics for consideration – even if these be outside of the above list e.g. virtues discussed in the Thirukkural.
I could see some fatigue after the initial burst of enthusiasm. It could be the tiringly long presentations every week. Or it could be the other preoccupations of the Group. But what I clearly see is a positive intent and interest. If the verbal presentations inhibit your Reponses, please dispossess those inhibitions, and intervene in your own idiom or expression. Any intervention, suggestion, query, even assailing of the view presented, would be greatly enriching all of us and make us wiser; besides, this exercise is all about exchange of thoughts for mutual enriching .
Fond wishes,
Parthasarathy