Invest in higher values

Dr Satish K Kapoor

Time is infinite. Atharvaveda (XIX.53.7-8) says : kale manah kale pranah kalo ha sarvasyeshvaraah – ‘In time, mind, in time, life. Time is the Lord of all.’ Ethereal time cannot be measured, but Human time is subject to calculation in terms of past, present and future. Each year is a new starting point. So, we should learn from past experiences, reset priorities, and work honestly to achieve set goals.

Instead of indulging in boisterous celebrations, why not celebrate the first day of New Year in an austere way, starting with a prayer to the Almighty and keeping silence ‘of speech, desire and thought’ (to borrow Longfellow’s phrase). Along with material investments for comfortable living, we need to invest in the higher values of life so as to imbibe the virtues of truth, honesty, integrity, contentment and non-violence.

Controlling vices

We should resolve to control our impulses, check sensory appetites, and restrain negative emotions. We should practice hygiene of the body and the mind, and drop bad habits like, indiscriminate use of abusive language, telling lies, backbiting, finding faults in others, spitting or throwing litter outside home, etc. We should ignite ourselves with noble ideas to remove cognitive distortions and junk thoughts. We should forgive those who hurt us, forget nasty experiences, and move forward smilingly.

Human vices can be checked by self-examination and self-discipline. Inner pollution is caused by waves of anger, lust, greed, infatuation and vanity. Anger betrays lack of self-control. Lust dissipates life’s creative force. Greed is the root of all evil. Infatuation eclipses understanding of the true nature of the self. Pride turns into vanity and defeats its own end. Srimadbhagavata says: ‘Regulate your speech, mind, senses, vital power and the intellect through reasoning imbued with sattvic tendencies.

Cultivating spirituality

The fundamental nature of all souls is spiritual in essence. The universe itself is described as ‘a vast individuality’. To bring about inner peace and harmony, we should resolve to reconnect our consciousness with cosmic consciousness, of which we are an organic part. This is possible by holy company, chanting the divine name, studying soul-elevating works, and meditation. We should make the practice of yoga a daily habit to bring about physical and mental equipoise. Since the body is kept alive by breathing, we should learn how to regulate breath by practicing pranayama, which helps in concentration, and in reaching deeper levels of consciousness.

Righteous living

Morality is an inner growth cultivated through time. We should respect all and learn to cooperate with others. Life being one entity, we should practice generosity and make service a prime value of life. Recognising the principle of shared membership of all living organisms on planet earth, we should be kind to birds, animals and insects, and curb the growing appetite for non-vegetarian food. We should respect Mother Nature and partake of its bounties in a reasonable manner.

Let us endeavour to discover the glory of our spirit by following the path of shreyas (goodness) and pray with the Vedic sage: vishwani deva savitar duritani parasuva, yad bhadram tanna asuva -‘O all-creating god, full of noble attributes, actions and nature, keep away from us all vices and calamities, and grant us virtues.’(Rigveda V. 82.5).

May the New Year provide wisdom, valour and happiness to all. ‘May none fall on evil days.’ (ma kashcid duhkha bhag bhavet).

(Dr Kapoor is a noted educationist, historian and spiritualist)

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