8. GUIDELINES FOR PERFORMING ACTIONS

D: On many occasions, it is not clear to us as to what exactly we should do. We are at cross roads in deciding what is right and what is wrong. What should we do in such cases?

A: Sometimes, even though knowing what is right and what is wrong, the mind is clouded by confusion because the evil path seems easy while the righteous path appears difficult. If the confusion is due only to this reason, we should choose only that which is proper. Whether convenient or not, righteous conduct is always the best.

Sometimes, the alternatives may not be contradictory to the śastra-s or tradition. Then any alternative can be chosen. To know what is right and what is wrong, we should understand the views of the scriptures. Lord Kṛṣṇa has said:

(BG, XVI.24)

(It behoves you to act here after having known the dictates of the śāstra-s.)

Even if our knowledge of śāstra-s is next to nil, we should observe how great souls act in similar circumstances and follow them. The Taittirīya Upaniṣad says:

(TU, I.11.3) (You should conduct yourselves as do the great ones there.)

If there be ambiguity, the Guru should be consulted for clarification. If he is inaccessible, the opinion of the pious and erudite ones should be sought and adhered to. In the case of a doubt demanding immediate clarification added to the non-availability of a knowledgeable person for consultation, we should sincerely pray to Īśvara and decide upon that which appeals to our intellect. We should, however, be cautious to check the mind from leading us along the erroneous path on account of the influence of desire.

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❑ Experiences of Devotees

Acharyal has said, “One should perform all one’s actions in a meticulous manner. Even a minor task ought not to be performed carelessly. The time allocated to it may be small and other tasks may receive priority over it but, when one is engaged in it, one must treat it as important.”

One day, Acharyal sat down in a coconut grove and asked me to read the first 50 verses of Vidura-nīti and select compositions of Bhagavatpāda. As I began chanting verses from the Vidura-nīti, Acharyal partially closed His eyes. When I came to the 22nd verse, I heard a swishing sound. Before I could react, a big leaf-stalk and a coconut fell from a tree in the vicinity and landed on the ground with a big thud less than a meter from Acharyal. So concentrated was He on the import of the verses that He was totally oblivious of what had happened.

After reading from the Vidura-nīti, I passed on to the compositions of Bhagavatpāda, such as Manīṣā-pañcaka and Brahmānucintana. Acharyal listened motionless with a light smile. He opened His eyes only a few moments after I had finished.

Suddenly, He winced in pain. Unseen by me, and unfelt by Him,

GUIDELINES FOR PERFORMING ACTIONS 63 an army of ants had been biting Him on His legs and hands. His feet were red and swollen.

He knew by rote the verses that He had asked me to read out and had Himself mentally recited them on hundreds of occasions. Yet, He concentrated upon them with such intensity that He remained totally unaware of even loud extraneous sounds and injury to His body. He was never inattentive to anything taken up by Him. [Excerpted from Edifying Parables]

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❑ Discourses of Acharyal

Quite often, one has to face situations that one does not desire. In spite of this, one must maintain an attitude of equanimity whether praised or criticised, helped or troubled. Friends and foes, heat and cold and similar pairs of opposites must not be allowed to disturb one’s state of equanimity. Anger, desire and greed must be eradicated by proper analysis, devotion to Īśvara, dhyāna, company of sages and the like.

Brooding over the past is a habit that must never be indulged in. If one has done something wrong there should be repentance. A firm decision should be taken not to repeat the mistake but, on no account, must there be any brooding over the past. Thoughts of the future must be restricted to the absolute minimum.

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