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Chapter 13
Link:- When a man identifies himself with the body, evils such as desire and aversion, are born and they affect him. Therefore, the Lord, in the next five verses under the name of 'Jnana' (Wisdom), enumerates twenty virtues to do away, with the assumed identity.
amanitvamadambhitvamahimsa ksantirarjavam
acaryopasanatit saucath sthairyamatmavinigrahah
Absence of pride, freedom from hypocrisy, non-violence, forgiveness, straightforwardness, service to the teacher, purity of body and mind, steadfastness, and self-control. 7
Comment:-
Amanitvam:- Absence of pride is known as 'Amanitva'. It is the superiority complex, because of one's possessions, of arts, virtues, wealth, ability etc., that engender, conceit or pride. One possesses a superiority complex, because of his identity, with the body. It means, that he attaches too much importance to matter and so he cannot, know the truth. The Jess proud a man is, the lesser importance he attaches to matter. The less importance he attaches to matter, the lesser proud, he is, and the more speedily, he follows spiritual discipline.
Remedy:- A striver, should keep company with devout devotees, saints and liberated souls. Their company frees him, not only from pride, but also from many other evils.
Saints honour others, but themselves remain free, from the desire of honour (Manasa 7/38/2). Similarly, a striver in order to be free from pride, should have the habit to offer honour, respect and praise etc., to others. He can form this habit, only when he regards others superior, to him in any sphere. It is a rule, that every person has some speciality. This may be due to his caste (order of life), stage of life, learning, intelligence and rank etc. Therefore, a striver should offer respect, to others keeping their uniqueness, in mind. When, it becomes his habit, his desire to covet honour is gradually wiped out. He must be cautious, that while offering honour to others, he should not expect honour, in return.
An Important Fact
Out of all the divine traits, the Lord has mentioned, fearlessness as the fast one (16/1) and absence of pride (16/3) the last, in the Discipline of Devotion. But in the Discipline of Knowledge, He has given priority to absence of pride (13/7) and referred to fearlessness, at the end—'Perception of God' (the object of true knowledge) (13/11).
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