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Yama and Niyama
If these groups of twelve virtues are rightly practised they will surely produce results according to the desire of the practitioner. They will give either material prosperity or liberation.
Sama is fixing the mind on Me and not mere mental quietness or calmness. Dama is the control of the senses. Titiksha is forbearance or fortitude. It is the bearing of grief or afflictions. Dhriti is restraint of the organs of taste and reproduction. To refrain from harming other creatures is the highest gift (Dana). Tapas is really the giving up of desires. Saurya (valour or heroism) is the conquest of one’s nature. Satya is the practice of equality or looking upon everything with an equal eye.
Ritam is, the wise say, speech both sweet and truthful. Saucha or purity is non-attachment to Karma. Tyaga is the giving up of work. The wealth to be coveted for is Dharma. I My self am Yajna. The spiritual teaching or imparting of knowledge is Dakshina or religious remuneration or sacrificial gift. Control of Prana is the highest strength.
Bhaga is my divine state having the six attributes. The best profit is devotion to Me. Vidya or learning is the removal of the idea of separation from Self. It is the annihilation of the idea of plurality in the Self. Hri is not merely modesty. It is shrinking from prohibited action or evil deeds. Sri is not merely riches but virtues such as spirit of independence, absence of desire. Sukha or happiness is the transcending of pleasure and pain. Dukha or misery is the hankering or longing after sense-pleasures. A Pundit or scholar is one who can distinguish between bondage and liberation.
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