Divine Wealth: Sri Bhagavat Gita Chapter 16, Verse 1

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Divine Wealth

 

The Divine Wealth consists of 26 attributes

 

Sri Bhagavat Gita Chapter 16, Verse 1:

 

1. Fearlessness (Abhayam)

Among the Divine qualities, Fearlessness stands foremost. Fear is an

effect of ignorance. Identification with the body causes fear. Blind

attachment to the body, wife, children, house, property etc. is the

cause of fear.The sage who has realised the Self is absolutely fearless.

" He who knows the Bliss of Brahman (God) from which words as well as

mind turn powerless, fears nothing. " -Taittiriya Upanishad

Fear can be removed by constant thinking of the immortal and

all-blissful nature of the Self. If you lead a life of honesty and

truthfulness, if you devoutly observe the precepts of the scriptures

without doubting, if you lead a life of right conduct, and if you

remember God always, you will become fearless.

 

2. Purity of heart (Satvasamsuddhih)

Purity of understanding, cleanliness of life or purity of heart.

Purity of mind, i.e., giving up of cheating, hypocrisy, untruth and

the like, in all dealings with the people, and doing transactions with

perfect honesty and integrity is purity of heart. A purity of mind

cannot be obtained without devotion to the Lord.

 

3. Steadfastness in Knowledge and Yoga (Jnanayogavyavasthitih)

Understanding the nature of the Self as taught in the scriptures and

by the preceptor. Self-realisation through meditation on the Great

Sentence of the Upanishad, " I am Brahman " (Aham Brahmasmi) is

Knowledge. Yoga is union of the individual soul with the Supreme

Being; it is the realisation of the Self by concentration and

meditation through self-restraint and control of the senses.

(Fearlessness, Purity of heart, and Steadfastness in Knowledge and

Yoga are the three pre-eminent virtues amongst the Sattwic attributes

enumerated in verse 1 to 3. These three attributes are found in Jnana

(Knowledge) Yogis only. The other qualities are common to Jnana Yogis,

Karma Yogis, Raja Yogis, and Bhaktas or those following the path of

Devotion. If you cultivate one virtue, all other virtues will cling to

you by themselves. Fearlessness is the basis and foundation of the

whole of man's moral structure within.)

 

4. Almsgiving (Dana)

Distributing food, clothes etc., as far as it lies within one's power,

according to one's means. A charitable man hastens to comfort the

distressed and helps the needy.

 

5. Control of the senses: (Dama)

Self-restraint, self-control, control of the external senses. [Control

of the inner senses or the mind is described in verse no. 2 ]. The

practice of self-control annihilates the union between the senses and

the sensual objects. He keeps the senses under the strictest

restraint. He is moderate in his diet. He checks the outgoing

tendencies of the mind and the senses. He induces the mind and the

senses to turn backwards towards their source. As householders cannot

practise perfect control of the senses, even moderation or regulated

and disciplined life will constitute self-restraint for them. The

practice of self-control includes forgiveness, harmlessness, truth,

steadiness and patience.

 

6. Sacrifice (Yajna)

The fire worship (agnihotra or havan)and the like enjoined in the

Vedas and also the sacrifice to the gods (deva-yajna) or worship of

the gods, Pitr-Yajna, Bhuta-Yajna, Manusya-Yajna and Brahma-Yajna

enjoined in the scriptures (smrtis).

[see page Mantras-Sacred fire]

 

7. Study of scriptures (Svadhyaya)

Study of the Vedas in order to attain the 'unseen fruits'.

 

8. Austerity (Tapas)

True Tapas is meditation on the Self.

It is fixing the mind on Brahman (Supreme Reality) or the Self. It is

to turn the mind towards the soul.

The three kinds of Tapas that are mentioned in The Bhagavad Gita,

Chapter 17, Verses 14, 15 and 16 come under this category. These

three verses are as follows:

Verse 14: Worship of the gods, the twice-born, the teachers and the

wise, purity, straightforwardness, celibacy and non-injury are called

austerities (Tapas or self-discipline) of the body.

Verse 15: Speech which causes no excitement, truthful, pleasant and

beneficial, the practice of the study of the Vedas, are called

austerity of speech.

Verse 16: One should speak what is true; one should speak what is

pleasant. One should not speak what is true if it is not pleasant nor

what is pleasant if it is false. This is the Sanatan (eternal, ancient

) dharma.

 

9. Straightforwardness (Arjavam)

This is conducive to the attainment of knowledge. The aspirant should

always be candid, upright or straightforward. Straightforwardness

should be his constant attitude. A just and truthful man alone can be

straightforward. He is respected by the people. He is liked by all. He

attains success in all his endeavours. He never hides facts or truth.

Chapter 16, Verse 2:

 

10. Harmlessness (Ahimsa)

Non-injury in thought, word and deed. By refraining from injuring

living creatures, the outgoing forces of Rajas are curbed. Ahimsa is

divided into physical, verbal and mental.

 

11. Truth (Satyam)

Speaking of things as they are without uttering unpleasant words or

lies. This includes self-restraint, absence of jealousy, forgiveness,

patience, endurance and kindness

 

12. Absence of anger (Akrodha)

Absence of anger when insulted, rebuked or beaten, i.e., even under

the gravest provocation.

 

13. Renunciation (Tyagah)

Literally giving up; giving up of vasanas egoism and the fruits of

action. Charity is also tyaga.

[For explanations of the term 'VASANA' read page Gita for Children

 

14. Peacefulness (Santi): Serenity of the mind or tranquillity

 

15. Absence of crookedness (Apaisunam)

Aversion to slander and absence of narrow-mindedness.

 

16. Compassion towards beings (Daya)

Compassion to those who are in distress. A man of compassion has a

tender heart. He lives only for the benefit of the world. Compassion

indicates realisation of unity or oneness with other creatures.

 

17. Freedom from covetousness (Aloluptvam)

Non-covetousness. The senses are not affected or excited when they

come in contact with their respective objects; the senses are

withdrawn from the objects of the senses, just as the limbs of the

tortoise are withdrawn by it into its own shell.

 

18. Gentleness(Mardavam)

 

19. Modesty (Hrih)

It is shame felt in the performance of actions

contrary to the rules of the Vedas or of Society.

 

20. Absence of fickleness (Achapalam)

Not to speak in vain. Not to move the hands and legs in vain.

Avoidance of useless action.

Chapter 16, Verse 3:

 

21. Vigour(Tejas)

Vigour, energy, brilliance. The aspirant who is bent on attaining

salvation marches boldly on the spiritual path. Nothing can tempt him

or slacken his progress. This unbroken progress towards the

realisation of the Self or the Absolute is lustre. It overcomes the

downward pull of Tamas.

 

22. Forgiveness (Kshama)

He who is endowed with this virtue does not exhibit anger even when he

is insulted, rebuked or beaten, although he is strong enough to take

vengeance. He is unaffected by the insult or injury.

 

23. Fortitude (Dhrti)

The sage absorbs within himself all calamities. He is steadfast even

when he is in very trying and most adverse conditions. This is a

particular Sattwic vrtti or state of mind which removes depression or

exhaustion of the body and senses when they sink down. An aspirant who

is endowed with this divine attribute never gets disheartened, even

when he is under severe trials and difficulties and tribulations.

Dhrti is a divine tonic when the body and the senses are in a state of

low spirits or dejection.

 

24. Purity(Saucham)

This is of two kinds , viz., external and internal.

External purity are done by means of earth and water.

Internal purity: The mind and heart (intellect) are free from Maya;

free from deception, lust, anger, greed, pride, jealousy, hypocrisy,

likes and dislikes. Purity is achieved by the practice of celibacy,

forgiveness, friendliness, charity, humility, nobility, love,

complacency, compassion etc.

 

25. Absence of hatred (Adroha)

Freedom from malice.Includes absence of desire to injure others.

 

26. Absence of overweening pride (Atimanita)

Atimanita is great pride. A proud man thinks that he is superior to

others and that he is worthy of being honoured by others.

The Divine Wealth or Daivi Sampat consists of these 26 attributes.

This is a rare gift from the Lord. This is an inexhaustible wealth

which cannot be taken away by thieves or robbers. This Daivi Sampat

helps the aspirant attain the imperishable and immaculate Brahmic

seat. It is the short cut to the realm of eternal bliss or moksha.