1 Gita Sloka Every Day - Chapter 16 - Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga - Sloka 13 - 15

The entire content of this mail is from Shri V N Gopala Desikan's  Srimad Bhagavad Gita, published by Vishishtadvaita Research Centre, Chennai and The Bhagavad Gita by Swami Chidbhavananda published by Ramakrishna Mission

The evil ways of the diabolical are further illustrated further.

The Demoniacal Ways - 7-18

1 Gita Sloka  Every Day - Chapter 16 - Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga - Sloka 13

Idam adhya maya labhdham idam prapsye manoratham I

Idam asti Idam api me bhavishyati punah dhanam II sloka 13

इदं अध्य मया लभ्धं इदं प्राप्स्ये मनोरथम् I 

इदं अस्ति इदं अपि मे भविष्यति पुनः धनं ईई श्लोक 13

"This today has been gained by me; this desire I shall fulfill; this is mine, and the wealth also shall be mine in future."

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1 Gita Sloka  Every Day - Chapter 16 - Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga - Sloka 14

Asau maya hantah shatruh hanishye cha aparan api I

Iswarah aham  aham bhogi siddutah aham balavan sukhi II sloka 14

असौ मया हन्तः शत्रुः हनिष्ये च अपरान् अपि I 

इस्वरः अहं अहं भोगी सिद्धूतः अहं बलवान् सुखी II श्लोक 14

"That enemy has been slain by me, and others also I shall slay. I am a lord, I enjoy, I am successful, powerful and happy."

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1 Gita Sloka  Every Day - Chapter 16 - Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga - Sloka 15

Adhya Abhijana vaan asmi kah anya asti sadrusho maya I

Yakshye dasyami modishya iti agyana vimohitah II sloka 15

आधयः  अभिजन वान् अस्मि कः अन्य अस्ति सदृशः मया I 

यक्ष्ये दास्यामि मोदिष्य इति अज्ञान विमोहितः II श्लोक 15

I am rich and well born. Who else is equal to me? I will sacrifice, I will give alms, I will rejoice." Thus deluded by ignorance;

1 Gita Sloka Every Day - Chapter 16 - Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga - Sloka 12

The entire content of this mail is from Shri V N Gopala Desikan's  Srimad Bhagavad Gita, published by Vishishtadvaita Research Centre, Chennai and The Bhagavad Gita by Swami Chidbhavananda published by Ramakrishna Mission

The evil ways of the diabolical are further illustrated further.

The Demoniacal Ways - 7-18

1 Gita Sloka  Every Day - Chapter 16 - Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga - Sloka 12

Bhadrachala Rama Sita Lakshmana

Asha pasha shataih baddhah kama krodha parayanah I

Iha ante kama bhoga artham anyayena artha sam chayan II sloka 12

आशा पाश शतैः बद्धाः काम क्रोध परायणः I 

इह अन्ते काम भोग अर्थं अन्यायेन अर्थ सं चयन् II श्लोक 12

Bound by hundred ties of hope, given to lust and anger, they strive to secure by unjust means hoards of wealth for sensual enjoyment.

Dravya yagna or the worship of the Lord through the acquisition of wealth by fair means  and the expenditure of it on noble causes, is enjoined in the scriptures; and the virtuous people adopt it in their lives. But the men of asura mould make life complicated by cruel competition. Frenzy, falsehood and fraud are the norm with them. They amass wealth rapaciously for over indulgence.

Men are of two kinds. Those of mere man's mould, are base and vulgar. Lust and greed for wealth govern them. But the superior kind of men strive for spiritual excellence.

Sri Ramakrishna paramahamsa

1 Gita Sloka Every Day - Chapter 16 - Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga - Sloka 11

The entire content of this mail is from Shri V N Gopala Desikan's  Srimad Bhagavad Gita, published by Vishishtadvaita Research Centre, Chennai and The Bhagavad Gita by Swami Chidbhavananda published by Ramakrishna Mission

The evil ways of the diabolical are further illustrated further.

The Demoniacal Ways - 7-18

1 Gita Sloka  Every Day - Chapter 16 - Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga - Sloka 11

The soul being driven by the 5 senses

Chintam aparimeyam cha pralaya antam upashritah I

Kama upabhoga paramah etavat iti nischitah II sloka 11

चिन्तां अपरिमेयां च प्रलय अन्ताम् उपाश्रिताः I 

काम उप भोग परमाः एता वत् इति निश्चिताः II श्लोक 11

Beset with immense cares ending only with death, regarding gratification of lust as the highest, and feeling sure that that is all;

These people do not know that their life is limited and that they may die any moment. There is no end to their desires and worries. Their base and boisterous passions seem to the others to have come to an end with death. But actually those passions get buried in their inner core, only to remanifest themselves in the next birth. Tendencies become latent at death as they do in sleep.

They think that enjoyment of sensual pleasures alone is the highest goal; that there is no other goal, higher than this. Their effort to achieve their boundless desires will have to be continued even till pralaya. They do not recognise moksha, kaivalya or swarga as desirable. 

  

The earth bound people do not learn a lesson even when overcome with acute pain, disappointments, failures and misfortunes in life. They are like the camels which go on biting off the thorny shrubs unmindful of the bleeding caused to their lips. 

A dearly loved wife dies or deserts; the man forgets all about it and remarries. The sudden passing away of a beloved child brings in desolation. But in a few days he brushes it aside and gets absorbed in life. The mother weeps and wails over the death of her baby. The next minute she is busy arranging her jewels and costly clothings, scrupulously attending to her toilet as well. The parents are driven to penury due to the marriages of 2 or 3 daughters.  Still the begetting continues as usual! 

In litigation the property is drained away; but on that ground further litigation does not stop. Though there is no where withal to maintain the existing brood of children, new additions do not fail to come in year after year! 

How strange!!

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa

1 Gita Sloka Every Day - Chapter 16 - Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga - Sloka 10

The entire content of this mail is from Shri V N Gopala Desikan's  Srimad Bhagavad Gita, published by Vishishtadvaita Research Centre, Chennai and The Bhagavad Gita by Swami Chidbhavananda published by Ramakrishna Mission

The evil ways of the diabolical are further illustrated further.

The Demoniacal Ways - 7-18

1 Gita Sloka  Every Day - Chapter 16 - Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga - Sloka 10

Kamam ashritya dushpuram dambha mana madanvitah I

Mohat grihitva asad grahan parvatante ashuchi vratah II sloka 10

कामं आश्रित्य दुष्पूरं दम्भ मान मदान्विताः I 

मोहात् गृहित्वा असद् ग्राहान् प्रवर्तन्ते अशुचिः व्रताः II श्लोक 10

Filled with insatiable desires, full of hypocrisy, pride and arrogance, holding evil ideas through delusion, they work with impure resolve.

They have uncontrollable desire for things, which are difficult to get. They unjustly acquire wealth and keep such ill-gotten  wealth, under the delusion that such desires can be satisfied. 

They perform unholy vratas or vows, which are not prescribed in the sastras. They act with vanity, pride and arrogance

1 Gita Sloka Every Day - Chapter 16 - Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga - Sloka 9

The entire content of this mail is from Shri V N Gopala Desikan's  Srimad Bhagavad Gita, published by Vishishtadvaita Research Centre, Chennai and The Bhagavad Gita by Swami Chidbhavananda published by Ramakrishna Mission

What kind of life do men of this creed live? The answer comes. 

The Demoniacal Ways - 7-18

1 Gita Sloka  Every Day - Chapter 16 - Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga - Sloka 9

Etam drishtim avastabhya nashat atmanah alpa buddhyah I

Prabhavanti ugra karmanah kshayaya jagatah ahitah II sloka 9

एतां दृष्टिं अवस्तभ्य नश्त आत्मानः अल्प बुद्धयः I 

प्रभवन्ति उग्र कर्माणः क्षयाय जगतः अहिताः II श्लोक 9 

Holding this view, these ruined souls of small intellect, of fierce deeds, rise as the enemies of the world for its destruction.

Man's intellect dwindles away as he becomes slave to the senses. Inordinate sense-indulgence ends in self - annihilation. Adharma or wickedness is the outcome of it. This vicious act contaminates the world and causes great harm. Still, they have a negative purpose to serve. That falsehood and wickedness are not the paths to self emancipation, is made evident by the base life of the demoniac.

The evil ways of the diabolical are further illustrated.

1 Gita Sloka Every Day - Chapter 16 - Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga - Sloka 8

The entire content of this mail is from Shri V N Gopala Desikan's  Srimad Bhagavad Gita, published by Vishishtadvaita Research Centre, Chennai and The Bhagavad Gita by Swami Chidbhavananda published by Ramakrishna Mission

The Demoniacal Ways - 7-18

1 Gita Sloka  Every Day - Chapter 16 - Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga - Sloka 8

Asatyam apratishtam te jagat ahuh anishvaram I

Aparaspara sambhutam kim anyat kama haitukam II sloka 8

असत्यं  अप्रतिष्टं ते जगत् आहुः अनीश्वरं I 

अपरस्पर संभूतं किं अन्यत् काम हैतुकम् II 

They say, " the universe is unreal, without a basis, without a God, born of mutual union, brought about by lust; what else?"

They say that the world is unreal. They do not realise that this universe has evolved from Brahman; and has the Brahman as its inner soul. They say that the universe is without any foundation. They do not know that the Brahman is the support and foundation for all the worlds.

They say that there is no Lord or Supreme Master. They do not understand that the universe is ruled by Me; I am the Lord of all; and I am the Supreme Brahman. Everything acts or happens according to my will and pleasure.

They say that men, animals, etc. are born, only by union between the male and the female. There is nothing, according to them; which is not produced by union, arising out of sexual desire, between the male and female. So, according to them, sexual desire only is the cause of the world (and not I). 

1 Gita Sloka Every Day - Chapter 16 - Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga - Sloka 7

The entire content of this mail is from Shri V N Gopala Desikan's  Srimad Bhagavad Gita, published by Vishishtadvaita Research Centre, Chennai and The Bhagavad Gita by Swami Chidbhavananda published by Ramakrishna Mission

The Demoniacal Ways - 7-18
1 Gita Sloka  Every Day - Chapter 16 - Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga - Sloka 7

Pravrittim cha nivrittim cha janah na viduh asurah I

Na shoucham na api cha acharah na satyam teshu vidhyate II sloka 7

प्रवृत्तिं च निवृत्तिं च जनाः न विदुः असुराः I 

न शौचम् न अपि च आचारः न सत्यं तेषु विध्यते II श्लोक 7

The demoniac know not what to do and what to refrain from; neither purity, nor right conduct nor truth is found in them.

Commendable acts are those which are conducive to the general welfare of man. They are designated as dharma. Prohibited acts are those that deprave man and ruin his career. They are condemned as adharma. The good always conform to dharma. Animals are not altogether unaware of dharma and adharma. Instinctively they understand what to do and what to refrain from. But men of the asura type are devoid of discrimination in this respect. Impure thoughts alone sprout in their minds. Their physical habits and doings are anything but clean. Utterances coming out of them are distorted, diabolical and devoid of truth. Pollution of the entire personality is what is found in them. 

If the demoniac be asked as to why they behave malignantly, the justification they make betrays their disposition.  

Thirunakshatram of InjimEttu AzhagiyaSingar on January 20, 2014

InjimEttu AzhagiyaSingar 

Acharya                                   37th Pattam KaLatthUr Azhagiya Singar

Sishyas                                   43rd, 45th azhagiyasigars

Date of birth                            Jan 21 1879

Life span                                 112 years

Tamil month & Nakshatram      Thai Uttaradam

Parents                                    Sri AadhivarAhAcchAr Swamy

Place of birth                            Injimettu, near Ahobilam

Name @ Birth                           Ranganathan

Gothram                                   Bharadwaja

Year of Death                            1991

Brindavanam                            Thiruevvul (now Thiruvallur)

WorksNyAsa NishtA MeemAmsA,
Ukthi NishtAbharaNam,
UkthiNishtAbharaNOthyOdham,
GeethArtha Sangraha VyAkhyAnam,
KritthikA DhIpa Kaala NirNayam,
UpAkarma Kaala NirNayam,
Sri RahasyathrayA VyAkhyA:Sri Saara BOdhini, and
VisishtAdhvaitha VedAntha KOsam

Linkshttp://www.ahobilamutt.org/us/acharya/bio/42jeer.asp            

http://sadagopan.org/index.php/categories/doc_details/179-ss042-injimedu-azhagiya-singar    

1 Gita Sloka Every Day - Chapter 16 - Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga - Sloka 6

The entire content of this mail is from Shri V N Gopala Desikan's  Srimad Bhagavad Gita, published by Vishishtadvaita Research Centre, Chennai and The Bhagavad Gita by Swami Chidbhavananda published by Ramakrishna Mission

What is the benefit that the sadhaka derives in being tuned in Brahmavastha? It is delineated below

The Effects of the Two traits 5-6

1 Gita Sloka  Every Day - Chapter 16 - Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga - Sloka 6

Tirupati Balaji

Dvau bhuta sargau loke asmin daivah asurah eva cha I

Daivah vistara shahpra uktah  asuram partha me shrunu II sloka 6

द्वौ भूत सर्गौ लोके अस्मिन् दैवः आसुरः एव च I 
दैवः विस्तार शः प्र उक्तः आसुरं पार्थ मे शृणु II श्लोक 6

There are two types of beings in this world, the divine and the demoniacal; the divine has been described at length; hear me, O Partha, of the demoniacal.

Beings both mobile and immobile all possess countless characteristics. But they may be all brought under two two broad types - the divine and the demoniacal. The former is pleasing and the latter is disquieting. One aids the evolution and the other retards it. The divine elements have already been elaborated upon; the asura elements yet remain to be explained. Negative ideas and ideals that are detrimental to the spiritual growth of the man, find no place in the dissertation of the Bhagavad Gita. Still, when the potential harm in them is pointed out, the sadhaka is is able to guard himself against those evils. For this, the Lord delineates on them to the extent necessary.

1 Gita Sloka Every Day - Chapter 16 - Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga - Sloka 5

The entire content of this mail is from Shri V N Gopala Desikan's  Srimad Bhagavad Gita, published by Vishishtadvaita Research Centre, Chennai and The Bhagavad Gita by Swami Chidbhavananda published by Ramakrishna Mission

What is the benefit that the sadhaka derives in being tuned in Brahmavastha? It is delineated below

The Effects of the Two traits 5-6

1 Gita Sloka  Every Day - Chapter 16 - Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga - Sloka 5

Tiruppavai Day 29

Daivi sampad vimokshaya nibhandaya asuri manta I

Ma shuchah sampadam daivim abhijan jatah assi pandava II sloka 5

दैवी सम्पद् विमोक्षाय निभन्दाय आसुरी मन्ता I 
मा शुचः सम्पद्  दैवीं अभिजान् जातः अस्सी पाण्डव II 

The divine nature is deemed for liberation, the demoniacal for bondage; grieve not, O Pandava, you are born for a divine state.

The tendencies acquired by a soul during a lifetime do not get lost with it. They are carried in a potential form for further development in births yet to come. The divine traits assimilated in successive transmigrations contribute for liberation from samsara or the trail of births and deaths. The demoniac traits on the other hand forge the bondage of phenomenal existence and perpetuate  the cycles of births and deaths. There is a possibility of Arjuna's doubting about the state into which he is born. The Lord who is the knower of the past, present and future of the jivatman allays his doubt, by assuring him of his divine state and of his being quite fit for emancipation.

What are the classifications of the jivatmans and how they are made? The answer comes in the next sloka.

1 Gita Sloka Every Day - Chapter 16 - Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga - Sloka 4

The entire content of this mail is from Shri V N Gopala Desikan's  Srimad Bhagavad Gita, published by Vishishtadvaita Research Centre, Chennai and The Bhagavad Gita by Swami Chidbhavananda published by Ramakrishna Mission

The Demoniac Traits 4

1 Gita Sloka  Every Day - Chapter 16 - Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga - Sloka 4

Tiruppavai day 28

Dambhah darpah abhimaanah cha krodhah eva cha I

Agyanam cha abhijatsaya partha sampadam asurim II sloka 4

दम्भः दर्पः अभिमानः च क्रोधः एव च I 

अज्ञानं च अभिजातस्य पार्थ संपदं आसुरीं II श्लोक 4

Ostentation, arrogance and self conceit, anger and also harshness and ignorance belong to one  who is born, O Partha, for a demoniac state.

Putting up a show of good behaviour and donning oneself in pompous garments is ostentation. Presuming oneself as superior to others is arrogance. Priding oneself on being educated, moneyed and or high born is conceit. As a dog greets another strange dog with a snarl, the demoniac man asserts his individuality with anger. He exhibits his harshness by caricaturing a weak man as strong, a blind man as having beautiful eyes and a poor man as rich. He evinces ignorance by upholding unrighteousness as righteousness.

1 Gita Sloka Every Day - Chapter 16 - Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga - Sloka 3

The entire content of this mail is from Shri V N Gopala Desikan's  Srimad Bhagavad Gita, published by Vishishtadvaita Research Centre, Chennai and The Bhagavad Gita by Swami Chidbhavananda published by Ramakrishna Mission

What is the benefit that the sadhaka derives in being tuned in Brahmavastha? It is delineated below

The Divine Traits 1-3

1 Gita Sloka  Every Day - Chapter 16 - Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga - Sloka 3

Thiruppavai Day 24

Tejah kshama dhrutih shoucham adroho na ati manita I

Bhavanti sampadam daiveem abhi jatasya bharata II sloka 3

तेजः क्षमा दृतिः शौचं अद्रोहो न अति मानिता I 
भवन्ति संपदं दिवीं अभि जातस्य भारत II श्लोक 3

Vigour, forgiveness, fortitude, purity absence of hatred, absence of pride, these belong toone born for a divine state, O Bharata.

To be imbued with tejas or vigour is a divine quality. This energy is always utilised for putting down evil and for upholding virtue.

Kshama means forgiveness. It is the ornament of a hero who has the capacity and opportunity to avenge the wrongs done to him, but who does not exercise his power for self-assertion. Insead he aims at self effacement by forgiving the offender and forgetting the wrong.

Dritih means fortitude. It is an attitude of mind which serves both as a tonic to and antidote against the weariness of the body and mind. It wards off slackness.

Saucham means purity both within and without. External cleanliness is easy of observance But keeping the mind clean is more important. When the mind is pure, speech and action become naturally wholesome.

In the process of evolutionof beings hatred has its part to play; and so it gets ingrained in them. But it is a blemish in a highly evolved state.Therefore it has to be erased from the mind. Adroha means absence of anger.

The natural tendency of man is to appear important in the eyes of others.His self assumed importance expresses itself as pride -atimaanitaa. But a true inquiry into the glory of God compels man to relinquish pride as a disease of the mind. 

All the virtues enumerated in the above three stanzas bring man's divine nature into relief. The demonaical nature which is the opposite is next delineated.

1 Gita Sloka Every Day - Chapter 16 - Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga - Sloka 2

The entire content of this mail is from Shri V N Gopala Desikan's  Srimad Bhagavad Gita, published by Vishishtadvaita Research Centre, Chennai and The Bhagavad Gita by Swami Chidbhavananda published by Ramakrishna Mission

What is the benefit that the sadhaka derives in being tuned in Brahmavastha? It is delineated below

The Divine Traits 1-3

1 Gita Sloka  Every Day - Chapter 16 - Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga - Sloka 2

Thiruppavai day 23

Ahimsa satyam akrodhah tyagah  shantih apaishunam I

Daya bhuteshu aloluptvam mardvam hih achapalam II sloka 2

अहिंसा सत्यं अक्रोधः त्यागः शान्तिः अपैशुनं I 
दया भूतेषु अलोलुप्त्वं मार्दवं हिः अचपलं II श्लोक 2

Non-injury, truth, absence of anger, renunciation, serenity, absence of calumny, compassion to beings, uncovetuousness, gentleness, modesty, absence of fickleness

All lives at all levels are the manifestations of the Lord. Recognising sacredness in them and not choosing to hurt them for sport is non-injury or ahimsa.

God is truth. Directing one's mind, speech and action to postulating and glorifying God is truth. Whatever is done, said or countenanced to esteem earthly life is the negation of truth or satyam.

Anger makes its appearance in one when one feels that others do not come up to one's expectations. That is, when one's desires are obstructed, one rises to anger. But when one remains unaffected by the behaviour of others, one does not fall victim to anger - this is akrodhah

All things sentient and insentient belong to Iswara and not to man. To be fixed in this fundamental is renunciation or tyaga.

Every time mind gets disturbed it loses its stamina. But as it gains in poise and equilibrium it progresses towards serenity or shanti

Calumny is disrespect for others and misrepresenting them on flimsy and false grounds; it is born of a low mentality. But a sadhaka imbued with divine traits is genuinely free from calumny or apasunam

When the sight of other beings in distress draws out sympathy and fellow feeling, it is a mark of compassion to beings or bhuteshu daya

No thought of appropriating the properties of others should rise in the mind of one at whose disposal they happen to be placed. That individual is then said to be established in covetuousness or aloluptyam

Mardavam means gentleness. It is found in those who are refined in character.

Praise tickles the vanity of an ordinary man.But a cultured person feels bashful when praised. It is the sign of modesty or hrih

Shaking the body and the limbs unnecessarily and fidgetting on flimsy grounds are the symptoms of crudity : achapalam or the absence of fickleness is seen in one endowed with a divine element.

1 Gita Sloka Every Day - Chapter 16 - Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga - Sloka 1

The entire content of this mail is from Shri V N Gopala Desikan's  Srimad Bhagavad Gita, published by Vishishtadvaita Research Centre, Chennai and The Bhagavad Gita by Swami Chidbhavananda published by Ramakrishna Mission

What is the benefit that the sadhaka derives in being tuned in Brahmavastha? It is delineated below

The Divine Traits 1-3

1 Gita Sloka  Every Day - Chapter 16 - Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga - Sloka 1

Tiruppavai day 20

Shri Bhagavan Uvacha

Abhayam sattva samshuddhih gyana yoga vyavastithih I

Danam damah cha yagnah svadhyayah tapah arjavam II sloka 1

श्री भगवान उवाच 
अभयं सत्त्व संशुद्धिः ज्ञान योग व्यवस्तिथः I 
दानं दमः च यज्ञः स्वाध्यायः तपः आर्जवं II श्लोक 1

The Blessed Lord said

Fearlessness, purity of heart, steadfastness in knowledge and yoga, alms giving, control of the senses, Yajna, study of the scriptures, austerity and straightforwardness

Fear in all its forms resolves itself into fear of being hurt or killed. It is based on the ignorance that one is the body and not the atman. The one given to fear is good for nothing. But all merits are born of fearlessness. The symbolic pose of abhaya or fearlessness is characteristic of all the deities that represent iswara. The idea is that godhood and fear are incompatible. As a sadhaka draws near god, he rids himself of all fears.

One is said to be established in the purity of heart when one makes no difference whatsoever between the welfare of oneself and welfare of others.

He who is able to distinguish between the things that are lasting and those that are evanescent, is gifted with jnana or knowledge. It is yoga when one seeks that which is permanent and shuns that which is impermanent. Great is the result when there is steadfastness in the pursuit of both knowledge and yoga.

Benefaction extended on right lines is alms giving. The heart expands when one shares the  things good and useful with deserving people. Genuine gifts are those which are offered with love, kindness and humility.

The senses are prone to indulgence thereby causing harm to the enjoyer. They are the gateways to hell when they run riot. Curbing them is the first step in the path of discipline. Mastery over the senses brings in its train all blessings leading to the Divine.

Yagna means sacrifice. Any sect that brings the maximum public good and that cures the performer of his selfishness is yagna. It need not necessarily be a traditional ritual associated with the sacrificial fire, the priest and oblation. Slef effacement, glorifying god and the benefaction to people - these are the marks of a well performed yagna.

The study of the scriptures is teh prerogative of man. The seers, sages and saints have left them as an invaluable legacy. It is open to man to pursue those sacred books devotedly and critically too if he is so inclined. This study is the healthiest of all. It rids man of superstition and guides him godward.

It is possible for man to recast his mind, to improve upon his mode of life and to give himself over to spirituality. When all these acts are undertaken deliberately, it is austerity - tapas.

Straightforwardness is just the opposite of crookedness. It is the act of harmonising the thought word and deed on noble purposes frankly and openly.