The 16th chapter of Bhagavad
Gita talks about Daivi Sampat (divine
wealth or the wealth of divine qualities) and Asuri Sampat (In Asuric nature inclination towards sensual
pleasures is predominant). In Rakshasic
nature hatred predominates and the Rakshasa does various sorts of harm and
injury to others.
Daivi Sampat involves spiritual values,
which will help a person towards spiritual growth. Asuri Sampat involves material
values, which is an obstacle to spiritual growth. Asuri Sampat is briefly
indicated in the 4th verse. From the 7th verse, Krishna
elaborates Asuri sampat until verse no 21. I have to carefully nourish Daivi
Sampat values like a garden. I have to look for the weeds regularly and remove
them so that my mind becomes a spiritual garden.
Four
facts
associated with Daivi Sampat, which are important, are absent or feeble in
Asuri Sampat. First is Faith in God.
Eventhough we don’t have a proper understanding of God, faith in god is
important until we understand God. Second
is Faith in Scriptures and their guidance. They will make my life meaningful,
purposeful and fulfilling. Intellectual arrogance in Asuri Sampat is the cause
of the lack of spiritual growth. Third
is the lack of Faith in Lifestyle or Discipline prescribed in the scriptures. They
were relevant in Vedic society. Fourth
is Achara, which is a lifestyle conducive for this. Lack of faith tends to
Materialistic personality.
Scriptures
prescribe four goals of life represented by Daivi Sampat. They are Artha (money or wealth), Kama (sensual pleasures or pursuit of
happiness), Dharma (mental
refinement or character building) and Moksha
(liberation from birth and death). This (Moksha) is a very important goal for
human life. Moksha is spiritual knowledge about God and in myself. This is
spiritual wisdom, which is the goal of life for all.
Lord Krishna describes a typical materialistic person. This is
from verse 7 to verse 21. The demoniacal have no respect for dharma and
Adharma. They do not see what is appropriate or inappropriate. They show utter
selfishness. They do not know what to do and what not be done; what is right
and what is wrong. Generally, what I don’t want others to do to me I should not
do to others. I should start the day with invoking the relationship with God. A
society cannot survive without values. Values are called Dharma. Everything in
this world will be in harmony only when there is Dharma. Sampat is Wealth,
which is peace, joy, and fulfillment got through Dharma. Ecological imbalance
will also be there. Trees are destroyed and the animals are destroyed. There
are so many natural calamities because we are violating rules. Doing Dharma
sustains the world.
After
one gets a grandchild or after attaining the age of Shastiabdhapoorti one has
to turn to Dharma Moksha pradhana. Before this Artha Kama pradhana is OK.
Inclining towards Asuric nature is due to wrong parentage who themselves do not
have values or it is due to Purva Janma Samskara (Punyam and Pavam
accumulation). They are going by Raga Dvesha. Their likes and dislikes.
As
per our scriptures, after a particular age, everyone’s life should be governed
by Dharma.
i.e., what is ethically right and what is wrong. After attaining the age of
ten, life must be based on dharma. Self-restraint governed by Dharma should be
there and we should not go by our Raga Dvesha (likes and dislikes). We are
supposed to be progressive in spirituality. I should use my intellect or
Discrimination power and do what I am supposed to do. I should do what is right
and avoid doing what is wrong.
Veda
says
use the money you have but grow out of them and not get struck in them.
Religion promotes family life. Materialism demotes family life. You want to
work more and more for enjoying pleasures of life. Materialistic desires
include attachment also. Attachment leads to anxiety. I feel it can give me
permanent joy. This is a false notion. Attachment to family members is also
Asuri Sampat. I have my duty to to raise them and get them settled. Veda says
you can’t be attached to your family members and you have to grow out of them.
Internally I should start to withdraw attachment to people. Loving and caring
is wonderful. No relationship is permanent. Everyone has to go his or her own
way. Every association is followed by dissociation. Intelligence is preparing
the mind for dissociation.
I
should prepare myself
emotionally for the inevitable that may happen to me or my surroundings. Life
is not merely for getting things. Life should involve sharing, charity, or
giving also. Giving should be directly proportional to acquisition. The more I
earn the more proportional should be my contribution. Spend time for dharma and
Pancha maha yagna. You can have desire for Artha and Kama but they must be
balanced by Dharma. Regularly allot time for Deva yagna. Find time for
universal well being of humanity (Deva yagna). Find time for your family
(Pithur yagna), especially elders, who require our support. You should find
time for Brahma yagna (Scriptural study of BG) and Bootha yagna (animals and
plants to be allocated some time by us). At spiritual level, my life should be
one of taking and one of contribution for leading a well-balanced life.
Lust,
anger and greed
– these highway robbers will cause a man to fall into the dark abyss of hell,
misery or grief. These are the three fountain-heads of misery. These three
constitute the gateway leading to the lowest of hells. Lust is a desire. Desire
leads to anger. You act violently when you are angry. Greed is miserliness; not
sharing one’s resources with others. In anger, I will not have any conversation
and I will start to act violently. Mind is asubhavasana. Intellect is
subhavasana. There is a Tug of war between the mind and the intellect when you
are angry.
When these gates to the hell are
abandoned, the path to salvation is made clear for the aspirant. He gets the
company of sages, which leads to liberation. He gets spiritual instructions and
practises them. He hears the scriptures, reflects, meditates and attains Self-realization.
He
who is entirely devoted to the Vedas cannot meet with misfortune, grief or
delusion. No mother is more kind than the scriptures for they restrain us from
doing evil and bestow on us the greatest good (liberation or Moksha).
Therefore, treat the scriptures with great respect. I should renounce all that
the scriptures prohibit. Success in spirituality is yours my friend.
Be blissful
S.Sekar,
Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com
