The Eighteen 'Ities'
By: Debi
Acharya
The Eighteen "Ities"
For everyone's success
in life and especially for an aspirant's success inspiritual life, it is essential that he should develop certain cardinal
virtues. Virtue is strength, power and the key to peace. A virtuous man is ever
happy, peaceful and prosperous. People ask for the specific mention of the
virtues that one should develop. Swami Sivananda sang The Song of Eighteen
"Ities" that enumerates the virtues that one should cultivate.
Take up any one virtue
and develop it to a very high degree of perfection; eradicate in total its
opposite evil quality even in its most subtle form. Meditate on these virtues,
on their benefits and the methods of cultivating them. Here is the Song of
Eighteen "Ities":
Serenity, regularity,
absence of vanity,
Sincerity, simplicity, veracity,
Equanimity, fixity, non-irritability,
Adaptability, humility, tenacity,
Integrity, nobility, magnanimity,
Charity, generosity, purity.
Practice daily these eighteen 'ities',
You will soon attain immortality.
Brahman is the only real entity,
Mr. So and so is a false non-entity.
You will abide in eternity and infinity;
You will behold unity in diversity;
You cannot attain this in the university.
You can attain this in the
1. SERENITY
Be tranquil within. Let
that inner peace and joy radiate through a serene countenance. A serene
countenance is peaceful, smiling and serious and does not betray any violent
emotions. It is like the surface of a still lake.
2. REGULARITY
Be regular in your daily
habits, and in your work and spiritual practices. Get up at a particular time.
Be clock-like in your daily activities. You will be free from worry, fear,
anxiety, haphazard and shabby work. You will do the right thing at the right
moment.
3. ABSENCE OF VANITY
Do not boast of your
birth, position, qualifications and spiritual attainments. Praise others. See
good in all. Treat even the lowliest creatures as your equal and with respect.
4. SINCERITY
Let your words agree
with the thoughts; let your actions agree with your words. Let there be harmony
among your thoughts, words and actions.
5. SIMPLICITY
Be artless. Be simple in
your speech. Do not twist words and topics. Be plain; avoid diplomacy,
cunningness and crookedness. Be simple in your dress. Be simple in your food.
6. VERACITY
Be truthful. Stick to
your promises. Do not exaggerate. Do not twist facts. Think twice before you
speak. Speak truthfully. Speak sweetly. Be precise in what you say.
7. EQUANIMITY
Be calm. Bear insult
patiently. Bear injury, suffering, failures and disrespect calmly. Do not be
elated by praise, pleasure, success and honour. Look upon both with equal
vision. Behave alike towards friends and foes. Never let anything disturb your
inner peace.
8. FIXITY
Remember that you cannot
achieve anything if you are fickle-minded. Choose your goal or ideal and
remember it always. Never let it go out of mind even
for a moment.
9. NON-IRRITABILITY
Irritability is the
precursor of violent outbursts of anger. Watch carefully for the disturbance in
the mental equilibrium. Watch for the ripples of anger that might rise in the
lake of the mind. Quell them then and there. Do not allow them to assume
greater proportions. Then you will attain peace.
10. ADAPTABILITY
Understand well the
nature of people with whom you come into contact. Adjust your mode of approach
to them. Adjust yourself in such a way as to be pleasing to them. Joyfully bear
with the eccentricities of others. Always react in a harmonious manner. Serve
all and love all. Have the feeling that the Lord dwells in the hearts of all as
the Self of
all.
11. HUMILITY
Respect everybody. Bow
with folded hands before all. Do not talk in a loud voice before elders and
venerable persons. Look at the toes while you walk. See the Lord in all and feel
that you are His servant and so the servant of all. Consider none as inferior
to you.
12. TENACITY
This is the natural
friend of fixity. Once you have fixed your aim and chosen your path, stick to
it. Do not waver. Be steadfast. Never compromise on your fundamental
principles. Have the attitude: "I may give up my life but I will not
swerve from the path; I will not break my vows."
13. INTEGRITY
Develop an integral
personality. Tie all the loose ends of your character. Become a man of high
moral principles. Lead a life of righteousness. Let righteousness waft its
sweet fragrance from you. Everyone will trust you, obey you, respect you and
revere you.
14. NOBILITY
Shun mean-mindedness as
dung and poison. Never look into the defects of others. Always appreciate the
good qualities of everyone. Be dignified in bearing. Never stoop to ignoble
thoughts, words and actions.
15. MAGNANIMITY
Take a broad view of
things. Ignore the faults of others: Be great and noble-minded in whatever you
do. Avoid silly talk and childish prattle. Let not the mind dwell on little
things and insignificant things.
16. CHARITY
Give, give and give.
This is the secret of abundance. Radiate thoughts of goodness and love. Forgive
the faults of others. Bless the man who injures you. Share what you have with
others. Disseminate spiritual knowledge to one and all. Use the material
wealth, knowledge and spiritual wisdom that
you possess as a divine trust.
17. GENEROSITY
In whatever you give be
liberal. Have a large heart. Do not be miserly. Take delight in the joy of
others, in making them happy. Generosity is a sister-virtue of charity. It is
the fulfillment of charity, magnanimity and nobility.
18. PURITY
Be pure at heart.
Eradicate lust, anger and greed. Be pure in your thoughts. Think of God always.
Think of the well-being of all. Be pure in your words; never utter harsh,
unkind words. Be pure in body. Keep it clean and healthy. Let the dress and
surroundings be clean. Observe the rules of physical, moral and spiritual
hygiene.
These eighteen
"Ities" will pave the way for you to march into the
No comments:
Post a Comment