Swami
Sivananda the Song of Eighteen “Ities”
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 fulfilment 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 kingdom of God. They will open
for you the gates of immortality. You will achieve great
success in this life itself. A man who possesses these
qualities in a very large measure is a saint indeed, who
will be respected, adored and worshipped by one and
all.
Sivananda
|
