Aparigraham (Non-possessiveness) Part 2 of 3

The Essence of Volume 1 Chapter 20

Aparigraham( Non – possessiveness) Part 2 of 3

Om Sri Gurubhyo namaha!!!

Our government can facilitate to develop good qualities like devotion in people. In a scenario filled with devotion, there would be no need for society to say that morality is dead no necessity to use brutal force on public and to waste money on unnecessary law enforcement activities. We seem to have got freedom even before we realized the real meaning of what freedom is all about. It is the same as holding the tail first, the last part, leaving all other parts.

As long as we think that an elected government should not involve in propagation of devotion and delink Constitution from devotion, the governments will continue to face difficulties and also make wasteful expenditure on governance.

Why do we say devotion to God is important? So that every person strives to realize the Reality and become free from rebirth. Yama is the first principle in such an effort and Aparigraha is the most important aspect which says that humans should not use or possess more than what is required as a bare necessity.

“Chayaa toyam vasanam asanam” is what our elders said. Our body requires food, drinking water, a hut for living and clothing. These are the four most important necessities for survival of humans and all of them come from Mother Earth. Drinking water comes from Earth; material required for house construction comes from Earth; food, cotton, etc., all come from Earth and last but not the least we too come from Earth.

The natural resources have to be used sparingly. Clothing is needed for protection of individual dignity or respect and cotton clothes will serve that purpose. What is the use of wearing costly silk clothes for the sake of pomposity? Is there any reason other than assuming that we are respected only if we wear such clothes? Can anybody say that our honor is protected only if such costly clothes are worn?

With the amount spent by one rich family on such costly clothing, at least 10 poor families will get enough ordinary clothing. Silk clothes worn for pageantry earns us sin as thousands of worms are killed for making them. As far as possible we should use clothing made from non-violent forms and should be as normal as worn by any other individual.

                                                                         (to be concluded)

Om tat sat !!!                                                      

Om Santhi ! Santhi! Santhihi !!!