- All should wake up before the sunrise.
- Immediately on waking up, one must remember God and praise the glories of God by reciting –
tvameva mata cha pita tvameva;
tvameva bandhuscha sakha tvameva |
tvameva vidyaa dravinam tvameva;
tvameva sarvam mama devadeva ||
You alone are my mother and my father,
You alone are my friend and my beloved companion,
You alone are my knowledge and my wealth,
O Supreme Lord, you alone are everything for me.
3. One should offer obeisance (pranaam) to the elders.
4. After toilet and shower, one should do exercises, running-boxing and various bodily fitness activities, yoga postures and breathing exercises (pranayam) and various other physical fitness activities.
5. Every morning, one must with certainty do minimum one round of Mantra Japa with holy beads – ‘Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare, Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare.’ And he who has completed the thread ceremony, must before sunrise do ‘sandhya’ and minimum one round of holy beads of the Gayatri japa.
6. Minimally one must recite one chapter of Srimad Bhagavad Gita with meaning daily. Here it would be good to establish a system of reciting the first chapter on ‘pratipada’ (first day of the increasing or decreasing moon), second chapter on ‘dvitiya’, third chapter on ‘tritiya’ etc. Continue one chapter a day until ‘Ekadashi’ (eleventh day). Now ‘Dwadashi’ recite Chapter 12 and 13, and on ‘Trayodashi’ recite Chapter 14 and 15, on ‘Chaturdashi’ recite Chapter 16 and 17. Then on ‘Purnima’ (full moon) and ‘Amaavasya’ (no moon) recite Chapter 18. In this way, every 15 days, you will complete the recitation of the 18 chapters of Gita, whereby in a month, you would have recited the entire Gita twice. If there are lesser day in the fifteen day moon cycle, then 7th and 8th chapter should be completed on the same day, If there are more than 15 days in the moon cycle, then Chapter 16 and 17 should be read separately on different days.
7. Children must reach the school on time and pay great attention to the lessons and lectures as you would do to remember God. Do ‘Naam Japa’ and remember the Lord’s Divine Form, remaining silent, without much hustling, to and fro from school.
8. You must be present at the time of the morning prayer and praises of the Lord, and these must be done with love and attention; because the time simply goes by, and when the mind is not engaged in God, one does not benefit.
9. It is good to remember-recollect what you have learnt previously and learn and remember what is taught on the same day as it was taught. By doing so, there will be enthusiasm to study at all times.
10. Studying should never be seen as difficult.
11. You must try to be the best in your class.
12. One should become very pleased, on seeing some other student further ahead in their studies, and the sentiments should be – this person is progressing well, and seeing him, I too will get encouragement to study and further my opportunities.
13. One should not be envious of his peers, nor wish that someone else remain weaker in studies, so that he is regarded by others as better.
14. Seeing any knowledge or skill, one should enter it will great enthusiasm and interest and try to grasp it; because eagerness to know and learn is a quality of a student.
15. Thinking yourself to be highly knowledgeable, one should not have pride, because this will be a major roadblock to one’s progress.
16. Regularly one must do some service or the other for the elderly and for those who are poor and suffering.
17. One must not laugh at seeing a handicapped, suffering, deaf-dumb person, committing mistakes.
18. On receiving sweets, fruits or any edible things, one must share with others.
19. Only those things that are acquired ethically must be put to use.
20. One must want to not take anything from others, even though it is given by others.
21. One should not eat those sweets and foods that have been touched by other people.
22. One should not eat any impure things.
23. Anything that you eat or drink, should be first offered to the Lord and then consumed.
24. Eat a little bit less than your hunger.
25. Remain ever joyful while eating.
26. While eating, it is not good to have various feelings and sentiments such as anger, mourning, impoverished, hatred, etc., because when these persist, the food is not properly digested.
27. Before eating, one should wash both hands, both feet, and mouth – these five should be clean.
28. Before and after eating one should definitely take a sip of water (aachaman) in the mouth.
29. After your meal, it is proper to gargle; because when there is food in the mouth, disease such as pyorrhea etc. can come about.
30. One should not eat while walking-strolling or running, and in unclean state and unclean places; because while eating and drinking, all body consumes food from every pore and gate.
31. One must not eat, before taking a bath and doing prayers and worship of the Lord.
33. Garlic, onion, eggs, meat, alcohol, fermented intoxicating drinks (eg. taadi), should never be consumed.
33. Lemonade, soda, and ice must not be used; because from them, the possibility of getting various related diseases are likely.
34. Never consume any kind of stimulants, or even spicy, burning foods.
35. Sweet, salty, biscuits, milk, yoghurt, cream, snacks and savories must not be purchased from the market; because the shopkeepers, due to greed, do not pay attention to the health and purity in the preparation, by which there are possibilities of falling sick.
36. Cigarettes, bidis, ‘bhaang’ cannabis based drink , tea, and various intoxication drinks should never be consumed.
37. Besides food and water do not develop a habit for anything else.
38. Do not chew your nails with your teeth.
39. At no other time should your fingers go into your mouth, other than while brushing, gargling etc. .
40. It is not OK to apply spit to your finger and then to use that finger to turn the pages of a book.
41. To eat any remnants from other’s plate, i.e. food partially eaten by others, or to feed someone these remnants is prohibited.
42. Water from taps in trains, in latrines (washrooms), and such impure water should at no time be used for washing face, gargling, or drinking.
43. Never lie. Always tell the Truth.
44. Never steal anything from anyone. To cheat in exams is also stealing, or to assist someone in cheating is also stealing. One must remain ever careful from these acts.
45. Always abide in the words of Mother, father, Guru, and various elders, and immediately with great enthusiasm complete any task assigned by them. By obeying the instructions of elders, one receives blessings, by which one can progress spiritually.
46. Do not fight with anyone.
47. Do not speak abusive words to anyone.
48. Do not vocalize any indecent words.
49. Do not hit or fight with anyone
50. Never sulk or take offense and also never be stubborn
51. Never get angry.
52. Do not speak ill of others, or backbite them.
53. Students must never laugh or make fun of their teachers, rather they must always respect their teachers, and when the teacher comes to teach, then stand up and pay your obeisance (do namaskar) and thus give them respect.
54. Treat those of the same age as you and those younger to you with love.
55. Speak less, speak with modesty, humility and courtesy. Speak that which is beneficial to others, and speak loving words.
56. Aspire to see to the supreme good of all.
57. In a group gathering, be civilized and cultured, and take permission to move through crowd, walk with humility. Do not brush, push others while moving in crowds.
58. While going in an assembly or for satsang gathering, be extremely careful that your feet do not touch anyone else. If by mistake your feet touch someone, then join your hands and seek forgiveness.
59. Do not walk with your shoes on, in the midst of men who are sitting in an assembly.
60. If you wish to give a lecture or conduct a question – answer session in a gathering, then do so gracefully, in a civilized manner. And while in an assembly or while studying, do not chit-chat.
61. Learn the art of relating with everyone, with much love, so that all feel satisfied in their interaction with you.
62. Do not let strifes and disputes come close to you. Also, attempt to make others understand and happily settle any disputes that they may have, in a loving manner.
63. Never be negligent and perverse in your actions.
64. Shaking your feet, head and body time and again or similar habits, is bad. Stay away from these.
65. Do not insult or condemn anyone.
66. Do not hurt anyone’s feelings and give them pain.
67. Never humour anybody, or make fun of them.
68. Pay exceptional attention to conduct one’s self morally and ethically, have good behavior, and follow the path of simplicity.
69. Let your clothes and jewelry be suitable to the place and community, as well as, keep them simple. Do not wear clothes that are too garish, gowdy, fashionable, and colorful.
70. Do not apply perfumes, scented oils, powder, or soaps made from animal fat, vaseline etc.
71. Do not become a spendthrift, in other words, in your day to day living, eating and drinking habits, in your dressing and clothes etc., spend the least amount of money.
72. Keep your body and the clothes clean and pure.
73. Play ‘satvik’ games that will increase the bodily and mental strength.
74. Do not carelessly play games that involve gambling, playing cards, backgammon, chess etc.
75. If the hat, watch-band, money pouch, hand bag, waste-belt or shoes etc. are made of leather, then do not wear them.
76. Do not watch movies (cinema), drama, etc; because by doing so, not only does one’s life become extravagant, but also many other faults come in the person. One becomes very colorful (in his dressing, moving around etc), he desires to eat foods that should not be eaten, he wishes to commit adultery, and various other faults come, by which his life becomes sinful.
77. Do not read bad books or dirty literary works.
78. Read good books and go to spiritual gatherings.
79. Most certainly read and study the Gita, Ramayan and various religious books.
80. Treat with reverence, Holy books and various other reading books and keep them in an elevated stand. By mistake if the feet touch the book, bow in reverence to it.
81. Set your aim, your goal very high.
82. Remain ever enthusiastic about performing your duty and do the work eagerly and quickly with great zeal.
83. Never regard any work to be impossible, because for a man who is enthusiastic, even the most difficult tasks, becomes easy.
84. In doing any work, regard Lord Shri Ram as Ideal and Exemplary.
85. Believing God to be your “Ishtha” (the Beloved Lord), and being in His refuge (depending solely on Him) at all times, never worry about anything.
86. Do all your work by yourself. As far as possible do not get you work done by others.
87. Always try to aspire to be with men of excellent conduct, and try to emulate their good qualities.
88. While doing any work, remember that God is seeing to all our actions, and He is deservedly bestowing fruit of our good and bad deeds for our supreme good.
89. Remain ever joyful within.
90. Joyfully forbear all the difficulties that arise while abiding in Dharma.
91. All the difficulties that arise, while doing your deeds lawfully and fairly, understand these to be austerities.
92. Predicaments and calamities that arise on their own, understand these to be a reward, a grace from God.
93. Never be fearful of the ordinance prescribed by God and elders, even though it may be against our own thinking, rather remain ever contented and joyful.
94. Do not have pride in your greatness.
95. Do not condemn others regarding them to be small or lowly.
96. Do not hate anyone.
97. Never have the feeling of causing pain to even those who have harmed you.
98. Never deceive, cheat, be dishonest, or betray anyone.
99. Practice celibacy to its fullest. Try to abide in as many rules laid down in the scriptures pertaining to celibacy.
100. Keep your sense organs under control. Let no bad thoughts enter the mind.
101. If you see improper behavior or bad gesture in those who are younger than you, then try to explain to them, or alert their teacher or elders for the good of the child.
102. If you see any improper conduct or bad gesture among those who are older, then humbly inform and alert those elders are well-wishers and will see to their good.
103. Have a fixed daily routine and follow it with great zeal and eagerness.
104. Remain ever resolute.
105. Keep everything in its appointed and proper place and take good care of it.
106. Daily in the evening, during dusk, just like the morning routine, definitely do, minimally one round of beads of ‘Hare Ram’ mantra, and he who has been initiated into Brahmanic way of life, should also definitely do one round of beads of the Gayatri mantra at dusk.
107. To aspire to get rid of one’s bad qualities and conduct, and to develop good qualities and conduct, with a sincere and true heart, pray to God and depend only on God’s power and strength.
108. At bed-time, remember your daily “paath”, Gita Shlokas etc., and while repeating the Divine Name of God, go to sleep.
Narayan ! Narayan !! Narayan !!!
From book in Hindi ‘Jeevan ka Kartavya’ by Swami Ramsukhdasji
Comments are closed.