Liberating Activities are – (In our previous topic we did speak of yajna dana
tapa and kriya and kriya being yajna dana and tapa)
We will add more points in other words
summarise it give it in this quarter
Yajna/Sacrifice
Of sacrifices, the sacrifice performed according to the
directions of scripture, as a matter of duty, by those who desire no reward, is
of the nature of goodness.
Dan/Charity
Charity given out of duty, without expectation of return,
at the proper time and place, and to a worthy person is considered to be in the
mode of goodness.
Tapa /Austerity (threefold-austerity
of the body, austerity of the tongue, and austerity of the mind)
In the Seventeenth Chapter of the Gita
Lord Krishna says that austerity is basically threefold-austerity of the body,
austerity of the tongue, and austerity of the mind.
"This threefold austerity, performed with transcendental faith by persons
not expecting material benefits but engaged only for the sake of the Supreme,
is called austerity in goodness."
Three kinds of austerities in the mode
of goodness (Body, Mind & Speech)
Austerity of Body
Austerity of the body consists in
worship of the Supreme Lord, the brahmanas, the spiritual master, and superiors
like the father and mother, and in cleanliness, simplicity, celibacy and
nonviolence.
Austerity of Mind
Satisfaction, simplicity, gravity,
self-control, and purification of one's existence are the austerities of the
mind.
To concentrate the mind, one must
observe a life of celibacy and not fall down. One must undergo the austerity of
voluntarily giving up sense enjoyment. One must then control the mind and
senses, give charity, be truthful, clean and nonviolent, follow the regulative principles
and regularly chant the holy name of the Lord. Thus a sober and faithful person
who knows the religious principles is temporarily purified of all sins
performed with his body, words and mind. These sins are like the dried leaves
of creepers beneath a bamboo tree, which may be burned by fire although their
roots remain to grow again at the first opportunity.
Austerity of Speech
Austerity of speech consists in
speaking words that are truthful, pleasing, beneficial, and not agitating to
others, and also in regularly reciting Vedic literature.
When
one is bound by affection for one's wife, one is attached to sexual desires
that are very difficult to overcome. Therefore, according to Vedic
civilization, one must voluntarily leave his so-called home and go to the
forest. Pancasordhvam vanam vrajet. Human life is meant for such tapasya, or
austerity. By the austerity of voluntarily stopping sex life at home and going
to the forest to engage in spiritual activities in the association of devotees,
one achieves the actual purpose of human life.
Speaking for a higher cause and remaining silent for a higher cause
Kriya should be (Yajna, Dana & Tapa)
From the beginning of creation, the three words om tat sat were used to indicate the Supreme Absolute Truth. These three symbolic representations were used by brahmanas while chanting the hymns of the Vedas and during sacrifices for the satisfaction of the Supreme.
Therefore,
transcendentalists undertaking performances of sacrifice, charity and penance
in accordance with scriptural regulations begin always with ‘om,' to attain the
Supreme.
Without desiring
fruitive results, one should perform various kinds of sacrifice, penance and
charity with the word ‘tat.' The purpose of such transcendental activities is
to get free from material entanglement.
The Absolute Truth is
the objective of devotional sacrifice, and it is indicated by the word ‘sat.'
The performer of such sacrifice is also called ‘sat,' as are all works of sacrifice,
penance and charity which, true to the absolute nature, are performed to please
the Supreme Person, O son of Prtha.
Chanting of the Holy Name (Yuga Dharma - Sankirtan
Yajna, Giving the Holy name, Prasadam, Krsna... to all and that is the tapasya
that we need to perform)
Note:
We may practice the 'austerity of the
body' by forcing our body to rise early and go to the full Morning Program
every day.
'Austerity of the mind' may be done by
reading Srila Prabhupada's books every day to learn the art of caring and
leading others, and being a good example; also thinking always of doing good to
others and how to help them start or develop their spiritual life.
'Austerity of speech may be practiced
by making sure that we speak uplifting and wise words, based on sastra and
emanating love, patience and care. One has to genuinely want to help others,
otherwise they will feel it when we speak to them. "I don't care how much
you know until I know how much you care."
Daily conscious practice of these
austerities will give us leadership strength in many challenges that we
encounter. And above all, attentive chanting of 16 rounds every day (no
'preaching excuses') is the most important purificatory and empowering
austerity. These austerities are purifying for the intelligence and so one can
serve with the help of spiritual intelligence.
Action: Remember from time to time that
'Austerity is the wealth of the brahmanas.' And try to apply it intentionally.
Dharma of the GrossBody
Eating
Sleeping
Mating
Defending
Dharma of the Subtle Body
Dharma of the Mind
Thinking
Feeling
Willing
Accepting
Rejecting
Dharma of the Intelligence
Discrimination
Doubt
Ascertaining the nature of objects
Dharma of False Ego
I, Me & Mine
Also refer the previous summary of this subject
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