Prajnana Vani
Compiled discourses of Paramahamsa Prajnananada
Prajnana Vani is a series of discourses compiled in our quarterly magazine Sthitha Prajna. The April'08 issue features "Achara and Vyavahara" which emphasizes on how human behavior is an essential factor in achieving success in our life.
We also have the (30)archives of each quarter since the
year 2000. please click the link below to read the archives.
Prajnavani Archives
Achara and Vyavahara
Achara parama dharma
Achara parama tapah
Achara parama jnanam
Acharah kim nasadhaye
Human behavior is an essential factor in achieving success in our life. Parents, family background, upbringing all play a role in teaching us how to conduct ourselves with others. Our relationships and lifestyle affect the people around us. In society we have to live with others. One has to establish relationship even with the nature and the elements. Our behavior and conduct are vital as we create friends or enemies through our behavior. It is said,
Na kasya kasyacit mitrah Na kasya kasyacit ripuh
Vyavahrena jyante mitrani ripavah sthata
How we deal with others socially is known as vyavahara .The spiritual aspect of vyavahara is known as achara. One is known as an acharana siddha if he is successful in his conduct. Acharya is one who lives a life of good conduct in every moment breath to breath. Yogic life style strictly emphasizes on achara. Gurudev said human conduct is unreliable unless the mind is anchored in the Divine. To anchor the mind we have to follow certain rules. In the scriptures it is said,
acarat labhate ayuh acarat labhate sriyah
acarat kirtimpnoti purusah prativehaca
We should be careful of our emotions and impulsive behavior. Living in an ashram associated with life of a spiritual back ground if our conduct is not good we indirectly disrespect our teacher and the teaching. If a child has a bad conduct the names of the parents are blamed. If we are not willing to acknowledge our own mistakes then we are blind.
Those who are intelligent know it when they have committed a mistake .if we cannot see our own mistake it is said we should ask our foes who will gladly point our mistakes.
Even if the teacher humiliates you to rectify your mistakes be happy and do not react even inwardly. Some cannot take the unpleasant truth -apriya satya. Duryaodhana was one such prince. He ill treated even his father if he did not agree with his view.
An acharya has to be particularly careful as he is entrusted with a responsibility and many eyes are focused on him. A student can realize the self by conducting oneself.
Achara parama dharma - conduct is the supreme righteousness
Achara parama tapah - conduct is the supreme penance
Achara parama jnanam - conduct is the supreme wisdom
Acharah kim nasadhaye - nothing is impossible by right conduct.
