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The Eight Qualities to be cultivated

From the Bhakti List Archives

Mani Varadarajan • May 22, 2002 


Sometimes there are some real gems in the dharma sutras, amidst
all the caste rules and ancient codification of ritual
practices. After introducing the *forty* samskaras that
a cultured person goes through from conception onwards, 
the Gautama Dharma Sutra says:

    Now, these are the eight good traits one should cultivate:
    compassion to all creatures, tolerance, freedom from anger,
    purity, quietism, auspiciousness, courage, and non-covetousness.

    One who is sanctified by the forty sacraments but who is
    devoid these eight qualities neither attains union with
    Brahman nor attains Brahman's world.

    But in fact, one who is sanctified by only a few of the forty
    sacraments but who is endowed with these eight good
    qualities, attains both the world of Brahman as well
    as union with Brahman.

    [ atha.aSTaav aatmaguNaaH /

      dayaa sarvabhuuteSu kSaantir anasuuyaa zaucam
      anaayaaso maGgalam akaarpaNyam aspRhaa.iti /

      yasya.ete catvaariMzatsaMskaaraa na ca.aSTaav
      aatmaguNaa na sa brahmaNaH saayujyaM saalokyaM gacchati /

      yasya tu khalu
      catvaariMzat saMskaaraaNaam ekadezo.apy aSTaav aatmaguNaa
      atha sa brahmaNaH saayujyaM saalokyaM ca gacchati, 
      gacchati / ]

       -- Gautama Dharma Sutra 8.23-25


-- Mani
 
   

       

        
 

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