Six Virtues

We talk about life-skills our children should develop while they are in the process of gaining academic knowledge. We talk about self-defense, physical activity, developing skilled observation of environment to avoid trouble, communication skills, interaction with friends, social ethics, respect for parents, teachers, and elders and many more. While they are important for a smooth life, there are some internal qualities that the children must develop that is directly connected to their character development and performing righteous actions.

A Sloka describes six virtues a person should possess to perform righteous actions in this world:

Uthsaaham, Saahasam, Dhairyam, Buddhi, Shakthi, Paraakramam, Shadaithe yathra thishtanthi, Thathra Dheva-sahaayakritham. (Where the six qualities of zeal, determination, courage, intelligence, ability and heroism are present, there Divine help is manifest).

Here are my views based on what I learned about these six virtues and I look forward to insights of the learned people in this forum.

1) Uthsaaham (Zeal) – The western world describes this as getting off the bed with the enthusiasm to do actions and look forward to the entire day of actions. This directly comes from a belief in Self-confidence which is also called Atma-Vishvasam. One needs to have a firm belief that we are a divine existence. This is a driving force for all lives once the mind develops that faith in Self-confidence. The Self inside of us is blissful and enjoys all righteous actions. This develops a habit of performing actions lovingly, selflessly, and skillfully with an enthusiastic sense of fulfillment and without any expectations. This faith also helps one to remain in the present movement without any worries about the past or anxiety of the future.

2) Saahasam (Determination) – Results of an action is directly proportional to how determined the person is to achieve results. Even though results may not be entirely in the hands of the performer, he or she should be determined to perform the action skillfully to achieve the best results. This directly emanates from Will Power (Sankalpa) created in the mind of the Jiva. When the Will Power is combined with Self-confidence creates a formidable power to perform action when it is righteous. Will Power destroys all obstacles in action as it kills internal fear of failure. This virtue also awards the ability to overcome other emotions created in the manas (emotional mind) such as anger and grief. Will Power paves the way towards all righteous actions in life.

3) Dhairyam (Courage) – Courage is a direct result of how the internal tools are managed efficiently by the individual. It is often misunderstood as how one has the courage to perform action or how one can confront a demanding situation. In fact, these are outcomes of one’s ability to control body, mind, and senses. It comes from understanding that there is nothing in this world to fear other than fear itself. As learned people say, one who conquers himself, conquers the world. The one who is in the process of transforming himself throughout life by controlling his body, mind, and senses, becomes courageous in the process. The one who remains subservient to the body, mind, and senses loses the ability to be courageous as he is weaker inside.

4) Buddhi (Intellect) - This enables to discriminate right from wrong in the path of righteousness. The interesting part of this is it is all internal to the individual who performs and intends to perform the right actions. This analysis includes comparison with past experiences, advice and counsel from other learned people and the conclusion intellect derives out of it, and introspection. One must remember information gathered in one’s head is in-formation stage, and only after the analytical conclusion in consultation with Atma, it reaches meditative state called trans-formation stage. Intellect is the closest to Atma and if Jiva allows it to be guided by Atma, he can overcome all the external obstacles on the way as it would help Jiva to overcome trial and tribulations. It helps Jiva achieve equanimity. Buddhi will also be able to control all the emotions coming from the Manas. This allows Jiva to focus on righteous actions, makes Jiva stronger, and helps to sustain his Will Power.
5) Sakthi (ability and skill) – There is no life created in this world without Sakthi i.e., the ability to perform actions. Many times, the individual Jiva comes, exists, leaves without understanding the purpose why he came to this world. Understanding deeply rooted thoughts gives some insight into the purpose of life. Every life is awarded with the ability and skillfulness to perform actions when this life is created. The Prana Sakthi comes with this energy to perform action as it is the duty of Jiva to perform actions which are righteous. However, all the evil qualities one develops drains this energy and on the contrary, all righteous actions and sense of fulfillment one achieves from their actions enhance this energy. Therefore, it is imperative for every life to perform righteous actions to enhance it.

6) Parakramam (Valor) - Every life created in this world can have Self-confidence, Will Power, Courage, sharp Intellect, and ability and skillset needed to perform action and what he does with it is important. When one optimizes all these five virtues, one can achieve valor. When Jiva achieves sense of fulfillment from his actions that are dedicated to God and in the interest of common good of everyone in the community or humanity with the above five virtues, then, divine help will manifest to favor these actions. It will result in extraordinary actions performed to establish righteousness in the world and all such actions will become immortal. Every teacher who came to this world such as Jesus, Buddha, Sankara and Prophet Muhammad are in this category.

 

@hrastro,

I picked it up from the following source:

https://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume30/sss30-01.pdf, a discouse given by Sri Sathya Sai Baba in 1997.

I always like to breakdown in a fashion that I could understand how to practice these six virtues. Hopefully, there will be suggestions from ILites for me to understand more.

Viswa