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| === अध्यात्मे ॥ In Adhyatma === | | === अध्यात्मे ॥ In Adhyatma === |
− | The importance of samanya dharma in spirituality irrespective of the chosen path is in that it leads to the purification of the mind. The mind is afflicted with various impurities that are generally classified into the six passions: kama, lust; krodha, anger; moha, delusion; lobha, greed; mada, pride; and matsarya, jealousy. These impurities lead a person to commit various mistakes which in turn tighten the karmic bondage. As long as a person is under the influence of these mental passions, she or he cannot make any spiritual progress. Hence, purification of the mind by the destruction of these internal enemies is the very first stage in spirituality. And this is possible only by a constant practice of the various tenets of samanya dharma. That is why Manu Smriti says: ‘Austerity and sacred learning are the best means by which a Brahmana secures supreme bliss; by austerities he destroys guilt, by sacred learning he obtains the cessation of (births and) deaths.’31 | + | The importance of Samanya Dharma in spirituality irrespective of the chosen path is in that it leads to the purification of the mind. The mind is afflicted with various impurities that are generally classified into the six passions viz. |
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− | The role of samanya dharma in any spiritual path is foundational in nature. It is a basic discipline that imparts the required qualities to a spiritual aspirant that makes one fit to practise any spiritual discipline that leads to moksha.<ref name=":7">Nithin Sridhar (2015), [https://www.esamskriti.com/essays/pdf/15-oct-Samanya-Dharma-Spirituality.pdf Samanya Dharma and Spirituality], Prabuddha Bharata</ref>
| + | kama, lust; |
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| + | krodha, anger; |
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| + | moha, delusion; |
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| + | lobha, greed; |
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| + | mada, pride; and |
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| + | matsarya, jealousy. |
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| + | These impurities lead a person to commit various mistakes which in turn tighten the karmic bondage. As long as a person is under the influence of these mental passions, she or he cannot make any spiritual progress. Hence, purification of the mind by the destruction of these internal enemies is the very first stage in spirituality. And this is possible only by a constant practice of the various tenets of Samanya Dharma. |
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| + | That is why Manu Smriti says,<blockquote>तपो विद्या च विप्रस्य निःश्रेयसकरं परम् । तपसा किल्बिषं हन्ति विद्ययामृतं अश्नुते । । १२.१०४ । ।<ref>Manusmrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 12]</ref> |
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| + | tapo vidyā ca viprasya niḥśreyasakaraṁ param । tapasā kilbiṣaṁ hanti vidyayāmr̥taṁ aśnute । । 12.104 । ।</blockquote>Meaning: Austerity and sacred learning are the best means by which a Brahmana secures supreme bliss; by austerities he destroys guilt, by sacred learning he obtains the cessation of (births and) deaths. |
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| + | Thus, the role of Samanya Dharma in any spiritual path is foundational in nature. It is a basic discipline that imparts the required qualities to a spiritual aspirant that makes one fit to practise any spiritual discipline that leads to moksha.<ref name=":7">Nithin Sridhar (2015), [https://www.esamskriti.com/essays/pdf/15-oct-Samanya-Dharma-Spirituality.pdf Samanya Dharma and Spirituality], Prabuddha Bharata</ref> |
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| == References == | | == References == |
| [[Category:Dharmas]] | | [[Category:Dharmas]] |
| <references /> | | <references /> |