Ayurveda is an ancient science that guides you in maintaining a healthy mind and body. There are many secrets in Ayurveda knowledge for the happy living. There is a separate chapter called Sadvritta i.e good conduct or ethical regimen for the balanced state of life.
These are the simple moral principles and the right conduct that is applicable to all people of all the times and place. If we violate or ignore these guidelines, we are going to suffer ultimately. Prevention is better than cure.
Let’s read about what Ayurveda details about the ethical conduct.
- Always speak the truth.
- Do not get addicted to anything or sensory pleasure
- Never harm anyone
- Let’s control our passion
- Meditate every day for revitalizing your mind
- Observe cleanliness in all things.
- Be patient and observe self-control.
- Devote yourself to service the god, to elders and be respectable to everyone.
- Avoid irregularity in daily activities.
- Consume foods of Satvic nature (Fresh cooked foods, light and easily digestible, purest quality of mind) quality. Do not take overdose of spicy, non-vegetarian food or consume alcohol.
Unethical conduct according to Auyrvedic Satvritta includes,
- Himhsa (causing injury, torture etc.)
- Asteya (stealing, robbing, burglary, injuring a person to steal, etc)
- Anyathakma (unlawful sex activity)
- Paiushunya (abusive or harsh speech)
- Anartavacana / Parusha-anyatam (scolding, speaking lie),
- Sathbhinnalapam (speech causing dissension, separation, breaking of company)
- Vyapada (quarrel, intention of harming),
- Abhidya (jealousy, not tolerating good of others)
- Viparyaya (finding fault, misunderstanding, faithlessness etc. with scriptures, elders etc.
These ten sins pertaining to the body, speech and mind should be avoided.
Sadvritta
What determines a personality of an individual? Physical appearance? The dress he or she wears? The accessories and personal belongings he or she depicts? Merely wearing expensive clothes and high-quality pricey gadgets or jewelry won’t determine a good conduct or personality of an individual.
An individual’s personality is purely enhanced and depicted by the good conduct and moral behavior. Physical appearance, although important is always secondary. The behavior and conduct include both personal and social conduct. Conducting a self-review can be really helpful in analysis and judging by the conduct and behavior.
Ayurveda has detailed about the good conduct, morals and ethical practices under the topic, ‘Sadvritta.’ Let us see an elaborate discussion about the personal and social behavior that every individual should maintain.
Good behavior award good health. It provides the great sense of control over our senses and desires. When you behave socially well in a common place, you can control your senses. Immoral conduct leads to lack of senses. For instance, misbehaving to a woman. However, good conduct is not a term that limits behavior. It includes self-discipline and self-control.
Ayurveda classifies developing Sadvritta qualities into five categories.
Ethical conduct: Developing an overall self-control and behavior
Social Conduct: Having the good behavior and moral practices in the society.
Mental Conduct: Interrogate about yourself. Ask questions about the purpose of life. Why do you live? Who are you? Connect yourself with the divinity and eternal nature of the soul.
Moral Conduct: Be responsible for good deeds that can protect the self and masses.
Physical Conduct: Good hygienic practices, maintenance of good health, proper clothing, etc.
Self Conduct – The Key to Ethical Conduct and Good Behavior
The daily regime like bathing, brushing, cleaning the eyes and nose, nails, etc also falls under self conduct. Twice a day brushing, bathing twice or once a day, trimming hair once a month or every fortnight, etc comes under self-conduct.
- Do not wear dirty clothes, clothes that don’t fit you, clothes that are not in tune with season and clothes worn by others.
- Choose the footwear that fits you perfectly without causing any discomfort, physical structure of the foot, seasonal influence, climatic condition and the nature of job.
- Have sufficient sleep. Sleep and wakeup at regular times.
- Regulate the eating times and eat only when you are hungry. Have pleasant mindset when you eat.
- Neither cook food nor serve food when you have negative thoughts. Clean the utensils and cooking accessories well before cooking. Take the bath before cooking.
- Avoid eating stale food or foods that are not appropriate to the season.
Social Conduct, Moral Behavior, and Good Deeds – Behave Well Socially
- Don’t throw away garbage, waste products, leftover foods etc on streets, in public places, etc.
- Cover your mouth before cough, sneeze, yawn and laugh.
- Do not pick teeth or finger your ear or nose in public. Clean your nose or ears or teeth while you take the bath.
- Give respect to everyone and be respectable. Show up courteous attitude to women, children, elderly people, physically challenged people, etc.
- Do not be jealous of others. Everyone has their own talents.
- Don’t make fun of people with low power than you.
- Do not let someone dominate you in the case of being an unknown person or when you don’t rely on the person. Do not dominate others.
- Abstain from speaking lies, don’t be greedy, avoid gossiping, unwanted criticism, enmity and ill-commenting.
- Avoid bad company.
In short we can say that these rules have been laid down to ensure personal hygiene, mental peace, and good interpersonal relations.
Being kind to others, taking good care of self and others, having a balanced state of mind and body, behaving well, etc induces a positive influence. It helps you lead a healthy and fulfilling life.
