Six evils and bliss

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Dr Venganoor Balakrishnan [1]

Sages of ancient India have pointed out the six evils that can sully a person’s character and cut short longevity.
In the celebrated epic Mahabharata, the sagacious Vidur refers to them while answering a question raised by King Dhritarashtra.
In all the four Vedas, a human being is attributed to have a life of 100 years. But people don’t usually live up to that age and that was what confused the king.
Vidur then pointed out to him that six sharp-edged weapons keep cutting short man’s life. They are: athimaanam (excess of pride), athivadam (unnecessary disputes), athyagam (lack of sacrificing mentality), krodham (wrath), mithradroham (doing harm to friends) and atinavidhanasa (being self centred).
Death doesn’t kill people before they reach the allotted hundred years, it’s these six weapons together that kill man. Once a person overcomes the influence of these evils, he can enjoy a longer span of life in good health and devoid of diseases.
As per our tradition, kama, krodh and ajnana (lust, wrath and ignorance) are unforgivable sins that bring about worries in our life. No one’s life will be smooth unless one is cured of these evils.
But this is easier said than done. Modern life is devoid of virtues and hence there is no scope for a person to live a long life. Both, the body and mind of human beings have become impure. Spirituality that ennobles human life on earth is no longer at work. Ethics have vanished from every field.
Kama or lust makes us run after money, wine and women. We forget our duty towards wife and children. We shirk our responsibilities and live in the most unethical and immoral way.
Krodh or wrath also spoils relationships and generates hatred and hostility. Everything one builds up over a lifetime gets lost instantly as this evil emotion sets in.
Ajnana means surrending to maya or illusion. You take the unreal for real. So long as ajnana exists in you, you will stay away from Supreme Knowledge, or Brahmajnana. Once you get Brahmajnana, your aatman is released from all bondages and you get moksha.
Aatmaanam pasebhyo mochayati iti moksha (Since the aatman is released from bondages, it is moksha or salvation).
A good and healthy life is not at all possible so long as kama, krodha and ajnana pervade us. Hence we should cure ourselves of these vices to enjoy happiness and attain salvation ultimately.
Every person wants to enjoy incessant joy in life. But there is no short cut to this. Live an ethical life and observe your duties unfailingly.
One may have lust for money, gold or sex. All these give momentary joy, but cause immense cares and worries in the long run. One cured of lust for material possessions alone can enjoy bliss.
Bliss is a higher level of joy. It is heavenly. Only those who have acquired the Supreme Knowledge, Brahmajnana, can experience bliss incessantly.

— Dr Venganoor Balakrishnan is the author of Thaliyola, a book on Hindu beliefs and rituals.
He has also written books on the Vedas and Upanishads. The author can be reached at drvenganoor@yahoo.co.in [2]