REINFORCEMENT AND UPLIFTMENT OF MORAL VALUES

Part 1

DR. HEMANT KAMAT M.D. an eminent cardiologist bases this article on lecture ‘REINFORCEMENT OF MORAL VALUES’.

Every individual struggles to constantly obtain the highest level of happiness – that is, BLISS. But, human life is a mountain of unhappiness. Every morning dawns with the desire that this day should be spent happily. We read the newspaper with curiosity, but the stories of bribery, corruption, scams, murder, robbery, rapes, kidnappings, ragging, accidents, and natural calamities put us into a bad state of mind. Instead of a “good morning”, our day starts with a “bad morning”! We take the bus to office or college – often the conductor does not return the change. We go to the market – the vegetable vender cheats us.

In the so – called noble professions – medicine, education and law – it is common knowledge that persons practicing these professions systematically cheat innocent people. Doctors prescribe unnecessary tests and under the influence of pharmaceutical companies, they prescribe medicines that are not required. There are many incidents of robbery of kidneys and other organs. Multinational companies under the guise of research, introduce medicines of inferior value into the Indian market. All such acts have brought dishonour to the medical profession.

In schools and colleges, commercialization of education, the donation racket, politics in education, teachers conducting private tuitions, students clearing exams and getting good marks (which they do not deserve) under the influence of money – these are the bane of the educational sector.

In the court – the winner loses and the loser dies. Renowned lawyers too, are more concerned with protecting their clients rather than providing the justice. As a result, criminals go scot-free which indirectly amounts to supporting crime. 

When these so – called noble professions have themselves degenerated like this, it is not surprising that other professions and the government machinery are full of malpractice. The person, who directly or indirectly experiences such situations at every step, exclaims “Oh! How society is degraded – how moral values have decreased”. The degradation of moral values is today a cause of concern.

WHICH ARE THE MORAL VALUES?

The way we expect others to behave with us, that itself is morality. Kindness, love, compassion, perseverance, tolerance, honesty, righteousness, fearlessness, humility – these are some of the examples of moral values. Many saints have guided us regarding moral values. Saint in Karnataka – Basavanna has told

• Kayakave kailasa
• Aacharave swarga, anaacharave naraka.
• Dayave dharmada moolavayya.
• Kalabeda, kolabeda, husiayanudiayalu beda, anyarige ashaya padabeda, tanna bannisabeda, iddeera haliyalu beda, ide antaranga shuddhi, ide bahiranga shuddhi, ide namma Koodala Sangamanolisuva pari.
• Praopakkaaraartham idam shariram – paropakaara is one of the best moral values. There is a saying in English – live and let live.
• Gautam Buddha has told, “Desire is the root of sorrow”.
• One has to follow Dharma – Dharmo rakshati rakshitaha.

When born as a human being, one has to follow humanity – Maanava Dharma. This includes pitra dharma, bhratra dharma, putra dharma etc. Spiritual practice – since spiritual practice is the reason for man’s birth, avoiding doing spiritual practice is in fact, immoral. 

WHAT IS THE NEED FOR REINFORCEMENT OF MORAL VALUES?

Reinforcement – refers to protecting and developing. In 21^st century, man has progressed very much in science and performed many experiments. All the gadgets invented to date have succeeded in making life more convenient, but have taken away our peace of mind. Moral values are a plinth / foundation for a beautiful society. A society without moral values cannot survive – in such a society, confusion is created, anarchy develops and society is itself destroyed. History provides us with such examples.

How are moral values expressed? An individual’s morality is shown in his talk and his actions. Behind every speech and action, is a thought related to it. In other words, that action occurs first in the mind itself and later manifests externally. What do these thoughts depend on? They depend on the individual’s vritti (nature) and prakruti.

HOW ARE AN INDIVIDUAL’S MORAL VALUES DECIDED?

As we have seen, an individual’s action depends on his thoughts, which in turn depends on his vritti. Vritti depends on an individual’s prakruti. Prakruti is made up of eight components – hence called as Ashthadha prakruti – the five subtle elements – earth, water, fire, air, and other, plus the mind, intellect and ego and the trigunas in them – sattva, raja, and tama – proportions of these decide the prakruti. 

Those who are sattva predominant are called sattvik – these persons are calm, patient, and stable in thoughts, generous, knowledgeable and forever engaged in spiritual practice. Those who are more of tama guna are lazy, selfish, constantly troubling others and not doing any spiritual practice. As per the influence of time, today’s society can be said to have sattva – 20%, raja – 30 % and tama – 50% - that is the reason for the degradation of moral values.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES FOR THE DECLINE IN MORAL VALUES?

1. As we have seen before, an individual’s vritti depends on the sattvikata in him. In today’s times, an individual’s average level is around 20% (if the level for attaining moksha is considered 100%). The cause for this is a lack of spiritual practice. In today’s times, because most people do not do spiritual practice in a scientific manner, an average individual’s spiritual level (sattvikata) has decreased to an all time low. This is the major cause for decline in moral values.
2. The subtle bodies of follower’s of Charvak philosophy, the subtle bodies of bhuvarlok, possession by negative energies, etc – all these can make individual immoral.
3. Six foes (shadviari) – kama (passion/lust), krodha (anger), lobha (greed), moha (attachment), madha (pride) and matsara (envy) – these six foes have totally enveloped man. They control an individual and instigate him to perform immoral acts / behave immorally. Residing within, they prove detrimental to his spiritual and worldly progress – hence they are termed as foes.
4. Ego (ahankara) – Dictators and leaders of terrorist groups are examples of how the entire society has to suffer due to the ego of an individual. History has thought us how evildoers behave immorally due to their ego.
5. Bad company (dussanga) – one living with a robber or dacoit naturally picks up the same qualities. Today, the rampant use of addicting substances in schools and colleges is also a direct result of bad company.
6. Physical requirements have increased – Through the medium of television; people are today exposed to various goods. Often due to a lack of discrimination, we develop a desire to posses some article or item which is not really required by us. Desires and expectations go on increasing. Shampoos, creams, and beauty products, household items that are not needed, tempt us – hence, naturally, our expenditure increases. When expenses exceed the income, an individual takes to unethical practices.
7. Mental ill health (lack of mental peace) – Amongst those showing antisocial behaviour, medical research has proved that many suffer from mental illness – this is seen in most cases of crimes targeted at women, terrorism, kidnappings etc.
8. Vices – every day, we witness the ill effects of consumption of gutkha, alcohol and other addicting substances on society. We have all read newspaper stories of how youngsters in their desperation to obtain narcotic drugs, have killed their own aged parents who refused to give them money. The violence, accidents, domestic violence and murders that take place under the influence of alcohol are a daily occurrence. Everyone, right from school and college going children to aged and elderly persons, are addicted to gutkha. Sometime back, when the government was attempting to pass legislation to ban gutkha, there was a strong opposition to this move. The opponents included famous persons who call themselves intellectuals and protectors of Indian culture – this just proves their lack of moral values. Although it is known that gutkha affects both physical and mental health, due to a lack of united efforts to ban it, the entirely society had to be sacrificed for the sake of a few people.

Compilers: Santhegudde Cricketers Barkur , santhegudde_cricketers@yahoo.com

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