Once, a question came up in the minds of the demons - 'Why do the Trimurtis and Goddess Parashakti always help the angels ? Why do they not support us?' After much thinking, they realised that it was because of the austerities like puja, homa and tapas that the angels appeased the Trimurtis and Parashakti. Immediately they sent some spies to secretly find out the method of undertaking those austerities. They quickly learnt the method of performing those austerities and thus acquired similar weapons and great powers. Equipped with the new powers, the demons declared war on the angels. When the demons were about to win the battle, the Trimurtis and Parashakti intervened and ensured that the angels won.

The demons were baffled. 'What is this ? We have chanted the same mantras, we have performed the same Yajnas, we have worshipped the same deities. Still the Trimurtis supported the angels. Why?' When they could not comprehend the reason, they went to Sage Brihaspati, the Guru of the angels and asked him to reveal the secret. "There is no secret in this. In fact, there is no classification such as angels and demons; both are the children of Sage Kashyapa. Both have studied the Vedas; both practise Vedic rites. The difference is, those who you refer to as angels, are performing the austerities with the intention of establishing universal peace. They are adhering to Truth and Brahmacharya (celibacy). On the other hand, you are performing the same actions with ego, selfishness and jealousy. Just like the angels, you are also acquiring power. Still the Trimurtis and Parashakti are always helping the angels. The spies sent by you could only grasp the external actions. They could only hear the mantras but could not 'see' the sublime feeling of Sheela (chastity) residing in the hearts of the angels while they were chanting the mantras. This is the factor which tilts the scale towards the angels. If you can also cultivate such an attitude, you can also become angels. Then the question of how to win over the angels will not arise at all !" said Sage Brihaspati. "If we were to become angels, whom do we have to fight against?" Was their dilemma. It is this very attitude which made them to remain demons.

"Although both demons and angels performed the same austerities, why do the Trimurtis attach so much importance to Sheela?" - is our question.

Sheela means good behaviour; goodness in actions. What does this mean? The attitude by which you prosper and allow others also to prosper, the attitude of 'live and let live' is the right attitude. On the other hand, if you perform endless austerities with the opposite attitude, it is of no use to others. At best, it may promote your own welfare. The good spirit behind the noble acts itself is Sheela. To be able to wish good for the fellow beings, one should first cultivate internal virtues like truthfulness, compassion, celibacy.

'Internal Virtues' - observe this expression. Internal virtue is the feeling you have in your mind while you are physically performing noble acts. It is not enough if you refrain from telling a lie. You should be truthful in mind too. Similarly, other virtues like compassion and celibacy should be practised in the mental plane too. They should manifest in your actions also. Only then the noble feelings will qualify to be called as Sheela.

We know that demons like Ravana were not perturbed even when the celestial damsels danced in front of them. They remained calm and composed. But, after the completion of their penance, they took to evil methods and started torturing people. The restraint displayed by them during penance was merely grit and not real restraint. There was no steadfastness or composure at heart. Therefore, they threw to wind all caution and control as soon as their tapas ended. No doubt they got immense powers by performing tapas. But they could not acquire divinity. Instead, because of the newly acquired powers, they became increasingly wild and wicked. Their Tapas was of no use to others. Though it gave them temporary power, it eventually lead them to their own destruction.

It is the job of the Trimurtis to use the vast energy available in the creation for the welfare of all beings. Therefore they are the real protectors of the universe. They achieve their objectives only through those noble souls who have sheela in their heart. It is therefore natural that they always take their side. They do not stop there. They even punish those who disregard sheela and only accumulate power. The following sookti reiterates the fact that Sheela is the prana of tapas.

Tapascha daanam vipulam dhanaadi

sheelena heenam narakam dadaati

Pranena heeno bahu sundaropi

kim pooti gandham na dadaati dehah

"However much rich one may be, however severe one's austerities may be, if one does not possess sheela in the heart, all the riches and austerities will lead one to hell. However beautiful the body may be, if there is no prana in it, does it not invariably emit foul smell?"

The comparison in the above sookti is most apt. Therefore Swamiji always says - 'do not attach much importance to power and greatness. The noble transformation in the heart itself is real greatness.' This noble transformation itself is sheela. There is only one yard stick to find out if our actions are yielding good results. Observe if your actions are instilling sheela in you. Assess yourself with this yard stick and rectify yourself.

Sri Swamiji.