A Structure with a nucleus in the centre and electrons orbiting around it is called an atom. A sun in the centre and other planets around it constitutes a solar system. A polar star in the centre and innumerable solar systems around constitutes the galaxy and so on. This is the structure of the physical world.

The father as the head and his wife and children around him constitutes a family. An administrator or an administrative agency as the centre and several families around constitutes a village. Several such villages and towns governed by a central body or a person constitutes a country. This is the social set up.

When we examine these two arrangements, we will find some similarities. The macro form of the atom is the universe and the macro form of the human being is the country.

Just as the constituents of an atom maintain equilibrium by virtue of the forces of attraction and repulsion, so do the constituents of the universe. Similarly, the country owes its internal stability to the same values upon which the integrity of a family depends.

Unselfish love is the basis for a happy family. If the parents were to ignore the welfare of their children and look after their own selfish interests, where is the necessity of striving for a stable family ? When we say unselfish, it implies honesty. The virtue of unselfishness can not sustain itself without the firm foundation of honesty.

Honesty is a mental phenomenon. When this is firmly established in a person, it manifests in all his actions. It will pervade all the layers of his mind. Therefore if one tries to be honest in some aspects and dishonest in others, one will ultimately drown one's self in dishonesty. Practising honesty partially is practically impossible.

Honesty totally devoid of deceit of any form is called 'sheela' (chastity). Ordinarily, the word sheela is used to indicate celibacy and virginity. But it has wider meaning. Govindaraja, an ancient scholar in dharma shastra (code of dharma) has said that a person can be called chaste if he has got rid of raga and dvesha (affinity and aversion). It has been stated above that honesty itself is chastity. When we think deeply, we will realise that although these two definitions appear to be different, convey the same meaning. One who has overcome the vagaries of raga and dvesha will be in a position to practise absolute honesty. On the other hand, he who has fallen prey to affinities and aversions will seek to fulfil his desires even it f he has to resort to deceitful and illicit ways. How can he exercise honesty ?

When honesty erodes in a family, the first casualty is the secure fabric of the family itself. Gradually it spreads outside the family and finally consume the entire social set up.

Therefore the following sookti states that all aspects of life - whether in a family or in the society - depends solely on sheela.

Samrakshyate sheela balena nityam

loke kutumbe vyavahara jaalah

Sheelam hi noonam paramaatha bhaage

shvaalamba dandokhila saadhanaanaam

"Every thing in the world (from the family to the society) rests on sheela. When it comes to the spiritual field, sheela is like a stick which aids in walking."

'The first sentence is understandable. But what is the relevance of sheela in spiritual practice?' is the question many people pose. We have stated before that once dishonesty enters the mind, it will spread to all its layers. This is an unavoidable certainty. Dishonesty which has crept in to our worldly affairs will subsequently corrupt our spiritual life too.

The elucidation of Hareeta, another scholar in dharma shastra is worth remembering here. He has mentioned that thirteen aspects make up sheela. They are -

1. Brahmanya (possessing genuine interest the Almighty)

2. Deva-pitru bhakti (devotion for the Almighty and the ancestors)

3. Sowmyatva (gentleness)

4. Not harming others

5. Being free from jealousy

6. Softness (while gentleness corresponds to our mental disposition, softness denotes gentleness of actions and words)

7. Being free from harshness

8. Maitri (benevolence) towards all beings

9. Being soft spoken (to speak in a manner which is pleasing, acceptable, truthful and soft)

10. Possessing gratitude

11. Possessing helping nature (especially helping those who need it)

12. Being compassionate

13. Being calm and composed (qualities 1 to 12 can sometimes make that person restless . This happens when the person does not possess total devotion for the Almighty and His cosmic plans. On the other hand, the person who possesses unflinching devotion for the Almighty remains ever at peace. Nothing can shake him)

Of these above qualities, the first eleven apply both to the worldly and spiritual spheres of life. The last two qualities are like two limbs to a person who seeks spiritual fulfilment. Without the help of these two qualities, progress in the spiritual path is impossible. These two qualities can be developed only when a person is totally honest at heart. It is because of this reason that in the above sookti, sheela (chastity) is stated to be a walking stick to for all saadhanas.

A walking stick helps weak legged persons. To a spiritual aspirant, dedication and sincerity are the two legs. Sheela is the stick with the help of which he walks.

'If the legs are strong, is a walking aid necessary?' you may ask. Here, walking aid does not mean a stick. It signifies the back bone. The backbone helps a person to be upright and to walk unfalteringly. In this way, it is a natural walking aid devised by the nature. The backbone of spiritual sadhana is sheela.