Lesson - 27
Shama Damaadi Shatka Sampatti
The collection of six aspects starting from 'Shama' is called as Shama Damaadi Shatka Sampatti. They are - 1. Shama 2. Dama 3. Uparati 4. Titiksha 5. Shraddhaa and 6. Samaadhaana. A seeker must acquire these six virtues before continuing further in his spiritual pursuit. Let us now try to understand them.
1.Shama
Shama means controlling the internal indriya (sense organ), namely the mind. On account of the effect of the tendencies of the past lives, the mind always gets innumerable thoughts. The mind does not differentiate good thoughts and bad thoughts. It entertains all thoughts equally. The technique of stopping the flood of thoughts that arise in the mind with the help of mind itself is 'Shama'.
Thus, the act of ignoring the stream of thoughts which come on account of the tendencies of the past lives and diverting one's attention towards what has to be done in this life (namely engaging in noble thoughts) constitutes 'Shama'. Strong willed people can achieve this by mere will power. Others will have to strive for it with the help of 'Dama'.
2.Dama
Dama means controlling the external indriyas. External indriyas are ten in number. They are - five Jnanendriyas(instruments of perception) and five Karmendriyas (instruments of action). When, on account of the tendencies of the past lives, desires arise in the mind, these external indriyas will set out to fulfil them. Even though the mind encourages the person to perform a wicked act, there is a technique that can be employed to overcome the temptation. This is called 'Dama' and it comes from the wisdom got from studying the scriptures. Even here, one has to utilise the mental power to achieve the goal. It is interesting to note that the external indriyas are easier to control than the mind. If Dama is practised properly, the will power will also increase and therefore, 'Shama' can be achieved with relative ease. On the other hand, if one tries to practise it ostentatiously, it will do more harm because, the desires which are dormant in the mind will flare up and will completely spoil whatever 'Shama' one has achieved and, at the same time will destroy 'Dama' too. Therefore it is important to practise Dama honestly.
3. Uparati
Uparati literally means 'to rest'. Stimuli such as form, sound, touch, smell, etc., attract the mind and cause bondage. We become attracted to an object we see because we think that there is something very special in it. When discrimination dawns on us and when we realise that they are not permanent and that indulging in such attraction will only bring misery, we will no more be attracted by them. Consequently, the sense organs will stop running behind them. Such a recess of the sense organs is called Uparati.
When Dama is practised with the help of Uparati achieved by the power of discrimination, it leads us to 'Shama'. On the other hand, if Dama is practised either out of fear or for the sake of acquiring some supernatural power, it will cause more harm than good.
For example, a thief, who refrains from stealing when a police officer is around, will go back to his old habit once he sees an innocuous victim. The demons who undertake intense tapas by forcefully suppressing the sense organs and the mind to appease Lord Brahma will ultimately turn out to become terrible tormentors.
Therefore, only when Dama is practised with the help of Uparati, it will yield favourable results.
4. Titiksha
Titiksha means tolerance. When man is exposed to sorrow and other undesirable situations, he will naturally try to look for a suitable remedy. The pursuit of remedial measures will often prompt him to resort to wrong methods and thereby man commits sins. One who realises that it is not possible for one to escape the karmas of the past lives and when one realises - with the help of discrimination - that the miseries of today are in fact the consequence of the sins committed in the previous lives, one will refrain from resorting to wrong methods. When one realises that the world one sees is impermanent, trivial and unreal, one will understand that sorrow is as meaningless as pleasure in this mortal world. Then one will neither try to gratify sense pleasures nor try to overcome miseries brought about by the sense organs. This condition is called as Titiksha.
Titiksha makes way to Uparati.
5. Shraddhaa
Shraddhaa means conviction or faith. It is now clear that the first four aspects are achieved with the help of discrimination. Discrimination in turn, comes from the knowledge of scriptures. Those who teach us the scriptures are Gurus. Only when we have unflinching faith, we can understand those aspects properly. We will be able to experience them too. Therefore, Shraddhaa or faith is the basis of the above four aspects.
We experience different feelings. For example, feelings such as 'this body is mine' and 'I am this body'- both are experienced by us (this is a paradoxical thinking because that which belongs to us should always be different from us). When we set out to analyse these experiences and find out the truth, sometimes the words of the scriptures and Gurus may seem absurd. But if we have faith in their words and analyse properly, we will realise the absurdity in our thinking. Eventually, we will realise that the teachings of the scriptures and Gurus are true. Before this truth is realised, if we start doubting the validity of the scriptures and the Gurus, we will be compounding our problems. Therefore, only when we firmly believe that the words of the scriptures and Gurus are true and that our doubts are purely due to our ignorance, we will qualify to experience Truth. Such a steadfast faith is called Shraddhaa.
6. Samaadhaana.
Samaadhaana means single pointed concentration. Normally, one concentrates hard when one is subjected to fear, desire etc. For example, examination fear makes the student to concentrate on his studies. This can not be called as Samaadhaana. By constantly asking ourselves 'What is our real nature?', 'What is the real nature of this creation?' etc., we will gradually lose interest in worldly affairs. We will then naturally develop concentration on the ultimate Truth. This is called Samaadhaana.
Samaadhaana comes from the past tendencies which have been carried by us during this birth. Samaadhaana will increase the power of discrimination. Increased power of discrimination will further foster Samaadhaana. These two enhance Shraddhaa (faith). Shraddhaa and Samaadhaana will help achieve Titiksha. Titiksha bestows Uparati and Uparati in turn will cause Dama, which ultimately bring about Shama.
The collection of these six virtues is called as Shama Damaadi Shatka Sampatti (a treasure of six virtues). Acquiring these constitutes the third step in Sadhana. The fourth step is Mumukshutva.
(Continues)