Day 87

There are three types of violence, untruth and all the opposite values. These can be done by us or we can make somebody else do them because we do not want to do it ourselves or we can agree with somebody who does it. 

They arise from lobha - greed, krodha - anger and moha - delusion. When you are greedy, you make someone else do what you want to be done. The negative principle thrive because of greed, violence, or untruth. 

When a person is greedy, he does not see things as they are. This is also true of a person who is angry. His discriminating mind gets clouded and he loses his powers of discrimination. He is not aware of what he is doing.

So, when you do something or approve of some action, you should check if it is anger, attachment or your delusion which is stimulating you. They could be mild, medium or in excess. They bring sorrow, dukha and ajnaana, ignorance - a chain of sorrow and ignorance. 

This is what the opposite values do. When you are aware of this, you may avoid them and adhere to your rules. There are millions of people out there in the world who are engaged in violent activities. You may wonder why they are doing it. 

It is because they are not aware that such activities will bring them more suffering, pain and ignorance. Suffering is not palatable. It is not pleasing to anybody in the world. Even a cockroach does not want to suffer, not even an ant. 

Despite this fact that no human being wants to suffer, why are so many people engaged in criminal activity? Patanjali said that we should wake up and be aware of this.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji 

PATANJALI YOGA SUTRAS