The cure for tamas - bodily labor
4. Let us take tamas first. In the condition of modern society, we see terrible manifestations of
tamas. Its chief manifestation is laziness. From this spring sleep and neglectfulness. Laziness,
sleep and neglectfulness, if we have overcome these, we may take it that we have conquered tamas.
The most terrible of these is laziness. The best of men may be ruined by it. It is an enemy which will
destroy all the peace and happiness of society. It corrupts everyone, from the lowest to the
highest. It spares no one. It lies in wait to pounce upon us.
At the slightest opportunity it comes and
settles within us. A little more food than usual, and it drives us to our
beds. If we sleep a little too much, our eyes are dull with sloth. As long
as we have not overcome this laziness, all our efforts are in vain. But then we look eagerly forward to
laziness. Our desire is that we should work day and night for a while, and save up some money so
that we may spend the rest of our lives in leisure. The purpose of earning a lot of money is to prepare
for a life of laziness later. We generally believe that leisure is necessary in
old age. But this is mistake. If we lead our life in the right way, we should be working
even in old age. With increasing experience, our usefulness should also increase. Is that the time to
seek rest?
5. We must take good care that laziness has no chance. King Nala
was a great man and was very particular about cleanliness. And yet they say once when he washed
his feet he left a little spot dry, and Kali (the evil spirit) entered through
it. |
