Daivee Sampath - Part 1

Quoting Gita, this blog describes all the important Daivee Qualities in some detail. It briefly covers Asuri qualities too but reassures us that we are all born with Daivee sampath in good measure.

There is a beautiful compact description of Daivee Sampath in Bhagavadgita chapter 16. Within the five shlokas it presents nearly all that is needed. It covers the Asuri qualities as well, as a quick rejoinder. Not only that it reassures all of us that we have nothing to worry because we are all born with these daivee qualities.

These shlokas form the group anthem for our 33 Koti Devata

Group Anthem : 

Shri Bhagawan Uwacha: 

Abhayam satva samshudhi jnanayoga vyavasthithih 

Danam damascha yajnashcha swadhyaya tapah arjavam 1 

Ahimsa satyamakrodhah tyaga shanthi apaishunam 

Dayabhuteshwaloluptvam mardavam hrirachapalam 2 

Teja kshama dhrithih shaucham adroho natimanitha 

Bhavanthi sampadam daiveem abhijatasya Bharatha 3 

Dambho darpobhimanascha krodha parushyamevacha 

Ajnanamchabhijatasya Partha sampadamasureem 4  

Daivee sampad vimokshaya nibandhayasuri matha  

Ma shucha sampadam daiveem abhijatosi Pandava.

Abhayam is the very first and indeed the foremost of daivee sampath. It is the slogan and main feature of our 33 Koti Devata too. It means being completely free of any fear. At the same time it means causing no fear in others. This is the key quality needed for living like a devata. It is the key quality needed for unity. Once this sampath comes in all others smoothly follow.

One of the main fears in human beings has been the fear of death. The fear has been infinitely amplified by our ingenious selfish inventions of hell and such gory descriptions of our imaginary journey after life. In our earlier blogs we have carefully analyzed the problem of death and concluded how death is bypassed by life in reality and that too quite effortlessly by every living entity. Nature has designed life to bypass death. Hence we can easily shake away that fear. We only need to understand that our stories of hell etc., are only stories.

Next comes the fear of the king or the law. This can be countered first and foremost by ensuring that the king or the government is correctly chosen. A government which is non exploitative, a government which listens to you is what is needed. In democracy this can be achieved only by showing unity of purpose while voting and by confirming that the government would do desirable things and would refrain doing things which are harmful to you. 33 Koti devata network is designed to make this happen. Then theft, robbery, cheating etc., are other common cause of fear. These are easily addressed if the government is correctly put in place. Thus we establish Abhayam Daivee Sampath amidst us.

Next is Satva. It means purity in a broad sense. Purity in everything, particularly in thoughts and actions. Here what enters our minds is most important but what enters ours stomach is also important. Those items which are contraindicated have been well studied by our ancestors and it would be prudent to follow their guidelines, as far as possible. However, depending on the professions one is engaged in appropriate adjustments and fine tuning with Rajas and Tamas qualities may have to be made and adequate honorable space in society be provided for them too.

Next is Jnana Samshuddhi. Refined Knowledge is needed in order to be able to be established in any state. While deep and accurate knowledge of the physical world is vital for creating good living conditions, equally important is a reliable and honest knowledge of what we are. In this context an important issue is the issue of death which has been studied in blogs 1 &2. In addition, there is a need to be continuously engaged in pursuit of truth and knowledge in an honest way in all walks of life. In order to make refinements in our knowledge continuously there is a need to express it too without fear or favor which is a hall mark of Devata.

Yoga vyasthithih means being established in yoga. In a broad sense Yoga means union. Essentially it boils down to being able to see unity and being able experience unity. It is a vast area of exploration and practice. One may follow any of the myriad ways which works for oneself. But for those who are busy, the banana plant model, the death bypassed reality and the equality sign, described in blogs 1 & 2 may be adequate and sufficiently rewarding. What more is needed for experiencing unity than actually seeing it all around you?

Dana is to give. First level is giving what others need but you don’t need that much, when you have enough and a bit surplus too. Second level is to be able gift even if you don’t have surplus considering the dire needs of the other as also important to you. Highest level is to be able to give even if you need very much. At least on a few occasions in life one ought to be able to do such a dana. You could recollect and cherish those moments lifelong and experience a daivee sampath wave riding over you. However, in the modern world, it is better to be prudent and avoid being like a Danveer Karna, Shibi, or Bali.

Dama is restraint or self control. There are too many pot holes in the world and there are too many temptations and traps. One could subject oneself regularly to Dama rehearsals using day today encounters with such naturally occurring temptations. That way one can withstand even surprise encounters.

Yajna is roughly understood as sacrifice. In a typical yajna two words are most prominent. One is Swaha, the other is ‘idam na mama’. Swaha means ‘may it be good’ . Idam na mama means ‘ it is (yours ) , not mine’ meaning that I am offering it completely and whole heartedly. Everything that we do in this world can be done with this attitude: with good intentions and wholeheartedly. Then our life becomes a yajna in its entirety and elevates us to the status of a devata.

Swadhyaya is self study and also study about the self. Self study involves life long practice of pursuit of knowledge and skills needed for making life better. Study of self is analysis of one’s thoughts and actions by oneself which enables continuous improvements and prevents downfalls. It also means explorations of the spiritual world in depth by oneself.

Tapa is perseverance, hard work. All achievements in this world are a result of tapas, mental or physical. Devatas get pleased with tapas and give boons. This simply means that tapas is a well trodden, reliable, sure way to success.

Arjava is a very special quality. It is being straight forward. Life becomes very light for and around those who are straight forward. Everyone knows how uncomfortable it is to be with crooked people.