Ethics or ethical science treats
about Sadachara or right conduct, morality or duty. Ethics is the science of morals, that
branch of philosophy which is concerned with human character and conduct.
Conduct is behaviour. Deportment,
carriage, demeanour, conduct, behaviour are synonymous terms. The way in
which rational beings should behave towards each other as well as towards other
creatures is dealt with in the science of morals or ethics.
To speak the truth; to practice
Ahimsa; not to hurt the feelings of others in thought, word and deed; not to speak harsh
words to anyone; not to show anger towards anybody; not to abuse others or speak ill of others and
to see God in all beings is Sadachara. If you abuse anyone, if you hurt the feelings of others,
really you are abusing yourself and hurting the feelings of God only. Himsa (injuring) is a deadly
enemy of Bhakti and Jnana. It separates and divides. It stands in the way of realising unity or oneness
of Self.
That act or exertion which does
not do good to others, or that act for which one has to feel shame should never be done. That
act on the other hand, should be done for which one may be lauded in Society. This is a brief
description of what right conduct is.
Lord Manu says in the Smriti:
“Achara (good conduct) is the highest Dharma, declared by the Sruti and by the Smriti. Thus
beholding the path of Dharma issue from Achara, the sages embrace Achara as the root of all
Tapas.”
Righteousness, Truth, good works,
power and prosperity all originate from conduct. You will find in the Mahabharata:
“The mark of Dharma is Achara (good conduct). Achara is the mark of good.
Higher than all teaching is Achara. From Achara, Dharma is born, and Dharma
enhances the life. By Achara man attains life; by Achara he attains prosperity;
by Achara he attains fair fame, here and hereafter.
All that is free from any motive
of injury to any being is surely morality. For, indeed the moral precepts have been made to
free the creatures from all injuries. Dharma is so called because it protects
all. Indeed morality saves all creatures.
The man whose conduct is improper
or wicked never acquires a long life. All creatures fear such a man and are oppressed
by him. If therefore one wishes his own advancement and prosperity, one should in this
world, follow the path of righteousness and conduct himself properly. Good conduct succeeds in removing the
inauspiciousness and misery of even one who is sinful.
The man of right conduct has
ideals, principles and mottoes. He strictly follows them, removes his weaknesses and
defects and develops good conduct and becomes a Sattvic man. He is very careful
in behaving with his elders, parents, teachers, Acharyas, sisters, brothers,
friends, relatives, strangers and others.
He attempts to know what is right and wrong, by approaching Sadhus and Mahatmas and by
studying scriptures very carefully and then treads the path of righteousness or Dharma.
The man of right conduct always
cares for the welfare of all beings. He lives in harmony with the neighbours and all
people. He never hurts the feelings of others, never speaks lies. He practices Brahmacharya. He checks
the evil tendencies of the mind and prepares himself through the practice of right conduct to
attain the Bliss of union with Paramatman.
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