SADVRTTA (CODES OF CONDUCT)
- Sadvrtta refers to the ethical and moral conduct recommended in Ayurveda to promote physical, mental, and social well-being.
- The term Sadvrtta is a combination of two words :
- Sad – This word means “good,” “righteous,” or “virtuous.”
- Vrtta (वृत्त) – This word means “conduct,” “behavior,” or “way of living.”
- Thus, Sadvrtta translates to “righteous conduct” or “virtuous behavior.”
- Charaka Samhita, Sushrutha Samhitha and Ashtanga Hrdaya emphasizes that following Sadvrtta helps in the prevention of diseases and ensures a healthy and harmonious life.
- The concept of Sadvrtta encompasses the principles of righteous living, which include behavioral, physical, mental, and social ethics.
Physical Conduct (Sharira Vrtta) :
- One should always maintain cleanliness and personal hygiene.
- Attend to natural urges like urination, defecation, sneezing, and others as soon as they occur.
- Engage in daily exercise (Vyayama) to maintain physical fitness and overall health.
- Protect the body by wearing appropriate clothing for different weather conditions.
- Avoid activities that strain the body, like excessive talking, sitting, standing, or walking.
- Take food only after the digestion of the previous meal.
- One should avoid exposure to dust, direct breeze, whirl wind, Sun light, snow.
- Should not sneeze, belch, cough, sleep, dine or copulate in improper postures.
- Avoid indulging in food, sex, sleep, study, copulation at the time of meeting of night and Sun Rise (Dawn/Dusk).
Mental Conduct (Manasa Vrtta) :
- Cultivate Satvaguna (qualities like patience, love, and self-control) in daily life.
- Avoid emotions like anger, greed, jealousy, and arrogance.
- Practice gratitude, contentment, and emotional balance.
- Control desires and avoid indulgence in unwholesome thoughts.
- Always keep a positive mindset and maintain mental clarity.
- Meditate or practice mindfulness to stabilize the mind.
Speech Ethics (Vachika Vrtta) :
- Speak truthfully but in a manner that is non-hurtful and beneficial to others.
- Avoid harsh words, lying, and speaking ill of others.
- Communication should be polite, respectful, and clear.
- Abstain from unnecessary or excessive talking.
- Maintain a pleasant demeanor when interacting with others.
- Avoid quarrel with good men.
Social Conduct (Samaja Vrtta) :
- Show respect and kindness to elders, teachers, and those in authority.
- Treat every living being, including animals, with compassion and respect.
- Help those in need, including the sick and the poor, whenever possible.
- Engage in charitable acts and promote social harmony.
- Associate with righteous and virtuous individuals.
- Refrain from harming others, whether physically, mentally, or emotionally.
Righteous Conduct (Dharma Vrtta) :
- Engage in activities that promote the welfare of all beings.
- One should help the afflicted and offer support to those in need.
- A person should not indulge in actions leading to social unrest or personal conflicts.
- Avoid accumulating material wealth through unethical means.
- One should not engage in selling, brewing, free distributing or receiving of wine.
- For an intelligent person, the world is a teacher. Therefore one should imitate the world after carefully analysing and considering the meaning of such actions and effects.
- The native who thinks constantly about each day and follows a righteous way of living will never become a victim of sorrow.
- The 10 Bad deeds that one should avoid
- In Ashtanga Hrdaya, the ten bad deeds, known as “Dasha papa karmani” are listed as actions that lead to harm, suffering, and imbalance.
- These bad deeds are categorized into three groups based on the aspects they affect: body, speech, and mind.
Bad Deeds Related to the Body (Sharirika Papa):
These are actions that harm others physically or disrupt the balance of nature.
- Violence (Himsa): Causing injury, harm, or torture to any living being.
- Theft (Steya): Stealing or taking what does not rightfully belong to you, depriving others of their property.
- Unlawful Sexual Activity (Anyathakama): Engaging in sexual relationships that violate moral, ethical, or societal norms.
Bad Deeds Related to Speech (Vachika Papa):
These involve misuse of words or communication, leading to emotional or psychological harm.
- Harsh Speech (Parushavakya): Speaking in a rude, abusive, or hurtful manner, which can cause emotional damage.
- Harsh speech (Paishunyam): Using speech to create separation, conflict, or disharmony among people.
- Divisive Speech (Anruta Vachana): Speaking falsehoods or untruths that can lead to misinformation or harm to others.
Bad Deeds Related to the Mind (Manasa Papa):
These are actions rooted in negative thoughts or intentions, which can affect the individual’s mental and emotional state.
- Malice or Hatred (Para Droha): Harboring feelings of enmity, jealousy, or ill will towards others.
- Wishing Harm to Others (Vyapada): Intentionally desiring the downfall, suffering, or destruction of others.
- Covetousness (Abhidya): Excessive greed or envy, where one desires what others possess.
- False Belief or Ignorance (Drig Viparyaya): Holding onto false perceptions, misconceptions, or delusions about reality or dharma.
- Summarization
- By practicing Sadvrtta, an individual will be bestowed with
- Mental Clarity and Peace of Mind
- Physical Health
- Strong Social Relationships
- Longevity
- Emotional Stability
- Spiritual Growth
- Environmental Balance
- Positive Karmic Impressions meaning enhances our good deeds
- Harmony with the Universe
- The ten bad deeds disturb the balance of Sattva (purity), Rajas (activity), and Tamas (inertia) in the mind and body.
- They create negative karmic imprints (negative deeds), which lead to physical and mental diseases.
- Avoiding these bad deeds and cultivating opposite virtues help maintain physical and mental health, fostering overall harmony and balance.
- Therefore, by practicing Sadvrtta, an individual can maintain health, balance, and harmony in all aspects of life, for living a healthy, fulfilling, and spiritually enriched life as per the Principles of Ayurveda.