Chapter 47

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
  1. In Ashtanga Hrdaya, the ten bad deeds, known as “Dasha papa karmani” are listed as actions that lead to harm, suffering, and imbalance.
  2. 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.

  1. Violence (Himsa): Causing injury, harm, or torture to any living being.
  2. Theft (Steya): Stealing or taking what does not rightfully belong to you, depriving others of their property.
  3. 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.

  1. Harsh Speech (Parushavakya): Speaking in a rude, abusive, or hurtful manner, which can cause emotional damage.
  2. Harsh speech (Paishunyam): Using speech to create separation, conflict, or disharmony among people.
  3. 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.

  1. Malice or Hatred (Para Droha): Harboring feelings of enmity, jealousy, or ill will towards others.
  2. Wishing Harm to Others (Vyapada): Intentionally desiring the downfall, suffering, or destruction of others.
  3. Covetousness (Abhidya): Excessive greed or envy, where one desires what others possess.
  4. False Belief or Ignorance (Drig Viparyaya): Holding onto false perceptions, misconceptions, or delusions about reality or dharma.
  5. 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.