अकीर्तिं चापि भूतानि कथयिष्यन्ति तेऽव्ययाम् | सम्भावितस्य चाकीर्ति र्मरणादतिरिच्यते || 34 || |
|---|
“People will speak of your disgrace forever. For a respectable person, disgrace is worse than death.”
Commentary
A dishonorable action brings disgrace for many years. Death removes physical suffering but a dishonorable act impinges on the conscience as long as the person is alive and destroys peace within himself. A soldier running from the battlefield brings disgrace and shame to himself. Similarly, the one who permits sense temptations to destroy his body and mind is constantly filled with shame and painful memories during life. In every phase of life, moral courage is required to do honorable actions.
A devotee may not have clarity of the future that he wants, but using his will power as a weapon, he should keep fighting his own delusional mind – its die-hard habits, impressions, samskaras; and also his body – its die-hard temptations, cravings, lusts and its temporary nature of old age and decay. It is not easy to control them primarily due to presence of ego – false sense of identity that attaches to the tendencies of body and mind. Every time you believe in the reality of body and mind, you commit a sin that affects you, your family and all your actions. Be patient, God knows our struggles within. He is aware and He wants us to ‘fight on’ till the end overcoming delusion.
To honor God, Guru, ancestors, parents and elders means to perceive them with a grateful heart, full of respect, devotion and belief that their blessings are guiding our lives. To honor the soul within means not to allow any negative thoughts or feelings to take precedence over dharma or rightful duties.