Chapter 234 - Procedure of Adopting Niyama

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Brahmā said:

1-3. When the Lord is asleep, one should offer libation to the Pitṛs with the mind fully endowed with faith, after taking holy ablution.

It has great merit. After offering libations to the Pitṛs and propitiating Devas at a confluence of rivers there a person should perform Japa, Homa and other rites. It has infinite benefit.

All auspicious rites should be undertaken after remembering Govinda who alone is such as accords satisfaction to the Pitṛs, Devas, human beings etc.

4. In Cāturmāsya that is highly endowed with good features, one should perform all holy rites after sanctifying them by remembering the names (of the Lord). There should be faith in piety (Dharma).

5-6. Association with saintly people, devotion to the twice-born, propitiation of the preceptor, the deities and fire, gifts of cows, chanting of the Vedas, good activities of hospitality, truthful speech, devotion to cows and making of gifts are the means of acquiring piety. Particularly when Kṛṣṇa is asleep, Niyama (restraint) yields great merit.

Nārada said:

7. O Brahmā, of what nature is a Niyama? What is the benefit from a Niyama? Do tell me how Hari is pleased with a Niyama.

Brahmā said:

8. Restraint (Niyama) of the eyes and others in regard to different kinds of activities should be practised by a person endowed with learning. Great happiness results from its practice.

9. This destroys the group of six (viz. Kāma, Krodha etc. and their associates). This is highly capable of curbing the enemies. This indeed is the root of all spirituality. This is the cause of happiness.

10. All the good qualities in the form of discrimination, forbearance, truthfulness etc, invariably abide there. That is the greatest region of Viṣṇu.

11. If a person has known this region, his ancestors will have that contentment and blessedness which accrues to one after performing Yajñas.

12. By resorting to Nirañjana (the Lord free from passion of contamination) and by meditating on him even for a short while, the sins accumulated in the course of a hundred births become reduced to ashes.

13. Everyday his exhaustion due to hunger, thirst etc. becomes reduced. A Yogin who practises Niyama always when Hari is asleep, becomes distinguished.

14. If a man is not devoutly engaged in the practice of Yoga during Cāturmāsya, nectar has slipped from his hands. There is no doubt about it.

15. If the mind is restrained even as it is attracted perpetually towards all wishes and desires—that mind alone is the cause of his perfect knowledge and liberation.

16. Effort should always be made by a sensible man in regard to the restraint of the mind. With the mind well-curbed, the acquisition of perfect knowledge is definite.

17. The mind should be controlled through forbearance even as fire is controlled through water. It is said by learned men that all restraint is through forbearance alone.

18. Truthfulness alone is the greatest virtue. Truthfulness alone is the greatest austerity. Truthfulness alone is the highest knowledge. Virtue (Dharma) is well established in truthfulness.

19. Non-violence is the root of all piety. One should mentally ponder over it, speak about it and practise it through bodily activities.

20. Stealing and taking away other’s wealth should always be avoided by all men. Particularly in Cāturmāsya, theft or misappropriation of the possession of Brāhmaṇas and deities should be avoided.

21-22a. Doing of immoral deeds (lit. deeds which should not be done) should always be avoided by learned men. O Brāhmaṇa, one who always acts free from baseness in regard to all activities is a real Yogin. He is highly intelligent. Intellect is his eye. He never thinks about himself (Aham?).

22b-23. Egotism is a poison that is present in the body of men. Hence it should always be eschewed, particularly when the Lord is asleep. A man should conquer anger and greed through (the practice of) ḍesìrelessness.

24-25. Thousands of sins flying away in thousand directions disappear from his body. One should conquer delusion and arrogance through quiescence and calmness. Similarly, calmness should be acquired through reflection and contentment. One should restrain intolerance and rivalry through straightforwardness. One is then as good as the Lord of Sages.

26. In Cāturmāsya kindness is a virtue (Dharma). There is no virtue in the case of those who hate and assail other living beings. In regard to all types of Dana activities, one should desist from violence to living beings.

27. Violence is the root of thousands of sins. So say the wise. Hence men should assiduously practise mercifulness towards living beings.

28. Hari is always present in the heart of all living beings. He who causes injury to living beings is (ultimately) defeated and disconcerted.

29. That ritual in which there is no compassion is considered to be defiled. Without compassion there is no perfect knowledge, virtue or wisdom.

30. Hence, the eternal virtue of compassion should be resorted to by persons with the feeling that the Lord is the soul of all. Especially in Cāturmāsya that should be practised.