9. Dikṣā (1): Dikṣita Housholder’s Niyamas

Dikṣā is an ancient Indian tradition in which a seeker abides by his own wish to follow some particular rules and regulation described by scriptures and directed by the Guru. There are two types of dikṣā. (1). Common (2) Special. The common dikṣā is for householders and the special (additional) dikṣā is for those who want to remain celibate renunciates throughout their life.^[1]

When a seeker takes refuge of the Guru and receives the vartamāna dikṣā mantra.^[2]

The Guru gives him five vows to enter the satsaṅga fellowship.

vyabhicāraṃ surāpānamabhakṣyamāṃsabhakṣaṇam |
cauryañca sarvathā tyaktuṃ sudṛḍhaniścayā dvija ||
mumukṣavastu vijñeyā sādhāraṇādhikariṇaḥ |^[3]

After a firm resolve of abjuring meat-eating, liquor, theft, addictions, and adultery, aspirants are eligible to take common dikṣā. Svāminārāyaṇa clearly states:

“One who follows the path of unrighteousness is immersed in evil deeds such as stealing, adultery, eating meat, drinking alcohol, changing someone’s caste by force and having one’s own caste changed by force. Consequently, no one in the world ever trusts him.” (Vacanāmṛta Sārangpur 10, p.225)

1. Meat Eating

One has to kill animals to eat meat. Killing is a grave sin. It must be abjured.^[4]

Svāminārāyaṇa has recommended performance of only non-violent yajñas.

“So, one should never eat flesh, even if it is the remnants of offerings in a sacrifice or in circumstances of great difficulty. One should not eat or drink the offerings made to a deity to whom flesh and wine are offered.”^[5]

To prevent one from the bad food one should understand,

“Even unclean food grains and unsieved flour should not be used, as they are likely to contain small insects which may be killed. So, this should also be avoided.”^[6]

No one should bathe with dirty water, which breeds insects. The Mahābhārata declares,

“A man who does not take wine and meat is as good as a man who performs the Aśvamedha Yajña every month.”^[7]

2. Liquor

Mahanta Svāmi says,

surābhaṅgātamālādi yad yad bhavedhi mādakam |
tad bhakṣayet pibennaiva dhumrapānamapi tyajet ||^[8]

“One should never consume intoxicating substances, such as alcohol, bhang and tobacco. One should also refrain from smoking.”

Drinking liquor arouses tāmas (darkness) within. Even if it has been offered to a deity, it should not be taken.

The scriptures state that if even a drop of liquor falls on one’s shoes, the animal whose skin was utilized for making those shoes goes to hell.

“Manusmṛti lists wine drinking as one of the five grave sins. One should never take medicines in which liquor or meat has been mixed or which are prescribed by a physician whose conduct is not known. Meat-eating and wine drinking are considered a necessity in this modern age. They have been adopted either for making money in business or for promoting a person’s social status. But such indulgence is a grave sin.”^[9]

Satsaṅgis should never take meat or drink alcohol.

“Those followers going abroad for the sake of studies or for some other purpose should also strictly observe these rules. Experience confirms that one can live even in a foreign country without taking meat and alcohol, i.e., as a strict vegetarian and teetotaler. So, this rule must not be violated under any temptation of social status, company or material benefit. Observance of this rule holds great importance for obtaining the grace of Parabrahman.”^[10]

3. Theft

An aspirant should never steal. Even for the sake of dharma, one should never commit theft. Even taking fuel, flowers, etc., without the consent of their owners is regarded as theft.

Not returning things that are borrowed is also regarded as a form of theft.^[11]

“Wealth obtained through fraudulent means does not bring happiness. No one should stealthily enter a house or shop, pass through any field or put up in a place without the owner’s permission. Theft, along with drinking liquor, is also considered one of the five grave sins people should not commit. Therefore, none should commit theft in any way.”^[12]

4. Addictions

One should always renounce all harmful addictions, as addictions cause numerous illnesses and miseries.^[13] Intoxicating substances like hashish, morphine, marijuana, opium, tobacco, heroin, etc. should not be taken, drunk or inhaled. They artificially stimulate the body and mind, thus making man a slave of addictions. Guṇātītānanda Svāmi has said,

“The amount wastefully spent by kusaṅgis is more than enough to meet the daily needs of a satsaṅgī.”

Gambling in any form–playing cards, betting on races, speculating, etc.–are also various kinds of vices.

“Vulgar films and dramas must not be seen. Addictions increase our greediness and consequently ruin us. Therefore, one should keep away from these vices. However, if by bad company, one is lured into the indulgence of any one of these habits, then it must be eradicated off by Satsaṅga and the company of sādhus.”^[14]

5. Adultery

All women and men should never engage in any form of adultery. One must not commit adultery either by mind, speech or body.^[15] One should not even look at women with an immoral eye.

Brahmacarya is the greatest virtue and earns the immense blessings of Parabrahman.

“In this day and age, when, innumerable vices arise from men and women mix freely with one another and take undue liberty. These incidents ultimately spell moral degeneration for the people involved. Therefore, today, there is a need for the strict practice of this virtue. Satsaṅgis should never look lustfully at women with evil thoughts and should abide by the ethical codes given. A householder must limit his intimate relation with his wife only, while the other hand, renunciate has to observe the eight-fold celibacy.”^[16]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

APM 2/10/27-33

[2]:

Satsangdiksha 18-19

[3]:

APM 2/10/38-39

[4]:

Satsangdiksha 29

[5]:

APM 4/53/11

[6]:

Vacanāmṛta Gadhadā I/29, 1/48

[7]:

APM 4/53/23-25

[8]:

Satsangdiksha 27

[9]:

Vacanāmṛta Gadhadā I/29, 1/48

[10]:

APM 4/53/11, Brahmasūtra 3/4/31, p.371

[11]:

Satsangdiksha 31,32

[12]:

APM 4/53/13

[13]:

Satsangdiksha 26

[14]:

APM 4/53/14, Vacanamrut Loyā 8

[15]:

Satsangdiksha 28

[16]:

APM 4/53/14, Vacanāmṛta Gadhadā I/18, Vacanāmṛta Gadhadā I/72