Maxim # 32: கடிவது மற -- Refrain from harsh words.

ஆத்திச்சூடி # 32: கடிவது மற (ka-di-va-thu ma-Ra)

Translation: Refrain from harsh words.

Rumination: "கடிவது" means "using harsh words and "மற" means "forget." So this maxim exhorts one to refrain from using harsh words. Auvaiyar's exhortation to "forget" underscores the pragmatism behind this habit which has crept into our everyday lives. We feel momentarily powerful when we substitute dysphemism for euphemism. However, harsh words always leave an indelible scar on us, our relationships, and our opponents. Very often we realize much later in life that we could have exercised restraint. Using harsh words proves the vulnerability within us. The fear within us and our impotence often explodes as harsh words on others. Refraining from harsh words will be a big favor not to others, but to us primarily. We all have that as our weapon to wreak a surprise attack on basically anybody and it is this propensity that Auvaiyar wants to ablate once and for all. It is difficult, but then it can be an exercise worth considering. We must not forget to forget using harsh words and that is an uphill task.

Quotes: " Try in thine own experience, each; that ye speak not for one whole day unkindly of any; that ye say not a harsh word to any, about any; and see what [such] a day would bring to you…" -- Edgar Cayce Reading.

Maxim # 31: அனந்த லாடேல் -- Never indulge in sloth.

ஆத்திச்சூடி # 31: அனந்த லாடேல் (an-uhn-dhal AA-dEl)

Translation: Never indulge in sloth.

Rumination: "அனந்தல்" means "sleep" and "ஆடேல்" means "never indulge." So this maxim means that one must never indulge in oversleeping or slothfulness. Our bodies need rest, certainly not slothfulness. It is funny to run into people whose only goal is to secure a sinecure for their career. Once smitten by this bug of sloth, a person's productivity plummets down so rapidly that it will be very difficult to restore it back. There are families, which have been torn apart because of one of the partners indulging in excessive sloth. It is a kind of latent addiction too. Rust formed on iron, if unremoved will ultimately eat into it completely. One has to consistently look in retrospection over one's life to see if sloth has crept into the inner annals. Procrastination is the harbinger of the setting in of slothfulness. Therefore, the only way to cut back on sloth is to sense and nix procrastination from all spheres of one's activities. Attempts must be made to keep one's mind healthy with more activities, if one finds extra time to spare each day. Research has proven that those who are consistently challenging themselves with mental exercises during and well beyond mid-age slash down the risks of being afflicted with Alzheimer's Disease or dementia.

Quotes:

• "You must avoid sloth, that wicked siren." -- Horace, 65-8 B.C., Ancient Greek Poet.


• "Thou seest how sloth wastes the sluggish body, as water is corrupted, until it moves." -- Ovid, 43-17 B.C., Ancient Roman Poet.
  

Maxim # 30: அறனை மறவேல் -- Never forget virtue.

ஆத்திச்சூடி # 30: அறனை மறவேல் (aRa-nai ma-Ra-vEl)

Translation: Never forget virtue.

Rumination: "அறன்" means "virtue" and "மறவேல்" means "never forget." So it is "never forget virtue." In the very first maxim we were exhorted to "desire to perform virtue." Now it is time to be reminded of not having to forget the virtue earned. In a generic sense, virtue is an exemplification of attaining perfection in almost any sphere by a person. Virtue can be intellectual, moral, religious, human, cultural so on and so forth. To many attainment of virtue is a destination, its growth gets stunted. It is never as a life-long journey. Aphasia then sets in and the person is no more able to even focus on the virtue he wants to attain. Opposite of virtue is the vice. Though it may give temporary respite, it has the power to prevail over virtue. How many of us have seen otherwise good people having been addicted to pornography, lewd and lascivious lust of sexual addiction, alcohol, drugs, gambling etc? Any amount of flame can be extinguished by water, thanks to its innate nature. Similar is vice, capable of always prevailing over virtue. That is the reason, one has to always be mindful of attaining virtues. A person focused on virtues cannot be distracted by vices. Hinduism asserts virtue to be the fundamental constituent of the Law of Dharma. Many other religions do too.

Quotes: "Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue." -- Lord Buddha, 563 -483 B.C.