Manasika Sadvritta (Mental Codes of Conduct)

Respect for Noble Persons

• Avoid speaking ill of noble individuals and preceptors.
• Reference: Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 17, Verse 15: "The words that are non-pleasing, harsh, and unpleasant are not conducive to spiritual progress."

Timing of Study

• Refrain from studying during:
  • Unseasonal lightning
  • Events resembling house fires
  • Outbreaks of fire or earthquakes
  • Grand festivals
  • Fall of meteors
  • Solar or lunar eclipses
• Avoid studying on:
  • New moon days
  • Dawn or dusk
• Reference: Manusmriti, Chapter 2, Verse 26: "A student should avoid studying during inauspicious times to ensure the effectiveness of learning."

Importance of Instruction

• Do not study without guidance from a preceptor.
• Reference: Mahabharata, Anushasana Parva, Section 87: "Knowledge acquired without a teacher is like a fruit that is not yet ripe."

Proper Speech

• Pronounce words with:
  • Appropriate accents and morphological symmetry
  • Avoidance of low, high, weak, or deranged voice
  • Correct pacing—neither too fast nor too slow
  • Balanced pitch—neither too high nor too low
• Reference: Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 18: "Words are the essence of one's character; they should be spoken with care and mindfulness."

Timeliness and Meaningfulness of Speech

• Speak useful, measured, sweet, and meaningful words at the appropriate time.
• Reference: Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 17, Verse 15: "Words that are spoken in truth, are pleasing and beneficial, contribute to harmony, and do not disturb others."

Self-Control and Virtue

• Maintain self-control and strive to be virtuous.
• Reference: Manusmriti, Chapter 6, Verse 6: "Self-control is the foundation of all virtues and the path to liberation."

Zeal Without Anxiety

• Be zealous in endeavors but refrain from anxiety about outcomes.
• Reference: Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 47: "You have the right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions."

Mental and Emotional Qualities

• Cultivate qualities such as:
  • Freedom from anxiety
  • Fearlessness
  • Shyness regarding bad deeds
  • Wisdom
  • Enthusiasm
  • Skillfulness
  • Forebearance
  • Religious devotion
  • Positive attitude
• Reference: Manache Shlok, Verse 3: "To live a virtuous life, one must cultivate qualities like compassion, humility, and devotion."

Tolerance and Intolerance Management

• Tolerate harsh words and actively curb intolerance.
• Reference: Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 16, Verse 3: "The qualities of fearlessness, purity of heart, and self-restraint are essential for a divine life."

Focus on Peacefulness

• Concentrate on qualities that promote a peaceful life.
• Aim to remove the causes of attachment and aversion.
• Reference: Mahabharata, Shanti Parva: "The pursuit of peace and harmony is the essence of righteous living."

Equanimity

• Maintain equanimity in success and failure, gain and loss, and pleasure and pain.
• Reference: Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 48: "Perform your duty equipoised, O Arjuna, abandoning all attachment to success or failure."

Compassion and Kindness

• Show compassion to all living beings and practice kindness in thoughts and actions.
• Reference: Ramayana, Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 22: "Compassion is the greatest virtue; it should be extended to all beings."

Gratitude and Humility

• Cultivate gratitude for all experiences and practice humility in interactions with others.
• Reference: Manusmriti, Chapter 2, Verse 18: "A humble person is always respected and honored, regardless of their status."

Mindful Living

• Live mindfully and remain aware of thoughts, words, and actions to ensure alignment with Dharma.
• Reference: Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 6, Verse 5: "One should elevate, not degrade, oneself; the mind is the friend of the conditioned soul, and his enemy as well."

Sattvic Lifestyle

• Strive to adopt a Sattvic lifestyle characterized by purity, moderation, and balance in all aspects of life.
• Reference: Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 17, Verses 7-10: "Food that is dear to those in the mode of goodness increases life, purifies one’s existence, gives strength, health, happiness, and satisfaction."