Aparigraham ( Non-possessiveness) - Part 1 of 3

The Essence of Volume 1, Chapter 20 

Om Sri Gurubhyo namaha!!!

The greatest realizable fruit of human birth is to know the ultimate Reality or Truth. If we observe closely, we can understand that the Truth is nothing but God. The moment realization dawns, usage of words like I and Me will no longer linger in our minds. The rivers lose their identity after they merge with the sea. In the same way, once Jivatma merges with Paramatma, it loses its identity. So,as long as the Jivatma is dwelling in this body, we should aim to realize Paramatma and that is the real meaning of human life.
To achieve realization and to understand that philosophy there are certain activities to be compulsorily followed as prescribed in Ashtangayoga which consists of eight limbs namely Yama(moral codes), Niyama(self-purification and study), Asana( posture), Pranayama( breath control), Pratyahara (withdrawing of the mind from the senses), Dharana (concentration), Dhayna ( deep meditation) and Samadhi (union with the object of meditation). The first of these Ashtangayogas, Yama has five steps as detailed below. One who doesn’t take the first step itself will never be able to understand Vedanta or realize Paramatma.
A sadhaka( one who strives) longing to see the Reality should take these steps with great effort to reach his goal. Ahimsa (non-violence), Satyam (truth), Asteyam (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (celibacy) and Aparigraham (non-possessiveness) are the five principle elements of the Yama.
Graham means possessiveness and Aparigraham means non-possessiveness. Possessing more than what is actually required for getting on with life is equal to stealing. When one follows the principle of aparigraham, he gets the opportunity to see Reality and earn the grace of God. Some religions talk about ethics, character and morality as the last steps of realization but Hindu shastras treat these characteristics as tools for realizing sat.
                                                                      ( to be concluded)
Om tat sat!!!
Om!! Santhi ! Santhi ! Santhi hi!!

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