Morality, a virtuous character, is the very foundation of progress, the very basic need. It grows in the realm of the Spirit. (SSS Vol.7, p. 321)
Morality is the fulfilment of character and conduct. Morality elevates man to a higher level. Morality is achieved through the control of the senses. He alone can control others who can control himself. (ICS , p. 156)
Morality is the corollary to Dharma. Morality doss not merely mean the observance of certain rules in the work a day world. Morality means adherence to the straight and sacred path of right conduct. Morality is the blossoming of good conduct. It is the royal road to the acme of human achievement. The honour of the community rests upon morality. Without moral, a community decays. Morality alone makes or mars the community. (SS Jan 85 , p. 2)
It is only morality and integrity, which entitle human beings to be respected. Students have to cherish human qualities. Only by adhering to the spiritual path can human qualities be promoted. They will not flourish in other conditions. A seed will sprout and grow into a plant only if you sow it in proper soil and water it. It will not grow in a tin can; it will only rot.
Morality and integrity can grow only from the human mind. Morality is the basis for all human qualities. Good behaviour is based on one’s morals. Morality elevates man to the highest stage. Bharat has been the teacher for all nations in upholding the greatness of morality based on spirituality. Morality and integrity are the true and enduring abodes of the Divine. What the nation needs today is morality. Morality must be regarded as a fundamental requisite at all places at all times. A great General said that whether in war or in any difficult situation, one should not give up moral principles. Gladstone, who was Prime Minister during Queen Victoria’s reign, always adhered to morality in all situations. The people had more regard for him than even for the Queen.
Morality can be upheld only through control of the senses. Only the person who has self-control is competent to exercise authority over others. How can one who is too weak to control himself be able to control others? There must be unity in word and deed. Only then can one achieve great things. (SSS Vol.23, pp. 176-177)
In the pilgrimage of life, man has to guide his conduct by certain moral principles, known as Neeti. Neeti is derived from the word Nita what is proper or right. Right conduct is the royal road for man to achieve the highest state in life. When morality declines in a man, a society or a nation, that man, that society or that nation faces destruction. The loss of morality may even result in the destruction of an entire civilization built up over centuries. Without morality, people perish. Morality is the life-breath of humanity. It is because of the decline of morals that mankind today is decadent.
A man without morals is worse than a monkey. Darwin attributed to the monkey the claim; ‘Without me, man would not exist.’ Whatever may be the truth (about the evolution of man from the ape), the monkey does utter a challenge to man in these terms: ‘I am present in the human mind and form. I involve you in the affairs of the world. I make you forget the Divine. That is why man’s mind is described as monkey mind. I am indeed greater than you. I rendered service to Shri Rama. You are serving Kama (the demon of desire). As I became the servant of Rama, Kama became my servant. Rama is God, Kama is demon.’ (M, p. 58)
Jantunam Narajanma Durlabham (of all living beings, human birth is the rarest). Why is it said so? Everybody wants progress, prosperity and welfare of society. There are three main principles through which this can be achieved. They are Daiva preeti, Papa Bheeti and Sangha Neeti (love for God, fear of sin and morality in society).
For morality to prevail in society, the individual should have fear of sin. He will have fear of sin only when he develops love for God. Therefore, it is necessary that man should develop love for God. When man develops love for God, he will have fear of sin and will adopt right path in life. A man without morality cannot be called a human being in the real sense of the term. But modern man is immersed over head and ears in sin. Then, how can he have love foe God? One can have love for God only when one fears sin. Man should, in fact, consider Daiva preeti, Papa Bheeti and Sangha Neeti as the three main limbs like feet stomach and head.
Due to absence of fear of sin and love for God, humanness has declined in human beings. This is detrimental to universal peace. (Telugu Poem)
Daiva preeti, Papa Bheeti and Sangha Neeti are interdependent. Man will have fear of sin when he develops love for God. He will develop morality when he has fear of sin. Conversely, a man devoid of morality will have no fear of sin and a man who has no fear of sin can have no love for God. Man desires to have many things in life; he performs many types of yoga, meditation and penance. But all these are useless if he lacks fear of sin. Therefore, for morality in society, the individual should have fear of sin. He can earn respect and attain a place of honour in society only when he has morality. No society can exist without morality. Therefore, we should spread morality in society. The society which is based on morality will promote love for God. On the other hand, if society is without moral base, there will be neither fear of sin in its members nor love for God. Therefore, it is the foremost duty of man to safe guard morality. (SSS Vol.42, pp. 70-71)
Due to the impact of Kali Age, there may be charges in the feelings of some individuals, but by and large their hearts are pure. They still follow the Vedic injunctions, Satyam vada, Dharmam chara, (speak truth, practise righteousness). They respect their elders and serve them with love. The main reason for this is their love for God. Because this is the land where people have love for God, they are afraid of committing any sin, thinking, ‘What will be the result if I commit sin?’ Those who have love for God will have fear of sin. Where there is fear of sin, there is morality in society. Morality is very essential for the progress of society. People will say, ‘He is a good person. We should respect him.’ Since ancient times, people who uphold morality have been respected, extolled and given a place of honour in society. Only the one with morality can be called a true human being. It is necessary for all to observe ethics and morality in life, the basic principles of which are speak truth, practise righteousness. (SS Nov 09, p. 342)
Today you need to develop morality. If you have morality, it should reflect in life. You should follow the principles of Daiva Preeti, Papa Bheeti and Sangha Neeti (love for God, fear of sin and morality in society, considering them as your goal of life. Therefore, oh people! Do not deviate even a bit from the path of morality. One bereft of morality cannot be called a human being at all. Such a person becomes unfit to live in society. Only the one who observes morality can lead a virtuous life. You should develop humility life and obedience. This the ideal set by Bali for people to follow. Your life will become worthwhile if you adhere to this ideal. (SS Nov 09, p. 345)
Now a days youth are reluctant to wear Vibhuti on their foreheads and participate in Nagar sankirtan. They go forward quite willingly and openly for indulging in wicked deeds but feel shy to participate in singing the glory of God. They revel in singing cinema songs of low taste while they fight shy to sing the Divine Names. To spend life in such unholy pursuits is a wasteful exercise and will not bring credit. Morality is the backbone of the community and a society of people bereft of moral values is worse than the jungle infested by wild animals. Even beasts have season and reason while man has lost both. (SSS Vol.30, p. 150)