The aim of morality

Morality, good conduct, is the foundation of sadhana, spiritual practice. It is not the culminating point of the spiritual march. Sadhana, at its very start, requires mental equilibrium. This sort of mental harmony may also be termed morality. People often say, ‘I follow neither a religion nor rituals; I abide by truth; I harm nobody, and I tell no lies. This is all that is necessary; nothing more need be done or learnt.’

Morality is only an effort to lead a well-knit life. It cannot be said with any certainty that the moralist who has resisted the temptation of a bribe of ₹2 would also be able to resist the temptation of an offer of ₹2,00,000. Nevertheless, morality is not absolutely valueless in human life. It is an attribute of a good citizen.

Morality depends on one’s efforts to maintain a balance regarding time, place and person, and, therefore, there may be differences in moral code. But its ultimate end is the attainment of Supreme Bliss and, therefore, there should not be a possibility of any imperfections of relativity. It cannot be said that the ultimate aim of human life is not to commit theft; what is desirable is elimination of the tendency to commit theft.

Not to indulge in falsehood is not the aim of life; what is important is that the tendency of telling lies is dispelled from our minds. The aim of such morality is attainment of a state of Oneness with Brahmn where no desire is left for theft and all tendencies of falsehood disappear.