By Keshab Chand Challa
The compilation of the second part involved considerable labour and was not a work of ease and inspiration like that of the first part. This part comprises texts from the ancient religious literature of Hinduism like Manu Samhita, Mahabharat, Gita, Mahanirvan Tantra etc. Brahmo Dharma Part II enunciates 1. the Brahmo house-holder’s duty towards various members of the family , more specifically to parents. 2. It sets forth the ideal of married life, which is commended very highly. A man is said to be half as long as he is not united with a wife. The mutual duties of husband and wife are enumerated in a number of verses. 3. It also enumerates the duties of a house holder to different members of the family. A very high ideal of responsibility towards the daughter is set forth. 4. It also emphasizes the learning and righteousness for a house holder. He should seek knowledge and spirituality even from youth. It is not by external incidents like that of old age or residing and praying in a forest that a man is entitled to respect. It is by learning and piety that a man becomes a sage. 5. It also enjoins the cultivation of patience and contentment. Sorrows and sufferings are inevitable in life. The only safeguard against them and the true secret of happiness are to be found in contentment and resignation to the inevitable. 6. A number of virtues have to be cultivated like truthfulness, sincerity, benevolence, self-control, purity and courage etc. A very high place is assigned to truthfulness. 8. It enjoins the necessity of acting righteously under all circumstances. Provocation is not a justification for unjust dealing. He is truly good who returns good for evil. Evil should be conquered by good. 9. It commends virtue of charity and benevolence. 10. The virtue of Self control is to be inculcated with great emphasis. True knowledge is said to be the sure means of attaining self control. Anger, greed and envy are the obstacles in the way of attaining self control. So these qualities should be discarded. 11. A number of virtues such as patience, forgiveness, self control, purity, knowledge, humility are declared to be the characteristics of true piety. 13. It also inculcates the supreme necessity of controlling the senses. One should discipline his senses and mind with firm resolve. 14. It emphasizes the necessity of abstaining from unrighteousness and performing righteous deeds. The person who follows righteousness attains happiness here and hereafter. Righteousness is the only thing that does not perish with the body. One should never betake to unrighteous conduct even if it leads to prosperity, for it is only short lived. Righteousness alone follows us to the end.
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