longed fasts, were a form of violence (himsa) against himself, by which
he woke up the world to what people were doing to each other.
Many are the holy men and women who have come to remind of
our unity even in our diversity. Ramanujacharya was a great devotee
of Vishnu in the tenth or eleventh century who called upon humanity
regardless of the boundaries of color, race, gender, or caste to experi
ence divinity, by initiating them with the bija mantra "Aum Namo
Narayanaya." This seemingly simple "seed prayer" broke down divi
sions between people by making them aware that the relation of each
person with God is equal. It merely means "Blessed is the Lord
Narayana" (which is one of the names of God). Centuries later it was
Mahatma Ghandiji who united India as one human race in observing
truth and nonviolence, the two sub petals of the yama of yoga.
We should not use truth as a club with which to beat other people.
Morality is not about looking at other people and finding them infe
rior to ourselves. Truth has got to be tempered with social grace. We
are all guilty of complimenting someone on a new dress or sari because
they are so obviously proud of it. Maybe if we had reached absolute
truth we would not do that, but in a relative world, of which we are
imperfect observers, we occasionally make concessions. I have a long
time student who, without ever lying, always seeks the positive in the
people she meets and tries to put a human face on their shortcomings.
This is the sympathy that derives from knowing that she once had great
faults and feels compassion for those who are still struggling. So she
emphasizes their positive potential and does not drive people into the
ground for their inherent negative capabilities. Call it looking on the
bright side if you will, but it helps to bring out the best in others. Truth
is not a weapon to be abused, and the sword of truth has two edges so
be careful. The exercise of the yamas, which are the external morali
ties, can therefore not exceed the culture and refinement of the person
concerned. That is, if I pretend to a morality that is higher or greater
II K S I Y 1'. N (;II 1\