The guides of right conduct are the dharma shastras or the scriptures, the examples of saints, the Inner Self or Conscience, and established usage. Undeveloped persons cannot think for themselves. Selfishness clouds understanding. Therefore, if a man has got even a tinge of selfishness, he cannot detect what is right and what is wrong. A very pure, subtle, sharp intellect is needed for this purpose. Hence rules of conduct have been laid down by great sages or seers like Lord Manu and sage Yajnavalkya. As you have got neither the power nor the time to think of the moral principles and rules given in the scriptures, you can get the moral precepts or instructions from sages and saints and follow them to the very letter.
Universality is the very root of all morality. Without universality, morality will die. Do not do any act which brings no good to others or which will make you repent later on or ashamed. Do such acts which are praiseworthy and which bring good to you and to others. This is a brief description of right conduct. Moral precepts have been made to free one another from all injuries. Why should a man lead a moral life? Why should he do this and not that? Because man will be no better than an animal if he does not lead a moral life. The aim of morality is to raise man to the level of Divinity by transforming his brutal nature.
We have human morality, family morality, social morality, national morality, professional morality. A doctor has his own professional ethics. He should not divulge to others the secrets of his patients. He should be kind and sympathetic towards his patients. He should not give injections of water and charge highly as for best medicines Although the guardian of the patient did not pay the fees of his last visit, he should go voluntarily and attend the case. He should treat the poor cases freely.
An advocate also has his own ethics. He should not coach up false witnesses. He should not take up the weak cases only for the sake of fees. He should argue freely for the poor people. There is ethics for a businessman also. He should not expect much profit. He should do much charity. He should not speak falsehood even in his business.
Sometimes one is puzzled as to what to do under certain circumstances. There is conflict of duty. One has to choose between alternatives both of which go against dharma. Sometimes you will have to choose the lesser evil and you must be prepared to undergo the results of that karma. One man’s father was in a dying condition. He had no food. He was dying of starvation. The father would die if he was not given any food. Food could only be had by stealing. What is the dharma of the son at this critical juncture? To save the life of his father is his dharma. He stole some food and saved the life of his father. He must suffer for the evil act of stealing.
It is the motive that counts in the performance of an action. Right and wrong are to be determined, not by the objective consequences, but by the nature of the subjective intention of the agent. God looks to the motive of the doer. Lord Rama fought with Ravana. Ravana also engaged himself in battle. But the motives of both were different, though the action was the same. Sri Rama fought in order to establish dharma and protect the people from the trouble and havoc of wicked Ravana. He had no selfish interests. But Ravana had an evil motive.
A karma yogi works in the society intensely, with more zeal than a worldly man. The action is the same, but the motives are different in each person. The karma yogi marches forward towards the Goal or summum bonum, but the worldly man entangles himself through his impure motive of self-interest.
The inner motives of a man form the seed and root of all his life’s activities. If the inner motive is pure, all the subsequent consequences are pure and good. A man of right conduct has ideal principles and mottos. He strictly follows them, removes his weaknesses and defects, develops good conduct, and becomes thus an ethically perfect man. First you must have righteous principles and then you will not fail to do virtuous actions.
A character without ethics is like a saltless dish. There can be no high civility, no courtesy, no politeness, no elegant manners, without a profound moral sense. The practice of ethics will help you to live in harmony with your neighbours, friends, your own family members, fellow beings, and all other people. It will confer on you lasting happiness and final liberation by invoking God’s grace. Your heart will be purified. Your conscience will be cleansed.
There is no greater comfort than a righteous, virtuous life guided by a clear conscience. Acts of kindness, charitable services, and compassion for the distressed are the paths of righteousness.
Righteousness is essential. Do not leave the path of righteousness for any gain. Do not leave the path of morality even if your life is in danger.
The path of truth is narrow and precipitous, but its principles are as precise and exact as the law of gravitation. You must obey the laws or the rules of conduct. The rules are given to you for your own betterment and spiritual uplift.