[Chaturamnaya] Jagadguru Speaks: Never Act in Haste

[S Jayanarayanan]

(Around the beginning of the month, a nugget of Wisdom from the Jagadguru may be posted
on the Chaturamnaya list : http://lists.advaita-vedanta.org/cgi-bin/listinfo/chaturamnaya )
 
 
To ensure progress and welfare in one's life, certain virtues must 
be cultivated, namely, speaking the truth, associating with noble 
persons (satsanga) and engaging in Dharmic (righteous) activities. 
It is also important that man should embark on any action witha 
calm frame of mind, never hastily—and only after careful 
consideration of its consequences. 
 
However, many people impulsively plunge into actions, 
completely unmindful of consequent effects. Engaging in such 
hasty actions, through word or deed, will only end in trouble. 
 
For instance, when we rebuke an employee with harsh words, or 
even suddenly terminate his job solely based on hearsay, it will 
deeply hurt him and even break his heart. 
 
Further, if the aggrieved person decides to avenge the misdeed, 
the problems will multiply. 
 
One must not engage in such actions. Any action done in haste, 
and without due consideration of consequences, could result in 
grave hardship and unnecessary perplexities. 
 
A person endowed with the sense of discrimination (viveki) must 
engage in action only after having sought the advice of elders and 
also careful consideration of the consequences of his word and 
action. All prosperity and welfare will befall only sucha 
discerning person. 
 
सहसा विदधीत न क्रियामविवेकः परमापदां पदम्‌ ।
वृणते हि विमृश्यकारिणं गुणलुब्धाः स्वयमेव सम्पदः ॥
 
Our blessings for all to understand this well and lead their lives 
in peace.