Page 74 - Hinduism

the light of the house; she is prosperity incarnate;so says our sāṣtra.
As there are good deeds to be performed, so there are also bad deeds to be avoided. So the sāṣtra not only commands us to do certain duties but also prohibits us from commiting certain other acts. Just as the good deeds are calculated to produce merit, so the bad deeds or prohibited actions cause sin. Our seers were not only wise enough to lay down certain rules of conduct but were also prudent enough to warn us from doing- wicked deeds. These deeds are either harmful to ourselves or to the society. One who does not want to lose his merit or acquire sin, should avoid them. A Gṛhastha should not covet another man's wife. No man should cause hiṁsa or harm to another. A man of one caste should not encroach upon the duties of another caste, except in cases of dire necessity. Oneshould not utter a lie. There are various prohibitions with regard to food. Generally food which is rājasic and tāmasic should be avoided. It should not excite the senses and animal instincts. It should not lead to slothfulness and apathy. Liquor and stealing are strictly prohibited.
When there are injunctions and prohibitions, it is natural that there should be omissions and commissions, as to err is human. These have to be rectified and this is done by prāyaścittās or self- purifications. The underlying principle is repentance 74