The Value of Values

by Swami Dayananda

"The expression of my life is just the expression of my well - assimilated value structure. What I do is but no expression of what is valuable to me." For comforts to be enjoyed I must be there to enjoy them. When i am split with guilt, I am rarely anywhere but with my anxieties, regrets and guilt. When I clearly see this fact, I will see the value of applying universal ethical standards to myself. Therefore, a value, universal or situational, is a value for me only when I see the value of the value as valuable to me." - Swami Dayananda Saraswati

Genres: Nonfiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Ed Akehurst]

The clarity which which Swamiji unfolds the values put forth by Krsna in the Bhagavad Gita is astounding. It shines a bright light on a subject matter that many do not fully appreciate. It teaches to learn the value of developing the values in the Gita. A truly inspirational text.

[Dan Dumitrescu]

All human purposefulness can be classified under four headings: Dharma (ethical standards), Artha (security), Kãma (pleasures) and Mokşa (liberation)

Adhyãtma-jñãna-nityatvam means constant application of the knowledge of the Self in order to conform behaviour to values.
See the things as they are and do not give them any extra subjective value. When objects are stripped of the subjective values projected upon them by me (which they seem to have when I look at them as a source of happiness), I am objective about them. I am dispassionate. This is the mental state of vairāgya.

Therefore, the purpose of Self-knowledge is not to serve scriptural or commonsense ethics (dharma). Moreover, Self-knowledge does not result in the gain of either securities (artha) or pleasures (kãma). Self-knowledge serves the purpose of mokşa.

Then Dayanada explains calmly the Twenty Values of Jnanam from chapter 13 fromThe Bhagavad Gita

[Anantha Narayanan]

At last completed the book. The language is tough, completed only because I read with a colleague.

The book is so valuable in understanding the values one must process to understand vedanta.

[Shweta Ramdas]

It's not that we don't know what fundamental values are, but that we do not place enough value on these values. We are conflicted individuals, and the book offers us pointers to look at ourselves before reacting to situations (respond, don't react.) One of those books I'd like to keep around me and keep going back to from time to time as a wake-up call.

[S. Anuradha]

Excellent book. Highlights the importance of having the value for a value system (in this case the 20 values mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita). Although these values are more apt for those who want to pursue a spiritual life, even a cursory cultivation of some of them can be beneficial to persons from all walks of life.

[Nandini]

Life changing, insightful, practical, wise, very wise.

[Gilberto Schulz]

Um livro incrível que te leva a compreender a importância prática dos valores éticos, de maneira que eles deixam de ser apenas um assunto filosófico, social ou religioso e assumem uma posição de relevância real nas nossas vidas.

[‎]

This is quite a nice book on the preparatory values (jñāna) for the knowledge of the Self (jñeya) found in the Gita.

“Jñāna indicates those qualities of the mind that must be present for the vastu, the truth, to be known.”

It explains the inner conflict of our assimilated personal values, which have been acquired over our lifetime, and universal ethical values.

“Conflicts come when I am unable to live up to a particular value which, consciously or unconsciously, I accept.”

“When I have a value structure that I follow and expect others to follow in the same manner, my values cause me no conflict. However, when I want others to behave in a certain way, but for my own reasons, I am not able or willing to behave that way, I have a problem. When I have a value and something interferes with my expression of that value, I am in conflict with myself. What interferes with my expression of my general values? Individual situational values, linked with some highly desired personal end, can interfere with my expression of general values, when the general values have not become fully assimilated personal values for me.”

An example is how I don’t want to be lied to, but I may, on occasion, lie to another in the pursuit of acquiring more money, for the pursuit of pleasure (kāma) or security (artha).

“When I come to know how well money buys, how many things money buys, I come to have a well understood, well assimilated personal value for money.”

“When a general ethical half-value loses the battle to an expedient assimilated value, the half-value does not fold up and go away. It stays there as an irritant. What I call my ethical values often, in fact, are so many irritants in my heart.”

“My values are universal in content but relative and situational in my application of them. For example, I am likely to apply a value for truthfulness very consistently and absolutely to the words of others; to my own words my application will be much less consistent and quite relative to the situation”

There are 20 values in this book. They are explained in a way to help you see the value of the values.

I would recommend this book to any student of Advaita Vedanta, or anyone that is interested in making their mind more objective and effective.

This book can be read for free following the link below.

https://jnanapravaha.in/resources-boo...

[Karla]

This book is a must and although there’s Sanskrit language it’s worth taking the time to understand it’s inherent teachings. Whether studying Vedanta Or whether you wish to be a good student of life this book guides and Illuminates how to cultivate a value driven life. I keep it close by my bedside.

[Cindy Costa]

Para quem quer começar o estudo do Vedanta é um livro maravilhoso e simples!

[Kimberly]

Great concepts, but talks in circles and too repetitive for my liking.