HINDU ETHICS

In the preceding chapter we discussed the question of Hindu rituals. Let us now go a step higher and consider the question of Hindu ethics. Both rituals and morals are comprised in the word karma. The former may be called the lower karma and the latter the higher karma. As I have already said, they are the lower and the higher limbs of religion.

If rituals are the legs, morals are the hands. We are enjoined not only to perform certain ceremonies, but also to discharge certain duties and to cultivate certain virtues. We are slowly to proceed from the outer to the inner-from ritualistic action to moral action, and from moral action to moral character, calling forth more and more of our will into operation.

And when the will comes into operation it is free to ask the question-why should I do this and not that? - Or more generally-why should I lead a moral life? The ultimate question in ethics is-what is the aim of morality, what are its sanctions? 

The Hindu sages, who consider this question go to its very root. Their view of moral life is part and parcel of their view of all life in this universe. Their ethics is a part of their metaphysics. They saw one universal purpose running through all creation-the return of the divided Spirit to its primal wholeness.

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