Yasha Prashna Talks, Mysore, 2017
Yakṣa asks :
What is daya?
Answer:
“Desiring happiness for all, the welfare of all.”
Daya = Mercy, Kindness.
What is welfare? Real welfare for an individual is Realization. All other welfare may go. So, is that the real welfare?
Real welfare, daya, is to think about whether one’s help may be used for another’s Realization. Other forms of help may be misused.
Traditionally in Ayurveda all medicines are holding the intention to attend the problem from both a timely perspective, as well as to support the system to be prepared for Realization. It is understood in yoga, that if humans are too selfish, then Ayurvedic herbs, etc., will vanish from this earth.
If human dharma is well established, the support of nature and this universe will be there. Without dharma, they will be lost.
If all are merciful, the universe will be merciful.
~Ācārya
I experience an unimaginable peace knowing this principle is active in our lives as we mature on this path. It does take time, it does take falling and picking ourselves up over and over, yet it is the grace of human nature to hold such a noble intention.
This particular principle of daya has far-reaching implications, and demands our honest capacity to witness our own motivations and actions, while simultaneously maintaining the very essence of daya towards our own selves.
May all be supported through this noble action.