Bhagavad Geeta 206 - Chapter 16 - Bannanje Govindacharya (16.2)

16.2 More qualities listed by Krishna. Dayaa Bhooteshu - compassion toward beings. Bhootas are those capable of elevation - Every Jeeva is a Bhoota. Some incorrect religions today propagate violence towards those who don't believe in it. But Krishna preaches showing compassion towards all - even plants and animals. Even plants have feelings and react to actions of love from people. Anecdote of Bannanje Govindacharya's female disciple in Mumbai who loved her cat so much that they did rites for the cat after it died like it was a human. Anecdote of Bannanje Govindacharya's father hesitating to kill even bedbugs. Shastras recommend Baliharana after Pooja - feeding animals before you have your meal. Crows come and eat whatever you keep for them. Then one must wait to see if there are any hungry humans to feed before they eat. And at the start of the day, one waters Tulsi and plants. Athithi Satkaara in ancient times - water to wash hands and feet, food, water to drink, a mat to sit. Animals kill other animals not out of spite but for hunger. True violence is only when you do it out of malice. The opposite of this compassion/Daya even towards enemies. The perfect example of this is Yudhishtira. During Pandavas exile, Jayadhrita kidnaps Draupadi. Pandavas rescue her and capture Jayadhrita - Yudhishtira asks to free him for the sake of his wife Dushala. When Duryodhana is captured by Gandharvas during Pandavas' exile, Yudhishtira sends Bheema and Arjuna to help him. He also refuses to go to Swarga without a dog that was following him - At first, he also says he chooses to stay with his brothers even if it means staying in Naraka. Thus, he was called Ajaata Shatru - one without enemies. Animals show more compassion than humans. Anecdote of cow from Bannanje Govindacharya's house that got lost and was captured by another cowherd but it escaped and returned home. Madhwacharya defines Karma itself as service of others (Naana Janasya Shushroosha) - helping those in need. Alolatvam - Free from over-attachment. Both joy and sorrow should be enjoyed equally. Love all people but don't be attached to anyone. Example of a princess in Kashmir who burned herself out of sorrow when her brother died. Example of Kunti and Madri when Pandu dies - Kunti says she will do Sati and die. But Madri says she must die with Pandu - she is the reason for Pandu's death and she isn't confident that she will treat all 5 sons equally like Kunti will. None of them needed to die but Madri was attached and couldn't live without Pandu. Maardava - gentleness. Being polite towards all. Don't speak rudely to anyone - either because of status or because of anger. Example of Yudhishtira who was never rude to anyone. Hree - shame for doing bad. Shastras say at least give charity out of shame that others might call you miser. Shame for bad things is good. These days, it is considered style or heroic to commit sins and be proud of it. Anecdote of a school assembly where a student showed open disrespect to a principal blowing cigarette smoke on his face and throwing a tomato at him. Achaapalam - conviction, not being fickle-minded and being swayed by everything you hear.