Priyam ma knu devesu priyam rajasu ma knu
Priyam sarvasya pasyata uta sudra utarye.
-Atharvaveda 19/62/1
O Lord! Make me dear to gods. Make me dear to kings.
May I be dear to all the viewers, be they be sudra or vaisya (the servitors or the professionals).
Attractive personality is formed by the judicious mixture of strength and emotions. The better the synthesis of these two elements, the more magnetic and charming the personality will be. Both the attributes are doubtlessly essential but their real significance and meaning lies in their proper synthesis. In isolation, either of the two loses its effectiveness. Strength alone without emotion and sensitivity does make a person capable and competent, but simultaneously makes him cruel-hearted too. Consequently, people, even as they feel attracted to the powerful person, also remain inwardly scared of him.
The same is the case with emotions without strength. In this condition, the personality develops tender feelings but lacks in determination and competence. This type acquires “the poor fellow” image inviting from the people a patronizing attitude. Such a personality can be anything but attractive. It is true that the thinking and behaviour of such a person touch the inner chords of those who come in contact, but for want of sufficient capability he is unable to provide them any succor. All the tender emotions in life can not add up to power and strength, and such persons are generally forced to lead the life of an imaginative and emotional but weak person.
Therefore, if you are desirous of making yourself magnetic, combine your strengths with emotions and then see how soon you become the centre of everybody’s attraction. People of every age, class and qualification will compete with one another to be near you. The world will hold you up as a role model; it will talk about you, dream about you and want to become like you. Whether you are a man or woman, farmer or officer, student or housewife, it does not matter. In every condition and every situation, the doors to personality furbishing are open to you. You only have to make a start.
The first step is to get ready to make the body and mind receptive and deserving. Remember,
– body becomes capable by self-control and
– mind by introspection and contemplation.
A disciplined and regulated life-style and light physical exercises impart a certain beauteous luster to the body. For proper expression of this beauty, the dress should be in tune with the place and occasion. In this connection, the important thing to always bear in mind is that the real source of the accentuated charm of the body is the subtle vital energy and this vitality comes only by tapa and continence. Purity and piety increase person’s vital force whereas unrestrained sensual proclivities sap it. To maintain attractiveness for a long time, one has to retain vitality and vigor for long too.
To become capable and strong at mental plane, develop the habit of introspection because it helps promote one’s abilities and hidden talents. Identify what is your special talent, your innate aptitude and set about to work on that.
It could by anything :
– music,
– sports,
– management,
– house-keeping, or
– any other branch of knowledge and art.
If you find yourself unable to identify it, consult your friends, or guardians, or even Shantikunj. Do not lag behind at any level in the rigorous striving for talent nurturing.
Physical strength and mental prowess make one powerful. Now the turn is of the virtuous qualities that give expression to this power.
So, try your utmost to inculcate the qualities of
– courage,
– bravery,
– patience and
– fortitude in you.
These attributes will make you the sinecure of all eyes, not only at home and in the immediate locality but the society at large.
Only the virtuous and the righteous radiate real magnetic personality, not the vicious and the wicked. Even the latter need a cloak of virtues to look attractive. It is another matter that after the spurious facade is gone, they are in for great ridicule and derision. The truly virtuous, on the other hand, retain their pull till the last breath.
Besides being strong and capable, one must be sensitive and emotional, because power without sensitivity makes a person arrogant. People will soon start running away from him. The three expressions of sensitivity presently relevant here are;
(i) service to the needy,
(ii) generosity, and
(iii) tolerance.
You will be able to develop your abilities through the instrumentality of all the three. The one basic rule to be observed is – be a giver, not a beggar. Only he who gives, attracts; a beggar repels, and people just shun him.
In this way, the sadhana of combining strength and emotion will continue to add charm to your personality. But you will have to remain continuously vigilant for its full and effective expression.
Book : Jeevan Sadhana – A Noble Art of Living
(Edited)
