Talk:Shuchi: Free of evils of Character like Anger, Jealousy etc.
Neither anger, nor envy, neither greed nor impure thought can exist in those whose conduct is meritorious and who are devoted to the Supreme Being (Puruṣhottama). Mahābhārata 13.149.133
Stories or descriptions of women, wealth, or atheists should not be listened to. He should give up evils like ego, pretense etc. Nārada Bhakti Sūtra 63-64
Bhakti Yogīs are naturally noble and pious due to saturation of their character by divinity. Conversely, one who displays evil conduct cannot be a true Bhakti Yogī. In the initial stages of Bhakti, a noble character is not a requirement, but as one advances along this path sincerely, his character must also undergo a transformation for the better.
Story: Sant Dādū Dayāl Instructs the Police Chief to Give Up Evils
Sant Dadu lived outside a city in the region of North West India. Gradually, his fame as a devotee of Bhagavan spread. People from afar started coming to listen to his sermons on Bhakti, and to participate in his worship programs. The Kotwāl (police chief) of the city of the city also happened to hear about Sant Dadu. He thought, “Let me travel to see him, and derive benefit from his teachings.” He set out on his horseback. When he was outside the city, he came across a man cleaning the path of thorns and level it all alone. The Kotwāl asked the man, “Do you know where Sant Dādū lives?” But the man was lost in his work and did not respond. The Kotwāl asked again in a loud voice, but the man merely looked up and smiled. The Kotwāl really got angry and thought, “How dare he smile at me as if I am a joker!” He took a whip and lashed the man a few times, before proceeding further. A little distance ahead, he encountered another man and asked him, “Have you seen Sant Dādū? Where does he live?” The second man replied, “Sant Dādū spends this time of the day cleaning the paths of thorns and level them so that the travelers can cover their journey more easily. Did you not seem him on the way?” When the Kotwāl heard this, he was horrified. He rushed back to the first man and said, “Respected Sant Dādū, I whipped you in ignorance. Please forgive me. Why did you not say that you are Sant Dādū when I whipped you?” Sant Dādū replied lovingly, “The path to Bhagavan is littered with thorns of anger, jealousy, pride and other evils. Unless you pluck these evils from the path of spiritual journey, how can you hope to reach Bhagavān? You will benefit from my sermons on Bhakti only if you have first plucked out these thorns from your mind.” The Kotwāl fell at the feet of the Sant and begged for forgiveness once more. He promised to work on his anger issues, and become a humble man. He accepted Sant Dādū as his Guru, and thanked him for showing him the true path towards Bhagavān.[1]
Conversely, even the greatest devotees acquire imperfection if they start displaying negative character traits like jealousy and anger, as the story below illustrates-
Story: The Jealousy of Rishi Nārada makes him an Inferior Musician[2]
Gandharva Tumburu and Rishi Nārada were both great devotees of Vishnu. Once, they both went to Vaikuntha where Tumburu sang a melodious hymn in praise of Krishna. Pleased with his song, Krishna presented him many divine jewels and clothes. Nārada became jealous of Tumburu. He decided to please Bhagavān Shiva to learn music from Him and become the best musician. Shiva was pleased, but Krishna still did not feel impressed enough with his music to give jewels and clothes to Nārada as gifts. Nārada then practiced music for several years in the hope that he would best Tumburu. But even that was not sufficient. Finally, Nārada decided to give up his jealousy and hatred towards Tumburu. Therefore, he approached Tumburu and requested him to teach music. Tumburu agreed, and taught Nārada all that he knew. Thereafter, Nārada went to Dwārakā and sang a song for Krishna who said, “Now your music is indeed wonderful, because it is not mixed with jealousy.” Saying this, Krishna then gave some divine gifts to Nārada in appreciation.