The fourth qualification is Thithiksha. This is the attitude of
forbearance, which refuses to be affected or pained when afflicted
with sorrow and loss, and the ingratitude and wickedness of
others. In fact, one is happy and calm, for one knows that these
are the results of one's own actions now recoiling on him, and one
looks upon those who caused the misery as friends and
well-wishers. One does not retaliate nor does he wish ill for
them. One bears all the blows patiently, and gladly.
The natural reactions of a person, whoever he may be, when
someone injures him is to injure in return, when someone causes
harm to do harm and when someone insults him to insult back by
some means or other. But, this is the characteristic of the
Pravrithi path - the path of objective involvement. Those who seek
the inner path of sublimation and purification, the Nivrithi path
have to avoid such reaction. Returning injury for injury, harm for
harm or insult for insult only adds to the Karmic burden, which
has to be endured and eliminated in future lives. This burden is
termed Aagaami or lineal. One cannot escape the task of undergoing
the consequences of one's thought, word and deed in due course.
Paying evil for evil can never lighten the weight of Karma; it
will only become heavier. It might confer immediate relief and
contentment, but it cannot but make the person suffer later.
Thithiksha, therefore, instructs man to do good to the person who
injures him.