Sandilya Upanishad :

Yamas ( dos and don’ts):

Though Yamas read as simple righteous principles of living , it is not easy to follow .

Arjava or the ability to be unaffected when things don’t happen the way we want is the most difficult to achieve . All our training and discipline is washed away when we loose money, jobs or disease  afflicts our daily life . The ever shining Self is still there during the distress but we ask why is it happening to us when we have been living as per vedic  requirements .

It is then that we understand the core principles of the Vedas and the Gita . The inner controller is the Self which controls the world but it is equi distant or not concerned with sensory perception or our loss or happiness .

We must train our mind to just observe the events and never to be affected by the outcomes . There is no causality  ( cause or effect) with the Self.

The very essence of Holi is the above ( “arjava”)  representing Prahlada ‘s strict abidance to the Self even when confronted with extremely difficult life events .

Sandilya Upanishad:
The Yamas talk about another important feature which is called Dhriti  (is the preserving of firmness of mind during the period of gain or loss of wealth or relatives)
Preserving firmness of mind with equanimity is a continuation of “ arjava”. It is not easy. We need to ensure that Dhriti is imbibed in children from a young age so that they are better equipped to handled distress and loss.

Another condition of Yama is called “Sauca “which is of 2 parts:
the external : which is the cleansing of the body by earth and water;
the internal : which is the cleansing of the mind

This is very important to understand and practise. Inner realisation or silent prayer is more effective than outer show or loud prayers.