Anger, lust, sorrow, loss of judgment, an inclination to injure others, unkindness, and fear are very powerful enemies.

"Anger, lust, sorrow, loss of judgment, an inclination to injure others, unkindness, and fear are very powerful enemies. These approach human and tempt them from all sides. From these originate all sorts of grief and sin. It is selfishness that prompts a man to do evil acts. Selfishness is the devil incarnate in every man. Egoism is the greatest sin. The wrong notion, "I am the body", is the real, original sin. This one thought, 'I' has wrought all mischiefs. This one thought has multiplied into thousandfold thoughts. This one thought has separated man from God." Swami Sivanand

Paap is sin. Punya is virtue. Remember always: "Do unto others as you wish others do unto you". This is the test for virtue and sin. You do not wish to be hurt by others. So do not hurt another person. Hurting another is sin; non-hurting is virtue. Selfishness is sin; helping others is virtue. That which elevates you is virtue; that which pulls you down is vice or sin. That which takes you to the Goal is virtue; that which makes you a worldly man is sin. That which helps you attain God-head is virtue; that which hurls you down in the dark abyss of ignorance is sin. That which purifies your heart is virtue; that which taints your heart is sin. That which gives you peace, joy, satisfaction, exhilaration, expansion of heart, is virtue; that which brings restlessness, dissatisfaction, depression, and contraction of heart, is vice.

Faith in God, in the scriptures, in the words of the spiritual preceptor, is virtue; doubting is sin. Loving all is virtue; hating others is sin. Celibacy is virtue; lust is sin. Truthfulness is virtue; falsehood is sin. Generosity is virtue; miserliness is sin. Knowledge is virtue; ignorance is sin. Strength is virtue; weakness is sin. Courage is virtue; cowardice is sin.

Sin is expiated by self punishment such as fasting, Japa, penance, meditation, and repentance. Even a wicked man can have communion with God through repentance, prayer, and meditation. The confession of evil deeds is the first beginning of good deeds. Be not ashamed to confess that you have been in the wrong. If you confess your evil actions, you now have more sense than you had before, to see your error. If you confess your sins, you begin your journey towards emancipation. He who is sorry for having done evil actions mends himself and improves quickly. Repent with a apologetic heart. God will forgive you. Once you make up your mind to tread the path of Truth, all sins will be destroyed. "Even if the most sinful worships Me with undivided heart, he too must be accounted righteous, for he hath rightly resolved" ~ Bhagawat Geeta.

Hari Om Tat Sat ~ Om Namah Shivaya 🐚🕉🐚
Shubh Prabhat 🕉