1. Shiksha Patri Bhashya Shatanand Muni Published Swami Narayna Temple Ahemadabad

Shikshapatri Bhashya Published : Under Commandment From H. H. Acharya Maharaj 1008 Sanskrit - English Shri Tejendraprasadji Maharajshri [Incorporates 'Arthadeepika' treatise by Shatanand Muni] Publishers : Shri Swaminarayan Temple, Kalupur, Ahmedabad.

By S. G. Shatanand Muni · English Translation : Tarun Raval

By orders from H. H. Acharya Maharaj . First English Edition : 2002 A.D. 1008 Shri Tejendraprasadji Maharaj Copies : 2000 Rs. : 100/-

. Book Designing : Siddhi Computers India Colony, Bapunagar, Ahmedabad-50. Ph. 2733890. Set in Times - 12 pt.

PUBLISHERS . PRINTERS : SHRI SWAMINARAYAN TEMPLE Shri Swaminarayan Mudranalaya KALUPUR,AHMEDABAD - 380 001. (INDIA) Shri Swaminarayan Temple Visit us at : www.swaminarayanworld.org Kalupur, Ahmedabad-380 001. (India)

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PREFACE Shatanandji. It shows Lord Shri Hari's love for Shatanandji for defining and expanding the dictums of Lord Shri Hari had written 'Shikshapatri' for this critical Shikshapatri. One can imagine the magnanimity of the love age of Kali. It is a tool for everlasting bliss and salvation. of Shri Hari for those who are practising Shikshapatri. The nectar of all the scriptures has been condensed in this This monumental work was not available in the small but vital scripture of Shikshapatri. It is a divine Sampradaya since long. and a proposed English version miracle. Everlasting truths of Vedas, Upanishads and of this great book aimed at an access to the scriplure all scriptural works have been condensed in this book. It's those devotees who we are not familiar with Sanskrit or language is simple and easy for the people of all age groups Gujarati. H. H. Acharya Maharajshri Tejendraprasadji right from children to aged ones. In this volume we are Maharaj has commanded therefore to The Scheme presenting Shikshapatri of Shri Hari and 'Arthadeepika' Committee of Shri Narnarayandev Desh to get it translated treatise by Muni Shatanandji. It is a word by word English in English. Scheme Committee's effort in this direction translation of the 'Arthadeepika' treatise. now materialis on publication of this volume. The book The main topic of 'Shikshapatri' is Salvation. Religion, has been translated and re-edited by our devotee Shri prosperity, fulfilment of desires and emancipation these Tarunbhai Raval. May Shri Hari bless him. four are attainable by this 'Shikshapatri'. This work, 'Shikshapatri' is beneficial to all and that is it's peculiarity. Shastri Atmaprakashdas It is the scriptural form of Lord Sahajanand Swami. Being Shastri Purushottamprakashdas the essence of all the scriptures and to make it more Mahant Swami digestible to human beings, Muni Shatanandji prepared a Swaminarayan Temple, Kalupur, treatise named 'Arthadeepika' and showed it to Lord Shri Ahmedabad - 7. Hari. Lord Shri Hari was pleased with it and praised the effort of Muni Shatanandji in the assembly in presence of Dada Khachar and other devotee saints and said, 'What I was desiring to convey through each of the words, the same has been expressed exactly by Muni Shatanandji. After saying so, Lord Shri Hari honoured Shatanandji by garlanding him with his personally graced garland. Thereafter, He embraced him with a close hug and blessed him heartily by placing lotus hands on the head of

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Hymns for meditation on Shikshapatri Oh you ! Mother Shikshapatri, deliverer from worldly bondage, I daily meditate on you. (4) When the light of knowledge disappeared from the I take refuge in Shikshapatri addressed by Bhagwan world and the darkness of inner ignorance enveloped Swaminarayan and incorporated by Shatanand Muni in humanity, the human beings wandering in the worldly ways Satsangi Jivan. (5) were dumb-founded. Vedic rites and ceremonies ended in The incomparable nectar in the form of Shikshapatri has creating confusions and delusions in the minds of mankind been gathered from the ocean of milk of all scriptures. A in the matter of right action and wrong action and in little drop of it is enough to make a man fit for attaining inflicting only pains and sufferings on beings. the immortal state of final emancipation. (6) Then, only out of sheer compassion the Lord of Lord Sahajanand, the sole resort of saints, first served Akshardham, Lord Shri Hari himself descended and on earth the nectar of Shikshapatri to Mukundanand and assumed the Incarnation in the divine human form on earth others of his followers. After drinking it, the disabled and delivered, for the redemption of mortals the body of gain the strength to uproot the demonic powers without teachings, enshrined in Shikshapatri on which I daily much efforts. We worship, this nectar of Shikshapatri reverently meditate. (1) which is the only remedy for curing all the maladies of the Oh, ye Shikshapatri, I meditate on you, whose birth has world. (7) been missioned to wash the filth and dirt of human beings, Lord Narayan, in the garb of Varni, who himself, is plunged and sunk in the mire of worldly entanglements, desirous of uplifting the souls sunk in the sea of Samsar being rolled and tumbled into it, and to purify them and to (cycle of births and deaths), whose sole aspiration is to dispel the dense darkness of ignorance. (2) confer ultimate good on all beings, who has, therefore This Shikshapatri is an unique pencil of collyrium that undertaken to write Shikshapatri, may He inspire me. (8) removes inner darkness. It, therefore, deserves to be Lord Swaminarayan son of Dharmadev, who spells resorted to and assimilated by all for attaining the inner affection to his disciples, who has loving, smiling lotus- vision of true knowledge. (3) like face, who is the author of Shikshapatri, may He shine Oh ! Sanctifier Shikshapatri, you are revealed by Lord in my heart. (9) Swaminarayan who resides in Akshardham and who has Shikshapatri is the other divine form of Lord manifested Himself in human form and you are addressed Swaminarayan. It shines brightly on earth and bestows on by Him to the collectivity of its disciples residing in the all persons total benevolence. (10) various parts of the country and you are incorporated and Shri Sahajanand Swami, who has been reverently shrined in the volume (Satsangi Jivan) by Shatanand Muni. prayed by a body of disciples, who is the cause of all, God

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of gods, has revealed Shikshapatri which is the fulfiller of all fruits. Oh ! Goddess Shikshapatri ! I daily offer by INDEX worship to you with devotional feelings that you are the other form of the Lord. (11) "I have manifested nectar in the form of Shikshapatri for the welfare of the world. All of my devotees shall No Subject Shloka Nos.

daily drink this nectar reverently". Following this commandment of the Lord, those who recite with love the 1. Introduction 1-10

text of this Shikshapatri shall reach the eternal great 2. General preaching 11-122 Akashardham. (12) 3. Ethical duties of Acharyas 123-132

4. Ethical duties of the wife of Acharya 132-134

5. Ethical duties of householders 135-154

6. Ethical duties of rich householders 155-156

7. Ethical duties of a king 156-158

8 Ethical duties of a married woman 159-162

9. Ethical duties of a widowed woman 163-172

10 General Ethical duties of a woman 173-174

11. Ethical duties of a Varni (celibate) 175-187

12 Ethical duties of a saint 188-196

13. General Ethical duties of

the Varni's and saints 197-202

14. conclusion 203-212

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I meditate in my heart on Lord Shri Krishna, who who fulfils the aims of the devotees or say by whom the has to his left Radha, in whose bossom resides Lakshmi devotees accomplish better achievements. Radha means the and who sportively plays in Vrindavan. (1) daughter of Vrishbhanu. Meaning of the word Radha stands as under in the chapter of Shri Krishnajanma given in Like a cyclone uprooting cotton fibers from the shells Brahm Vaivart Puran : 'R' destroys the sins of all past births and weeding it off to the deep sky, One who has uprooted and of the acts of present life; 'A' destroys death during and thrown off from the earth that pretentious religion in the conceptual period; 'D' destroys diseases; 'H' destroys which dominates drinking wine and eating flesh, and has the loss incurred on the length of life; 'A' thereafter, nourished axiomatic religion by expanding divine grace destroys the shackles of worldly attachments on listening and concentrating mind and soul of the people in Supreme to its utterance. There is no doubt in regard to that. Again, God in the form of Shri Hari, that divine consort of Goddess it says that by 'Ra' comes the subordination and devotion Lakshmi or Supreme Lord of everybody the greatest of a devotee at lotus feet of Lord Shri Krishna and gracious Lord Sahajanand Swami is ever victorious. everybody attains desired one, all blissful and all One who loves religion or one who is loved by religion, splendorous achievements. And 'Dh' provides blissful one who has refuge in religion or one who has emerged company, time and splendour of Lord Shri Krishna - along from religion, one who rests in religion, one who with beauty, philosophy and happiness like Shri Hari and strengthens religion, one who discards anti religious the 'A' provides plentiful of luminosity, generosity, power elements like the sun discarding darkness, to that Lord Shri of yoga, intelligence of yoga and memory of Shri Hari. Krishna, I offer my candid prayer. Therefore, the controversies, false memories, efforts, With the grace of that Lord and well supported by the illusions, sins, diseases, sorrows, death and inflicted pains references of the scriptures, I write this Arthadeepika of Vama etc diminishes. There is no doubt in regard to this. treatise I write under the shelter of religion and devotion These are taken as the attributes of the word 'Radha'. Now, to illuminate the deep meaning of Shikshapatri. being on the left side implies the servitude and is indicative Though, Lord Sahajanand preaches personal religion of holding in the hand the accessories like garlands, sandal and Bhagwat religion to the devotees under his refuge by paste etcetera required for worshipful services to Lord. beginning the teaching of Shikshapatri, Shri Hari begins In whose heart resides Shree. Shree means Goddess of the sacred book with the auspicious opening prayer as laid Wealth - Lakshmi - Prosperity. One, who takes the refuge down by great sages like Vyas in their times and offers in Lord, is called Shree. Herein, Lakshmiji - Goddess of meditational prayer to Supreme Lord Shri Krishna. one Prosperity - resides in the form of golden line- means others who has Radha on his left side. 'Radha' word means - one cannot see her from outside, but she resides very much

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there - ready to serve Lord as like Radhikaji. Bhagwatamrit glorious and Lakshmiji graces everybody forever." And, says that - Lakshmiji was attracted by the divine charm of we by seeing those lands of yours which bless the devotees Lord Shri Krishna and was performing penance due to that. and the bossom which is the only place for Lakshmiji for When Shri Krishna asked her about the cause of the her divine sports, take refuge in you." Further in Bhramar penance, She said, 'I do desire your companionship and Geet (bumble-bee songs), while addressing Bhramar-the divine sports as like the Gopis who had it in total privacy'. bumble bee), says, "How you take us to such God, in whose (In reply) Lord said that this was not possible to grant. side there is the pair which can not be separated even with Then Lakshmiji expressed her desire to dwell in His heart the pains. Oh! Considerate one ! In his heart always stay in form of a golden line. Lord Shri Krishna granted her the woman in the form of Lakshmi". Further, it is said, wish. Like this, She resides in the heart of Lord. Also it is "Lakshmi, leaves other people and with the cause of said, "The creator of all three Loka allowed the mother of touching the lotus feet of the Lord, worships him devoutly; all the three Lokas - Lakshmi - to live in his hearts." Such Lord by destroying all the ills of the soul what He Now, the divine sports in Vrindavan. Vrindavan means appeals is most atturing to the people." And it is said in a garden by that name, which is situated in the region of Bhramar-Geet "Then why are you serving the lotus feet Vraj. Now, if you doubt that the Lord Shri Krishna - who of such God? (then in reply says) most sorrowful fact is can be described as God - in his human form is popularly that Lakshmi too looses her heart on the words of that known to be with Radhikaji in Vrindavan but not known Lord." etcetera. to be there with Lakshmiji. As says also Vishnupuran, "Sita Shri Krishnam - In this, word 'Shri' has been placed incarnated in the age of Rama and Rukmini incarnated in before the first name. He explains it: All dignitaries carry the age of Lord Shri Krishna. "Means, it is known with 'Shri' prefixed to their first name. Or-this word is used for Dwarika. Your doubt that Lakshmiji in the human form of Lakshmi (prosperity), apparel and dresses, grace, wisdom, Rukmini stayed with Shri Krishna in Dwarika is very much knowledge and trees. Also the word is meant for prosperity true, but the Goddess Bhagawati Lakshmiji, stayed with along with religion, wealth and fulfilment of worldly Lord Shri Krishna at Vrandavan too, by staying invisible desires, different means of bodily decoration and intellect. from the human eyes, as she is the divine consort of It means that the word 'Shri' is to be taken here as 'most Supreme God. Bhagwat also says "Oh King ! Since then beauteous'. Now, the meaning of word 'Krishna'. Krishna (means since Shri Krishna came to Vraj) and the stay of means one who is blissful, pleasant and uproots the sorrows God there and with the divine attributes of God, that Vraj of the people who are in his refuge Krishna means became the place of divine sports of Lakshmiji. Further," Parabrahm (Ultimate reality - Supreme God) in human by your manifestation here, the hand of Vraj becomes more form. In Guru Shishya (teacher and disciple) Samvad

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(dialogue) of Mokshadharma (a sacred scripture by that woman (Seeta) cut the nose - and ears of that Shurpankha name) it is said that, "One who is born in Vrushni dynasty who came to you with sensual desire. As Vaman you availed and is Parabrahm. "Varshneya, means one who is born in offering like a crow and there after crushed Bali to Patal Vrushni dynasty" - that is the definition given by (lower lokas). Friendship of such Lord Shrikrishna is the Chaturdhar Neelkanth. Shrimad Bhagwat also says "Oh highest one. Such is the story of Shri Krishna that one can God Vishnu ! The form which Vedas describe as not leave aside. In Geet Govinda, Poet Jaidev says, "The everexistent, Brahmjyoti (Ultimate reality), formless, saviour of Vedas, transporter of universe, rescuer of the changeless, real entity, whole and disinterested is you. Oh earth sunken in the seas, destroyer of Hiranyakshipu, ! Illuminator of heart and senses". Further it is said, "On cheater of Bali, slayer of all Kshatriyas, defeater of Ravan, this earth, you are the most fortunate as the Munis (saints) holder of plough, sprinkler of mercy as Buddha and the who are capable of sanctifying whole of the world are suppressor of sinners through ten incarnations, Oh Lord coming to you and at whose dwelling resides Parabrahm Shri Krishna, I worship you with folded hands." with all human attributes." Also it is said that, "Listening Lotus of heart. Why the lotus of heart ? So explains Krishna as Parabrahm Arjuna amazed at the extreme." In this, "This Brahmpur is called Dahar. Dahar means continuation to that, "Those residents of Vraj-Nand, and Pundarik or Veshma etc, the sky which is beyond that, is Gops (shepherds) are very fortunate as their friend is the to be explored and is to be studied. That is in this Atma - source of all pleasures, ever existent and ultimate reality Soul. The heart is the attribute of the person with such (Parabrahm). Now, in the name 'Krishna'. the letter 'Krish' soul. That is what the scriptures say. Yoga scriptures have stand for land - earth, and 'Na' is the exponent of happiness described it as much more than a thing worth meditation. - putting both together, becomes Parabrahm name Krishna. Bhagwat also says that - "The yogis who have destroyed This is the attribute of the name. Moreover, Bhagwat itself Karmas by the power of Yoga, and whom (God) they see says, "Krishna himself is Supreme God." This is why in their hearts, to such Yogeshwar (Lord Shri Krishna) I Gopis while worshiping Vrindavan - Vihari, Natavar bow my head. Also, "One who is respected deeply in the Swaroop Shri Krishna, used word 'Shri Kar Grah' (One hearts of redeemed souls" .... etc. who holds the hand of Lakshmiji) and by that used the The Meditator of Lord Shri Krishna, with Radhaji on adjective of right - hand. In Bhramar Geet also while the left side with all her divine powers and Goddess making mockery of the mercilessness of God, they put him Lakshmiji residing in the heart, never lacks any of the as one who incarnated himself on the earth through wealth or powers. Therefore for the fruits of all our deeds, different incarnations and said "As a warrior (Ramavatar) Shri Krishna is the real shelter. This is what intended to be you killed Vali like a hunter. And though you won one conveyed .

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This auspicious beginning is not only for the removal out or is born is 'JA', to gether, 'Sahaja' means to the saints of obstacles. As author Himself is God, there is no room and Sahajanand means giver of happiness to the saints. for any obstacle in the decision and its fulfilment, for which Swami means one who has prosperity and power. Using it may require auspicious opening. His speech is always the word Nijashritan indicates those devotees who are auspicious, His smile is always auspicious, His eyes always entitled to accept the meaning of Shikshapatri; it also give auspicity and the acts by his hands are always indicates that others have no right to it. auspicious - redeem the human beings. The God, whose Nana Desh Sthitan, means staying in different countries, face is always auspicious and foot steps always grace also indicates the plentiness of the followers and that they everybody, such Greet God writes this auspicious are as wide spread as the ocean. It is also suggestive of the beginning. This is a sign of his acts as human being. "This followers with firm faith in God and their being with the auspicious beginning is for educating the people. family is like a Guest. Therefore, the doubt about the propriety of auspicious Shiksha means preaching and advice. Patri means the beginning ends herewith. Rhyme used in this couplet and instrument through which the opinion or advice goes from in most of the couplets in the book is Anushtubh. In this place to place. Thereby a letter of Gods advice. rhyme, the fifth letter is short in all the steps and the seventh Likhami - I write. The word Shiksha should be letter in both the fourth parts are short. And in all the eight considered as indicative of that which is very highly parts of the couplet the sixth letter is long. That is the beneficial and religious; and that only by which knowledge structure of this rhyme. is to be acquired. This is the reason why only followers

I, Sahajanand address this Shikshapatri from are entitled for it By followers, Shri Hari indicates the

Vrittalaya (Vadtal) to all my followers residing in the subtleness of the subject and by word 'Shiksha' He

various parts of the country. (2) indicates the subtleness of the theme.

In Vadtal - by staying at the town by that name in Ayodhyaprasad and Raghuvir (who are respectively

Gujarat. Herein instead of saying 'residing' at, says 'staying' born of Rampratapji and Ichharamji - my brothers -

at, this indicates that he is not residing at a single particular being sons of Dharmdev) who have been adopted as

place. Sahajanand (Swami) - means one who has natural sons and installed by me as Acharyas (spiritual heads

happiness. Like other people, he has not acquired it by of fellowship), Mukundanand Brahmchari and other

other means. Or one who bears the conflicts through his life long Brahmcharis - celibates; Mayaram Bhatt and

knowledge of the Ultimate (Saha) and one that emerges other householders who have embraced this fellowship, all the women disciples, both, whose husbands are alive

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and whose husbands are dead; Muktanand Swami and and support from God. Such supportless people are weak other Sadhus (saints). Let all accept my blissful and are not alert. There are cases when such people lost blessings which serve as defender of faith, and which their celibacy just at the sight of a woman. This is the are warranted by scriptures, which are coupled reason why Mokshadharma says "Not to listen to the with the happy remembrances of Shriman Narayan. religious discourse being delivered by a woman. Not to (3 to 6) see the woman eye to eye, because carnal desire arises in a weak person just on seeing a lady". Here the word 'weak' Now, directing the devotees to whom this Shikshapatri stands for acquisitive cause. The devotee, who has been is being addressed, in those three couplets, He addresses graced by a Guru who has the knowledge of God and soul, first those two brothers who were placed as the Acharyas such a devotee never gets defeated by the force of carnal of all the devotees; who are the sons of Dharmavatar desires. There is not a slightest of defeat. To them Shri Hariprasad Vipra. born of the same mother. By this, it is to Romharshana says in Bhagwat, "The carnal desire who is be understood that He himself - Shri Hari - too is son of afraid of the patience and is brave amidst the crowd of the Dharma; meaning is not limited to real brother or blood ignorant cannot do anything to them. He stays carefully brother. amidst the careless people. Shri Uddhavji, says to God in Defining the word 'Naishthik', it is said in Acharadhyay the Eleventh Part of Bhagwat, "It is very difficult to leave of Mitakshara, that Naishthik is one who takes to the age carnal desire for the people who are engrossed in carnal of evolution. It means one who is a celibate right from desire. But it is every easy for those people who are devout birth till death. Brahmchari - Brahm means Veda (divine devotees of yours. scriptures), penance and knowledge of God. One who And the carnal desires of a devotee are destroyed by acquires all three is Brahmchari. These are holders of the his devotion. Therefore in the Eleventh part of the Shrimad first phase of life or those who have taken Brahmcharya- Bhagwat, Shri Krishna says to Uddhav "The saints who now Brahmchari. Kurmapurana ask to leave copulation worship me according to Bhakti Yoga and fully meditate forever, in all situations and at all places in action, mind upon me, get relieved of all desires'. Similarly, such and speech is called Brahmcharya. Naishthik devotees are guarded by the attendants of God. Now if someone doubts that like the other forbidden They neither have risk from inner enemy nor from outer acts during the age of Kali (Kaliyaga), the Brahmcharya enemy in regard to this. Yamaraj says in the Bhagwat, the too for a longer time was forbidden. Then why is this devotees of God, who are wearing different signs which 'Naishthik Brahmchari' mentioned here ? To explain this, are unidentifiable by human beings and who are amazing the objection or ban is for those who are not having power as such, are always protected from others by my parshads.

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God has said to King Prithu, the devotees who are attached Mayaram etcetera devotee-householders who are under the to me like like-minded friends, never get affected by carnal refuge of Shri Hari. Householders means those who have desires. causal stay with the family consisting of wife and children. Those who are without the shelter of God and have taken They are in the second phase of life according to Ashram only the shelter of Naishthik Vrat, for them the protection system. Smritis too describes Grihastha (householder) as of self against the inner enemies and the protection of vow one who is with a wife. become a difficult task, because on eradication of one Grammarians also say that Gauramukha, Saptaparna, danger, another one crops up. Gods have said to all the Kumbhakara and Grihastha are Yogarudh words. Here senses that we as hunger, thirst, past, present, future, wind, Brahmcharis are placed before the Grihasthas- tongue, organ and the drawbacks related are like an ocean. Householders. The reason is, Brahmcharis, if they disobey After surfing through all these and reaching the other end, the rules of the scriptures, have to perform atonement for the people become prey to futile anger. As like one who that sinful act. Such atonement is double in amount in crosses the sea but sinks him self in the footmarks of a comparison to that of a householder's. They are also cow, in similar way the penance of people becomes futile. supposed to obey the forthcoming orders immediately; In Madan Ratna, it is said that donations and offerings, Angira Raishi says that if a Brahmachari, prior to achieving vow, observance of rules of the religion, knowledge of the state of Brahm, commits a sin like a householder, he God, meditation, holy fire and chanting of holy name of will have to purify his body like shauch. What does shauch God, all such practises become wasteful if the performer mean ? For this Lord Manu says: This much is shauch has an angry nature. Sanaks have said to King Prithu, ablution for a householder, Brahmachari has to do double "Those who do not have the boat of the shelter of God, of it, those residing in a forest have to do triple of that and for such people, it is very difficult to cross this ocean of those who are Yatis have to do four times. Those who have worldly attachments. Therefore, we can see that, those who realized Brahm, have lost the consciousness of body, as have the strength of devotion of Shri Krishna, for them, in such this rule is not applicable to them. Naishthik this age of Kali, there is no difficulty in lifetime celibacy - Brahmcharis have been mentioned first to those Naishthik Brahmcharya. Naishthik Brahmcharya means Upkurvanaks. The reason for that : Naishthiks if disobeys celibacy right from birth till death. Upkurvanak means the limitations of scriptures, will have to perform double those who are performing celibacy during the first phase atonement, this is what the scriptures prescribe. They are of their life as per Ashram system prescribed by the also required to pick up the preaching immediately and scriptures. without loss of time. If a sin is committed by a Upkurvanak This phrase is related to Naishthik Brahmacharis and and by a Brahmchari, the Brahmachari will have to perform

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double atonement in comparison to the Upkurvanak. In 'Naishthik',herein too, all different categories of women householders, the Brahmins stand first. For that too, the have been included. The reason is that, as we are going to reason is the same. They are required to perform more explain it later on, the women lot is not independent. They atonement for the same sin. Evidence for this is available lack in prominence. And this is why they have been in Vishnusmriti. Brahmins are required to perform full mentioned after householders. Please note this. Muktanand atonement. Kshatriyas are required to perform three and all other sadhus. Sadhu means one who maintains the quarters, Vaishyas are required to perform half and for works and religion for others. Shri Krishna had described Shudaras it is quarter part of the atonement. Now, the the attributes of a Sadhu to Uddhava in the eleventh chapter assembly prescribing the atonement to a brahmin becomes of the eleventh part of Bhagwat. Kind means who never double in the case of a Kshatriya and triple in the event of pains anybody; forgiver, steady and strong; free from envy a Vaishya. These words of Angira Muni are for four and jealousy; neutral in the state of happiness and sorrows; specific sinful acts, namely taking away of other's wife, well-wisher of everybody; free from the bonds of carnal killing of human being, harshness of words and a merciless desires, controls all his organs, graceful, pure in acts; does punishment. not take donations, follower of scriptures, brief in Here, it is said 'My followers,'-by this it is indicated conversation, takes little food, controls his Antahkaran, that there is no initiation from the followers to write steady in performance of personal religion, takes refuge Shikshapatri. This shows innocence. Dharmashatak says only in God, ponderer, alert in his religious duties, free that most kind hearted Guru (teacher/preacher) is that who from vicious effects, steady in critical times, victorious on addresses the words of welfare to a disciple without any hunger thirst- sorrow- attraction- old age and death etcetera initiation from his side or others. six feelings, ego-free, giver of respect to others, smart in Married women - those ladies who are with their preaching, non-cheater, kindly behaving and husband. My followers - my disciples - who are under my knowledgable. One who knows the good qualities refuge- under my religious instructions and prescriptions mentioned above by me and possesses those with the of the sacred scriptures who follow the duties as faithful knowledge of the bad qualities, leaves desire of the fruits wife to ones husband and worship Lord Shri Krishna as a of the actions and worships me with utmost devotion is devout devotee. This is the learning to be derived from it. the best Sadhu - saint. In the twenty-fifth chapter of the Sadhavaa means that woman whose husband is alive, third part of Bhagwat, Muni Kapildev says to his Dhava means dearest one, husband-sustainer- that is what mother,"the saints who are tolerant, friendly to all living is defined by Amarkosha. Vidhavaa means such woman bodies, kind hearted, free from enmity, quiet and peaceful whose husband is dead. As was in the case of are the best amongst the Sadhus. Now, the critic says that

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the reason behind placing the Sadhus at the end of the list Graceful blessings mean blessings for happiness, health, is that a Sadhus are supposed to remain steady in their and removal of sorrows and augmentation of personal religion and there is no room for any doubt in auspiciousness. that. Also the main obstacle in the performance of personal This is the manner practised by respectable refined religions is worldly acts. But the Sadhus are not having people. It may be taken as blessings to those who are any dealing in such acts. It is addressed, as "All Sadhus", protecting the religion constantly. as he has great power of knowledge and detachment as such, to avoid the element of disrespect to anybody in Let all my followers bear in mind with undivided religious acts. Here it is to be understood that Jeevan Mukta attention the object of this writing of Shikshapatri (released souls) too should follow the principles of which is to bring about the welfare of all living religiously confirmed acts-till they have their body beings. (7) consciousness. All those who are firm in their personal religious duties, With concentration of mind. To retain some thing when should read my gracious blessings with the remembrance mind is unsteady or engaged in other thing is not a true act of Lord Narayan. Ayodhya Prasad etcetera all the followers of retention. Shruti says that one can not see if mind is - this is what, meant to say. I means mine- addressed by elsewhere, one can not listen if mind is elsewhere. me, along with the remembrance of Shrimannarayan. One Therefore to see with one's mind and to listen with one's with whom Lakshmiji or Radhikaji, always stays, such mind are mere acts of seeing and listening. Mainly, the God Narayan with Shri - prosperity. Blessings should be mind is more unsteady. Geeta says "Oh Lord Krishna ! read along with the remembrance of such God Narayan Mind is unsteady, disturbing, powerful and firm. Further and supported by the scriptures like Shrimad Bhagwad it says, "Oh Almighty! Doubtlessly, the mind is too Geeta. It is also known that, those scriptures establish the unsteady to control." protection of personal religion. Smritis (scriptures of Carrier of everybody's welfare. With objectives. With ancient times) say that the desire of all living bodies on intention. Objective or the aim has been disclosed in the this earth is to get happiness. And happiness is deep-rooted following two couplets. Those are the objectives or the in religion. By all-out effort the religion as such, should aims. Some may raise doubt about the propriety of the word be protected. The establishment of religion and the "Patrilekh". In lexicographies like Haravali the meaning protection of such religion as a root of all happiness. It for words Patra, Patri, Patrika, Varnadoot, Swasti, Mukh, means that those scriptures are authentic. Those who Lekh etc. are the same. The word-duo 'Patrilekh' therefore, protect the self-religion are called defenders of the religion. is a repitition. Here, the word 'Lekh'comes with the

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meaning of sentiments - feelings, as such it is not a pair of acts of Satpurushas, performed during the adversty of time repeated words, but a combination of two different words and place. Similar to this, in the scripture of Mahabharat, to derive the proper effect. Patryaha Lekhah, the words Dharmaraj says, that logic has no respect, Shrutis (ancient are associated by genitive case. Now the following two scriptures) too varies and there is not a single Muni, whose couplets, describe the aim of writing the Shikshapatri. opinion may be taken as authentic, the element of religion is very deep and unexplorable, therefore the path taken by Those who put into practice the principles of good the great is the true one to be followed. Reasoning means conduct warranted by Holy Scriptures shall always the meaning one extracts, as per his own intellect, therefore, achieve great happiness both here and hereafter. (8) reasoning has no validity or respect. It is either with different conclusion or with no conclusions at all. Shrutis Those who behave out of their own unbridled desire too are forwarding different meanings and are supporting in total disregard of all canons of good conduct are of each such meaning. Smrutis and the meanings given by evil intellect and land themselves into great distress both the Smrutis are defined and expanded through the Bhashyas in this life as also the next. (9) (treatises) by the different Munis. These Munis too are not unanimous and move in different directions and extend Shastra (scriptural preaching, books) mean one who different meanings as per their personal liking and against teaches orderliness. Smriti, Purans etcetera holy books each other. which illuminate the deep meanings of Vedas (ancient most "One who performs Yagya in the holy months of scripture of holy words or Supreme God). The preaching Chaturmas gets Punya in abundance. "There is nothing contains personal religion of everyone on the basis of caste which cannot be earned by actions." "Loka achieved by (Varna) and the phase of life (Ashram). Word 'Shastra' is Karmas (action) is not durable." "Not to kill any living used in such meaning. One who follows such ethical rules body." "The Yagya whose presiding deity is Agni, kills and lives as per preaching of the Shastra becomes happy the living bodies on performing such Yagya." "Offer in this life and the life hereafter. Means, he gets happiness sacrifice on it's rising ." Offer sacrifice on its not rising." then the happiness of Brahm etc. This is to be understood. "Accept the teenager in Atiratra." Does not accept a Ethical behavior means the acts, which are not against teenager in Atiratra." "Oh Considerate! There was only the Shastra and common people; or the acts as per the acts one truth earlier." "There was an untruth before." "There of Satpurushas. Mokshdharma says that acts of Satpurusha is nothing in it." "There are two friendly birds dwelling are called religion. The religion or the religious acts, which togather." It is very difficult to bring concord in such are described in various scriptural teaching, are mainly the absolutely contradictory situations. This is what is meant

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to be said here. There is not one Rishi only who has defined twelve. Sadachars (good acts), appropriate to ones personal Manu-Smriti and its treatise, but there are many Rishis and religion or cast, are to be observed. Manusmriti says that, therefore, they contradict each other as per their own Sadachars (good acts) given in Shruti and Smriti (ancient nature. Mahajan means great people, saints. About the religious scriptures) and befitting personal religion, should attributes of Satpurusha, Vishnu Dharmottar says that he be observed without laziness as these are the roots of the is a theist, knows the hidden meaning of Vedas, adheres to religion. the personal religion in adverse times, and is a firm devotee Those with vicious intellect means the people who are of Shri Hari. These are the qualities of Satpurusha. In the interested in violence etc. Such people abandon good acts third chapter of Geeta, Lord Shri Krishna says, "Other (Sadachar) and act at their free will. They face sorrows in people follow only those act which are performed by great this world and the other world. Those have no remedy to people. What ever is considered as the basic principle by remove sorrows or to overcome it. They definitely face the great people, becomes agreeable to other people. such sorrows. Shrimad Bhagwad Geeta says: The man who Attributes of a good act given in Kashikhand says that, "It disobeys the rules prescribed by the scriptures, and acts at is free from prejudice and practised by great people. Wise his free will, never succeed in his work or attain happiness people take it as a good act and translate it in to their in life. They do not get salvation. Shrimad Bhagwat also actions - considering it as a root of good acts". Therefore, says that a person, who without a desire, performs the acts Yama and Niyam prescribed earlier are the essence of the prescribed in the Veda (scriptures) and dedicates it to God, religion and all religious minded people must follow it achieves excellence. The eleventh part of the Shrimad scrupulously. There - as given in the nineteenth chapter Bhagwat says, "The man who is without knowledge of of the eleventh part of Shrimad Bhagwat, these yama- God, has no control on his organs, and the man who does Niyamas are twelve in all, divided again in twelve parts. not follow the religion as prescribed by the Vedas Twelve Yamas: Non-violence, truth, non-stealing, no (scriptures) gets birth and death repeatedly as a fruit of his accomplice. modesty, non-hoarding, theist, celibate, silent, non-religious acts practised in the form of forbidden acts. steady, forgiving and non-fearing. Now, the twelve In the first Chapter of the sixth part of the Shrimad Bhagwat Niyamas: internal and external cleaning, chanting names there is the story of Ajamil. This Ajamil acts against the of God, penance, sacrifice in holy fire, faith, hospitality, restrictions posed by the Shastras (scriptures). Therefore worshipful service to Lord Shri Krishna, pilgrimage, he deserves criticism. "He had committed sins for long welfare of others, satisfaction, and devoted service of Guru many years. He caten food of prostitutes. Therefore he is Observance of these Yama and Niyam is fruitful for people. unholy. He had not performed - atonement, therefore we The shauch (ablution) is of two types, therefore rules are are taking him to the God of Death (Yama Raja). There he

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will beocme pure by undergoing the punishment." others.(11) Moreover, Yagyavalkya says that by not following the religion prescribed by the Shastras (scriptures), by Truthfully speaking, the souls who are drowning and following anti religious practice and by leaving the organs swimming again and again due to their acts on this earth, free (or say, not restricting the organs), man ultimately should for their own welfare, concentrate more on stoops to the lowest position. achieving salvation. Therefore, for the salvation of his followers, Lord Shriji Maharaj preaches personal religion Therefore let all my disciples always observe the for all four castes- for all his followers on this earth. Any dictates of the Shikshapatri with care and affection.(10) of the living creatures-means-all three categories inclusive of all three temperaments: Sattva, Rajas, Tamas and Therefore, due to the reasons mentioned earlier, all my breathing on air should not be killed. Himsa means to kill disciples, with full alertness and without any laziness - means to act against one's soul. Smritis too say that no should follow the dictates. Laziness is like death. soul should be opposed or oppressed. Therefore, Sanatasujatiya Shastra says that "laziness, as I By banning the general violence on souls like this, believe, is death, and nonlazyness is life. Asuras were (keeping in view the general mentality of woman and man defeated due to their laziness and Devas became Brahm towards killing of lice, bed bugs, etc.), he further advises due to the absence of laziness. Lord Sheshnarayan them not to act so under the force of impatience or non- (Supreme God) had said to King Chitraketu, "Oh tolerant nature. He very precisely says not to kill even a King!Listen to my words carefully. If you will listen with lice or a bug. Do not kill it knowingly. Such sin, if the due care and attention, you will prosper with committed unknowingly then there is atonement for such knowledge and advancement of knowledge and shall sin. It is said in Apadadharm. If a religious-minded person accomplish the highest achievements. So, greatest commits a sin unknowingly and thereafter, undergoes an happiness will follow those who read the Shikshapatri and atonement to remove the sin with full awareness, then in act according to it with full understanding of its meaning. that case atonement purifies him by destroying that sin like Follow and act constantly. This contains 'single directional' a salty water that washes away the dirt from the cloth. sentence in preaching. Accordingly, the atonement prescribed for the sins committed unknowingly, double-up in the case of those No followers of mine shall ever kill any living sins which have been committed with full knowledge - or creatures on this earth; nor shall they destroy say committed knowingly. Smritis prescribe double knowingly any minute insects such as lice, bugs and atonement for the sins committed with knowledge.

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Yagyavlkya Muni says that atonemant destroys those sins giver of poison, one who puts fire, one who curses one which have been committed unknowingly. But in case of who uses power of black-magic, one who misguides the a person who had committed a sin with the knowledge of ruler one who sells his own wife to others, and one who it, atonement opens only a way for him in social dealings sees the faults of others. These are tyrants. on undergoing a double atonement for such sins. In Sukdevji says in Shrimad Bhagwat: 'Killing even a small Mitakshara treatise, it is explained that the sins committed insect, consigns one to the hell named - Andhkoop. In this unknowingly are destroyed on performing atonement; but Loka-earth-the living species, whose life style has been the sins committed with a knowledge are not removed by imagined by God and who are not aware of the pains of the atonement. Prescribed atonements for the sins with the other - if killed by a person - a human being - whose knowledge provide the sinner with a right to interact with life style has been imagined differently and knows the pains society. Though the sin is not wiped out, the society of others - the killer human being commits him self to overrules objections against such sinner and re-starts Andh-koop hell. And those animals, birds, snakes, bugs, dealing with him. Sin has two negative powers. It consigns insects, lices, bed bugs impose pains there upon him and one to hell and isolates him from the society. Out of these throw him in utter state of unrest. A person burning due to two, atonement removes one by re-starting his dealing with such Brahmdand, and giving pains to other living bodies, the community; but the power of consigning him to hell in his other birth becomes a victim of the living bodies of stays. In Parashar Geeta of Mokshadharma, it is said that that specie, and becomes unacceptable to them. Moreover, the sins committed unknowingly should be removed by it is said not to harm others for any reason what so ever. penance. But one who indulges in sinful acts knowingly One who desires the welfare of himself should not hate or and after that performs atonement has to avail fruits of both harm others, as one who inflicts harm to others has to fear these acts. (Heavenly for the atonements and hellish for from elsewhere. the acts of sin). Nobody should perform any sinful act Preaching is of two different styles. In some cases it knowingly. may be in the form of 'Do's' and in some other cases it Some one may pose the doubt that Shrutis say that there may be in the form of 'Don'ts'. In the beginning, the is nothing wrong in punishing those who are against us, preaching here is in a negative form. In the following who pain us. As such, what is wrong in killing lice etcetera? Shloka- as at that time violence was being committed on a Explanation is : That has been said about trouble creating large scale in performing Yagya (holy fire), after objecting enemies at the battle field and are to be faced by a warrior. to the worldly violence as given above, now in the The sentence is not with reference to lice etc. Katyayan following, objects to the violence perfomed in the holy describes eight categories of such enemies-tyrants; attacker, fire.

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No creature such as goat and other shall be killed free from the cycle of acts. This is like drinking bitter even for offering as oblution in sacrifice to deity or medicine to get free from painful sickness. These Vedas mane, because non-violence is spoken of as the supreme explain and teach about Brahm (Ultimate Reality) and ethical principle.(12) Atma (soul) and are subjects of Pure knowledge, action and meditation. Rishi (great hermits) who are the supporters For the sake of holy fire to please God or ancestors, no of asceticism and 'I love asceticism' of Shrimad Bhagwat, violence should be committed on goats, horses, deer etc do not establish the purposefulness of violence in Vedas. animals within the town or in the fields, as non-violence But it is for shrinking the violence. It is for permission to of body, mind and speech is the greatest religion preached overcome the period of real danger. Bhagwat itself says: by great hermits. Here, non-violence covers Veda and It is regulated and restricted that in famous Shrines only Smriti both. and a king should kill only those animals which are suitable The first and second chapter of the Second Panchika of to kill for Yagya and are necessary to kill for Yagya. Further Rigveda and the ninth part of Shatpath-Brahman of it is said that, for the souls on this earth, consumption of Yajurveda supports non-violence in detail. In Jajali- sensual pleasures, meat and wine is a matter of routine, Tutadhar dialogue of Mokshdharm in Mahabharat and in nobody is required to be told for that. These three sensual Vishwajeet Ashwamedh Yagya by Indra (Ruler God of pleasures meat and wine have been regularized by way of heaven) the dialogue between Indra and Gods - the support marriage, holy fire, and Shautramani holy fire, but it is of Ahimsa is evident. Moksha Dharm says, "Oh Brahmin! more advisable to get free from all the three. Shridhar Untruth has been spread by those who know nothing real Swami explains these sentences as under: As all love about the Vedas and are greedy and selfish atheists." hunting, therefore there is no directive for that but a limiting Further, it says that, those who do not believe in order and line has been drawn up-and by that the act of hunting has self-restraint and are atheist, vague and senseless, have been minimized. There are six rules pertaining to this supported attachment to killing of deer and belief in getting violence. If one is interested extremely in hunting, he heaven by violence. Violence is not at all permissible in should do so in a famous Shrine and on the day of Shraddh. the performance of Yagya. All such sentences in the Veda Shraddh should not be an ordinary or everyday one, but are indicative of the criticism of violence. on the famous - Shraddh. A king too, should perform only Somebody may then ask how can a Yagya succeed on that day. It should be performed in the forest; and only without violence? Ajen Yajet explains 'how?' "Ajen Yajet" that animal which is to be offered in the holy fire, should Perform Yagya by offering 'Aja' in fire. Bhagwat says that be killed. As such the shloka pertaining to violence for Vedas teach lessons to ignorant people. Acts for letting holy fire do not carry the meaning that violence must be

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performed in holy fire or for the holy fire. As violence is year-old paddy, are the best. (oldness of paddy makes it popular, it is committed in routine-say daily. It is liked and useless for seeding)". In Anushasan Parva of Mahabharat, accepted by everybody, as such no one requires instructions Bhishma had said, "It is heard that in ancient times people for committing it. One may say that a woman should be were sacrificing animals made of rice and were getting copulated during her menstruation period, residue of holy heaven by such a sacrifice. fire should be consumed with devotion are the instructions Some people are Rajas and Tamas natured. Their vision there. We do accept it. It is true. Such has been preached. is not clear and the intellect is blunt due to over involvement But these are not the instructions for the first initiation in in worldly action. Such people know nothing about the that activity. To be precise, these instructions are not intention of God. As said before, they are bound to become carrying the meaning that one who had yet not acted in habituated to violence, and being ignorant of the real that activity should begin to do so. But it is for regulating meaning of my saying, continue their involvement in and restricting those Kshatriyas (Cast of warrios) who are violent acts. Such people, when performing holy fire, do with Rajas and Tamas nature and as such were attached not require any suggestion or insistence for performing holy more to the sensual pleasures and violence. Therefore the fire. Such wicked people, with an intention to practise people with Satvic nature are required to abstain from violence perform holy fire by sacrificing animals for their violence to achieve salvation. This is the hidden teaching personal happiness and worship Gods of dead ancestors of that Shloka. and rulers of ghosts. Narad Pancharatra says, "Godly In interpretation of this, Shloka the scholars of the Vedas Shrutis advise us to be like a mother for the well being of have opined that the word 'Ajen' and other words in that everybody. It never says to act against any body. Shastras connection are meant for paddy, and should not be taken (holy scriptures) which preach violence are not at all as 'Goat'. As Per Dhananjay Kosh (a Sanskrit dictionary) Shastras. Why? Because violence generates the cycle of 'Aja' means three year - stale paddy. In Mahabharata, the wickedness creating miseries. Hidden secrets of Shrutis great hermit has said to the Gods, "Vedic Shruti says to are known only to God, who is the soul of the universe. use paddy in sacrifice for holy fire, as such Aja should be No other learned scholar knows about it. Such God had offered as sacrifice for holy fire. No goat should be already said that "Know all living bodies like your own sacrificed. Oh Gods! The performance involving killing self." How, then can such a God, advise violence? And of any animal is not suitable and proper for a religious- why? Acts of violence which have been shown are for minded person." Vayu and Matsya Purans (scriptures) say, getting gradually free from the acts of violence. Therefore, 'Oh Great amongst the Gods! The holy fires, which are know all the living bodies as your own self, do not consider violence- free and are performed with sacrifice of three- others as different from you. Satpurusha (religious minded

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pious souls) know this by their association with holy saints it is not possible to provide sacrifice for each and every and devotees in the sect. And as such, they perform non- person. violent holy fires. It is said that those who follow the path So called religious acts, which are criticized by people of Satpurusha and perform holy fire non-violently attain and are like hurdles in achieving heaven are not to be the ultimate reality. Narad has said to ancient King practised. Therefore violence should not be committed, but Barhish, "Oh King! You are merciless ! See those hordes to welcome here means to respect them with soft words of thousands of animals killed by you in the holy fire. and offer them water for washing feet, to offer various Remembering their revenge they are waiting for you with ingredients for Poojan a seat to sit on. Sumptuous food, an intention to cut you in to pieces with the axe in their sweet words etc should be enough to please a visitor. hands, as and when you go there on your death". Further, Lord Manu had said, leave all such acts, which are Narada had said "Oh King! The animals which were killed drawing one away from true religion. Also leave such in the holy fire by merciless Puranj, were cutting him religious acts, where there are chances of criticism by angrily into pieces on remambeeing their death. people and a risk to future happiness.' By these means of banning violence in the form of Greatness of non-violence is preached in all the sacrifice in the performance of holy fire for the Gods, scriptures. In Mahabharat Bhishma says that non-violence ancestors, now ban same violence in the worship of is the main religious act among all the actions. Due to their honoring important guest; and which is being performed liking for the violence people kill animals on the outer altar due to incomplete knowledge of the meaning of Shastras of holy fire. As such in the light of above, learned people (sacred scriptures). ""Knowledgeable and learned guest should practise religion minutely. In all the religious acts should be honoured by offering big sacrifice and should and in all the living bodies, non-violence is the best. be welcomed by offering seat, sumptuous food and sweet Mokshdharm says that no other religious act is better than words etcetera. "In these words of Yagyavalkya too, non-violence towards living bodies. meaning of the word 'big sacrifice' does not carry violence. This applies equally to the performance of holy fire to As Vigyaneshwar has founded in his 'Mitakshara', it the ancestors and a manes. The great saint Parshar says advocates non-violence towards animals. If a visitor with that, "If one has deep faith, then absolute purity and the said qualities of status arrives at ones place, then cleanliness of self is enough to satisfy mane, but meat and presenting the same to him one should pray that it is not flesh are not satisfying the manes. The person who kills being given away for killing it, but as a symbol of mutual the animal and offers flesh of that animal to the manes, is love and attachment, that fits with the tradition wherein a big fool like the one who after burning sandal wood one says that all my belongings are your own. Moreover, applies its burning charcoal on the body. Narada says to

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Yudhishthira,"One who knows the elements of religion violence in total; leaving aside the option, such non- never offers meat in the food and water to the manes. Also violence unaffected by time, place and species is called all do not consume it, because the emotional satisfaction prevailing great vow. The killing of human, whether in derived on offering non-cultivated grains is not available traditional terms or in Vedic rites-deserves absolute in offering killed animals.The supreme religion for the rejection. This is being explained in the next shloka. person desiring real religion - true religious life - lies in rejection of violence by words and actions. In Vasudev Under no circumstances let any human being be Mahatmya of Skand Puran Shri Narayan says to Narad that killed, even for the sake of woman, wealth or political people should not offer or eat meat in the rites of mane as power. (13) the manes get real satisfaction on consuming non-cultivated grains, milk and ghee. Do not kill any human being by traditional means or by Non-violence has been supported by Patanjali in maxim Vedic means. It should be effaced even from the mind, as of Mahavrat given in the Sadhana section of Yoga-Shastra, human life is rare to get. Human body is the means for "Non-violence, truth, not-stealing properties of others, attaining four great aims such as religion, wealth, celibacy, and renunciation are religious acts. And these acts fulfillment of worldly desires and salvation. As such can not be curtailed or divided by castes, class, place and destruction of human body destroys everything. Shrimad time. These are the highest vows. He says that no living Bhagwat says, "Oh King ! This human body is the giver body should be maligned by any means at any time and of the four great fruits of life. Therefore, Oh Brave one ! this is called non-violence. Critics also explain the meaning Destruction of it is like destroying everything. What are of three-word species, place and time. To kill fishes only, the major causes behind the killing of human beings ? First but nothing other then the specie of fishes, is divided or is woman. One, who is attracted to a woman, should not curtailed by species factor. Vow of not killing at the kill any human being to get that woman. As per the words religious places is curtailed by the factor of place-the used in this Shloka of Shikshapatri, woman and wealth violence curtailed by the factor of place. Not to kill on the both have to be considered for the meaning. No human fourteenth day of the fortnight or on holy days is called killing should be committed to acquire wealth, property or curtailment by the factor of time. Now one who has rejected kingdom. Brihaspati had described killing of human being, violence, if says that I will commit violence for the sake stealing of other's wife and other two cruelties as four major of God and Brahmins then again it falls under time acts. Killing even a most sinful person, has been treated as curtailment. Kshatriyas (warriors), killing in the battlefield a major act-and for such major act, punishment has to be are under this time-curtailment. One should perform non- prescribed by the king. Atonement has been appreciated

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in essence, in the case of killing any one from all eighteen devotion of God. They should not kill them selves for mere castes of human beings. Therefore, leave human killing temptation of heaven. God himself had said in Shrimad by all means. A killer of human being is cosigned to the Bhagwat, "Ultimate salvation can be attained by action, miseries of hell and never given birth as human being, that penance, knowledge of God, detachment, Yoga, donation, is what Manusmriti says in regard to human killing. In religion and rest other means, but my devotee gets the same short, a killer of human beings always faces miseries. very easily through my devotion and if he desires for heaven or my own divine abode, that too he can get very None shall in a fit of anger or in repentance of easily." Moreover, at the holy Shrines, simple desire or commission of some sinful act, ever commit suicide by wish with hearty remembrance of name of God is enough taking poison or strangulation etcetera, even in a place for the fulfilment of the same. One cannot get it by sacrifice of pilgrimage.(14) of own body. Brahmpuran says, "One who is meditating in the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu and concentrating his mind Violence - killing of others and killing one's own self in Lord Vishnu, if leaves his body in the holy place of Killing of others has been prohibited in previous Shloka. Prayag, gets the desired fruit of his submission. One should Now here, this Shlok prohibits another type-killing of own therefore, remember God till the body cooperates. self. Self-assassination should not be committed even with Shukdevji says in Shrimad Bhagwat, "Remembrance of the idea that such act at holy places like Prayag consigns Shri Hari is enough for a relief from all the calamities." one to heaven. Brahmin should not commit suicide even Mitakshara treatise says, "Those who are weak for with an intention to achieve greatest reward like heaven. performance of religion, extremely old and without Shastras (scriptures) have said about the rewards on detachment and those who are not entitled for Sanyas, and jumping into water or abstaining from food and water, even those who are in the Vanprasth (third) phase of life are then, one should not act so, one should not commit suicide. allowed to enter in fire, but in Kaliyuga (the age of Kali) Shrutis (ancient scripture) have said about protecting the it is not permitted. Kalnirnaya Deepika (a religious treatise) body by all the means. As per Mitakshara treatise, Shrutis says, "Killing cow, killing human being in a holy fire, have said that one who desires for heaven should not invite killing horse in holy fire, drinking wine, remarriage of a death at an immature time at an immature age; and objected woman, Sanyasth, celibacy forever, giving away larger part intellectually against self killing. And all my followers, of property to eldest brother, killing animal to serve meat who are fully capable of getting ultimate reward of their to the guests and God etc., producing heir in brothers wife life as per their desire, as such, they should not leave their with a permission from the parents and entering into body, which is the most powerful instrument for the Vanprasth (third) stage of life are prohibited in Kaliyug.

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Herein, a doubt may be raised that a person who is Kaliyuga. About this and for the drawbacks of death, says suffering from an incurable disease or one who is very old Bhatt Kamalakar in his Nirnaysindhu, 'The atonement of should give away his ownself in fire, water or Himalaya getting death in the holy Shrine of Kashi differs in each of Mountains - this is what the Purans prescribe. Therefore, the Ages'. the old people deserve giving away their bodies. On the By banning such suicidal acts, which have been other hand, you are talking about Vanprastha (third stage) prescribed by the scriptures, now, in the same Shlok he only. Why so ? What does they say in reply? Listen, prohibits all such violence in toto. Due to anger emerging Vigyaneshwara and Devyagnika etcetera say for the both out of harsh and heart-pinching words from evil people i.e. very old people and Vanprastha, but in Kaliyug it is and relatives, if one is tempted to commit suicide by not allowed. The practise, which is not allowed in Kaliyug hanging his ownself, one should not do so. The shloka and as listed by Kalmadhava and Prithvichandra includes contains the word 'adi' - meaning etcetera. The critic here, falling from the mountain, entering into fire, death of the desires to say that etcetera contains all other means of old person etc. Mokshdharm also says that with the change committing suicide - such as to jump in a well and so on. in the age, the religious practices also change. This means As suicide is a great sin, nobody should commit it. Suicide that the religious practice is quite different in different ages: destroys all the means of gainful efforts. Dharmshastra Satya Yuga, Dwaparyuga Treata Yuga and now for the confirms that death by such act is sinful and hellish for Kaliyuga. With this in mind, in the Atonement Chapter, them who leave their body by giving away intake of food, Rishi Yagyavalkya says, "for the sins for which no by consuming poison, by jumping into fire, by inflicting atonement has been prescribed, the decision in regard to self injuries by weapons, by strangulation, by drowning appropriate atonement should be made in the light of place, own self in deep waters, by jumping from a mountain peak time, age, strength and the gravity of the sin". or by jumping from a tall tree. Here it is meant to say that Here, the word 'also' suffixed to the name of under all these and other circumstances, suicide should not Yagyavalkya. This means that, if in some rare cases by be committed. It means that due to some misfortune and at chance a great sin has been committed, then in that case, some time if some relative acts badly or one acts against giving away of own body may be accepted as an his own personal religion, place or caste lineage, even in appropriate atonement. Angira Muni also says so. - One cirumstances as these, one should not commit suicide. who commits a great sin knowingly, cannot escape from Herein too, The meaning covers acts like suicide by that sin unless and until he jumps to death from a high consuming poison or by strangulation. In case of the acts mountain or burns himself in the high flames of fire, pertaining to natural sins too suicide itself consigns one to though, the atonements as such have been restricted in hell. Therefore in the case of sinful acts, the atonement

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should be performed according to place, time, age, life- is hardly available. Here, the word and its meaning are stage and personal capacity and in accordance to very important. 'Sarvatha' means by all the means - totally Dharmshastra. This only is just and relevant. The intention - wholly, absolutely in all the circumstances. Whether due behind this is to prohibit suicide. Prohibiting violence on to own wish or just to enjoy the taste or to respect it as a others and also on ones own self, Now in the following remain of the sacrifice or as a respect to the order from the Shlok it prohibits eating of meat in any form. Guru-but meat should not be eaten in any of these circumstances. One should not taste meat. Meat is produced Flesh and meat shall never be taken, even though by killing animals, therefore the eater of the meat is they may be remains of sacrifice; nor liquor of any kind accounted as a killer of the animal. Manu Maharaj says: be ever drunk, not even that which has been offered to "One who gives permission to kill the animal, one who the deities. (15) separates different parts of such a killed animal, one who kills the animal, one who sells such meat, one who My followers are Vaishnava and are on way to Moksh- purcheses such meat, one who cooks such meat, one who Salvation, as such, they should not consume meat. Holy brings such meat and one who eats the meat are the killers fires-Yagyas with violence or killings-have been of the animal. Meat can not be produced without killing prohibited, eventhough the repeatation of the prohibition an animal. And the act of killing the animal does not give in consuming meat has a genuine cause. Sometimes in the heaven for such act. Therefore, meat should not be changed places, in the holy fires or in the offerings to manes consumed. Sanskrit word 'Maansah' is divisible in to two violence may be practised by others but the remains of such distinct words, Maan + Sah together means: what you are meaty sacrifice too are not to be consumed. Eating of such eating now, will eat you in the other birth. This is what meat from the sacrifice is prohibited. Similarly Aitareya learned people have said about the fleshy attribute of flesh. Brahman of Rig Veda (Ancient Hindu Scripture) says Further, it is said that one who performs one hundred holy "Those reproductive animals are not proper for a kill fires (Ashwamedh Yagya) and one who does not eat meat, therefore the flesh of those animals should not be both of them earn equal reward of their action. consumed." Shatpath Brahman of Yajurveda says that: Kurmapurana (scripture) says, "God has created caste Those animals are not to be eaten as they destroy the system and non violent holy fire in Treta Yuga". In the intellect. Moreover, the flesh of those animals is not Chapter of Dan Dharma Shri Bhishma says, "Oh harmless. In Anushasan Parva of Mahabharata it is said Yudhishthira ! One, who with a vow performs holy fire of "Oh King ! Flesh is not harmfree at all. Word 'Api' meaning Ashwamedh every month and one, who abstains from meat 'even', has been used there, as the flesh without any process and wine, both of these are equal in their acts. Saptarishis,

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Valkhilya Rishis and Maricha etcetera Rishis also praise food after a due performance of Vaishwadeva. It is about and favour Pure vegetarians. The person, who first by mind, eating such eatables. Similarly in the treatise by Shridhar, thereafter by speech and at last by action if gives away the it is said that, one who consumes leftover food of eating of meat, attains emancipation. Meat is not produced Vaishwadev etcetera five holy-fires, becomes free from of grass, wood or stone but is produced by killing animals- 'Panchasoona'-five sins namely pulverizer, flour wheels, therefore there is sin in eating meat. Earlier, Saptarishis stove, water stand and brooms, as per Manusmriti. These asked king Uparichar Vasu of Chedi-State about the five are connected with householders and deprive one of acceptability of meat as a food - and fell down on the earth, heavenly abode. 'Suna' (a Sanskrit word) means a place of when the king wrongly said that meat is eatable and non- violence or killing. Also the word 'Suna' is used for eatable both. Again when the Rishis repeated the same 'daughter' too, This is what Madini treatise establishes. question to him, king sunk deeper into the earth on There is Shruti "Yagya is Vishnu"-means holy fire itself is repeating the same answer. God. It means, one who eats from the offering to Lord In Mokshadharma, Saint Bhrigu says, one who has Vishnu becomes free from all sins. abstained from eating meat should not eat sacrificed or non- Some one may say that it is not sinful to consume meat sacrificed meat; he should not eat the meat left over in an when life is in peril, or eating of meat after worshiping honour of manes. Chaturdhar Nilkanth also defines in the Gods and manes, as it is supported by Yagyavalkya Smriti. same way. Therefore, the religion where ever includes the Then why does it become sinful ? To remove this doubt, act of violence there in too the non-violence stands as the we draw the attention to Moksha Dharm in Anushasan best. Shrutis advocate eating left over meat of the holy Parva of Mahabharat. The dectates in it object to this act. fire, but it is not an act of necessary performance. That is And the Smriti says so by keeping in view those who are just to curtail the common tendency of liking meat eating with Rajas and Tamas nature and are generally tempted to and to limit it to the holy offerings of sacred fire. It narrows eat meat everyday, as such, Smritis dictate, so just for the the consumption from daily routine to a sacred festival. curtailment of their temptation and consumption, and This is what devotees are required to learn from it. reducing the temptation and habit to the limited days of Geeta also says, sacred left over of holy fires if eaten those festivals. Killing animals for a sacrifice to Gods or with respect, removes sins of the saints. And the sinners manes has been prohibited in Kaliyug, and this has been who consume it just for nourishment of their bodies are mentioned in previous reference of Deepika. To kill consuming sins. These words are from God, but are not in animals for Madhupark, to leave your seed in your elder connection with eating meat. These are about the grains brother's wife, to offer meat in rituals for mane and to grown on a rain by the Gods and cooked and offered as accept Vanprasth have been prohibited during the Kaliyug

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by the scripture of Brihadanaradiya Puran and Nirnaya all three are wines; therefore no Brahmin, Kshatriya or Sindhu. Therefore, it becomes clear that, one should not Vaishya should consume it. Alcohol is of eleven different consume meat. In light of this and also to eliminate categories, made from pineaple, grapes, dates, barries, remotest possibility of violence and eating flesh, toddy fruits, sugar cane, honey, wild tree leaves, Ritha, Dharmopdesha prohibits eating food which has been coconut and light concentration of wine made from jaggery prepared out of green and shelled beans by cooking it in liquid and some wild flowers and Aanvala. Wine-though earthen pots. It says that, peas and beans with their shells, in eleven different types is basically uniform in its effects. if cooked in an earthen pot with lid on and then if served. And alcohol of all twelve types is most sinful and should not be consumed by the people. Though roasted damaging. That is what Pulasya Muni had said about it. within the pot on the fire, it has the possibility of containing To drink alcohol is greatest sin. Manu says, killing a tiny insects and killing of the same. Green gram means Brahmin, drinking wine, commit theft and copulate with those pod-bearing products-peas, beans etcetera cooked as wife of guru (teacher) are great sins and major atonement a whole. Those beans contain tiny insects within their bean has been prescribed by Dharmshastra for removal of these bodies; as such, to consume such beans is an act of sins. Pracheta Muni says that one who has drunk alcohol violence. Such roasted food contains dead bodies of killed or has copulated with the guru's (teacher's) wife should insects-which are not visible at first sight. To eat such food wear skin of trees and should undergo atonement-penance is violence. Eating such food is like eating meat. As such for twelve years. Mansmriti says that atonement should be it is a sinful act. and sinful acts always encourage devilish performed in case of drinking unknowingly the water feelings and desires. Killers, drunkards and meat eaters mixed with alcohol. If one from the three upper castes have been identified as asura - demons - by Parashara. drinks the water unknowingly touched by alcohol, urine Offerings to God, means treating Goddess Kali and or excreta, he has to undergo Samskars (means purification Bhairav as personal Gods and the food offered to them as rites like holy thread etc.) Such Samskar and its procedures a part of the worship. If in such form of residue of holy may be referred with Samskar Mayukh. Herein word offering, the things are in the form of wines and alcohol, alcohol includes wine and beer as all these have equal those should not be consumed as holy offerings; They are effects. This is what Vashishta has said. not even to be smelled. As per Bhagwan Manu wine is In Sautramani holy glasses of alcohol have been nothing but excreta of grain-and therefore it is unholy and permitted, but just for inhaling the flavour and not for sinful. Therefore the community of Brahmin, Kshatriya and drinking alcohol; but at other places(other then holy fire Vaishyas should not consume wine. Wine is of three of Sautramani) it is not even permitted to smell it. Brihad different categories, namely Gandi, Madhavi and Paishti; Vishnu Smriti says that to harass Brahmin, to inhale non-

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inhalable objects (tobacco etc.) and alcohol, to play free from seven sinful acts inclusive of drinking wine. "The treachery with guru, to cheat, and intercourse with animal sinful act, by which Ishwar a even can not save oneself or man brings fall of the race. Alcohol is prohibited even from the destruction , are as follows:the company of at Sautramani during this Kaliyuga. The acts to be given a women, gamble of dice, hunting, drinking wine, harsh way as per Aditya Puran during Kaliyug are: producing words, severe punishment, malpractises for acquiring child in a widow woman by encouraging the younger wealth. Manu had described drinking wine as a most sinful brother of her dead husband, to arrange marriage of a act amongst the eighteen malpractises. Those eighteen Brahmin with a girl of an other caste, to opt for giving malpractises are hunting, gambling, day sleeping, away body and life in the icy mountains of Himalaya, to discussions with women, reactions of wine consumption, kill animals in Gosav-holy fire, to drink wine in Sautramani musical instruments, dancing and loitering are in a group holy fire, to kill animals for blessings or for the guests or of the ten acts, promoting covetousness; plus back biting, for the manes, to accept one as a child who is neither an reckless courage, betrayal, envy, jealousy, black mail for own child nor an adopted one and to practise Vanprastha extorting money, harsh words and roughness these eight or Sanyastha stage. If alcohol has been consumed are a group generating anger. Consuming wine, gamble of knowingly at some time, there is atonement for the same dice, company of women and hunting are very painful in in Prayashchit Mayukh of Brihaspati. If a Brahmin generating desire of happiness. And severe punishment, consumes alcohol due to some carelessness, he should abusing, malpractice for money these three are painful in perform atonement by Atikrachha Vratta and the king generating anger. The bad habits mentioned by should give him Samskars. One who is performing Yagyavalkya Muni and indirect sins described like Samskars on the Brahmin should offer Brahm-Bhojan on slaughter of cow etcetera include the making machines for that event. killing (gun etc). Vigyannath defines it further and says Though they have been addressed with two names wine that there are eighteen malpractises, inclusive of hunting and alcohol both have same meaning even. These both have and atonement for each should continue for three months been distinguished by Mitakshara treatise and have been and should be as per Mitakshara. In no circumstances, prohibited for Brahmins, where as prohibited wine only intake of wine is desirable for a Kshatriya. While it is for Kshatriya (warriors community) and Vaishya (caste in treated as malpractice in other ages, it is absolutely trading). There are descriptions in puranas of Kshatriyas prohibited in Kaliyug. Brahmpuran says, Naramedha, drinking wine but that does not mean that they have been Ashwamedha and wine should be given away in absolute ordered to consume wine. Wise people should not consume by Brahmins during Kaliyug- Parashar says even the light it, as it is sinful to do so. Vidurniti says,"King should get touch of wine consigns one to hell. Brahmin Kshatriya and

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Vaishyas, if they touch wine, suffer tortures of hell till final Gods are Satviks, humans are Rajasi and demons are destruction of cosmos. Bhagwan Manu suggests atonement Tamasi by nature. Everybody knows this. In light of this, for the same, if touched by lower part of the body below it is not proper to offer wine to such Satvik Gods-, as wine the navel, then one should perform atonement by total bath, is the offering for devils. In support of this, Bhagwat says if by navel then fast for one whole night and if by the that devils and demons made Prahlad-the best amongst the upper part of the body (above the navel) one should fast demons- the calf, and milked wine in steel utensil. for three consecutive nights. To drink water from a utensil Thereafter, they accepted lotus eyed Varuni-a beautiful and used for wine, attracts drawback and sin as per Harit Muni- Goddess like girl- with the due permission from Vishnu. and further he suggests that such person should undergo Manu also says, Brahmin should not take alcohol, wine twelve day atonement by drinking water boiled with and meat which are like food for the demons, even as a Brahmi. Wine has been prohibited for all those who are part of holy offering from the Gods. This is a prohibited not wearing holy threads - and innocent girls who are sacrifice to God too. In Mokshdharm of Mahabharat it is absolutely pure and have not been attracted to any person. said that the act of eating meat is not appreciable even on As per Smritis, there is no prescription of atonement pretext of trees, holy fire or Yush. Wine, fish, alcohol, for children without sacred threads. Gautam Rishi also beans and rice in oil are the things sponsored by cunning says that, prior to the ceremony of sacred threads, one can people. It is not imagined in Vedas. It has been created move, talk and eat as per his own free will and wish. Then just for temptation, respect, greed and taste. Brahmins in circumstances as such, how does drinking wine become know only Vishnu in holy fire and Lord Vishnu is always sinful for such a child? Then in explanation and removal worshipped with wheat and sweet milk. Trees required for of that doubt, listen to this : Bhagwan Bhaskar says that holy fire have been imagined by Vedas. The grain, which Gautam and other Smritis are for matters other than is produced in the month of Kartik and then purified by consumption of the wine. Mitakshara treatise while pious people, only that grain is proper to offer to God. discussing Jatukarnya Smriti mentions that if a child, This is why there is a principle that wine and alcohol without sacred threads, consumes wine, then in atonement which have been offered to God, should not be consumed. of that sin the father, mother and brother of that child Therefore it is desirable to give away violence of all sort, should perform three Kruchha Chandrayan Vratt. Gautam's and this is the proper meaning of this Shloka. By prohibiting words are not in relation to wine but are about stale food. violence on animals of all types, restricts cutting any part In fact, all those restrictions are against ones deep of such an animal. attachment to drinking wine. But, what is wrong if such wine is a Prasad from God? For such doubts he says that None shall mutilate any part of one's own body or

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that of others out of anger or by means of a weapon beings and keeps them happy. This Shloka of Shikshapatri etc. even if any improper act is committed by oneself prohibits even uttering word's like "I am cutting a part of or by others.(16) my body" or "I cut his organ" etc. Skanda Purana says that we should not speak such words which give pain to Due to company of evil people and with full knowledge the listener. Due to the anger rose on the exchange of bitter of the action, if one has committed any act against the words, one should not cut his own body or the body of religion or social norms, acts such as:to touch wife of others others- even under the support of scriptural instruction etc, or others if commit such act, in such circumstances justifying such act. In fact, anger destroys all the Punyas. one's ownself or others should under go the atonement as Donations, vows, obervance of religious restrictions, per personal capacity but in no case should one cut, by knowledge of God, meditation, holy fire and chanting of weapons like a dagger, knife or razor, organs such as nose, names of God etc what so ever earned earlier by a man ear, penis etc of any human being, animal or bird. To cut through his good acts destroys spontaneously on his getting any organ of one's own or of others is neither an atonement angry. nor a remedy to remove the sin. Cutting of an organ is an objectionable cruelty. No stealing shall be resorted to even for religious God is not pleased by such acts of cutting organs and purpose, neither fuel nor flower shall be taken except one who commits such act roams between earth and hell. with the consent of the owner. (17) This is the essence of this. Shrimad Bhagwat says, God is pleased on the acts of kindness. It says, "Entities like God None of my follower shall resort to stealing; not even are pleased only on showing kindness towards all living for a religious cause. When it is prohibited even for beings. Hearts filled with desires and in the grip of such religious cause the question does not arise of stealing for ills can not offer worship to please God; and Bhagwat says family or self. Stealing means to take away something to set aside all devilish desires and to shower kindness on directly or indirectly or by force. Core part of the teaching all living beings. Be friendly to every being and God will is - stolen material is not appropriate for religion. Religion be pleased with you. should be practised by a clean earning from ones own Further, it is said in the Bhagwat, "Oh gentlemen! God profession. One who offers food, which is earned by pleases to a kindhearted person. And if God is pleased to justifiable means, to a well-learned Brahmin, becomes free one, I omnipresent God, shower my pleasure on one who from sins. Mokshadharma says that not stealing from others has pleased God."Bhagwat says that Supreme God is is the axiomatic religion. Dana Khanda of Yama Smriti pleased with those who show kindness towards all living says, "One who steals money from others and donates

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thereafter to others, gets hell, and the reward of such and insects, food with alcohol, and the stealing fruits, devotion goes to the original owner of that wealth. Stealing flowers and firewood are called Malinikaran sins. Those by speech, body and mind is to be given away. One who sins are removable by performance of Taptakruchha Vrat. does not steal by these three means is a true follower of Jabal Muni says, one who had committeda sin of stealing Asteya (act of not stealing). Those who are not looking at water, fruits, roots, flowers, leaves, flavouring substance, the things left in the forest or in a lonely place and not earthen utensil and wine etc should in the first instance allowing their mind to think of stealing it, they definitely satisfy the owner and thereafter should confess his sin attain heaven. This is what Shankara says in Bharata. before a Brahmin and undergo Paadkrutchha Vratt. Herein, the act of stealing is described in general, its details As Shankh Muni had said, there is no fault of stealing should be gathered from the Smritis constructed by the in the acts of taking holy firewood for sacrifice and taking Rishis. fodder for cows. Yagyavalkya smriti says, a Brahmin should Kolis and Bhils etcetera which belong to tribals, they take fodder, firewood and flowers, considering those as too are not justified for their act of stealing or robbing. his own property. The exceptions listed by Manusmriti are Naradji had said in Shrimad Bhagwat, "Those who are of as under: On his way, if a Brahmin, under some moral low and cross breed castes should leave stealing and other weakness grabs one or two sugar canes or raddish from a sinful acts and should engage them selves in other clean wayside field, this does not attract any punishment for such professions." Raj-Dharma says, "tribals and lower caste an act. Similarly, he is not punishable if he takes a handful people should serve Acharyas, Gurus,Residents of Ashrams of grain or pulses. If one does not get food for three and the Kshatriyas (warriors) and by that they should earn conseative days, one should act as above. If there is no livelihood. Therefore they are prohibited to indulge in hope for food on the consequent fourth day, the person stealing. other than the caste of Brahmin can take grain, equivalent Fruits, flowers and even firewood if taken away without to the size of the breast of the horse from the wayside fields. due permission from its owner, is called stealing or In all such preachings, the intention is to insist for snatching away; therefore it is an act of theft. Acts in which permission instead of stealing. there is no permission or no person to give a permission; all such acts are called stealing as per Smritis. Gautam Muni None of my followers, whether male or female, shall had prescribed the atonement for such acts. He says, one indulge in adultery, they shall neither practise gambling who takes away grass, firewood, flowers or fruits without and similar vices, nor indulge in drinkng or inhale seeking permission from the owner should be punished by intoxicants such as Bhang, tobacco and snuff etc.(18) axing off his hands. Vishnu Smriti also says, killing birds

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About adultery : None, nobody, he may be a gent or a Mahatmya also says, "do not see others wife with a sinful lady but no one from the followers of Shri Hari, shall eye. Don't go near one's own wife on the days of religious indulge in adultery. Gents shall not indulge in adultery with festivals, on the day of the rites of the mane and in the other's wives. Ladies shall not indulge in adultery with days of Vratt. In Harit Smriti, the dialogue between Harit other's husbands. Both have been prohibited. The act is and Ambarish indicates that even a touch of the dress of equally sinful for both of them. Manu Smriti say, if a the other's wife is sinful. If one, with carnal feeling, touches married woman commits adultery, she gets a bad name in the dress of others wife, he earns the sin of killing a society and suffers from sinful diseases by becoming a fox Brahmin, this is what Katyayan Muni has said. That person in the next birth. Moreover, the man who commits adultery suffers in hell for a number of years equal to the number has to undergo atonement. The woman who has committed of the threads woven in the cloth of that woman and that adultery, with the husband of the other woman has to too in multiple of hundred. Similarly it is prohibited to perform same atonement. Vidurji also says that the act of muse with the wife of the other person. Deval Muni also adultery destroys the rewards of all previous good acts. prohibits adultery with women. The woman who proceeds Stealing wealth of others, adultery with other's wife and ahead sensuously towards other person, becomes donkey breach of friendship are all corrosive factors against the for seven births and suffers the pains of hell. She also gets doer. Anushasan Parva of Mahabharat says that these three serious diseases. Bhagwat also prescribes Tapta Surmi hell sinful acts should be given away by mind, body and for committing adultery. The man who commits adultery speech. It means that people from all castes should give with a woman, who is prohibited to him or a woman who away adultery with the wife of the other person (of any commits adultery with a man, who is prohibited to her, are caste), because in this Loka, there is no sin greater than consigned to hell to undergo hellish punishment of this, shortening the life of the sinner. Adultery with other's punching with burning iron rods and embracing heated iron wife shortens the life of the sinner. The sinner suffers from idol of the opposite sex. Therefore even by mind one agonies of hell for number of years equal to the number of should not commit the sin of adultery. This is sin of adultery hair possessed by the woman with whom he has copulated in general. And the atonement for the sin of adultery with and that too in multiple of thousands. (A woman has 35 the wife of Guru (teacher) and adultery with one's own million hairs on her body). Not only that, he who looks at sister are extremely hard to perform. Similarly for a woman others wife with a sinful eye, becomes blind for a number also it is a big sin if she commits adultery with Guru, of births. By mind, one who thinks sinfully about the wife disciple and with the persons of lower caste and breed. of others, suffers the pains inflicted by the God of Death Therefore the woman who has committed adultery with and becomes deadly-diseased forever. Shri Vasudev the disciple, Guru, of who has killed her own husband and

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who commits adultery with a drunkard should be left two fires, Lord Shiv and his bullock, teacher and his spontaneously. disciple, husband and wife, two women and also Lord Some sensuous people argue that the woman who has Vishnu and his divine Garuda. Shankh Muni prescribes been purchased by paying money cannot be treated as atonement for the same. One who enters between two others woman, therefore, there is nothing wrong in brahmins, a Brahmin and fire, or a couple, or a cow and copulating with such a woman. In fact this is not correct Brahmin should perform atonement of one Kruchh Vratt or true. Such woman falls under the category of prohibited along Santpan. women, therefore there is a risk of greater sin. As per Bad habits means such acts by performance of which Mitakshara treatise, following are the prohibited women: one falls from the path of emancipation. Gambling etcetera A woman from untouchable castes, woman who copulates are bad habits. Daksha says that women, gambling, with anybody, prostitute, unmarried girl in menstruation, hunting, drinking alcohol, dancing, songs, loitering, and the married woman of one's own clan. In all these five musical instruments, criticism and day-sleeping etc are ten categories. Manu precribes atonement for copulation with bad habits of human beings. The list contains the word such prohibited woman. One who commits adultery with 'etc' at the end. Therefore, idiot talk, bad words, sitting at such a woman shall live on alms for three years along with the places like joints and the water shade meant for the the constant chanting of holy names of God. Harit Muni ladies, company of bad women, reading of non-religious prescribes a bit difficult atonement in the case of a Brahmin and non-devotional books etcetera should also be given who commits such sin. Brahmin immediately descends on off. This is to be given away by all of his disciples. commitment of such sin. He falls from his high caste on One should not play gambling of dices, and should not coputation with such woman. There is no doubt in regard be taken away by the wealth of others. That is what Kapil to this. Therefore it is intended, that everybody should keep Muni says in Bharata. As per Yama Smriti, the dice-players, himself away from all women except one who has been and the killers of animals and the killers of brother accepted as wife in front of fire and in the presence of a ultimately fall in the river Vaitarini, Manu had prohibited Brahmin. in Mitakshara the gamble of dice, as gambling uses Yagyavalkya Muni prohibits to cross even a shadow of cheating and lies to the maximum. There is a prescription the wife of others. The shadows of God, Brahmins, holy of atonement for the players. It says: Nobody should play fire, scholar, Guru (teacher), king and urine, spit and water- dices under any circumstances. King should find out those residue of a bathing, should not be crossed. Angira Muni people who are involved in gamble of dices and they should does not allow the entry of man between women. One be killed irrespective of their caste such as Shudra or should not stay inbetween fire and Brahmin, two Brahmins, Dwija. For other bad habits, Yagyavalkaya and

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Brihadvishnu have prescribed atonements under cow killing animals in the town or in the forest and eating slaughter etcetera sins and after sufficient calculation have forbidden food make one descend from his own caste. prescribed three months of such atonement. Therefore, such Atonement for such a sin is to spend one month on barley. bad habits deserve outright rejection by everybody. Bhang Though there is no possibility of such a food, even then, and Vijaya both are intoxicating substances like alcohol. why is there such restriction? In this Kaliyuga, there is Naradji had said that substances, which intoxicate should remotest possibility of such an incident. Therefore, to not be consumed, as those divert the one from the path of protect his own followers against such danger Lord Shri emancipation. Hari, therefore says specifically that though there may be the prasad of Shri Krishna amongst such eatables. By such Except at Jagannathpuri, neither cooked food nor mention, it is implied that there is nothing wrong in the water, even if it remains from an offering to Lord food itself as it is the sacred prasad of Shri Krishna but it Krishna shall be accepted, which are served by others is not to be taken because consuming it from there, is a who are not approved by age-old conventions to do breach of the restriction laid down by personal religious so.(19) rules pertaining to the distinctions between castes. The breach of such religious restriction amounts to the loss of Acceptable means, proper for eating; unacceptable caste-religion and as such consigns one to hell. God is means not proper for eating. Food that has been cooked pleased with the devotee on his observance of restrictions by a person, from whom eating food is not proper - is not regarding caste- religion, as such, the devotion of a follower allowed; one who is prohibited by town, place, caste, clan becomes fruitful. Therefore, Samvart Muni had said, or caste- procedures. The food cooked by such person; 'Bhakti becomes successful by observance of the religion water from such a person; eatables and water which have and the knowledge of God becomes successful on been kept in the utensils of such a person; even the remains observance of religion. If someone, with a threat or fear, of the offerings kept in the utensil of such a person; all forces one to eat such food, in that case the king should these have been prohited. Jagannathpuri, which is the holy punish such an evil person-that is what Vyavaharadhyay place adorned by the holy presence of Lord Jagannath says. By consuming non-eatable food a Brahmin descends and which is situated in the region of Utkal, there in that and becomes a sinner deserving high degree of punishment; place it is acceptable. The meaning in general indicates a Kshtriya in that case deserves a medium degree of that one should neither eat nor drink anything from such a punishment, Vaishya deserves a common punishment; and prohibited person, because such acts displace one from his a Shudra deserves half of the punishment. Half of the own caste and clan chain. Vishnu Purana also says that, punishment means half of the first punishment.

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Neither shall false accusation ever be made against of pilgrimage, Brahmins, chaste women or holy saints, anybody for serving ones own selfish ends, nor shall vedas or listen to such.(21) anybody be abused.(20) God, holy shrine, chaste women, devotees and Vedas One should not accuse anybody to get desired object or should not be criticised. One should not listen to the to fulfil ones' own intention. Nor should such accusation criticism of those made by others. Purans too are included be made. Because the act as such is not a righteous act. in these. One should not criticise these. It is also not proper This is what intended to be conveyed in this Shlok. Aditya to listen to the criticism made by others. Markandey Purana Purana says, that the tears falling from the eyes of one says, God, Veda, Brahmin, saint, holy place, great people, who has been accused falsely, destroy the sons and animals Guru, chaste women, performer of holy fire and penant belonging to the one who had levelled the false accusation should neither be criticised nor be fooled and if other against an innocent one. All the wise saints have prescribed uncivilized people are doing so, one should not listen to different atonements for different sort of sins like slaying it. It is also prohibited to criticise common people. Nobody a Brahmin, drinking alcohol, theft, and adultery etcetera should be criticised or physically assaulted; as such, to but there is no atonement prescribed for false accusation. criticise elder one becomes a serious sin though the act But Yagyavalkya had said about it and Vigyaneshwar had may be the first fault. Sumantu Smriti says that God, hermit, interpreted it. As per him, one who accuses some one Brahmin, teacher, mother, father, king saint and virtuous wrongly with the false accusations such as adultery, killing woman should not be criticised and one who speaks dirty of Brahmin etc. earns sin for himself amounting to double words, tongue of such a person should be pulled out and of the sin of the original sinful act. One who disclose in thrown into the fire. Skand Purana says that Shruti, public about secret sinful act, earns the sin of said sinful Brahmin, God, king, penant and virtuous woman should act. Not only that but the sins which are with the accused, not be criticised. And those who are with evil mind and get transferred to the one who is accusing. Never to speak criticise holy shrine and the idol of God up roots their own bad-words or dirty language to fallen ones, because such being and their lineage. The great hermit Yagyavalkya says: act attracts the sin of the acts of harshness for others. To criticise Veda is like killing a Brahmin, those who Mahabharat also says that those who speak lies, back bite, criticise them destroy their own knowledge and attract the use harsh language and speak limitlessly are consigned to sin of killing a friend or a Brahmin. Bharata says, one who the species of birds and wild animals. criticises Guru, shortens his own life.

Noone shall either indulge in slander of deities, place None shall eat an offering made to deities before

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whom wine or meat is offered or goat and other animals After bowing down, one should see with respect the idols are sacrificed.(22) of God. To see with respect, itself is a form of bowing down. The act of not visiting the temple on one's way and To the Gods. Such Gods and goddesses, who possess not respecting the God there by bowing down to the idol prominence of Rajas in their nature, and offered wine invites furry of God. Vasishta Smriti says : One should bow alcohol and meat to them in worship. That is the offering down with respect from far on seeing an idol of God, a to those Gods. Those things are kept before them-and for temple, an old person, a brahmin, a penant, a Guru, a that goat and other animals are sacrificed before them or Sanyasi and a virtuous woman, There is one prayer in for them. Animals include buffaloes and others too. The Shrimad Bhagwat requesting God Hayagriva for saving remains of offerings to such Gods should not be consumed. us from the insult of God. It says, 'Oh Lord Hayagriva ! Do not eat such things in any circumstances. In Uttar Save me from ignoring the God on my way. Khand of Padma Puran, Shivaji says to Umiyaji, those who eat the remains of the offering to Yaksha, Pishach and None shall abandon one's own Dharma as ordained Tamas-Gods are eating blood and puss. And Bhagwat says by one's own Varna and Ashrama. nor shall one that leftover food should not be consumed, the food with practise a course or conduct prescribed for others or meat should not be consumed, remains of offering to follow a faith wich is pretentious and fictitious. (24) Goddess Chandi should not be consumed, the food brought by a woman during her menstruation period should not be The religious acts pertaining to one's own caste is called consumed, the food brought by a forbidden woman should varna Dharma of him. And the religious acts pertaining to not be consumed and water should not be consumed by one's own life-stage is called the Ashrama Dharma of him. holding it in the bowl of the own palm. Nobody including those who have fullest backing of the force of devotion and knowledge of God, should leave his Seeing a Shiva temple or such other temples while own Varnashrama Dharma. One who abandons such passing by them on one's own way, one shall bow down religion, faces sufferings in this world and in other world and reverent pay obeisance to them (23) after his death. Therefore, in the light of this reality, one should practise his own religion - his own Varnashrama Now says about not ignoring any of the Gods. If the Dharma. The Varnashrama Dharma is the principal temples of Ganesha, Sun God, Shiva etcetera come on one's instrument for mundane pleasures and emancipation at the way, one should offer obeisance by bowing down. This is end of life for everybody. fot all the followers, and it is to be understood as universal. Bhrigu and other sages have said that the religion,

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which has been practised by one with mind, speech, body for a recluse. The meaning implied here is not to practise and intelligence, consigns one to the Loka, which is free the religion of others. The religion of one's own though at from sorrows. And one who practises it with selfless first sight appeas worthless, but it is always better than the intelligence enjoys Salvation. Not only that, practice of religion of other-which is not one's own. The death in such religion generates knowledge of God and devotion practice of own religion is an emancipating death but the which ultimately relieves one from the cycle of birth and religion of others is always dangerous, that is what Lord death; and on leaving such religion - Varnashram Dharma Shri Krishna says to Arjuna. Manu also says that religion - devotion and knowledge too are up-rooted. Therefore one which has no quality but is of ones own is always good should not leave his Varnashram Dharma. This is preached for practice by one, but the religion of others, though it by God Himself in Bhagwat to Uddhavaji. One who is in may be practised very nicely, is not good at all for one, as this Loka, if he follows his own Varnashram Dharma and one falls from his caste on taking refuge at the religion of is pious and sin free, then he gets knowledge of God and others. Similarly an imaginary or hypocritical religion devotion of God with God's pleasure; and one who leaves should not be practised. Shrimad Bhagwat says that his Varnashram Dharm consigns himself to the pains of Pashand (hypocrisy) means the one who possesses symbol the hell. Therefore, Akrura also says, 'One who leaves one's (mark) of sin. Spelled as Pakhand (hypocrisy), the word if own Varnashram Dharma loses the aim of his life and falls splitted into two, 'Paha' means religious limitations which in the depths of hell. Therefore, even in the adverse times, act protect and 'Khanda' means to destroy, one who one should not leave his personal religion, not even to think destroys the religious limitations which are protective to of doing so, that is what Lord Manu says. May be, he faces its practitioner. Means the religion which is against the pains in practising Varnashram Dharm, eventhough he Vedas. Hypocrite and imaginary religion shall not be should not think to attach mind to irreligious acts. Look at practised, because both are the branches of Adharma. the destruction of sinful and anti-relgious people, and attach Bhagwat says that Vidharma (antireligion), Pardharma mind to the religion and religious practice; and don't follow (religion of others), Abhas(illusion), Upama (comparison), the religion of others. The religion of others and practice and Chhala(treachery) these five are the branches of of it means: Personal religion of a Kshatriya is a religion Adharm and one who knows the axiomatic religion, of others for a Brahmin and Brahmins are not supposed to discards these forever. practise that religion; similarly the religion of a Vaishya becomes so for a Kshatriya, religion of a Shudra becomes None shall listen to the discourses on religious so for a Vaishya, religion of a recluse becomes so for a subjects from such persons whose teaching may lead householder and the religion of householders becomes so one to deviation from the devotion to Lord Shri

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Krishna or detraction from ones own Dharma. (25) Such truth, which creates violence or harms one's self or others, should not be spoken. The truth by which others One, whose lectures on Puran etcetera scriptures, brings are pained or which is painful to ones ownself, such truth a devotee down from his nine folded devotion to God, such should not be spoken. Leaving aside such things, one a one reader of the scriptures should be left immediately. should always speak truth; should not speak lies. The truth, This suggests the absence of devotion for Lord Shri which acts against a speaker, a listener or others, is called Krishna and personal religion in that person, who gives here a harmful act. Shrimad Bhagwat says, 'What the well lectures on Purans. Otherwise, this cannot happen on being is of one's own self and others? And what is to be listening to lectures. One shall not listen to lectures on God gained by such religious act, which inflicts harm on one's from one who is away from devotion of Shri Krishna and ownself and others? One becomes angry on his own harm his own personal religion; not to listen at all. There should and by doing harm to others therefore, it is an irreligious be no room for any doubt in it. In Vaishnav Tantra of Hari action. Yajush Brahman says, it is a virtue to speak the Bhakti Vilas it is said that one who has no devotion for truth and to speak lies is a vice. The brightness increases such God who is most desirable to be worshipped, and in a person who speaks the truth. It increases like a who has no respect for his Guru, should not be heard, Kurm increasing brightness of a fire in which butter oil is being purana says : Not to listen the words of those who are not poured. Also such person realises the ultimate good of his respecting Vedas, and not abiding to Dharmshastra, Tantra own self. And one who speaks lies loses his brightness and Brahmin's words. This is, therefore established that like that fire in which water is being poured; he also the core of the teaching here is to listen Krishna-Katha becomes a sinner. Therefore, speak always the truth. only from a true devotee of Lord Shri Krishna. Sanatkumar Shrimad Bhagwat says there is no bigger irreligious act Samhita says, 'One who sticks to his personal religion, and than the act of speaking lies. Earth has said : "I can carry is afraid of the sins, is devotee of Lord Vishnu, and such a anybody and everybody excep the lies. Similarly, lies are true devotee has total hold on Indriyas, is truthful in life non-religious acts, non-religious acts are Tamas. Tamas is and had studied Purans in depth. He is the true lecturer for the cause of pains. In Dan Dharma, Vyasji says: There is Purans. nothing wrong in speaking lies to save ones life and the lives of others, or for a Guru, or before a woman, and during One shall never utter the truth that shall expose ceremonies like marriages and funerals. Apad Dharma also oneself or others to undue risk or betrayal. One shall says: Oh King! To speak a lie in a joke is not a lie. There forsake the company of ungrateful persons; one shall is no sin in speaking lie before a woman, for a not accept any gratification. (26) teacher(Guru) and for ones own livelihood. These five lies

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are free from sins. Shrimad Bhagwat says: Do not speak thankless: Oh sin free! Amongst those sinners who have lies everywhere. One, who acts so, is like a living dead been narrated before, the sinners of the acts of body. Lies are not condemnable when they are spoken ungratefulness and the sinners of the acts of killing a friend before a woman, or in a jocular way or in a marriage are the most sinful people-the biggest sinners. The ceremony, or for the sake of ones livelihood, or for saving attributes of such ungrateful people have been described life, or for the sake of a cow and if spoken for protection in Vidurniti:ungrateful people means those people who of a Brahmin. Moksh Dharma says: speak such language, have been welcomed and have been favoured by their which is truthful, non-violent, non-blaming, non-cunning, friends, but in reciprocation they have not become non-harsh and free from backbiting, Never speak words, trustworthy to such welcoming and obliging good friends. which are harsh, pinching or violent. Narad had listed the Even meat eating birds do not accept the flesh of the dead attributes of a truthful word: The word of truth always body of such ungrateful people when they expire. Do not makes good of others. The Knowledge of truth is very accompany such people in any circumstances. Even the difficult to attain. The word, which brings maximum good slightest of contact with such ungrateful people makes one to all the living beings and the earth, is a truthful word. sinful. Mitakshara says: It is sinful to converse, to breathe, Ling Purana also says: The speech, which is founded on to touch, to walk along, to sit along, to dine with, to join real seeing, listening, assuming personally, and them during holy fire, to study with and to marry such experiencing personally; but when spoken of it should not ungrateful people. harm anybody- such words are truthful words. Do not accept gratification from any body. Do not Ungrateful means a person who harms the favour of accept bribe from anybody. Bribe means a favour, which others by his meaningless talk. One should leave the is taken by a person who is eager and capable to do certain company of such a person who forgets the favours done work and has threatened another (in privacy) with regard and disapproves the same by harsh words and damaging to this, to extract money in lieu of that proposed work. In acts. Ungrateful Person is the biggest sinner. Therefore, Shabdarnav (a dictionary by that name) there are words he is a sinful Person. This is the core of the teaching here. Lanch, Lunch, Upadha and Utkoch equivalent to word Deval Rishi has said; One who kills a Brahmin, one who bribe. Kashi Khanda says: Money froma bribe, a gambling, drinks alcohol, one who robs and one who commits a brokerage and a sufferer should be rejected from a far adultery with his teachers wife, have been recommended distance. Virat Parva says: One who has been entrusted for different types of atonements but there is no atonement with powers should not take such money from others which prescribed for an ungrateful person. In Apada Dharma may land him into jail or may hang him on the gallows. chapter of Mahabharat it is said in the narration of the Neelkanth, while defining this portion of Virat Parva, has

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defined the term 'money' here, as an amount of bribe. While extend friendship either to a very powerful or a pauper, listing the duties of a King, Rishi Yagyavalkya has said, one who is blamed by society; or one who has no trust in 'One who lives on income of bribe should be punished by any body, or one who depends only on luck. The reason the king by taking away his money and banishment from behind is the formation of friendship with such may bring the kingdom. Manu Smriti says: One who snatches away such ills. Hans Geeta says: If a saint serves a sinner and a the money of others, by way of bribe should be punished devotee serves a thief, than the serving person becomes in public with his supporters by beheading him. same like the one who is being served by absorbing his bad qualities as a plain cloth absorbs colour. Aranyak Parva None shall associate with those sinners, addicts, says: Intelligence of a person shrinks in the company of a hypocrites, passionate and licentious people and fallen person, it remains at medium level on company of a persons engaged in deceitful practices.(27) average person and it reaches upper height (in an ascent) on company of virtuous people. In Vasudev Mahatmya of Thieves means those who are engaged in theft. Robbers Skand Puran, it is said: One becomes like his companions mean those who snatch away ungiven money by force from therefore, one should leave the company of untrue the owners. Sinners means those who are engaged in sinful scriptures and unholy people. He must live in the company acts of killing animals, violence etc. Addicts mean those of holy scriptures and virtuous people for an ascent in his who are in the bad habit of hunting, gambling, day life. sleeping, etcetera from the eighteen bad habits listed by Manu Smriti has prescribed atonements against the Maharaj Manu. It is also indirectly suggested that the company of such sinful people. One should undergo an company of those people should not be accepted, who atonement on company of such people who have been consume onion, Bhang, Tamal and Majam etc intoxicants. mentioned above and should get free from the sin. In a similar way, it is prohibited to accept companionship As per Brihaspati, this company or the contact, which or association with those people who propagate against is to be left, is of nine different kinds: To stay in the same Veda, who desire the women of others and who are bed or seat, to take food in the same row, to eat cooked cheaters. Markandey Purana says: wise people should not foods from the same utensil, to participate an Yagya (holy establish friendship with those people who act crazily, fire), to study in one's company, to establish marital madly, rudely; who are lacking in celibacy and are stained relations, and to eat together- these are the nine types of with the acts of theft; should also not sit with those who prohibited acts. Vidurji had said: One who do not cross are spending money profusely or are miserly or who have the ocean without reason, do not compromise with sinners, many enemies or are very cruel or are liar. One should not do not form relations with wife of others, and do not

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indulge in vices like hypocrisy, theft, backbiting, and knowledge, turns into ashes all the karmas. "The addiction becomes happy for ever. It is also implied that knowledge - the knowledge of God which is mentioned in one should not form relations with a leper. Madhav Nidan this and in so many other sentences, should not divert one's had objected to the relations with such. mind towards indulgence in vicious acts under the false impression of being free from the effects of mundane No contact shall be maintained with persons who, actions. One should take extra precaution against such under the pretext of devotion or knowledge lead a life diversion and should leave the company of those who have of sinfulness such as indulgence in pleasures of sex, been diverted under such impression. True knowledge is comforts of wealth and the tastes of the palate.(28) impossible in a person without detachment as such, they in fact do not have true knowledge; therefore, they are Devotion means devotion of Lord Shri Krishna. By consigned to hell for their vices. This is core of the taking support of the strength of devotion of Lord Shri teaching. The greatest teacher and the possessor of absolute Krishna, those who have now been tempted to the tastes knowledge and active and relentless like a python in regard of women, wealth and sumptuous foods; or say, have now to all mundane acts, such Lord Dattatraya has said in become desirous to enjoy those three things; or are involved Moksha Dharma : One who is with a rock steady mind now in all those three vices, are not to be accompanied in and is firm in personal religion". Though the internal any circumstances. God's name has immense power to enemies like, carnal desires, anger and greed were under destroy sins. Brahad Vishu Purana has said that the simple absolute control of Vashishtha etc Rishis, who had absolute chanting of the name of God destroys all the sins of the realisation of the ultimate reality, but they were compelled devotee. By taking refuge in such devotion, one should to take birth in the species of birds simply due to their fall. not think that adultery committed twice or thrice with an This story in Markandey Purana says: Vishwamitra became other's wife is nothing, as compared to the powers of the a bird for the cause of Harishchandra (son of Trishanku) name of God. Do not indulge in vice, with such logic and had war for many years with Rishi Vishwamitra. Great because acts as such impose big sins of becoming defaulter grandfather Vashishtha Muni, was born through Urvashi of God. Padma Purana also says; One who becomes evil- as a son of Mitravarun, that is what Bhagwat says. Saubhari minded with the support of God's name can not be also says that the Punya accumulated for many years was redeemed even by Yama. Panch Ratra says: One who destroyed on mere sight of the copulation of fishes in the commitssins by showing the strength of God's name is a water. Therefore, saints with absolute knowledge too, are criminal. required to follow the rules of religious acts for the welfare Shrimad Bhagwad Geeta says; "Fire in the form of of the society with total detachment towards the reward of

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such acts. Geeta says: Do not create any doubt in the and as such he evades the attribute or the qualities of God reasoning of the ignorant people, but learned and - means - he has no Godliness - and therefore he is beyond knowledgeable people should control their senses and act such attributes and qualities, as such he is Parabrahm and as per the rules of religion. "Common people should follow is formless. This, that and others are the ways to discard the acts of great ones." "People will act according to a the almightiness of Lord Shri Krishna in those antireligious model life lived by the saints. "Similarly, what is a bad act? scriptures. Further, those scriptures say, "Parbrahm Shri Irreligious act does not consign one to the heavenly abode Krishna has not incarnated himself and suppose if of God. Shruti also says: One who is engaged in sinful incarnated it is in the form of Maya". As such, those acts, one who is restless, one who is careless, and one who scriptures discard the theory of incarnation of God. First has impatient mind is not achieving heavenly abode of God; and foremost in such destructive scriptures, are the it is attained by the knowledge of God. One who has Charvaks. They identify this universe as Godless "This penance, celibacy and truth attains Brahmlok; those who universe is not a creation of Brahm, it has no place in indulge in falsehood and Maya are not attaining Brahmlok. Brahm,Parbrahm-Supreme God has not created this Those are great amongst the knowers of Brahm who act universe and it has come into existence due to the contact as a soul, attach fully to soul and are always active. between man and woman, as such it has no other objective except carnal desire. That is what Charvaks argue. Whereas None shall ever believe in such scriptures, which by Jains did not see the necessity of God in the universe and spurious arguments refute and strike at the very root therefore they have said: "This universe is the product of of the existence of Lord Krishna and His incarnations. an action and for that no God is required." Advocates of (29) Samkhya theory are like brotherly enemies. The Universe, Lord Krishna is the ultimate reality and the cause of all which inherits the nature of Prakriti and is a sole product the causes, such Lord Krishna is Parabrahma. This has of the activity of the Prakriti in the presence of Purush and same meaning as contained in the sentence mentioned is in the form of the products of different natural courses, elsewhere in the following script. There are many does not require any Supreme God, that is what Samkhya incarnations of such Lord Shri Krishna, manifested as proposes. There are others also following the same channel. Rama etc., to protect axiomatic religion. Those scriptures Scriptures like these, which detract from the theory of God, nullify such Supreme God and his incarnations by should neither be read nor heard; one should not respect treacherous arguments, such as: There is no Supreme God, such scriptures; because, as per Yagyavalkya, it is sinful if there is any Supreme God- it is not Krishna, and suppose to read such scriptures: "To study anti-religious scriptures, if such Supreme God is Krishna- it is not ultimate reality; to own mines and to all women are sinful acts and attracts

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sin. "Vigyaneshwar has defined "Works of Charvaks are worshipped by all four Vedas, ""In whom all the four Vedas anti-religious scriptures". Kurma Purana says: Leave the dwell", "The Vedas whose words are respected words of those who do not accept Vedas as the cause and everywhere- bow in front of him". "Among all the Vedas, do not accept the authority of Dharmshastras. Tantras, I am the one worthy to be known."'Oh Bharatarshabha! Brahmins and God. Now, where Muni Kapil is a party, Everywhere in the beginning, middle and end of the Veda, exists there some element of ultimate but it propagates Ramayana and Bharat, "Vedas are about Narayan." "Only Maya as the only cause of this universe and God is not Narayan was existng, there was no Brahma, Mahadev, considered in that. Therefore, it goes against the principles space or earth.""From bubble, emerged a Purush with three of Upanishads and as such it becomes non-respectable. eyes and holding a trident""Divine God Narayan"."Then Lord Badrayan has elaborately criticised that portion. Purusha Narayan desired to evolve universe and heve Now about the other type of arguments. If it is evolving water became Narayana from Brahma it became Sarveshwar then it is as Hirnyagarbha or Rudra. As they Rudra from Narayan and dissolved himself into the same. say: "First was Hiranyagarbha." "Prajapati underwent "One who is master and God of everybody. " "Creator deity penance with a desire for children." "There was neither of this universe Brahma emerged from the lotus born from truth nor untruth, there was only Shiva. Hiranyagarbh was his navel." "From an unmanifested and static entity born of Maharshi Rudra, the dweller and presiding deity emerged Lord Mahesh." "One from whom the Rudra of cosmos." "Meditate only on the cause, meditate upon manifested, that is Lord Shri Krishna in human form.""One Almighty Lord Shambhu dwelling in the center of the to whom was earlier born Lord Brahma and one who space." Also(one who introduces Hiranyagarbha and illuminates Vedas. "There emerged Brahma with four Rudra as Almighty Supreme God) there are Shrutis like faces." that, but they do not recognize Krishna as Supreme God. "That Prajapati emerged in Pushkarparn. Brahm of Those Shrutis, do not contain any argument in support of Pushkar created Brahma The best, firm, nectarine, steady the supremacy of Lord Krishna. This principle has been and supportive abode named Vishnu is the abode of Sun." accepted in the Pashupat scriptures, as such; those who "Who is the greatest God?" "Of whom the death is scared?" are supporting Vedic principle should not respect above "Who operates this universe?" That Brahmin said to them principle and the scriptures. Bhagwan Badrayan too had "Krishna is the Supreme God. Narayan is the Ultimate said, "Rejection of this, automatically rejects that Reality, Narayan is the Supreme Evaluate, Narayan is the principle" More details can be had from elsewhere. The Supreme Light, and Narayan is the Supreme Soul - greatness of Krishna Almighty - Shrinarayan-we find in Paramatma. One who is the cause of your and my soul Shruti and Smriti scriptures. For example: "One who is and the souls of other living bodies, can not be grasped by

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• anybody. Brahma emerged from the cosmic egg and Ajamilopakhyan also says, "Listening to the envoys of created this universe."Concentrated study of all the Yama and Krishna. Ajamil said," "Bring those non-saintly scriptures resulted in the essence that Narayan only is to souls here whose heads are not bowing to Krishna and are be meditated upon. Almighty omnipresent Lord Vasudev without devotion. By service of the one who has only to be known by the Vedas. Vedas worship him with surrendered to Lord Krishna. Those who relish the the admiration, one who know Vasudev is the knower of sweetness of the lotus feet of Krishna, never fell in the Vedas. All the Vedas, manes and Brahma who are residing evaluates of Maya". Bharatkhyan says, "Oh braveone! In in cosmos are all evolved by Vishnu that is what Vedic this body of a deer, my soul still remembers the memories Shruti says. There is no other God greater than Narayan of the worship of Krishna." Prahlad charit says, "The one and there will not be any, this is the secret of the scriptures whose soul is bound by a rope in the form of Krishna does and the Vedas. Those who are desirous of knowing ultimate not become a slave of this mundane world. Who are with cause, for them there is only one ultimate reality, Mahayogi the vow of householders and in refuge of Krishna, do not Harinarayan is the greatest. By raising both hands, truth have the sense of mine and yours. The story of ultimate and only truth is proclaimed, there is no other scripture reality and greatest Lord Krishna, in which it has been told beyond the Vedas and there is no other God beyond Lord about the killing of demons". Dhruvakhyan says, "Like Keshava. I am the cause of creation. I am the place and I this the son of Uttanpada, Dhruva the devout devotee of am the ultimate dissolution, Oh Arjuna ! There is nothing Krishna. One whose mind is concentrated solely in Lord beyond me. Krishna is the evolver and dissolver of the Krishna." Puragjanopakhyan says, "He who was desirous cosmos. This cosmos is created by Krishna." etc. etc. of meditation of Krishna, went to Kulparvata." Yayati More over in Anandvalli, "Under whose fear the air Charitra says, "Bhargavi gave away all her attachments as moves and the Sun rises," etc which indicate the ruler of one leaves the state of dream and concentrating the mind universe, God of Gods, ultimate divine joy are for ever on Krishna, she left this worldly body." Dev stuti also says blissful Krishna. Like the word 'Narayan', the word "Oh Krishna! You swallowed our sparkling weapons and 'Krishna' is from Yoga. Therefore, the words truth, soul ornaments ... To Krishna who is like swan, an abode in stand in general for the expression 'Narayan'. 'Krishna' in the form of body, supreme observer, universally famous, the scriptures with it's universal reference. Therefore, prior omnipresent ... " Vyas-Narad dialogue contains: "Let there to his manifestation at the house, his worship and be nonstop reciting of episodes of Krishna. Oh Brahman! meditation by word 'Krishna' is fully justified. In Like this one who has concentrated in Krishna." In Prithucharita of Bhagwat it is said, "One, who was desirous Vaikunth Varna it is said, "Carnal desire was not affecting of meditation of Krishna, performed the highest penance." them as they were happy and devout devotees of Lord

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Krishna, fully concentrated in Krishna." beyond clans, beyond caste, beyond eyes-ears-limbs" Rudra Geeta says: "Worship Lord Krishna, who himself "beyond speech touch and shape " and "omnipresent, all is religion, greatest amongst the great and sharply virile, bodiless, all solid, pure, pious", "Bodyless within intelligent." In Vrutropakhyan: "Like this in that Great War, the bodies", positioned in the statelessness", "Neither a he had firm faith in Krishna." Prachetas Akhyan says: Cosmic God nor with the signs of a Cosmic God". "All "With folded hands we bow our head to Vasudev Krishna divine and shapeless being." "Runs without legs, holds who is like a husband to all sages." In Nimijanteya without hands, witnesses without eyes, listens without dialogue: "Like that, be friendly to all those whose soul ears." Smriti Scriptures describes: "You are without limbs dwell in Krishna." Therefore, "All Vedas bow at his feet." self illuminiscent and capable to perform whole. "Nirgun Vedas are for Narayan." "I am to be known by the Vedas." and beyond reach". "Without form, color dimension etc." The scriptures in Smriti and Shruti in which omnipresence "Therefore it is beyond Supreme God and is the ultimate and glory of Krishna has been established in the Rudra reality. etcetera Gods and by that had dejected the glory and Lord Ramanujacharya has discarded this theory in detail omnipresence of Krishna. Such scriptures, as such, are not and has reaffirmed the supremacy of Shri Krishna, Shri matching the principle of Vyas Muni and therefore should Ramanujacharya may be referred for more details. not be followed. Therefore, the words rejecting the evolutes or the attributes Now about the third type of arguments. This third angle in God, should be interpreted so with reference to those of ultimate reality is the most fallen one amongst all the evolutes or the attributes which are earthly and are special theories, and therefore, it goes far ahead by not subjected to be discarded, and those words which are following the sense of Supreme God. It is whole, rejecting body or physical being should be treated with knowledge is it's only attribute, it is without limbs like reference to the rejection of bodily elements evolved by hands-legs-body etc, as such it is abstract - formless. Maya. By this, the existence of divine attributes and body Supreme God which is called 'Krishna' is with divisions in Krishna becomes fully agreeable. Shruti scriptures have like controlled and controller by the way of practice, confirmed the divine body and divine attributes in Krishna. therefore, the scriptures too describe him with Brahm in For example: "In whom the sins have been destroyed and real form, therefore, the Nirgun and Sagun theory which have no old age, death or sorrow. One who has no desire we hear in Shruti that lacks in here, for example" fruitless, of eating or drinking, who is doer of truthful and is firm in actless, silent, beyond description, shapeless. truth." Further, "Who is all knower and has access Further"witness, conscious, absolutely free from the everywhere. He possesses infinite power and knowledge, evolutes", "Nirgun" and "beyond knowledge, beyond hold, strength and action are his natural attributes, He witnesses

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these Gods, He desired to manifest himself into many. He Purusha." "His soul marries his body." "The form of that looked at and created living bodies," He wished to manifest Purusha is like multi colored cloth." "One who is himself into many." "He underwent penance, He created accessible only with the purest mind and is with the body everything by penance," "He is all- knower, destroyer of consisted of Vital air, brightness, righteousness, detachment destruction, adorned with divine attributes, and knower of like space and active like universe, all wishing, all fragrant everybody. He possesses the both known and unknown, and blissful happiness, all prevailing and beyond the reach birthfree birds Isha and Anisha. Wind blows due to his fear, of speech and fully detached Parabrahm." "Accessible only sun rises due to his fear, and due to his fear runs the fire, with concentrated intelligence and luminous with golden moon and death." Such joy of ultimate which is beyond aura. "In that is the Hiranmaya Purush, nectarine and the reach of mind and speech, when attained by an (spread) like mind." enlightened soul, he becomes free from the fear of Maya Now the evidences from the Smriti scriptures: "Oh and Kala." "He is the creator of tastes and becomes happy Maitrey! The word 'BHAGAWAT' is used for Parabrahm on getting the tastes. He becomes happy. One in company (the ultimate reality) who is the cause of all the causes, of such a wise Brahm, gets all his wishes fulfilled, The purest and greatest." 'Bha' means nourishment and Sarvatma which resides within is the ruler of the men, One protection, and Oh Muni! "Ga" means leader (Controller), who conquers everybody, God of all and supreme amongst giver (giver of the fruit of the actions) and the creator. All everybody, Supreme Lord of all Gods and divinity of all wealth, bravery, money, fame, knowledge and detachment Gods and the Master of all the masters and beyond - these six together - stand for wealth. Paramatma who is everything and God of all three worlds, I bow my head at the soul of all living bodies, in him live all the living bodies, your lotus feet. In past and future too God is not criticized. and in all living bodies lives Parmatma. That is the well The master of primordial Purush and the master of the defined meaning of "Va". "The knowledge, power knower of the field and God of the attributes." "When he strength, prosperity, virility and light are the meanings of - the worth seeing Purusha. the doer with the brightness word 'Bhagawat' when such are free from their of Gold and the cause of Brahm looks at the man." "In unsupportable elements." "Oh Maitreya! That great word beginning there was only a soul in the form of Purusha." 'Bhagvan' is used for ultimate reality Vasudev, and not for "The Hiranmaya Purusha, whose moustache, hair and nails anybody else." "Light, strength, prosperity, science, virility are of gold and face like a sunlike lotus and who had lotus and power resides in him even though he is beyond all like eyes, appears in the sun like form of within." "I know these." "Controller of the beyond and the within, such the Purusha who is great, suncoloured and is free from Supreme Lord is free conflicting attributes." "He is with darkness." "The vibrations rose first in that electrifying all emancipating attributes." "He is God of all, all knower,

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all seer, all powerful, and Parameshwar." "He is with all penance, equality, endurance, indifference, vedic study, imaginable and unimaginable virtues, he has six attributes knowledge, detachment, prosperity, bravery, light, strength, which are visible and many more within." "Oh giver of memory, freedom, expertise, aura, patience, tenderness, sons! As there are many jewels in the ocean, similarly that boldness, politeness, character, maturity, steadiness, faith, supreme soul has innumerable virtues." "Those who know fame, respect, egolessness, and other good qualities for about that ultimate reality say that: He has immense power which others great ones are striving, those all virtuous of knowing all, satisfaction, infinity, liberty, consciousness attributes are residing within you and never get separated and power." "The God who does not have sattva etcetera from your worthy self." "One who is with a body worldly evolutes but has the purity of the supreme level, consisting of perfect and faultless divine attributes, holy let such ultimate reality be pleased on us." "Shastras - soul, free from earthly body and earthly attributes and scriptures- which call him free from worldly evolutes and whose limbs, face and belly are of blissful joy." "The God, universal God, that Supreme God is absolutely free from who himself is Paramatma, Vasudev and is with divine lower and rejectable qualities." All the saints jointly even body." "Oh Paushkar ! One should seek the shelter of the can not describe all the divine attributes of the Supreme one who is ever fulfilled, all similar, wholly dedicated, and God." The Gods, who for the about billions of years if has all the powers in his heart." describe to gather, they can not describe completely the "The ultimate reality with the body of the sky" may divine attributes of God who is the son of Jishnu, Vishnu imply formlessness. For removal of such doubt further and Vasudev, and holds divine shell, divine wheel and explains that in the sky-Akash'A' means from all the sides divine sword. If one Brahmin gets the life span equal to and 'Kash' means luminous. Together : luminous from all that of Brahma and gets billions of mouths to speak with the sides. One whose body is of brightness and divinity, purest mind, even then he can not describe a smallest or as said in Antaryami Brahman: - The knower of all the fraction of the divine attributes of Supreme God". "Oh living bodies. He has the body of divine light. This does Superior of God ! Be pleased on us." "Divine attributes not establish the 'formlessness'. Only common or ordinary are thy soul and to measure such divine attributes ... " "I attributes like isolation and spread have been considered am free from evolutes of Maya, free from desire, friendly, in the concept of the body of the sky." loved one and the soul of every body. All virtues worship Now, another doubt, if such an entity is called Parbrahm me. And equality, detachment etcetera non attributes also with the form, then in that case attributes of place, location worship me." and regulation are implied, and no such things have been "Oh Lord ! Truth, purity, kindness, forgiveness, heard of, therefore It would imply limitation or the factor sacrifice, satisfaction, simplicity, tranquility, restraint, of Singling out on Brahm and would go against the Shrutis

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supporting Brahm as infinite and limitless and will divert there, attains Brahm." "The abode which does not require from the main path of Vedant. For this it is said : It is not luminosity from the sun or the moon and one never comes so, the form of Parabrahm is consisted purely of knowledge back after reaching that divine abode, such is my and divine pleasure and such Parabrahm is residing or is Paramdham." Those people with the knowledge of God attached to all the bodies by it's divine and godly power. and who are desirous to swim through the ultimate distance, And such Parabrahm who is in different places through never become sorrowful or fall back on getting Punyadham it's extraordinary divinity, is residing or existing there for enjoyed by virtuous people." "Such virtuous people earn the divine joys of emancipated souls of those places, as the place of Brahm in this Loka. Those who are rich in the such, there arises no contradiction, Shrutis also, say about wealth of fame, do not desire heaven and do not perform the special places that: In that divine Brahmpur of the sky Yagya but perform non-violence to their maximum and reside those souls." "That truth is the Brahmpur." "The follow the path of Sat". "Oh Lord ! Leave for your abode Brahmlok, whose soul is sin free." "Be having like that he which is ageless, divine, limitless, unknowable through the resides in the Brahmlok for the whole of his life and does pains of any kind, and knowable only by the scriptures not take birth again on this earth." "He who shines in the and dwell there to manifest again in the own form to protect Akshar." "Beyond the darkness" "Residing in such Divine us:" "Oh Bharat ! Great penants, who are free from Tama abode which is quite different than this action oriented and Moha never come back in this Loka after attaining earth." "That Paramatma only knows of this luminous that divine abode. Oh Yudhishthira ! Oh Maharaj ! That universe in that Brahmdham." "The Lord who is sparkling divine abode is firm and everlasting and therefore it is the in the Brahm with his Supremacy." "Absolutely pure and soul of the Lords" "Oh Great One ! The divine abodes of partless Brahm resides in golden Brahmlok." "His one step the deities protecting regions on four sides, Venus, Jupiter, is in this Loka and rest three are in nectarous heaven." Vayu, Gods, Ashwinkumars and Rudras, sun and the Varun "Earlier, where there are worshipped Gods, there, he says and other Gods are not great as the abode of Paramatma." about his glory and greatness." "As the skin leaves feet One who is desirous of Brahmlok, by riding the chariot of and belly, in similar way, the Samvedic consign the man Omkar and using his own mind as chariot driver, reaches to Brahmlok." "One for whom knowledge is the chariot the highest destination of Vishnu." By getting indestructible driver and mind is the muzzle, attains the place of Vishnu- Brahmpur, I become happy like a King." "Showed his Loka the destination." "Highly praised Lord Vishnu, in whose beyond-Maya to the Gopas." "Those who remain on the abode there are cows with heavy horns and whose abode path preached by me, reach my divine abode. Sanyasins shines with divinity." reach your divine abode." "By over ruling ten or more Smriti also says, "The knower Brahm, who reaches virtuous evolutes, they reached that divine abode, luminous

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and wonderful, known as Goloka, which was accessible illuminating that soul as knower and nectarine." Now to the single minded devotees. And oh saints ! There they Smritis, "Oh Gudakesh ! I am residing in all the bodies in saw the light appearing like billions of suns shining at a the form of soul." "Like the beads held in a thread, this time." "The same place is called Vaikunth." "He will take entire universe is within me." Entirely it is enveloped by to the abode of Vaikunth in the form of Gokul." my abstract form." "I am residing in the heart of everybody Further said, (after getting subtle form) what can the and the memory, knowledge and loss of memory are the Gods of the universe do ? When the Kala who is beyond different forms of mine." "Oh Arjuna ! God resides in every the Gods, can not do anything ?' "Where there is no Maya, heart and activates everybody through the mechanism of what else can be there ?" and "there are the devotees Maya." "He is the soul of Lokas and the universal form worshipped by godly and demonic entities." "Maya, the because he is loss free." Therefore, that Parabrahm is animator of the universe, is not there." "In the sight of his endless and there is nothing better in richness of it. The divine abode there is no Maya." "Maya came shyly before different segments like universal God, souls, world have him." "Like this the Brahm, who is the knowledge, the been imagined within Shri Krishna himself. Therefore, the consolidated joy and, is aloof and beyond Maya, becomes scriptures, which try to establish that the supremacy of Lord free from the controversy of place and region and doubt in Shri Krishna is not proper or not justified" should not be regard to the natural reign of Maya over place and region believed. Those scriptures should be ignored also gets removed. Because the control of Maya is on the spontaneously. Now about the blemish on Lord Shri place of Loka which can be attained by the fruits of Karma, Krishna on establishing unity between soul and supreme but in the abode of God there is no control of Maya. This soul. Those unifying theories should be rejected is what those sentences loudly proclaimed. immediately, and the scriptures supporting such theories Parabrahm Krishna resides in the heart of all living should be rejected without any hesitation, because the bodies through his divine godly power. This is what Shruti shrutis too support the distinction between soul and the says: "Like a tree, He is in the heaven but this universe is supreme soul, "Two friendly birds live on the same tree, filled with Him." "The soul of everybody and in dwelling one eats fruits of that tree while another does not eat and ruler of all living beings." "He is the God residing shines fully with divinity." "On the same tree, one sinks mysteriously in all living bodies, and is spread everywhere. him self in worldly temptations and becomes sad, but when 'He is the knower of the acts of everybody and he resides one awakes from such state and looks at the Supreme Soul, in all living bodies.' 'He is the inner soul of all living gets free from the sorrows." "Known and unknown, these bodies, he is free from the sins and is fully divine, known two unborn are soul and supreme soul-God." "Prakriti is as Narayana.' "Who resides in the souls on the earth perishable and Purush is nonperishable and such perishable

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soul can not enter into God, but God is one." "God, who whose body is Akshar and who is not known by Akshar." is the creator of Maya, creates this universe and through "Knowers of Brahm are the knowers of beyond." his Maya soul is enveloped in worldly bindings." "Know Smritis also say, "there are two types of Purushas in the that Prakriti is Maya and Supreme God is the creator of Loka. Kshar and Akshar - perishable and non perishable, Maya." "One who is immutable amongst the eternals is All Bhutas and living beings are perishable and unalterable, the consciousness of the conscious, fulfils the wishes of superior souls are nonperishable and the Supreme Soul is so many." "One who knows the Supreme Soul, who is quite different and is known as Paramatma, who by universal God of past and future and is separate from the entering in all the three worlds sustains them. It is beyond soul, never gets criticized by the others." "He is the cause, loss, it is God, therefore, I am separate from perishable he is the supreme commander of the presiding deities of and the superior than non-perishable Akshar, And therefore, the senses, he is not created by anybody, nobody is above Lokas and the Vedas know me as Purushottam. him." "Lord of Prakriti and the knower, and God of the Lord Badarayan had explained the difference between virtues." "The Master of Universe and God of the Souls." the soul and supreme soul in his dictums : "Soul has no "Soul is disunited from God." "Considering soul as alternative, There is lack of reproduction", therefore, "It separate and also as the inspirer if one feels associated, he has no body." "There is distinction in an act and the doer." attains the immortality." "Considering him as consumer "No, if you say communion is possible as there is consumable and inspirer." "Distinct in the uniqueness of destination." "Because it is distinct". "And that also is not Akshar." "The soul and God, indwellers of the body, the a soul, because both the branches differ in that view." sublime, indweller of the sky of heart, enjoys the fruits of "There is unique difference, as such it is neither Prakriti good acts. Brahmgyanis recognize both as separate like nor the soul." "It exists and it also enjoys." "No, if shade and light. And entrust such attributes in them, and proposed that there is mention of soul." "Soul is not householders too recognize the soul like that." "One who possible." "Because there is difference of evolution and is well settled by the enlightened soul." "That Narayan final rest." "It is in plenty because the difference has been resides by enveloping all exterior and interior." False indicated." Plentiness has been preached as Badarayan sees knowledge is perishable, the knowledge is immortal but so. Moreover, those indications have not been indicated the God of them is separate from both of these." "That just due to the difference seen due to false-knowledge and Supreme Soul is with divine power of God and is immortal, misgivings. Because: "At that moment, the learned and the who by residing in the soul dwells in the soul, one who is clean by the good deeds and free from the sins and from not known the soul, His body is not the soul, and who Maya gets the ultimate." "A learned one, who becomes controls the soul from within." "One who dwells in Akshar, free from the name and the appearances gets the divine

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flame on achieving his own real form." "By taking refuge and to establish true religion in all ages. Oh Arjun ! You in this knowledge, and achieving Dharm like Me, they do and I had many births, and I know fully well about those not take birth on evolvement of the universe, do not births. But Oh Paramatapa ! You are not knowing about diminish at the time of final rest and never suffer in odds." that." "Many of those who have given away their liking, fear, "Oh King ! The greater form of Supreme God in which anger etc and have dissolved themselves in me, have all the powers exist - is quite different from the cosmic become my followers and have become pure due to the form of God. And Oh King ! The God in whom all the penance of knowledge and have reached my psychic state." powers rest, performs different divine acts as a God, bird "One, near whom the only ever free souls can go, and it is or human being to grace the souls on this earth." "The one said so." "It is emergence of Brahm." "Cleansed soul who had taken by his own free will the heavy body and reaches Parabrahm. The light of its own form glows. New had done good of the universe." "As and when the religion shape is not produced because the shrutis have said of the decreases and sinful acts increase, Supreme God - Shri Hari own form." "It is said that "The creation of universe in a incarnates himself on this earth." "One who has taken birth state-free form can not be taken as an act," And "The Shruti to protect religion etc." of the state of the formlessness are non existent along the Now Smritis about the God's Mayaless form at the time Shruti of evolution of universe." "Only due to the sign of of incarnations : "Unborn, eternal soul and the God of all evenness of use." "Like this, addressing the emancipated living bodies such I, incarnate myself through my Prakriti souls-who are free from the bonds of the false knowledge- and my Maya." "His body is not consisted of flesh, fats these differences have been established. and bones." Also it is not earthly." "The body of this Now about the theories repealing the incarnations. Supreme God is not made of Panch Mahabhut - earth, Dishonor those scriptures, which try to prove that there water, space, fire and air." "One who knows my birth and had been no incarnation of Supreme God and if there had has spiritual height, never enters the cycle of rebirth after been any, those were in the form of Maya. Shrutis too have his death, but Oh Arjun ! He gets me." advocated that Supreme Lord had incarnated himself by Now, if you doubt that, there is word "My Maya" and his own will and in his own form. "Though, not taking the in light of that there is connection between incarnation of birth, takes it if He desires and in different form." God and Maya, then the response is 'no'. The word 'Maya' "Spiritually wise knows the causes behind it." used there in that reference stands for intention or grace. Smritis have said, "Oh Arjuna ! As and when religion One among many synonyms of Maya is intention and word diminishes and irreligion arises, then in such circumstances grace is the extension of the same meaning. Refer I create my self to protect saintly souls, to kill evil doers Amarkosh indicating Maya - Dambh - Krupa. While

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explaining meaning of Maya it should be taken as grace, down fallen bull headed people are consigned by me or one's pleasure. Smriti has said, "with abundant grace of immediately to the region of demons and are deprived your form, you incarnated yourself." "By grace you always of me to suffer in most hellish hell. And those manifested". etc boobies, unaware of my divinity and ultimate reality, Smritis too uphold the Ultimate Reality of the son of consider me like other formal beings. Those people, in fact, Vasudeva, " One who was glorified by all three the Vedas, do not know me as the ultimate enveloped by own yogic Upanishads, Samkhya, Yoga and Purans, such Lord Shri maya, and as illuminator of macrocosms, ever unborn and Hari was treated as a son by his mother" "His friends have ever unspent. These people know nothing of me." narrated divine story and Rishis have said about him in After saying about not to respect those scripture which the Vedas and Upnishads". associate Lord Parabrahm Shri Krishna and his "Astonished by the worship of Shri Krishna in the incarnations as formless and absolute, now to say further, hymns." "He only as an eternal Purush existed in all the it contains also the hidden hint to not respect those souls." "Evil minded human beings having more human scriptures too, which advocate formlessness and vision, not accepted him as Supreme God." "Oh! Supreme absoluteness of Muktas. Moreover, as the Muktas are Soul ! Supreme God ! Ultimate Reality ! I love and pray similar to God, support is taken from Shruti and Smriti to you !" "Oh Lord - You are free from Maya, free from scriptures in associating redemptive attributes and divinity the evolutes, ultimate and pure knowledge ! I take refuge of the bodies. in you Oh Lord !" "They were criticizing Lord Vishnu who "At that juncture - one who is spiritually wise washes is great, eternal and ultimate reality." "You are eternal off his sins and good deeds and achieves similarity." "Free Purusha, ultimate truth, pool of divine light, unfathomable from sorrows, free from hunger and thirst, all truthful and and prime." with true faith." "Spiritually wise enjoys the pleasures with Those who are not obeying to incarnation have been such Brahm." "One who eats as per his own wish and takes called demonic by Supreme God. "Those bull headed form as per his own desire and has free movement." "He people, whose desires have not been fulfilled and karmans is self illuminating" "He becomes of one, two or of many are not rewarded, their knowledge has turned futile, and forms." "Leaving the subtle body illuminating like millions minds have become extremely stony due to not knowing of suns, he takes divine form and appears with four hands Me in this human form and ignoring my proximity with all with divine light." Of those people of Vaikunth who were other souls of universe for whom, I am the Supreme God. become without body, senses and soul." - that means Further, such bull headed people, due to some illusion, take without earthly body, senses and soul, or say - with divine shelter in demonic and evil nature. Such sinful, cruel and body. "The great devotees who were seeing him, were

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appearing beyond the rule of sense organs, without any some one else - other than Lord Krishna. Then some others sins, without any movement, fragrant and with thousands say that ultimate reality never incarnated. Some say that or some with four hands, some white and some with colour incarnations and the Supreme God are with Maya as they of clouds, with eyes like lotus petals, with uniform body are dependent evolutes of Maya, nothing more than that. structure, with divine and beautiful limbs and with the All such arguments are illusive and misguiding, as such, essence of all the virtues." "Beauty of Shri Krishna is all virtuous devotees and Vedic believers should not accept divine, his Lokas are divine, his pleasures are divine, his a fraction of such things. enjoyments are divine" "and the Parshadas, who appear in human body are also divine, with the divine powers, None shall drink water or milk, which is not filtered. the devotees of God are also divine and the acts of such None shall bathe in water full of germs. (30) divine Yadupati on this earth are divine ... " etc. Therefore, the ultimate reality of Lord Shri Krishna and Filtered means purified by filtering it throughout a cloth. the pool of all his benedictive attributes and the qualities Water other than that is unfiltered. Not to drink such which are acceptable and rejectable, all those things are unfiltered water. It is general instruction to drink filtered divine - those scriptures which advocate such and proves water. A fisherman catching fishes for six months and a that too, and those scriptures which prove divinity of those person drinking unfiltered water for a day, gather equal acts of Shri Krishna and his incarnations which are amount of sin. Consumption of unfiltered water attracts acceptable and not-acceptable, and prove also the sin of eating flesh. Purans too object to it. Therefore, emancipation and the presence of all virtues in the Muktas one should drink filtered water." First look and then step of God-those scriptures are to be believed by the followers in, put a cloth above and then drink water, first check the of Lord Sahajanand - but not the other scriptures. This is truth of the words and then speak it, and act upon those the hidden meaning of the Shloka and that is very extensive. which are confirmed 'pure' by the mind." Water from This world is from that seed and there is not any God leather basket is like meat. And water, which is not filtered, who created it. This is what some say. Some others, on the is also like meat. The Panchamrit kept in a copper utensil other hand say that this has come out from its own past is like wine. All such quotes from Smriti prove that actions. Some imposes evolutes of Maya in him. Then some drinking unfiltered water attracts sin quivalent to that of say, he is beyond Maya, beyond creation and distraction consuming meat. Herein, there is prohibition for and beyond therefore, from the reach of Muktas. Some Panchamrit too, kept in copper utensil, but that is for such others call him Ultimate Reality with divine attributes and Panchamrit in which there is no ghee (butter oil). Smriti with Maya. Some, on the other hand, identify all these of Sagar says Panchamrit without ghee (butter oil) kept in a

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copper utensil is like wine. Milk too has been prohibited adversely in practising of non-violence. All my followers, in that : "Panchamrit in copper utensil is not unacceptable therefore, should stay away from such act. Understand if it is for holy fire, in meditational worship of God, in that, it prohibits such acts even by body, by words (speech) cooking sweet dishes, in serving meals and in offering food and by mind (thought). Such sins if committed through to hermits. Full cream milk and butter oil do not become body consign the sinner to spieces of animals and if unacceptable even if kept in a copper utensil. committed by thoughts may consign to the lowest caste. Also not to drink unfiltered milk. Because such This is what Manu says about those sinful acts. unfiltered milk may contain skin-hair of the cow, and one who consumes such milk may have to undergo atonement. None shall ever take any medicine which contains Prachetas had prescribed that if one consumes nail, hair, wine or meat, and which is prescribed by a medical mud or iron the has to undergo atonement of fasting for man whose antecedents are not known. (31) whole day and night. Word 'etcetera' includes Ghee - butter oil. Butter oil-Ghee - on warming and filtering shows some The medicines, which are mixed with wine. Wine means time hair, ant, imosquito and such buttermilk - which if alcohol, and meat means flesh should not be consumed. not warmed and filtered may be consumed along with such Consumption of such medicine attracts the objection of objects. As per Muni Harit in Mitakshara treatise, one who reconsecration. Manu Smriti says, if by ignorance, one consumes worm, insect, ant, lice, butterfly or bone attracts consumes food adulterated with night soil, urine or wine, the atonement of consuming food with cowdung and cow- then in that case he should undergo the re-consecration. If urine for three constant days and nights. Moreover it is a one consumes wine just to save his own life or may be due prescribed rule to consume all the liquids after warming to some ignorance about it and though the acts in such them on fire and filtering there after. This prescription circumstances have been allowed by religiously wise forbids one from drinking unfiltered water etc. people, the performance of re-consecration becomes a Herein, it is meant that the water containing many germs must. That is what Rajdharm chapter says in Shanti Parva should not be used for bath. One should not take bath in of Mahabharat. Dharmparaihi means the therapist in such water. 'Etcetera' word is indicative of all the acts religion. Marichi Smriti prescribes atonement of pertaining to use of such water say bath, Tarpan, washing Taptakruchha Vratt in the event of consumption of hands and feet, washing clothes, cleaning utensils etc with medicine mixed with meat. The person whose manners are such water. All these acts have been included in use of not known to us is called Agyat Vratta. The medicine given such water. Any such acts with that water may kill the by such a person is not proper for consumption. Because, germs contained in that water, and by that act, effect the medicine may have the contents which are not

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consumable. Therefore, the meaning here is, medicine Means such small door by which the occupants of the should be taken from such doctor who is fully known to house escape out in the case of indoor emergency. By such us but not from any other. a door. No entry or no exit through such a small emergency door. Yagyavalkya smriti prohibits two things: not to see The places prohibited by society and scriptures (such the cow feeding milk to its calf and not to enter the house as roads and field where seeds are sown, shady trees, from an unauthorized small door. Manu Smriti has said that gardens, banks of river and ponds) shall never be used the entry should not be made through an unauthorized door for answering a call of nature or for passing urine or in a village or town. Kashi Khand also says that one should spitting. (32) not enter his own or other's house through an unauthorized Now describes the places which have been prohibited door. by society : Compounds of the houses, political places and Means the house which has owner as guard, or such places of armoured Mohammedan. The places which have inn should not be occupied for overnight stay without the been prohibited by the scriptures as per Skand Puran : the permission of the owner. It is intended that stay without cow-shed, molehill, water, ashes, ditch filled with insects, such permission may generate anger in the owner and standing position, road, Guru, woman, God and in the tension may take place between the occupant and the places like cultivated land, river bank, sand of river bank, owner and may lead towards a fight. Yogishwar Smriti says, old temple, street, clean place, and when one is open headed others bed, other's seat, garden house and the vehicle if these are the places and the situations which have been not permitted for the use by the owner, should be left. And prohibited for answering a natural call or passing urine or no eatable should be accepted from the one who is not an spitting. Passing urine or spitting have been indicated Agnitri. Mitakshara treatise says that the permission from separately as both of these are in a larger number of the owner is a must even for a short stay like noon-time or frequencies and one may, out of his laziness commit the a short rest again the sun. Now, in explanation to what sin of using prohibited places or situation. Therefore they, means 'to ask' ? Treatise says - to take permission means have been indicated so as a precautionary measure. Please to ask for sitting at the place and also to inquire about the know that. caste etcetera of the owner. If not inquired about such things one may become prey to the people's criticism if he None shall use an unauthorized passage either for stays there and the owner of the place happens to be a entry or for exit. No place shall be occupied for halt person from lower caste or community. Though the place without the owners consent. (33) may be neat, clean and peaceful the stay will not be an acceptable stay by the society - and will attract the

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atonement for such stay. Here in this, the word is 'owned', winner of the horizons and crushes one under her feet by as such, the places, which are not owned by any particular the mere raising of her eyebrows." Who knows the character person, are not prohibited. Those can be utilized. Muni of the woman, whose face is like a lotus of spring season Vashistha had listed such places : forest, rivers, and and whose words are sweet like nectar but the heart is sharp mountains. Shrines, caves, temples, and molehills have no like a razor's edge ?" It is also said that occasion with a owners. woman by a learned person is equally binding to such a wise person." A scholar becomes still against a witty "No man shall ever listen to the discourses on woman" etc. Vidurniti says, "Those dependent people who knowledge and philosophy delivered by a woman. None are residing in the region where the ruler is a lady, or a shall enter into a debate or controversy with women, cheater or a child, ruin them selves like a stony boat which rulers or their courtiers." (34) sinks and destroys itself in the river flow." Herein the word 'woman' is in singular but while Knowledge means the knowledge of the form of soul interpreting, should be considered for whole woman race. and supreme soul, egolessness, straightforwardness etc Man should not establish dialogue with woman; means that virtues as described in Geeta. Knowledge of all those man should not argue against her. It creates a web of things. Discourses mean the narrations about God and the misunderstanding and misinterpretation due to their great kings. Things, which describe the Loka are called foolishness - and results ultimately into trouble. Shri Varta. The thing by which one gets knowledge of the form Mahadevji had described following bad qualities of woman of God is called Gyan-knowledge. And science of such : lies, courage, illusion, foolishness, greed, impurity and knowledge means philosophy. Varta word stands for the cruelty. These bad qualities are natural for a woman. qualities like narration etc. Dharm sangraha says- not to Agatsya Muni had said in Ramayan, "Smartness of the sing with women, not to sleep with women, not to walk lightning, sharpness of the weapons and quickness of the along with her, not to listen to a story from her mouth, not eagle and the wind become weak before a woman." to tell Katha to her in isolation. The reason is if there may In a similar fashion, one should not argue with the king be some attachment in listening to such, it may create an or his subordinates. The reason is, they are strong and may unbreakable bond. Shrimad Bhagwat has said that not accept the words. One should not argue with his father attachment and bond created out of man's company of a and mother. Braihanmanu has said, "One should not argue woman or her companion is unbreakable and such bond with woman, king, royal servants, guests, maternal uncle, can not be created by any thing else. See the power of my aged person, child, perplexed one, Acharya, medicine man miraculous Maya in the form of a woman, who is the and hot tempered person. One should not argue with a

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person who has knowledge of the Vedas. who are rich in knowledge, good acts, age, relations and wealth. Any Shudra who possesses these, should be None shall insult preceptors, superiors, and persons repected. Shrimad Bhagwat also says, "One who insults of status in society, scholars and men with arms. (35) great or elder people, loses his life, wealth, fame, religion, emancipation and the happiness of this and the other world. Guru means giver of knowledge or the teacher. Deval One, who is fallen due to his pride and is not respecting had described the following as the Gurus or preceptors : those who are the best in penance, knowledge, action and Acharya, father, elder brother, king, maternal uncle, brother personal religion, is like a living dead. Such a person after in law, savior, mother father, grand father, those who are his death, is confined to hellish punishment of hanging from upper caste and uncle. It also includes those who are upside down in a salty mud and suffers unbearable pains." virtuous. Skand Puran says, "Virtuous people too lose their life span Those who are famous for their virtues are called elders. and wealth on insult of a Satpurush." Anushasan Parva Rishabhdevji had said in Bhagwat that services to such says, "Elders should not be insulted by harsh words against elders are the gate of devotion, and further had added that their painful treatment. Learned people have ranked harsh the company of the companion of woman is the gate of words and death equally. Further it is said that elders should hell. Such great elders are with balance of mind, steady, not be called by their personal name or by singular address. peaceful, friendly and saintly. Sadhus are with the qualities Also had said, "Those who are desiring long life, should like kindness, non-cheating and with other qualities not disobey the warrior, Brahmin and snake, though they mentioned above by God. Also not to insult the people may be weak in appearance. Because they may be weak who are respected in the society, kings and the servants of in appearance but contain deadly venom under their teeth." the kings. Not to insult those who are higher in caste, clan Guru Geeta says "Though a disciple may be wise, but and race and those who are on higher side in behavior. should not call his Guru by an insulting singular address." Those should not be insulted who may be on lower side of A disciple, who tries to defeat his Guru by such insulting caste etcetera but are virtuous and rich in prestige. Not to way of singular address in arguments, becomes a demon insult such Brahmins who are scholars of Vedas and Purans. in a waterless forest. Bhagwat also says, "Know the Guru Not to insult people who are holding weapon. Insult means as me. Never disobey his orders. Never be jealous of him. disgrace. Act of insult to such people inflicts irreparable As all the Gods reside in a Guru. The disciples, who insult loss of everything. Such people should be respected. such respectable Guru, lose their wealth, relatives, friends Yagyavalkya Smriti says that Brahmin, snakes and warriors and sons." Brihaspati had said, " One who makes angry a should not be displeased. Also, one should respect those penant, snake, warrior or a married woman by his speech

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spells his own death. work should be carried out immediately on the mere The act of not giving way is an act of insulting. Cropping up of such a thought. Because this will provide Anushasan Parva says, "Give way to a Brahmin, cow and help in other world. Smriti says that only religion is helpful weak people. Herein word 'aged people' has been used. in the other world - nothing else. Religion is brisk in its This means well seasoned with depth of knowledge or speed. The intelligence and the thought arising from such one who is highly virtuous and one with plenty of wealth. intelligence may turn opposite in no time. As such, there Yagyavalkya Muni had said that the elder one with burden, is no harm in performing religious work on cropping up of king, scholars, woman, diseased, groom and bullock cart thought or idea about it. Smriti says, wise one should earn should be given way. the reason is, the king is the supreme wealth and knowledge with a firm belief that there shall and respected by the subjects, and the scholar is more be no old age or death but in performing religion one should respectable than the king. Scholar means one who is always keep the idea in the mind that death has held his endowed with the knowledge or Vrata. Groom mean one hair and may be its prey any moment. Moksha Dharm also who is ready for marriage and forthcoming says, "The assignments of tomorrow, should be carried out householdership. Here word 'etc' has been included as today, and those of next moment should be performed right such, moody, mad men and recluses should be included as now." Because death never waits and thinks about what is per Mitakshara. carried out by one and what remains still unattended." Also one should teach knowledge to a proper disciple- No worldly act shall be commenced on the spur of the knowledge which one has earned by serving his Guru the moment. But a religious work shall be done without sincerely. Herein the stress is on the greatness of the a moments delay. The knowledge that one has acquired donation of knowledge. There are three great donations - shall be imparted to others. A daily communion shall splendid donations. Those three are cow, earth and ever be maintained with the saints. (36) knowledge. These three are the highest of the donations as per the Smritis. In the Dan section of Vishnudharmottar No work should be started suddenly and without giving Puran it is said, "One who teaches knowledge earns place thought to it. Work should be started after giving enough in Brahmlok. One who undergoes penance with a desire thought and after consulting wise people in regard to that to pass on knowledge to someone earns great Brahmlok. work, but should not be begun all of a sudden. Act without Oh most fortunate ! Here in this Lok the greatest amongst thought brings in troubles. The story of Achirkari Brahmin the donations and penance is the donation of knowledge. narrated in Shanti Parva of Mahabharat in an example of Such donation fulfils all the desires of the donar. Nandi such acts. Dharm here, means religious work. Religious Puran describes fourteen types of knowledge: four Vedas,

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six Vedangs, one Dharm Shastra, one Puran, one Mimansa gold to the performer of holy fire, donates knowledge to and one Nyay-Shastra. There are thousands of branches celebate and gives daughter to a man without children, gets and sub branches of each. Dharm Shastra means Manu- the highest place in other world. Smriti. Purans means Brahm Puran, Padma Puran etc An untried and bad disciple should not be taught. Shruti Purans. Amongst those fourteen, three are most important. had said, Vidya approached Brahmin for self-protection Those three are Atma Vidya (Science of Spirit), Puran and said, "I am the treasure of wealth for you. Do not Vidya (Knowledge of Scriptures) and Dharma Shastra disclose me to one who is envious, complicated and not (means Knowledge of Laws of Moral Conduct). These practising Vrata. Such care will make me stronger". Smriti three are above the fruits of donation, good acts and also says, 'Vidya says to Brahmin that she belongs to him. rewards. Amongst these three knowledge (Vidya), Brahm He should protect her; and not donate her to those, who Vidya (Knowledge of Brahm) is the highest as per Garud are envious. That would make Vidya more potential. Our Puran. "In knowledge, most important is Brahm Vidya. great elder Chanakya has said, 'How could a teacher of Therefore, Oh King! The donation of knowledge is the bad disciple get the happiness ? It is good to die along giver of all fruits. As per Manu Smriti, following only are with the knowledge than to transmit it to a bad-disciple. qualified for learning : son of an Acharya, one who is Laghu Chanakya says, A foolish disciple turns into an desirous of serving, one who is to give knowledge, one enemy in a later stage. who is religious minded, one who is pious and brotherly, Daily means everyday. The firm believers of personal one who is capable of understanding the books, one who religion mean single-minded devotees of God. The can pay for, one who is of good nature and one who is our devotees of Vishnu means those souls who are firm in their own, these ten are qualified for learning." "Yagyavalkya personal religion and whose sensual desires have had also said, one who knows about his acts, one who is extinguished. As per Vishnudharmottar Puran the saint not betraying, one who is wise, one who is pious, one who means a person who has become free from the sense objects is intelligent, one who is not envious, one who is saintly, and has become self renunciated. The companionship of one who is powerful, one who is brotherly, one who may such saints means Darshan of such saints, their Poojan give his knowledge to others, and one who can give money (worship) and Vandan. To be with them is to understand are qualified for learning. Further, Mitakshara treatise fully well their teaching and preaching. Muni Vasishtha elaborates it by adding that though they may be in plenty had said that, one should visit the saint daily. Satsang means or very little, but the existence of such qualities should be devotion of God. Therefore, Shrimad Bhagwat says that, ensured. In Dan Khand of Bhavishya Puran, it is said that as and when a roamer comes into the contact of a Satpurush the celebate should definitely be taught. One, who donates of God, then through that Satpurush, he becomes a devotee

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of God. The Katha in the companionship of such Satpurush thoughts of mind through their speech. The Saints are the acts like a medicine for his mind, heart and the senses and real protection for these perishable human beings. Saints gradually, through that Katha (discourse), he progresses are like a boat to the drowning people. Further it is said gradually in faith, love and devotion - the path of that "Food acts as vital-air for the living bodies and I am a redemption. real shelter for the sufferers. Religion becomes real wealth Those who are indecent and those who are almost like for a dying person. Saints are a real shelter for the people distracted, become single-minded devotees on serving who are scared with the fear of death. Saints are the giver Satpurush of God. It further adds: One's companionship of the insight of the knowledge of ultimate, though the with a Satpurush of God is million time better than heaven sun also gives the light, but that is external. Deities and and emancipation. Then what else can be said : Mere companions are also saints. And the soul-who is I my self- remembrance of Satpurush of God, purifies the house of a is also saint. "Oh Lord Vishnu ! Those people who had devotee, then what else would not happen on his Darshan, the companionship of such saints who have been attracted his touch, on personal service to him and on offering an like a bumblebee to relish the fragrance of your lotus-feet, respectful seat to him ? Neither the shrines with the lakes become free from the attachments like body, sons, friends, nor the idols made of stone or mud, because they can purify estates, wealth and woman. 'One who does not serve the after a very long period, but the saints would purify us holy feet of Satpurush, remains untouched by the lotus feet just with a Darshan, "In these, it is said about general of Lord which are the destroyer of evil. companionship of Satpurush, but the objective behind such companionship is the removal of attachment towards body None shall approach a preceptor, deity and God and bodily relation. Therefore householders should practise empty handed. One shall not commit a breach of trust this companionship. The same scripture says 'Oh king ! and shall never indulge in self-praise. (37) Though you reside in your palace, Submit all your household duties at the lotus feet of Lord Vasudev and Guru means one who gives secret hymn of Shri Krishna serve the saints. You will get your self free from the to us. Dev means God, personal God and the king means attachment for body, woman and sons with the help of such the head of the state. Guru, God and the king should not saints. The process shall be so natural and steadily be visited empty handed. It hints at taking some gift to progressive that you will feel as if you are awakening from offer on visiting Guru etc. Shrutis says that Guru should a dream. For this, the wise should leave the companionship be visited with Samidh. Here 'Samidh' represents the gift. of evil minded people and should make companionship Shrutis also mention that king and Guru etc should not be with the saints. The saints are capable of destroying ill visited empty handed.

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Now the breach of trust. The breach of trust means; We clothes which make the body parts visible on its wearing promise or assure some one to protect him or promise to or clothes which are torn and tattered the clothes which carry out his work but, thereafter, if we don't fulfil our are not clean, but should wear the clothes which are clean promise or assurance of protecting him or doing his work, and thickly woven. Vishwaroop says that those who are then it is a breach of trust or betrayal. Smriti says, one very poor, those who have renounced and those who are who kills by breaching trust is a biggest sinner. Now self detached are not bound by these rules as they can not get praise and back biting of others destroy the Punyas. the clothing as per their wish. Brishma has said: Do not criticise others. Do not narrate your own praise. The virtuous and wise ones who act like None shall do Lord Krishna's devotion devoid of this, earn glory and greatness. Praise of others should be Dharma. None shall give up worship of Lord Krishna done in a justifiable amount. out of fear of censure by ignorant people. (39)

None shall put on such clothes, which expose parts The devotion means that devotion which is nine folded. of one's body. My followers shall discard such indecent Such devotion should not be practised without religion, attire. (38) but should be practised in a religious way. As Smritis have said, Vaishnava are required not to take 'Anna' (grain and On wearing the clothes, if unexposable parts of the body food made from grain) on both Ekadashi days of the month. become visible to others, then such clothes should not be That means complete fast on Ekadashi. This is the used. This negation is with a greater stress; therefore, it is prescription from the scriptures to the Vaishnavas. Now to be understood that wearing such clothes would bring the smritis have further said that the fruits of the fast of six public criticism. Bad clothes means such clothes which months equals the fruits earned on the consumption of have been called defective clothes by the virtuous people. single morsel from the Prashad of Vishnu Naivedya (the The followers means all such ladies and gents who are dish offered to God). Therefore, do not break the personal practising followership. As such, none of the follower religion of performing fast of Ekadashi on the ground of ladies and gents should wear such clothes. The objective such glory of Naivedya. Moreover, the Smritis have said of wearing the clothes is to cover the parts of body against that deities and manes too consume such Prasad of Lord the exposure, and if such parts of body were not being Vishnu. Further, it adds that other Gods should be covered on wearing the clothes then such wearing would worshipped by the Naivedya of Vishnu and such Naivedya be similar to not wearing anything. Sadachardeep says: One should be offered to the manes as such acts emancipate should not wear the clothes made of very fine fabric or the devotees. When those who have faith in the Gods and

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in the Karmas of mane and those who have faith in Karmas Vishnu temple, take birth as a germ in the woman's womb only have been asked categorically to consume the Anna as per the statement from Harit. One should not leave his of Vishnu Naivedya, then in that case what else should be religion or 'discipline in look' on the pretext of the glory said of consuming the same by the Vaishnava? The of God. objection, which exists in regard to the food, refers the The Smritis have said that Darshan of the Janmashthmi food of Vishnu Naivedya on Ekadashi day. Therefore, one etc. festival at the temple destroys the sins and makes one should not leave his religion of not taking such food on pure again. Even in view of this glorious dictum, one Ekadashi day. Food should not be consumed on Ekadashi should not leave his personal religion of not entering the fast. temple along with the woman. Also one should not leave Shrimad Bhagwat says that one should chant the name personal religion on the following objection too. "Devotion of Supreme Lord, perform Tapa (penance), chant becomes firmer with the religion." 'Religion has come from constantly name of Shri 'Hari' and perform bath. One my devotion'. Bhakti-yoga described through such should not leave his religion of performing morning bath sentences, makes religious people free from the fears. All and worship of Sandhya (a daily worship - trio: morning, these sentences prove the strength of religion and therefore noon and evening meditational prayer) etcetera on excuse devotion bears no fruits in absence of the religion. of Lord's name. Shrutis also say that the Brahmin who is Therefore, Parashar Geeta says that wise people do not not performing morning bath, becomes a Sutaki (unholy perform such rewardful great acts, which are not supported and inauspicious). It is a wise step to follow and accept by religion. They do not even recognize such as a 'reward'. the way of the elites from those two statements. Therefore, Ved Vyas has said in Bharat Savitri : The religion which in Ekadash Skandh of Bhagwat, the acts like bath etcetera is the very cause of life should not be given away just due have been narrated as an integral part of devotion of God. to sensuous pleasures, fears or temptations. Naradji also For purifying body, first clean your teeth then perform bath says that the householder who leaves his work, the celibate with suitable hymns for mud-paste etcetera as per Veda who leaves his celibacy, the ascetic who lives with in the and Tantra. 'Sandhya mediation and other self-purifying community and the beggar who desires sensual pleasures worship should then be performed for firmness in Me.' are ugly blots to their respective Ashram and are big trouble Now, even while in the temple or before the idols of for the Ashram. Ignore them with pity as they have lost Gods, one should-with the support of the strength of the wisdom under the spell of the Maya of God. Pancham fact that Lord Vishnu resides in each and every particle of Skandh prescribes hell for those who abandon their this universe should not look at the woman or fool with religion. Those who walk away from the Vedic path them. Those who look at the woman joyfully, while in the without any objection and accept hypocritical path are

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punished with hellish pounder by sending them in the forest irreligiously, then God surely adorns the majesty like truth, of the blade-sharp leaves. The soul, so punished, runs knowledge, mercy and glory and incarnates Himself for aimlessly due to fear of the pounder behind him and injures emancipation of the souls'. Further, it has said that When him self with blade-sharp leaves; pain and profuse bleeding religion decreases and irreligion increases then in such time makes him unconscious and drops him on the ground on Supreme Lord incarnates Himself. And it is said that each trembling step. Those who leave their own religion Supreme Lord incarnates Himself for protection of and practise the hypocrite-one face such punishments. axiomatic religion in every age, incarnates Himself when 'Leaving his own religion performs the devotion of lotus liars and hypocrites block the practise of axiomatic Vedic feet of Shri Hari.' This sentence aims to criticize such religion of Supreme Lord. Further, it is said ... though you religion wherein there is no room for devotion. It does not had given away the sense objects for the protection of self imply desertion of their religion by the Vaishnavas. If it is imposed limitation, even though you incarnate your divine not so, how would one explain the fourth sentence from self in the form of bird, animal, human being and deity the same shloka : 'Those who are not worshipping Shri etc, to perform divine leelas in respective forms. It is further Hari in accordance to their personal religion'? Moreover, said ... your image of accepting manliness and taking it is said, 'One, who has religion, truth, mercy, knowledge human form among the Yadavs, is very difficult to realize. and penance but lacks devotion in me, never becomes And says ... Incarnates own divine self in every age to perfectly pure'. Further, God says: Religion is the attribute protect self imposed religious limitations. Further ... the of the acts in the people practising Varnashram Dharma. Vedic religion has emerged from your divine self and is They earn benediction and devotion in me. Narad protected by you, and you had founded this religion in the Panchratra prescribes meditation on Mukund Bhagavan by heart and soul of such virtuous people who are the seekers consecration from a Guru and total withdrawal from the of truth. And you killed irreligious kings through Arjun sense objects coupled with practice of Varnashram Dharma. etc, and refounded the religion through the son of Dharm The manifestation of Lord Shri Krishna is for founding (religion). It is also said that God incarnates his divine self axiomatic religion. Therefore, the action contrary to the to kill mammoth animals, wickeds, and the demons like religion can not please Bhagavan. Bhagvad Gita says, Pramatha, and protects the religion. It is also said: The 'When Religion (Dharma) becomes weak and irreligion Supreme God! Whose divine abode lasts forever, (Adharm) emerges then I incarnate my self to protect the incarnates His divine self on this earth for the protection Sadhus (virtuous) and to kill the wickeds and to refound of Vedic religion and emancipation of souls. It is also said, the religion, I incarnate my self time and again. Bhagwat 'Oh, Achyuta! You are the sole exponent of the religion ! too says; When kings with ill intelligence rules the kingdom You are the sole practitioner of religion ! You are the sole

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preacher of religion !' It is also said: 'On earlier request away from irreligious acts. Command your senses fully. and prayer from Brahma (creator) I took birth in Yadu Don't leave these three things. dynasty in the family of Anakadundubhi. It is also said 'Ignorant means such souls who are ignorant about Shri that He had incarnated His divine self repeatedly for Krishna, devotees of Shri Krishna and the religion of Shri protection of the religion. It is also said that during any of Krishna. One should not leave devotion of Lord Shri the ages you are incarnating your divine self for protection Krishna due to a criticism by such people. It means that of your devotees and destruction of the sinners. Through such criticism is not harmful. Parasharmuni says: The your divine leelas you have become the soul. It is said that person who is ignorant about that, criticizes it but the you are the defender of Gods, virtuous people and the knowledgeable one does not act so. Ekadash Skandh says: decorum of the Lokas. It is also said that, 'Oh Brahmian ! Wicked people criticize the dearest devotees of Shri Hari. I am the preacher, practitioner and supporter of the religion Bhagwat says: It is not at all surprising that the great are and residing in this Loka to teach religion to the people. always criticized by those who have lost their brightness Therefore, Oh my son ! Don't feel sorry.' It is said: Where by the dust of the feet of the satpurush and those are ill- there is religion there is my heart with the virtue. And it is intelligent, atheist and non-virtuous. They deserve such said that: The Vedic religion, which is the religion of the attitude. It is natural for that evil lot, and devotees should devotees of Shri Krishna, is the just way of living for all not pay attention to it. When Lord Shri Krishna himself is virtuous people. Also it is said that he exemplified the same the protector, then what harm can they do ? Therefore wise by practising Grihastha Dharma (virtuous life of devotees of Vishnu should not abandon devotion just due householder). Also it is said that, 'I bow my head with to fear of such lot. Vishnu Dharmottar says: As a lion reverence to my God, who loves religion in totality. Laghu hardly bothers for a pack of foxes, in a similar way, the Harit-Smriti says: Those who abandon their own religion devotees of Vishnu should treat those fools. Prahladji says and constantly chants name 'Krishna. Krishna' thereafter in Nirisimh Champoo : Though my father is angry at me, are the enemies of Shri Hari, because religion is cause of but I will not leave the name of God. Would the people incarnation of God. Vishnu Puran says: Those are equal to abandon a villa if there were mosquitoes in it ? Uddhavji their friends and foes, are not grabbing any thing, and are says: The devotees of God don't change their mind from not against any body, they are with high and peaceful mind. devotion of God, at the word of those who are on the wrong Vishnu Puran says: 'Shruti and Smriti are my path and are a prey to the web of Maya. Herein, commandments. Oh earth! One who disobeys, is my enemy companionship has been established between Bhakti and but not my devotee'. Shri Vallabhacharya says in Tattva Dharma. For example : One should not leave devotion at Deep : Practise your personal religion in full capacity. Stay the words from fools. One should not leave religion at the

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words of such people. Please know this as it is said so in don't malice others. Moksha Dharm recommends full Bharat Savitri. control against such acts. Belly and sex organs should be protected with utmost patience; hands and legs should be When my followers go to the temple of Krishna on protected by the eyes, eyes and ears should be protected days of celebration of festival or any other day, they by the mind, and mind and speech should be protected by shall keep themselves completely apart from the knowledge. persons of the opposite sex and shall be careful not to touch them. (40) All my twice born (Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaishya) followers who are initiated in to Lord Krishna's On regular days and on the special days like festivals, devotion by a spiritual master descended from the Mahapooja, crowning ceremony, Janmashthami, etc. In family of Dharmdev shall always put round their neck such visit of Krishna Temple, householder devotees should a double Kanthi (Rosary) of Tulsi beads and shall make not touch people of opposite sex, they should not touch a vertical Tilak mark on their forehead, chest and both them knowingly- with knowledge. Woman means married the arms. (41) woman. Widows are untouchable every where. Married ladies should keep safe distance with male devotees in the Guru means spiritual master descended from the family temple. Touch by opposite sex disturbs mind, therefore, it of Dharmavansha, means one who has been established as is prohibited here, particularly with reference to the Acharya from Dharmvansh. One who is formally initiated temples. This objection is proper and just. Narad Muni says: in to Lord Krishna's devotion Poojan and Niyam etc, by The wicked minded person, who touches the body of such Acharya. Vigyan Upnishat Samhita defines the other's wife in a temple or looks at them repeatedly, earns attributes of a Guru: One who has full command on his loss of his own self. Word 'daily' has been used here. We senses, one who is holy, intelligent, well composed, can not interpret it as 'Festival day'. There may be heavy religious minded and is capable of removing the fear of rush at the temple during celebrations and it may cause those who are scared mentally, orally or bodily and is touch. But here it is to be understood that it is with an capable enough to recharge confidence in such scared intention to remove carelessness of the devotee. Please souls. These are the attributes of a true Acharya-Guru. One know this intention of Shri Swaminarayan. It is imperative who has such attributes and also belong to the to leave smartness of speech. Yagyavalkya says: Smartness Dharmvansh, but if deprived of devotion for Lord Vishnu, of speech, hands and feet should be given away along with then he can not become a Guru or an Acharya. Narad excess in food. Manu Smriti says: Don't be smart in speech, Panchratra also says: One who is born in a high dynasty,

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and has been initiated in all the Yagyas with knowledge of the cause of all the efforts. Gods, demons, human beings, one thousand different branches of knowledge, but if not Yaksha or Gandharva, whosoever he may be, but he can a Vaishnava, then in that case he can not become a Guru. earn emancipation through the means of the devotion of One should not desire Mukti through the initiation under a lotus feet of Lord Mukund. All these are indicative of the non-Vaishnava Guru. Those Gurus who are deprived of importance of devotion. Therefore, to earn the right for good attributes are not proper for initiation. Skand-Puran such devotion, one has to undergo formal initiation through also says: One who has knowledge and devotion but no a secret and sacred hymn, Pooja, Niyam and Preaching. personal religion then in that case, he should not be made This is most essential. One should dispel his doubts Guru. Don't make such a person a Guru whose mind is through the preaching and guidance provided to him; he engrossed in woman. As a youthful woman can not bear a should, thereafter seek the support of his Guru, should child on wooing an impotent person, in a similar way a know the scriptures suggested by the Guru; and in well- Guru, engrossed in a woman, can not give a fruitful composed mind should perform the Pooja of Bhagwan. initiation. Sanskrit Word 'Guru' has two components: 'Gu' That is the prescription of Shrimad Bhagwat. Lord Shankar and 'Ru'. 'Gu' means darkness. 'Ru' means one who says to Parvati in Padmottar Khand, 'Oh Vam Uru (Parvati)! destroys it, Now explains the glory and greatness of Diksha The activities of a person without initiation are in vain. initiation. Gautamiya Tantra says: Oh Suvrata ! In the Such person without initiation takes birth as an animal. different sets of hymns related to Lord Ganapati, Shiva One who worships Lord Vishnu after his initiation earns and Shakti, the set of Vaishnava Mantra is the best amongst reward for his life. Others remain as a burden on this earth. all. And in Vaishnava Mantras the Krishna - Mantras are Skanda Puran says: Those souls are like animals, which supreme in reward. For 'Diksha' it says: Our Satvat Tantra have not taken initiation in Shri Hari and have not Diksha means such type of initiation, which brings out performed devotion of Shri Hari. Their lives are fruitless - science in limelight and distracts Moha. Bhagwat says: aimless - unfulfilled. There is only one means for emancipation of those who Dwijati - twice born means those who have earned the are roaming across the worldly ways and that ultimate status of 'Dwij' through the preaching of Gayatri. Why means is Bhaktiyoga (devotion) of Bhagwan Vasudeva. Diksha (initiation) for the Brahmin etcetera three castes ? It is said that Lord Brahma tested all four Vedas through One may think that this ritual of Diksha may only be for his wisdom and knowledge and came to the conclusion the Shudras (last cadre in the caste system) who are not that there should be love in the soul for the Supreme Lord. entitled for Gayatri preaching. This type of doubts have Bhagwat also recommends a strong tie of devotional love been removed by using the word Dwij twice born. Only between a devotee and Supreme God and that should be Vedic rights or performance of duties as per Vedic

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prescription does not endow one with fulfillment of life, therefore it shall be proper for the seekers of the knowledge because eternity is impossible without devotion. This shows of the ultimate to become initiated by the ritual of Krishna- supremacy of devotion of Lord Shri Krishna. In the light Diksha. of divine devotion of women to Lord Shri Krishna, they Tulsi is a sacred plant. Mala means rosary. Two rosaries felt inferiority complex and started criticizing : Shame on made of Tulsi wood beads should be worn around the neck. our life as we are deprived of the devotion of Lord Shri Skand Puran prescribes to wear Tulsi-Malas around the Krishna, shame on our Vrata, shame on our knowledge, neck. This Mala, which increases devotional love for shame on our dynasty, shame on our acts, shame on our Bhagwan, should be placed around the neck. The wisdom. Those women who did not have culture as twice disadvantages of not wearing such Mala have been shown born nor the education or proximity with the Gurus, have in Padmapuran. This list aims at showing the advantages not performed any Tapa, and have no critical look at the of wearing such Mala. Those wicked minded souls who soul, neither are they pure nor are their acts good but they are not wearing such Tulsi Mala face hellish fire with the have firm devotion to Yogeshwar Lord Shri Krishna; but displeasure of Bhagwan. Therefore, scriptures prescribe we, who are with culture and other attributes did not have wearing such Mala on a regular basis (everyday). One such devotion. Further it is said, the Brahmin even with should wear this Tulsi Mala as he wears his Yagyopavit all twelve attributes if he is far off from the devotion to (holy threads). Padmapuran also says that, the food would Lord Vishnu one who has lotus from his navel - then in be like meat and water would be like wine from such comparison to such Brahmin a devotee chandal is far better. animal like people who do not wear Tulsi Mala. He is good, because he has followed the words (preaching) Those devotees who wear Tulsi Mala at the time of and has purified his own self along with his lineage. But Pooja, Dhyan and Sandhya, earn the pleasure of Shri Hari. those great Brahmins have not done so. Lord Shri Krishna Those are the opponents of Lord Vishnu who wear Tulsi says: 'Oh Arjuna ! Women, Vaishya (class of traders) and Mala while eating, sleeping or at the time of natural calls. shoodras (class of labourers and servants) who are born in These sentences from Padmapuran are sometimes used to the species of the sinners, earn my Parampada (highest restrict the use of Tulsi Mala up to the Pooja rituals. In abode of God) by accepting my fold, then there should be fact it is not so. Those sentences are for such Malas, which no surprise if virtuous Brahmins and Rajarshi devotees if have not been submitted to Bhagwan. Dwarika Mahatmya earn place in Parampada (highest abode of God). Krishna in Skand Puran explains this very clearly: One, who wears - Diksha is the first step in such devotion, and that has Tulsi Mala after submitting it to Bhagwan, stays sin-free. been said earlier. The devotion of Lord Shri Krishna can Moreover Padmapuran says: Do not leave Tulsi Mala at not become fruitful in the absence of Krishna-Diksha, the time of sleeping, eating, bathing and even while

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answering natural calls. One who leaves Tulsi Mala in such Vedic Karmas (Vedic rituals) without a Tilak on his circumstances becomes a defaulter. Garud Puran says: forehead, are in vain like butter oil poured on the heap of Don't leave Tulsi Mala even while attending to natural call. ashes. Harit also says: The Sandhya rites performed It is not unholy to keep it in such circumstances. Because without Tilak, go to the demons and the performer of such it is a form of Brahm. rites is consigned to hell. Shrutis have described three types Shruti says: If rosary is flavourless then it should be in of Karma (action); namely: Nitya (daily or regular), gold, otherwise flavourless rosary should not be kept Naimittik (causal) and Kamya (desired). If all such actions around the neck. There in that statement there is no flaw are not performed with Tilak on forehead, they become in wearing but it objects to rosery laid in steel. For more fruitless. details one should refer 'Mala Dharan Vaad'. Now what is It is said somewhere that the manes become sad on the reason behind prescribing 'double' rosary ? Regarding looking at one who has Tilak on his forehead and the this, it says that: Two rosaries represent two images of Shri garlands on the shoulders or one whose upper caste wife Radhakrishna and meditation of that. Sometimes Krishna copulates with a lower-caste man. These sentences of alone is mentioned. As such, there is nothing wrong in Smriti appear to be reprimanding Tilak in the ceremonies wearing single Tulsi Mala. And therefore, chanting name for offerings to manes. But this is in fact misunderstood. of God goes like 'Krishna' and 'Shri Krishna'. The hymn This objection stands against the Sandalwood Tilak if worn of placing Tulsi Mala around the neck has been given in at such times. Ashwalayan Smriti says that one should not Vishnu Dharm: Oh Rosary! You are made of Tulsi wood decorate himself prior to the offering to manes. The words and loved by the devotees of Lord Vishnu ! Oh such rosary sandal-paste etcetera, include kumkum, therefore vermilion ! I am wearing you around the my neck. You make me a powder should not be used. Prithvichandra defines that devotee of Lord Krishna. word as Tripundra - a symbol consisted of three lines. Forehead etc, means forehead, chest, arms etc. vital parts Learned Parasharmuni advises: wear vertical sign, not a of the body. A vertical Tilak (like a vertical stick) should Tripundra (three lined) one. The manes becomes unhappy be there on the forehead while performing Satkarma. upon looking at Tripundra, Therefore, in mane rituals too, Brihad Narad Puran explains, "Oh the greatest amongst one should wear a vertical Tilak made of Gopi-Chandan the Brahmins! Yagya (holy fire), Dan (donation), Japa (sacred earth from Brindavan). Padma Puran says: Oh (chanting holy name of God), Homa (sacrifice in holy fire), lovely faced ! One, who performs manes-rites with vertical Swadhyaya (study of the scriptures) and the Pitri-Karma Tilak, earns the reward of one thousand such offerings at (rites to the mane) become fruitless in absence of Tilak on Gaya. Smriti Saar Sanchaya suggests the use of vertical the forehead.' Matsya Puran says: The man who performs Tilak. The Devotees of Shiva and Vishnu should wear a

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Tilak at the time of offerings to the manes, failing which touches such a person. Skandh Puran says: Others should the rite turns fruitless. worship a Brahmin who has religious prints on his body The Brahmins should wear a vertical Tilak. The and is a devotee of Lord Vishnu. No doubts should be Kshatriya should wear a Tripundra (three lined sign) and raised about him. Those who criticize him are consigned the Vaishya should wear a half circle (like a half - moon to hell. Further it is said: Oh Giver of son! Prahalad, sign) and Shudras should make a round dot on their Dhruva, Vibhishana, Bali, Rukam, Angad, Shuka, foreheads. Brahmpuran has prescribed that. But that is for Mandhata, Ambarish, Markendya etc, great wise people the Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras, but not for the have worn the print sign of conch shell and wheel on their followers of Lord Vishnu. In Urdhva Pundra Chapter of bodies. Kurm Puran says: The print symbol of conch-shell Padmottar Khand, there is no objection in wearing a vertical etc, on the body of the man indicates relation with God Tilak. The Kshatriya and others who wear Tilak, become and a pair of bangle on the wrist indicates faithfulness the followers of Lord Vishnu. Herein word forehead towards husband. Brihad Nardiya Puran says: Lord Vishnu etcetera has been used; therefore, Tilak should be placed and Goddess Lakshmi reside forever in a person on whose on the forehead, chest, throat and arms. In the case of chest there is a permanent print of the wheel. 'The Chakra celebates, the fifth place is upper portion of throat. The (wheel) created doubt and uncertainity in the heart of Yama procedure for wearing these Tilak shall be given in Snan (deity of death) to him and freed him from the wrath and Prakranam under the ceremonials for the offerings to the did worship of such a devotee. Shandilya Smriti says: One manes. should get religious prints on household things, animals, The print etcetera are to be placed everyday on the body sons etc, and on the body of his own wife. One should by a Vaishnava devotee. Padma Puran says: As it is perform five Sanskars (rites) as per Gruhasthashram Vidhi prescribed for a Brahmin to perform Agnihotra and study (as per the procedure prescribed for a householder) so that the Veda everyday, in similar way, it is a must for him to they become religious in their actions and use. Acharya wear print on his body. He, himself and his wife, sons, should perform Taap (heat) etc five Sanskars (rites) as per servants and his animals must take on their body and body- Gruhya Sutra for the householders. Parashara Smriti says: parts like arms- the hot prints of wheel etc, religious Oh the best amongst the twice born ! Tapas Muni had symbols. Kashi Khannd says: A person, may belong to any prescribed the ritual of prints on bodies of the women caste like Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra or others belonging to all age groups. The people who wear heated but if religious symbols like conchshell, wheel etc, appears impression on their arms, receive Param Dhaam, they are on his body as a hot print and if he wears Tulsi Mala in his not reborn again. Vishnu Rahasya says: All devotee-Munis neck and wears Gopi-Chandan on his person, then no sin of Lord Vishnu, have impression of divine Chakra (wheel)

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on their bodies. Their Darshan only removes our sins. A next hundred births and thereafter takes birth as a dirt person, who is deeply involved in great sins, if he drinks worm. The Yagya (holy fire), Daan (donation), Tapa water from the lotus-feet of a devotee of Vishnu with the (penance), Homa (sacrifice), Bhojan (food), Pitru Tarpan impression on his body, then he gets free from all the sins. (rites of mane) become futile of a Brahmin who does not Vishwaksen Samhita says: Oh great eagle! Offer our wear wheel print. worship to all those on whose body appear the print of Padma Puran says: one earns emancipation in the abode wheel or conch-shell etc. Brahmand Puran says: The sins of Lord Vishnu, if he converses with, donates to, worships of the last hundred births are destroyed upon the Darshan and bows his head to such a Brahmin who is with the print of a devotee with the print of a divine wheel on his chest. of wheel. Those devotees of Lord Vishnu, who bow their It has been justified for the rites like Shraaddha (offerings head or offer worship to a Brahmin who is not wearing to mane), then there should be no point in objecting it for the print of wheel on his body, suffer hellish pains till the other purpose. Achardeep says: A Brahmin should wear final rest of universe. A Brahmin, though he may be a the prints of conch-shell, Gadaa, Chakra etcetera as he scholar in Smriti and Shruti, but if he is not wearing a print wears his Upavita (sacred threads). It is most important of Chakra, then he should be thrown off like the nectar for the devotees of Lord Vishnu. fallen in the utensil of a low-caste. The Urdhva Pundra Now it shows the descent of those who are not (vertical sign) school says: To wear an Urdhva Pundra practising it. Parashar Smriti says: A Brahmin without (vertical signs is the most important act for a Vaishnava. Yagyopavit (sacred threads) and Chakra (wheel) becomes This ritual goes like this in a set : vertical symbol, rosary a Chandal (lowborn). A Brahmin without the prints of of Tulsi beads, print of Chakra (wheel), worship of conch-chakra and Tilak is the lowest one. Though he may Shaligram (symbolic form of Lord Vishnu) are the be alive but he lives as an out caste. He is out from all attributes of a Vaishnava devotee. religions. Harit Smriti says: A Brahmin without the prints like wheel etcetera is criticized in all his actions. He is not This Tilak shall be made of Gopichandan or with a devotee of Lord Vishnu. He would be consigned to hell. sandal-paste mixed with saffron and kumkum leftover Reject and keep him away like a chandal (low caste) one after having been offered to Krishna. (42) who is not wearing the print of wheel etcetera, one who is without Sanskar (culture) and one who is quarrelsome and That vertical sign should be made from Gopi-Chandan. one who is not a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Bhavishya Puran Gopichandan means the soil with Gopichandan glorified says: one who is not bowing his head to a person wearing in Dwarika Mahatmya. Sandalpaste means such glorified the print of a wheel on his arm, becomes a bird for the paste, which is left over from worship of Lord Shri Krishna.

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Such Sandal paste should be used for Tilak. Saffron is a known item. It is in yellow color and fragrant. Means, such Within this Vertical Tilak a full-moon shape mark sandal-paste mixed with saffron and kumkum, should be shall be made of the same substance or Kumkum which used for Tilak. Kumkum and saffron too should be the is offered to Radha and Lakshmi. (43) leftover by Lord Shri Krishna. Herein, Gopichandan means Now about the vertical sign. The vertical sign and its the soil from the mountain, riverside, seaside, near from a center, neither on upper nor on lower part-but right in the Tulsi plant and particularly from the Dwarika Kshetra centre, place a full-moon shaped sign in this centre of the should be used and not from elsewhere. Bhagwan Vyas vertical sign. Make this sign with Kumkum (an auspicious says in Madan Parijaat : The man who places the soil of red powder). Sar Samgraha of Vishnudharmottar says: A the holy river Ganges on his head receives divine form of full moon shaped sign made of turmeric powder or kumkum sun. Satyatapa says in the same scripture: The soil should be placed by Vaishnav devotees to please Goddess produced on the bank of holy river Gomati and born from Lakshmiji. That Kumkum shall be the prasadi of Goddess the physical group of the Gopis removes all sins on wearing Radhikaji or Lakshmiji. Dikshavidhi prescribes vertical it on the head. Padma says: where there is divine Hari Tilak along with full moon shaped sign in the centre. Kshetra (the field of God), take soil from there and wear a Tilak made of it to fulfill all the wishes. Margshirsh Sat-Shudra (shudras of a higher order) who are Mahatmayan in Skand Puran says: Vertical sign on the devoted to Lord Krishna and who scrupulously and forehead should be made from the soil taken from Tulsi sincerely follow their Dharma shall also put-on a plant root or Gopichandan or Harichandan. Harichandan Kanthi and vertical Tilak like the twice-burn. (44) means Prasadi sandal-paste of Bhagwan. Achar Mayukha says in perspective of time and space one should wear a Vishnudharmottar Puran prescribes Vaishnavi Diksha for vertical sign made from soil, chandan, ash and water the men and women from Brahmins, Kshatriya, Vaishya according to prevailing times. One should wear soil Tilak and Shudras. This is why this arrangement of wearing after bath. Thereafter Homa (sacrifice in holy fire) should rosary and tilak exists for the shudras. Herein the Shudras be performed with ash to get free from sins and God should of two types have been described namely Satshudra and be worshipped with fragrant material. For success in the Asadshudra. Satshudra means those lowborn people who action pertaining to water, the Tilak should be made with belong to the caste of shepherd, barber, potter etc. and water. Fore more details in regard to Urdhva Pundra one some bamboo workers too are Satshudra. Those who are should refer to Padma Puran and Urdhva Pundra Dharma still engaged in original caste based work of their own caste Vaad. are called Satshudra. But those who have diverted their

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livelihood activities from their original caste-based work father shall be called Chandal. The Chandal is rejected by are called Asatshudra. They are fallen from the religion of all the religions. The son of a Kshatriya mother and Vaishya their own caste. In fact those shudras who are born in pure father shall be called Magadh; the son of Kshatriya mother family line, and are away from drinking wine and and Shudra father shall be called Kshataa. Son of a Vaishya intoxicants, not consuming meat and are with the nature mother and Shudra father shall be called Aayogav or Sut. of Vaishya caste with respect and devotion for Dwij (twice Now the Mahishya children (which have been referred born) are the Satshudra as per the attributes described in above) if married to a Karan woman then child born shall Smriti. Those who possess the attributes, contrary to these be called Rathakaar. The castes developed from Anulon are Asatshudra. The Varnasankara (born of two different and Pratilom marriage are of both the kinds : Sat and Asat. castes) have been placed in the category of Shudra. Born Refer Jativivek etc books for more details. of two different castes means born of Anulom and Pratilom Those Satshudras who are faithful to their personal marriages. (Anulom marriage means groom from a high religion of serving three other Varnas (castes), and are caste and bride from a low-caste. Pratilom marriage means devotees of Shri Krishna with a strong desire for bendiction groom from a low-caste and bride from a high caste). are to be considered here. It means that those who are not In these marriages, one who is born of Anulom Marriage practising their personal religion have no such right. Such are called Satshudra and those born of Pratilom marriage Satshudras should wear Tulsi rosary around their neck and have been called Asatshudra. Smritis also say that a son should wear a Tilak on their forehead. They should wear born of Kshatriya woman on her marriage with a Brahmin these signs like other Vaishnava. Here word 'wear' husband shall be called Moorddhavasikta and if that woman incorporates meaning 'Diksha' and 'Mantra' both. Narad is from Vaishya caste then that child shall be called Panchratra says: Brahmin, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Ambashta. If such woman is from shudras then shall be Satshudras should wear Tulsi Mala, Vertical Tilak and called tribal low caste like Bhills-or Parshav. Son born of should take Vaishnav Mantra. Shudras with Diksha should Kshatriya father and Vaishya mother shall be Mahishya and wear vertical Tilak. The details and the facts about Diksha that of Kshatriya father and Shudra mother, shall be called should be gathered from Vigyan Upanishat Samhita. Also Ugra. The child born of shudra mother and Vaishya father should be know it as per personal capacity and should is called Karan. This procedure applies to married couples. learnt it from the other devotes of the Sampraday. There is Now, herein naming the children born of Pratilom marriage: distinction between Shudra and Dwij. Shudras, though are The son of a Brahmin Mother and Kshatriya father shall the lowest fourth Varna (caste), but being one from the be called Suta. That of Vaishya mother shall be called group of the Varnas, have a right of performing religion. Vaidehik, and such child from shudra mother and Kshatriya Of course, they do not have the right to perform Vedic

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Mantras like Swadha, Swaha and Vashatkar. That is the companionship of such greats. Such devotees should wear opinion of the Smriti. More details on this topic are rosary made from the wood of such trees, which ignites available in Shudrakamalakar the Smriti. Now about the fire. Only such devotees should place a sign of full moon right of Diksha to Shudras: starting from 'Oh Varaangane! shape on the forehead. Achar Madhav of Satyavrat confirms Now I am describing to you the glorious Diksha of four : Though he may be a Chandal, but if you see a Tilak on Varnas .... ' To 'I told you about the Diksha for Dwij,' and his forehead, then take him as 'pure' and fir to do worship. 'Now I am telling you about the Diksha to the shudras, There is no doubt about this. who are my devotees' that much portion of Smriti Kaumudi There is nothing wrong if a Chandal wears a Vertical should be referred for more details. Varah Bhagwan has sign on his forehead. But the Asatshudras are not permitted addressed those details. to perform Poojan of idol of God. They are allowed only for Darshan and Kirtan of the idol of God. Therefore Those devotees who belong to other than the Vertical symbol has no relevance or purpose. Therefore, Satshudras group shall put on a double Kanthi of the Shudras should wear only full moon shaped sign on sandal beads and make on their forehead only a round their forehead. Yagya, donations, Tapa (penance), Homa mark leaving out the Vertical Tilak. (45) (sacrifice in holy fire), Swadhyaya (study of the scripture) and performance of offerings to manes requires vertical A Satshudra devotee should wear a sandalwood rosary sign. Those who are not wearing vertical sign, lose the in their neck and should wear only full-moon shaped sign fruits of such performance. That is prescribed by Brahma on their forehead and throat. Other than Satshudra means in Madan Parijat, therefore, the Yagya etcetera have been Asatshudras etc, all other people. Herein, hidden meaning included in wearing vertical sign. The Dwijas (twice born) is : Every body has the right to devote and meditate and Shudras have the right of such performance, as such, Bhagwan Bhagwan says: Oh Sinfree ! Why are these right to wear vertical sign has been awarded to them for unwise people who are fallen in the dark depth of worldly this purpose and objective. The different holy fires which ways after getting such precious life as human being, not may be performed by shudras, have been mentioned in worshipping lotus feet of Bhagwan ? Moreover, it says: Aahnik Pryog of Shudra Kamalakar. The reference of Kolis, Huns, Andhra, Pulind, Zanpada, Bharvad, Kathi, Brahmpuran is limited to the vertical sign. Others have Yavan and Khoja etc. sinful people become pure and sin- described the same in detail. The same are the facts about free on taking refuge in devotees of Bhagwan Vishnu. We wearing a Tulsi Mala. bow our head in such lotus feet of Lord Vishnu. The pain of the birth in lower dynasty gets immediately removed on The Brahmin and others, who have been doing

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horizontal religious mark on their forehead and put Messengers ! Lord Brahma, Narada, Shambhu, Kartika on Rudrakshmala (a rosary of Rudraksh beads), as part Swami, Kapil, Manu, Prahlad, Janak, Bhishma, Bali and of their family traditions shall not discontinue their Shukadeva, these twelve people know Bhagwat Dharma practice even after their entering into our fold. (46) very well. The Bhagwat Dharma, which is secret, pure and hard to understand but the knowledge of that religion, gives The rule has been prescribed for wearing Tilak and Mala emancipation. as part of Diksha. Now he explains in relation to those, who are born in Shaiv school lineage and have tilted to No distinction shall be made between Narayan and Vaishnav devotion on companionship of the devotees of Shiva, as they both have been declared by Vedas as one Vishnu. They have to face family conflicts on a shift to and identical with Brahm. (47) Vaishnava signs and have to miss the chance of Vaishnav Diksha. Therefore, it is suggested here that purity of heart Some suggests elevation of the position of one from and inner one is essential to please God, not external signs- these three Gods, Just with an intention to prove superiority or marks. With this intention suggests that the marks of of Vishnu or Shiva. But it is not just and proper. The water lineage should not be changed. Those who are wearing is born from Lord Nar. Lord Narayan retires in this water. Tripundra mark on their forehead and Rudraksha Mala In that statement of Smriti effort has been made to prove around their neck since generations, should continue with that they both are identical to each other. Lord Shiva and it. Because these are the marks of the King of Vaishnavas Lord Vishnu, both are same. All four Vedas have proved - Lord Shiva. Shrimad Bhagwat had described the the oneness between this two-as Brahmaroopa. The supremacy of Lord Shiva on Vaishnavas. It says: 'As Lord scriptures like Atharvashikha, Atharvashir, Shambhu in Vaishnavas.' Also said: Lord Shiva knows the Shvetashvatariya, Mantropshat and Kaivalyopnishad have deepest secret of Shri Krishna. 'The purest entity, which is described Lord Shiva as a divine form of Brahm. known as Vasudev, unveils Himself as Bhagwan. I am Moreover, Mahanarayan and Narayan Upanishad, and worshipping divine Bhagwan in such pure entity. Garud Mahopanishad and Subalopanishad etcetera assert Vishnu Puran says: Lord Shankar said to Brahma - I am meditating as a form of Brahm. The confirmation of divine attributes upon Lord Vishnu who is omnipresent, all prevailing, all of Parabrahma in both these Gods and incarnation of both sustainer or Paramatma -- Ishwar. Oh Great ! clad in for sustaining and destructing the universe are indicative Rudrakshmala and ash, I vow to meditate Lord Vishnu. of their oneness as Parabrahm. As such, no aversion should Therefore, do not think that Lord Shiva does not know prevail in incarnation of Lord Vishnu and incarnation of about Vaishnav religious path. Yama has said: Oh Lord Shiva. Bhagwat says: Oh Brahman ! Those who do

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not see any difference in trio and observes oneness amongst when existence of body or life is at stake. Like this, the Creator, Sustainer and Destroyer of the Lokas, earn everybody should act with in their duties and should act eternal bliss. He does not see any difference in me, in accordingly. Please know this in relation to the specific Brahma and in Shiva. religious duties during extraordinarily disastrous situation. Here it is to be understood that : The devotees desirous of benediction should worship the sustainer of Sattva Guna All of my followers shall everyday rise from bed - Lord Vishnu from these three, but not else. Therefore, before sunrise, after meditating on Krishna they shall the incarnation of Vishnu should be worshipped firmly. attend to the call of nature. (49) Smriti says: The Parama Purusha incarnates his divine self with Sattva, Rajas or Tamoguna. And these Sattva etc are They shall brush their teeth, sitting at one place and the attributes of Vishnu, Harihar and Brahma and those then take a bath with pure water. Thereafter, they shall are for ultimate benediction of souls. "Sattva is Shri Hari. put on a pair of washed and untouched clothes, one And Lord Shri Hari is Param Pada." "Sattva is the piece of cloth shall be placed round the waist and the benediction of souls and Sattva itself is Narayan. "Satvikas other piece on the upper part of the body as Upavastra worship Lord Vishnu." (side cloth). (50)

My followers shall never make a mountain out of a Having sat on a fair-sized-seat, which is undefiled mole hill and regard ordinary difficulty as extreme and placed on a clean ground, facing either the eastern disaster and take shelter of exceptional relaxations or the northern direction, one shall perform Aachaman prescribed by scriptures under serious calamity. (48) (sipping water) before commencement of religious ceremonies. (51) The specific religion, which prescribed by the scriptures, applies only to the exceptional situation - in the state of All my male followers shall then place on their extreme disaster. Our devotees should not practise that forehead the vertical Tilak with the circular symbol religion in ordinary situation. For example : A sick person inside it and the married woman shall do only round is allowed to consume food from the Naivedy a ( the food mark with Kumkum on their forehead. (52) offered to God) of Lord Vishnu, on Vrat (fasting) day. But this should not be used as a excuse to consume food by The windows shall abstain from placing on their showing slight temperature and minor headache. As forehead both a vertical Tilak and a round symbol. Moksha Dharm prescribes, it should be practised only Thereafter all my followers shall mentally render

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devotional service to Lord Krishna. (53) pure mud. Both hands should be washed seven times and feet should be washed thrice. Natural call and the After reverently bowing down before the pictorial cleanliness thereafter, both, should be performed without image of Radha and Krishna and completing repetition laziness The same amount of water and mud should be of Mantra according to one's capacity, my followers used for purifying all other things. Now he says about such shall attend to daily pursuit of worldly duties. (54) types of mud which should be avoided in performing The routine of the day is described in these worldly religious rites: from interior of house, from the temple, from duties. Beginning of a new topic: Daily - daily before the burrows of snakes and rats, from the leftover of others, sunrise, means fifty five Ghatika ( a unit of twenty four such mud or soil should not be used in religious works. If minute) counted from previous sunrise is called day break the mud, other then mentioned above as objectionable, is fifty seven in counting like that is called sunrise, fifty eight not available, then in such case of emergency, use such and thereafter, it is morning. Like this, before sunrise - objectionable mud for the self purification and for the means in Brahm Mahurt. It is said so in Achar Mayukh : purification of the objects. It is said that if there is not Last part of night is called Brahm Muhurt. Prayog Parijaat danger to life, neither it is the midway to his destination describes last part of the night as "Brahm Muhurt," the nor the night time or the sickness even if does not perform time for the study of Veda. One should rise from sleep the ablution then he becomes a sinner. The details on this before daybreak. As per Smriti Ratnavali, it is sinful to may be referred in Dharm Shastra. What if water is not sleep during daybreak. The Dwij (twice born), who had available in some difficult times ? For that, Shatatapa says: committed such sin unknowingly, becomes sin free on If water is not available on attending to natural call, then performing Padkruchchha. one should take complete bath along with clothes on After rising from sleep, perform meditation of Lord receiving water. After such late bath, he should perform Krishna, and Kirtan. Herein, word Krishna includes Lord Vyahuti sacrifice and should drink water with a touch of Shri Krishna, devotees of Lord Shri Krishna and the Ghee (butter oil) and Gold. It says to consume Ghee. That religious places and leelas connected to Lord Shri Krishna. is for atonement. Therefore don't take food. These For more details please refer Chapter four of Skandh eight clarifications are from Mayukh by Bhaskaracharya. in Shrimad Bhagwat. Attend natural call thereafter. There One should sit at one place and brush the teeth. Smriti is limit of Muhurt in rising early and the limit of one Ghatika forbids brushing while standing, walking or in the bed; ( a unit of 24 minute) in rising late. Manu prescribes one should observe silence while cleaning mouth. Wood following procedure in natural calls: urinating organ should to be used in toothbrush should be according to scriptures. be washed once, anus twice and left hand ten times with Lord Vishnu had recommended this wood with appropriate

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supports. Lord Vishnu had recommended this wood from or eclipse. Kattyayan says: Bath should be brief in the early the trees either having thorns or oozing milk drops (on morning and should be extensive in the noontime. Shatatapa breaking its branch or leaves). In length, it should be of says in Mitakshara : The Dwij (twice born) who does not twelve fingers (about eight to nine inch) and in thickness, perform morning bath becomes defiled. Skandpuran says: it should be about fingertip of small finger. It's bristles Morning bath is praiseworthy in performance of rites should be about one centimeter long. Skand Puran says pertaining to God and manes. Such bath gives pleasure to that, it is proper to have difference of one inch for the mind. Therefore, it should be performed everyday. Then different Varnas (castes). Markandey Muni says: one explains what type of two Dhotis are to be put on. Those should keep quiet while brushing. The toothbrush should should be washed, purified and dried by a gent. The cloth be washed before use and before throwing it way. The washed by a woman is not clean. because the cloth washed restriction against brushing on a fast day applies only to by a woman remains impure. That is observation of Dharm use of wooden toothbrush. Vyas says: If wood is not Pradeep. Karm Tattva Deepika says: such clothes are available for brushing teeth or it is a prohibited day for unwashed, which are not completely washed, or washed brushing, then twelve gargles of water are enough for by a woman or washed by a shudra (low-caste) or dried mouth wash. The cleaning of tongue should be done with by keeping it southward. Unwashed or washed by the lower a leaf. Krutyachintamani says: Those who are Shamvedi, caste, or washed on previous day are irrelevant and should use brush of eight-finger length (of six-inch length). improper here and therefore, those should be avoided in Thereafter perform bath with pure water. Puran says: It all such acts. is good to perform daily bath in cool water of river, ocean, There are specific instructions in the Smritis in regard lake, pond, and step well or well. Parashar Muni says: Bath to style of washing : Cotton cloth should be washed on it's performed with hot water and Jap (meditation) performed removal, silken cloth should be washed after havin food, without Vedic observations is futile. As per Shadatrinshan, and dirty cloth should be washed without considering its the hot bath is allowed only for ailing people : water is kind. It refers to two types of clothes in this. One for always pure in its natural form, therefore it is not necessary wearing and another for covering the person. Harihar to make it pure by fire. Therefore the bath with such water Karika gives more details : The cloth for wearing during is recommended for sick people. Great Manu had some the ceremonies should be well washed it should be with times objected to such a bath. For example : Hot water seven to eight arm length; In breadth should be a quarter bath should not be performed on defilement due to birth of its full length; should be with woven border. It should and death, Makar Sankranti (January-14), Shraddha be own cloth; should be white and in tune with one's caste; (offerings to manes) day, birthday, Sundays, sinful touch should be made of jute etc. The cloth for covering torso

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should be half in the size of the wearing cloth. Therefore cloth. Achar Tilak says: wear atleast one, two or three here we had considered two clothes. The poor and finger size cloth or wear a Yoga patta a rope of jute or put Brahmins who do not have two clothes, may consider their atleast the end of your lower cloth on the shoulder and Yagyo pavit (sacred threads) as the second or third cloth. eat. Yoga Patta too may be considered as second or third cloth. Now says about the acts to be performed after wearing Vishwamitra says: Shrautras and Smartas should wear set the clothes. Pure place means the place plastered with mud of two Yagyapavita may be considered a third in absence or cowden and untouched by the impurities. In such a pure of a side cloth. Deval Rishi says: Bramchari should wear place. If such place is not available, then in a temple. And one set of Upavit (sacred threads) and others should wear that too, after cleaning, dusting and sprinkling water on a pair of Upavita. Yatis should wear one sat of Upavita. such place. Spread a pure and proper sized Aasan (small This is as per religion and in cases as such Brahmchari carpet made of holy shrubs). Which should be considered should wear second upavita in absence of side cloth failing as a proper sized Aasan ? As per Vishnu Dharmottar Puran: which, his performance of Japa etcetera would turn in to Separate from other seats, not very large or very small, devilish actions. Jatukarnya Chintamani adds: All those are not common between God and devotee, enough in size to nude who, wear a dirty cloth, wear only Kaupin, do not accommodate only one devotee, such an Aasan (seat) is a wear Kachchha (under cloth), do not wear side cloth, wear proper sized seat. It is comfortable for sitting. Shiv Gita in a double Kachchha (under cloth), do not wear clothes, wear Padma Puran explains further about such Aasan. The use saffron coloured cloth, wear a wet cloth, wear a double of woolen seat fulfils, wishes of the man. The use of deer cloth, wear a red cloth, wear a sticky cloth or wear stitched skin emancipates the soul. Tiger skin seat gives the fruit clothes. Herein, the objection against saffron coloured cloth of wealth and the Aasan of Darbha (a holy shrub) gives applies to householder. Smriti Sangrah says: Saffron ultimate knowledge. The seat made of leaves is the giver coloured cloth is for those who are not householders. The of health. In similar way, perform Japa by facing north or objection against a stitched cloth applies to all those who east direction. The stone seat gives pain and sorrows. are neither Tyagis nor the poors. Same - scripture further Wooden seat gives ailment. Cloth seat brings in poverty. adds : The Poor householders and Tyagis, should wear an Sitting on open earth makes the Japa futile. At some places, old or stitched cloth if they are not possessing a new one. it is mentioned that Calico-Seat gives wealth. There in the Lord Brahma imagines : One who performs Daan casesas such, please know that ritual confirms to the rules (donation), Japa (meditation) or Homa (sacrifice in holy fire) with a single cloth, becomes a part of the Guru of pertaining to a washed cloth. Anant Bhatt had said : only those clothes are not permitted which are not washed demons. Jatukarnya says: Don't eat while wearing a single everyday, dirty clothes or the clothes touched by a non-

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bathed man. The restriction pertaining to wooden seat east, by the Brahm Tirth the Aachman should be taken. applies to non-finished seats and the seats made of such This should be practiced by a Dwij (twice born). To tuck wood, which is objectionable in holy fire. Vyasji had said in knees means by keeping both the hands between knees. : Silk, wool, deer - skin, fresh and washed cotton, wooden, By the right hand daily means though he may not be in the made of shrub or leaves are the best seats. Take a seat on premises of Ashram, he should perform it without such a seat by facing east or north direction and perform interruption. The explanation is from Mitakshara. Achaman Poojan Japa etc. My follower should perform the Poojan by Brahm Tirth, what means Brahm Tirth ? The root of by sitting. but not by standing. Should perform Aachman small finger is the shrine of Prajapati, the root of first finger (sipping water from the right palm). The procedure of is the shrine of manes and the root of the thumb is the Aachman has been described by Kanva Muni : First stretch shrine of Brahmdev. These are Brahm Tirths. In Shudra the right arm and palm, shape the palm in the shape of a Kamalakar, Shudras have been asked to perform single cow ear. Thereafter, take water by hand with closed fingers. Aachman : Perform one Aachman by sitting on a pure place Then take Aachman by the fingers, leaving thumb and facing east or north. Sit with keeping hands in the knees. small finger out. Jamadagni has explained the attributes of Make cow-ear shape of your hand and take one Aachman a cow-ear in Dharm Pravruti : Shrink thumb tip up to of pure and foamless water. Smriti kaumudi prescribes middle point of middle finger. That shape now becomes three Aachamans. Gaudas opine only for a touch of the cow-ear shape. This is most desirable in all Aachmans. lips. Here the mention of leaving the thumb and small finger Now says about next steps. To be performed only by out applies to other than Samvedis. Gruhya Samgraha in the gents, and not by the ladies. Vertical sign (of the Chintamani says: The Samvedis should perform Homa materials mentioned earlier) with a round mark in the center. (sacrifice in holy fire), Daan (donation), eating food and Wear it on the forehead and other parts of the body. Aachman by including thumb in performance and by Perform Aachman after wearing religious signs. The keeping knees inside. In the same scripture, Yagyvalkya procedure for performing Urdhva pundra (vertical sign) prescribes three Aachman for Dwij (twice barn) : The grain- has been given in Vasudevopanishad, therefore, know it deep water should be taken every time while performing from there, which begins with the words "Aum three Aachmans. Yama Raja says: Aachman should be Namshkrutya". Now, Diksha Vidhi says that Vertical mark taken by touching first with the left hand: A wiseman should should be placed on the forehead, heart, and both the upper not take Aachman without touch of left hand. The rules of arms. The Vertical signs should be placed on the respective direction are prescribed by Yagyavalkya : By tucking in parts with the chant of mantra of Lord Vasudeva, the knees, by sitting on a holy seat, by facing north or Sankarshana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha. That is for the

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householders and the Sadhus. The Brahmcharis are One, which is broader at the top, is in the shape of footprint required to wear it at five places. The Brahmcharis and of Shri Hari. One, which is straight and vertical, is called Vanprathas (third stage in the life of a twice born) should Dandaakruti (stick shaped). wear this signs at five places: forehead, throat, heart and Nibandha explains the distinctions in shapes based on the upper arms of both the hands. They should perform the distinction of places : On forehead it should be in the Gayatri Mantra of Lord Vishnu or should chant holy names shape of a stick, on the chest (heart) it should be in the of Lord Krishna etcetera five Gods. That was the reference shape of lotus, on the arm it should be in the shape of a from Vasudeva Upanishada. Achar Madhav Brahmand bamboo leaf and on other places should be in the shape of describes the type of Tilak based on Varnas and the type a lamp. Tilak should be performed by looking at the mirror: of the fingers : Shyam (Dark) tilak gives peace, red The Margshirsh Mahatmya of Skand Puran contains one coloured hypnotizes, yellow tilak gives wealth and sentence; The fortunate one who wears a vertical sign by prosperity and white tilak gives divine love for Lord looking in water or a mirror earns ultimate emancipation. Vishnu. The Tilak performed with thumb makes the body The sentence of Vishnu which appears in Dharma Pravrutti bulkier. Tilak made with middle finger increases life span. and prohibits looking at mirror: 'While with wooden The Tilak made with first finger (adjoing thumb) gives food slippers on or by looking in mirror or water, or with a turban for every day. And the Tilak made with second last finger on the head, one should not wear Tilak as a religious sign.' gives emancipation : Tilak should be made without touch This objection pertains to the tilaks other than Vertical sign of the nail. Achar Mayukh explains the distinctions of Shri Hari. amongst Tilaks: Dwij (twice born) should wear a good and For middle or central space in a Tilak, Padma Puran simple Tilak made with small finger (Last finger). In length says: A mud Tilak should be drawn right from the upper it should be from upper end of nose till hairline on upper root of nose to upper forehead. The vertical mark should forehead. There should be space in middle of such Tilak. be drawn with mud. The space should be left in middle In shape it should appear like foot print of Shri Hari (means portion beginning with eyebrow area. 'Mud' includes other narrow at bottom and broad at the top). Padma Puran says: permissible materials. The vertical mark not matching Vertical mark should be good, simple, with good both above-mentioned specifications invites bitter criticism. sides, attractive, in shape of a stick, ornamental and with What type of tilak invites ills ? Says: Round, slanted or the space in middle. Its proportion should be of finger of tilted, without of space in the middle, very narrow, very the hand. In the same scripture it is said : Oh Goddess! A long, in large proportion, very small, crooked, ugly, with Pure person, who is dedicated to God, should wear a a bent top, with a broken bottom, displaced, missing vertical sign or should wear a sign in the shape of a stick. whiteness in color, made without using water, with faded

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redness, made by other instruments not using finger, Poojan of Lord Krishna. That is to be said in the following without of fragrance and startling others. Those are evil specific religious act. In instance of that specific religion making Tilaks. Now, the 'long Tilak' mentioned in this of Sandhya Poojan, it is to be understood and is to be partains to a Tilak beginning from the tip of the nose. More performed, know this. God had prescribed common details about this can be had from the scriptures like religion of Ashrams to Dwijs (twice born) too: Oh 'Urdhva Pundra Dharm Vad'. Kulnandan! Perform Shauch, Achaman, Snan, Sandhya, Now, is for woman. Married women mean the ladies Upasana, Poojan, Tirthseva, Japa etc and Leave who have husband. Such ladies should not do a Tilak but untouchable, non-eatables and non-speakable; the feeling should place a round mark of Kumkum. Bhrigu Rishi says: of ownness for all living bodies, control on mind, control All ladies should not leave Kumkum mark, nose ring, on speech and control on body are essential for all Ashrams. bracelet and necklace in any circumstances or at any time. After performing mental worship to Lord Radha Krishna A widow means a woman whose husband is dead. A means the image of Lord Radha Krishna. A drawing, widow should not wear a Tilak or Kumkum mark. The painting or picture of Lord Radha Krishna which is given Tilak and Kumkum mark, both are ornamental. Therefore, by own Guru is to be meditated up on and should offer those are prohibited for the widows. Bhrigu Rishi says that Naman with great respect and dedication. Naman (to offer widows should not wear finer clothes or ornaments. Now, respect with folded hands) should be Sashtang (with all thereafter, everybody - men and women both - should eight parts of the person). These eight parts are: feet, meditate upon mentally by imagining the services to God hands, knees, heart, head, eyes, mind and speech. The and should meditate upon the image of Lord Shri Radha Ladies are required to prefer it with five body parts, Krishna as per their thinking, knowledge and view of it. namely hands, head, eyes, mind and speech. The Poojan The meditational concentration holds paramount position is mental and in the form of Naman, as the image is in the in different type of Poojan. Therefore perform first Dhyan form of picture. The bath etceteras are not possible for such (meditational concentration) and begin Poojan thereafter. picture - image. If it is a metal image, then Poojan should Bhagwan had said about Dhyan and it's performance: be performed with the available Poojan material and with Leave the company of woman and the company of such appropriate Mantra as per the status of the devotee. Should persons who have relations with the woman. Be self- perform Japa of Shri Krishna's Ashtakshar (eight lettered) concentrated. Sit properly on a seat in a secluded place. Mantra. After such Poojan - worship one should begin his Leave laziness and begin meditation concentration. days' work. After performing vertical Tilak, the Brahmin etcetera would perform Sandhya Vandan and then would perform Even the devotees like Ambarish who have totally

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surrendered their self to the Lord shall strictly follow was engaged in fragrance of lotus feet of Shri Hari and a course of religious practice up to mental worship in tongue was engaged in the Tulsi presented to Shri Hari. the chronological order as laid down above. (55) His legs were engaged in visiting holy Shrine and the head in offering worshipful prayer. His love for devotees aimed Herein, preaches to both the types of disciples: Those to serve Lord Shri Hari like a humble servant. He was not who are Vaishnava or Satsangis, and those who are superior desiring any worldly happiness. Like this, he dedicated Vaishnava with total surrender to the Lord. Now in the everything to Bhagwan. Bhagwan, who is ultimate reality, following six shlokas, describes the routine for the who is ultimate sustainer of Yagyas and who is beyond Vaishnava with total surrender to the Lord. In this Loka perception through worldly sense organs. Such King and amidst these devotees and in Surya Vansh (Sun Ambarish, who was properly preached by Maharshi, was dynasty) was born King Ambarish who was an Atmanivedi ruling this earth. Bhakta. Atmanivedi means one who had surrendered totally Such King Ambarish was worshipping Ishwara by to God. One who acts as per wish of God. One who acts performing holy fires such as Aswamedh in the in convenience of God. One who acts only on Godly acts. companionship of great Rishis like Vasishtha, Asit and One who does not act as per his own with or desire. Gautam on the bank of river Saraswati in dry land of Shrimad Bhagwat describes about King Ambarish: Marudesh. The Ritvij (performer of holy fire) and people Ambarish was a king with great fortune. He was the ruler gathered in religious assembly of Yagya were looking great of all seven continents of this earth and was owner of the like deities in divine outfits. The public who was immense wealth, but was treating it like a dream. He assembling in such Sabha was singing the praise of God believed it to be fragile, perishable and hellish, as was said and divine Leelas of Shri Hari. Those did not desire heaven about it by the scholars in the scriptural knowledge. He even in lieu of such divine assemblies. They were become had great devotion and divine love for Vasudev Bhagwan, absolute free from the worldly desires or any pleasures like the devotees of Bhagwan and the saints. Such King a Siddha (one who has great divine achievements at his Ambarish was considering the world as iron. His mind was credit). King Ambarish earned the pleasure of Shri Hari attached to Lord Shri Krishna and his speech in narration by such penance and devotion, and got him self-free from of the attributes of Vaikunth. His hands were engaged in the ties of worldly desires. He earned ultimate wisdom to service to God and the temple. His ears were engaged in treat his palace, wife, son, brother, elephants, chariots, listening to the praise of Lord Shri Hari. His eyes were horses, status, jewels, diamonds, ornaments, weapons and engaged in Darshna of God. He felt the companionship of wealth as untrue and false notion. The Devotees. The his own body like touch of the other devotees. His nose Devotees means devotees of Lord Vishnu. Such devotees

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of Lord Vishnu are rare and great. Bhagwat says: Oh great Perform Poojan of Bhagwan with such paramouncy of him Muni! Such devotees of Lord Vishnu are rare amidst the with all six folded splendor and riches, but never worship great Siddha and Satpurusha. Such devotees should with a sense of material objects. The size of such image perform Manasi Pooja as per the procedure mentioned have been prescribed in Bhargavarchan Deepika of above. There should be no doubt about this. Bhavishyottar Puran: The people with wisdom should make the image of God in size of half thumb length to running These Atmanivedi (dedicated devotees) shall worship length of thumb tip to last (small) finger tip of an expanded Shri Krishna's image made or stone of metal or a palm and fingers. Vasishta says: One who desires good shaligram (symbolic from of Lord Vishnu) with should not make a stone idol taller than four fingers (palm offerings like sandal paste, flowers, fruits etc. which breadth) and metal idol should not be taller than running are procurable at the time according to their respective distance between thumb tip and small finger tip of a spread capacity and then shall recite eight lettered holy mantra palm and fingers. of Shri Krishna. (56) Atmanivedi should perform Poojan of Shaligram by available material like sandal paste etc. He should not The idol made of stone or metal. According to worship Shaligram in the way he would worship the Shadtrishan Gold, silver, copper, brass, iron, lead etc are picture of God by Darshan only. The attributes of metals. But here in this reference, only four metals, namely Shaligram may be had from Pranav Prakash. The right to gold, silver, copper and brass are to be considered. Don't perform Poojan of Shaligram is awarded to Brahmins only. take iron, lead and aluminum. That is prescribed by Vishnu Women and Kshatriya etc Varnas (castes) have been Pratima Nirnaya. Bhagwat describes eight types of idols: excluded in Poojan of Shaligram. Nirnay Sindhu, Prayog made of stone, made of wood, made of iron, drawn on a Parijat Vishnudharma and Skand Puran says: Shaligram wall, drawn on a paper, made of sand, made of precious means a stone of Shaligram or a stone with sign of chakra stone, mental image, etc. Idol means image of Krishna. (wheel) on it's surface. Brahmin should perform Poojan of Bhagwadarchaavatar Mahatmya says: The image of this stone everyday. Kshatriyas should not perform Poojan Bhagwan should be with a pleasing face and pleasing eyes, of Shaligram. Poojan means Poojan with touch of that stone attracting divine love (of devotees) and should be made by a worshipper. Skand Puran says that the women who out of gold or silver by installing Brahm in it. One should are desirous of their own benediction, should stay away worship that image mentally, by Poojan, by offering from the touch of Shivji and Vishnu. Women includes Naman and Yagya. Meditate mentally upon such image to widows and married women. There is no ablution for the make it free and faultless and God dwells in such image. sin of such touch. Varah Puran says: Oh Earth! People of

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lower caste should not touch Shaligram. The touch by worshpable, three are not worshipable, but four, six, eight women or lower castes is treated harder than Vajra (an are worshipable. Means worshipable in duos, but five, imaginary object which can not be destroyed). Oh earth! seven, nine are not worshipable. A broken Shaligram may Though, such lady may have deep devotion for Shaligram, be worshipped if it is with wheel. she should perform Poojan without touching it and by Poojan (worship), Dhyan (meditation), Avahan (inviting keeping a safe distance. This restriction of touch is limited call), Charan Arghya (washing lotus feet), Aachman to Shaligram. There is no restriction in touching images of (sipping sacred water), Panchamrit snan (offering bath with God, as the book it self says that all people should perform five nectars: curd, honey, milk, ghee, sugar etc), Abhishek Poojan of image of God. Also should perform Poojan of (offering bath to idol in the form of pouring water drop Linga (symbolic form of Shiva) made of different precious after drop), Vastra (offering dresses to idol), Yagyopavit stones. Vaishnava Acharyas have classified the devotees (holy threads), Alankar (ornaments), Chandan (sandal of Kshatriya etc in to Dixit and Adixit and have arranged paste), Pushpa (flowers), Dhoop (incense), Deep (lamp), Poojan service for the Dixits. Hari-Bhakti Vilas of Skanda Naivedya (offering food), Tambul (betel leaf for chewing), Puran says: Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Satshudras Pushpa (offering flowers), Pradakshina (clock wise walk have the right for Shaligram. Others are not having such round the idol), Namaskar (bowing head to idol), Stuti right. Therefore, the objections raised above apply only to (Prayer), Visarjan (dissolution) etc should be performed non-vaishnavas. Wise people should understand it. Padma in proper order. There should be no Aavahan (inviting call) Puran says: Purushottam in Shaligram should be or Visarjan (dissolution) in the case of Shaligram and worshipped on getting five Samskars and after knowing installed idols. full well the meaning of the Mantra. Varah and Padma The flowers to be offered to God have been described Puran have said about Shaligram-Poojan with specific in Sadachar chandrodaya : dried, fallen on the ground, non- reference to their number: Two lingas, two shaligrams, two fragrant, stinking, blossomed in a funeral place should not goddesses and three Ganapati should not be worshipped be used in Poojan. The flowers collected in a worn cloth at home. Two wheels of Dwarika and two suns should not or the flowers used in worship of other God or the flowers be worshipped. Two conches and broken idol should not which have been smelled, should not be used for be worshipped. Moreover, says that Shaligram should be worshiping God. In the house God should not be worshipped in pairs, but in that pair of two one should not worshipped by offering flowers of Karan, Swallow-wort, be worshipped. Means a single pair should not be and mastard. (It is objectionable in house but not in the worshipped. In single, only one Shaligram should be temple). In similar way stale flowers should not be used in worshipped. Means, only one is worshipable, two are not Poojan. Self collected flowers are the best flowers. The

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flowers purchased from others are average. Tulasi and Billi God, to eat before God, to speak lies before God, to shout Patra which have been stocked in a gardeners house or are before God, to cry before God, to fight or hit others before if stale, may be used for Poojan. Vishnu Dharmottar God, to see or touch woman, to speak unkind words, to prescribes times for not collecting Tulsi leaves : Makar perform light fasting despite enough physical strength, to Sankranti (when sun is on north of equator), Amavasya eat without offering Thal, to sit crossed leg, to be interested day (the last day of the dark half of a month), The twelfth in rustic talks, to praise own self and to sit half minded. day of each half of a month, night hours, Down and Dusk Therefore, with enough care, the drawbacks given above time, Vyatipat and Vaidhrut are not proper times for should be avoided. In the case of unintentional commitment plucking leaves from Tulsi plant. But Padma Puran says of any of such fault a fast should be absolved for an that if the flowers are not at all available then it is not atonement - with a worshipful prayer to God for the objectionable to pluck Tulsi leaves at such times by atonement, 'Oh my Lord ! I am committing lots of mistakes performing Mantras. Plucking Tulsi for God, Samidh (fire) in my life! Oh my God forgive me by treating me your for Yagya and cutting grass for the cows on the last day of servant.' dark half of a month is not at all objectionable. Now the Parashar Rishi asks for chanting eight lettered mantra mantra, which is to be performed before such act, is as of Krishna and explains the procedure: After having bath under : 'Oh Tulsi! You are everlasting! You are dear to Lord and by staying untouched by unabated people, wear clean Keshava ! I am plucking your leaves for Keshava: and washed cloth. Take a seat on a seat made of wool etc. Therefore Oh gracious one! You please bless me.' Sit in a Swastika position. Be silent. Control your mind Know about all the draw backs from the scriptures like for its streakiness. Understand complete meaning and begin panch Ratra, Varah Puran and Ramarchan deepika and Japa. Perform Japa in Upanshu (with movement of lip) or avoid such draw backs in Poojan of God. A few of such Manasi (absolutely mental and without movement of the faults are as under. A devotee of Bhagwan should act in lips). Don't walk, laugh or look elsewhere while this Loka by not doing any wrong to any body. It is a wrong performing Japa. Don't be interested in any thing while act in Navadha Bhakti of Shri Hari: to visit the temple by performing Japa. Don't speak while performing Japa. Don't riding any vehicle or with shoes on, to sit on a higher seat perform Japa with a bare head. Don't perform Japa with before God, to spend even a fraction of moment in movement of hands or crossed legs. Wise people should seclusion with any woman in the temple, to touch idol of perform Japa by hiding rosary bag under the side cloth. God during defilement, to offer Naman with one hand, to First finger (next to thumb) should not touch rosary beads use bad words in speech, to sit before God with stretched while performing Japa. Move beads with the help of thumb. leg, to sit before God with a tied knees, to sleep before Mala Vidhi has been explained in Padma Puran etc

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scriptures: Ramarchan chandrika says that a rosary made bottom of the same finger middle and root joint of the from Tulsi fulfils all the wishes. As per Gautamiya Tantra, middle -finger have been omitted as those are "Meru". Tulsi rosary gives Moksh (emancipation) immediately. 'Meru' is objectionable as per Tantra Saar : In performance Purashcharanchandrika recommends Tulsi Mala to of Japa, one should omit middle and root joint of middle Vaishnava for placing it about their neck. Dharmpravrutti finger. Those two are 'Meru' and has been recommanded mentions that performing Mantra by Tulsi Mala makes the so by Brahma by declaring them objectionable. mantras indestructible. Agatsya Samhita says: The person, Now, if a doubt is raised to the effect that why 'should who makes a Good appearing Akshmala or Kanthmala out the Japa of Shri Krishna Mantra be performed as we don't of Tulsi, earns everlasting life for his good actions. hear any such thing in the Smritis ? For that: Is it a proper Acharmadhav by Prajapati describes the number of beads cause to treat the Japa of a Mantra objectionable simply in a Mala: A Mala (rosary) with one hundred and eight on the ground that it has not been mentioned in the Smriti? beads is the best. Rosary with fifty-four beads is average And is there any objection against that Mantra any where and the rosary with twenty-seven beads is the poorest or in the Smriti ? There is no such objection in the Smriti. the lowest one. What to do if a Mala (Rosary) with the And if one says that, it is objected by the Smritis, then best or average number of beads is not available? why such statement of Smritis is not considered. What Vishnukand shows the way: Take one joint of middle finger should be the cause for considering the proof of preventive (the finger between fore finger and ring finger) and all three Smriti and not of the supportive? If you say that there is joints of rest three fingers joint, make a downword move, Smriti Nishedha based on the Shruti sources, then show come to the root of small finger, move upward, and take in where such suggestion is ? If you say that it is said so on count all three joints of small finger, and come on the tip the basis of very high prestige of the creators of Smriti, of second last finger, take it in the count and move towards then we ask that whether the creator of Pancharatra - the tip of the finger between ring finger and forefinger. Supreme Lord Bhagwan - may be considered as prestigious Take this joint of finger tip in the count and come to the or not ? And if you don't consider Bhagwan as prestigious tip of the forefinger. Here, take your count from the tip to or reliable then doubts again may rise in regard to the bottom. (This count began from the middle of ring finger reliability of the Vedas, because the Vedas belong to and ended at the bottom of forefinger making number ten Bhagwan. Moreover, what is that 'objection' which is inall). Sanatkumar Samhita says that the count should begin endorsed by you as 'Smriti Nishedha? It says: Mantra Jaap from the middle joint of ringfinger, should move towards of non-vedic Mantra is fruitless. What does 'non-vedic' small finger and (in tipward journey to middle and fore mean? Don't say that the vedas, which are being studied finger) should come down from tip of the forefinger to the at present, have no mention of it, therefore, it is non-vedic.

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Because such argument would erase all such Karmas Mimamsa are the Upanga of the Vedant.) One who utters (actions) which have been founded on the Smriti's but are two lettered word, has read the Rigveda, Samveda, not mentioned in the present Vedas. That 'non-vedic' Atharvaveda and Yajurveda. Padma Puran says : A single element should contain basic opposition to Vedas and the utterance of the name of Lord Vishnu has more credence Smriti's, which have been founded on Vedas. But Krishna than all the Vedas. Kapil Gita says that those who utters Mantra does not have such negative element towards Veda name of Lord Vishnu are performing the Tapa, Japa, Snan or Veda-based Smritis, because this Mantra (Shri Krishna and utterance of 'Brahm'. 'All the Virtues contained in the Mantra) has been contained in the Pancharatra of Bhagwan. performance of a Yagya or Japa of Vedic Mantra, exist there The authenticity of Pancharatra and that of Vedas are equal. due to the name of Bhagwan- that is said in the Bhagwat. Such equality in authenticity has been supported by many The Japa of my name saves Mantras from the defectiveness scriptures. Gopaltapini Upanishad has used the word of pronounciation and saves Tantra from the defects. It 'Krishna' for the ultimate reality. And the word 'Krishna' removes the defects related to time, place and propriety of is the root word of that Mantra. The words 'Aumkar' and donation (alm). Skand Puran says : I worshipfully bow my 'Namskar', which accompany the word 'Krishna', make that head to such Lord, whose name and utterance of whose word known in Smriti. The Smritis are the expanders of name in the Japa and Yagya removes the drawbacks. It is Vedas, therefore, their proofs can not be ignored. It is said said in Vishnu Sahasra Bhashya by Shankaracharya : The that Vedas should be expanded by Itihas and Purans, as defects arising due to carelessness in performance of Yagya, such, the Mantras said in Puran are not non-vedic. The get rectified on merely listening to the name of Lord Mantra which is dedicated to a single God, does not Krishna. The reward of Japa of the name of Bhagwan has become defective on the ground of its reference only in been mentioned in Nam Mahatmya of Hari Bhakti Vilas Smritis. On the contrary, it becomes more reliable. Shruti and in Yama Brahmin Samvaad of Padma Puran : The says : We, Brahmins, are death bound and we believe, Oh Sinners who are engrossed in Japa of the name of Vasudev, omnipresent God Yagyanarayan ! Oh Amritmurti ! Your are not harrassed by the attendants of Yama. They become name is quite above the Karmas of Yagya etcetera. And, free from the sins due to the divinity of that name. They 'We while chanting the name of Lord Krishna, we know, earn rare pleasure and enjoyment in their lives. They earn in fact, very little about him !" benediction at the end of their lives. Brihad Vishnupuran Vishnudharmottar says that the one who has performed says: Consignment to heaven is the root of re-birth and it the Japa of the Mantra of Bhagwan, has earned the reward has no comparison with such Vasudev Japa, which is the of studying Vedant. (Vedant means Shiksha, Kalpa, seed of emancipation. One who is desirous of emancipation Vyakaran, Vaidya, Jyotish and Nirukta. Puran, Nyaya and should always perform Japa of Shri Hari.

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The special importance of the name of Shri Krishna has name and the one who possesses that name are one and been mentioned in Brahmand Puran. The reward earned inseparable. Therefore, the recommandation to perform by chanting three thousand names of Bhagwan equals the Japa of Ashtakshar Mantra. is valid and well supported. reward of chanting the single name of Shri Krishna. There is no point in expanding it further. Vishnudharmottar also says: one who utters such Some scholars are attaching literary meaning to the auspicious name (of Shri Krishna) becomes free from crore glory of the divine name of God. Such act of those scholars of sins. Narasimh Puran says: One who chants Krishna, is not proper or just. In Aparadh Nirupan chapter of Krishna, Krishna all the time, gets out of the hellish sins, Pancharatra, it is said: the people who try to imply literal like a lotus blooming by piercing the water (of the pond). meaning in the divine name of Supreme God Hari, or who Garuda and Padma Purans say : Shri Krishna Mantra serves commits sins the strength of such name, are offenders. One like a medicine for those who have been bitten by the should refer Varah Puran for the atonement for such sinful venomous snake of worldly ways - and have become inert acts. Hari Bhakti Vilas says: One who passes literal due to that. By performing Japa of that Mantra, one earns meaning in the name which has been glorified by Shruti emancipation. It is said in Skand Puran and Prabhaskhand and Smriti, is consigned to hell. Jaimini Samhita says : : Oh Paramtapa ! In the names, greatest is the name- One who imposes literal meaning on the Shruti, Smriti and Krishna. It is an atonement relieving from the sins. Vishnu Purans who have glorified the name, becomes a Sinner Rahasya says: Oh Shambho ! This is my secret, I am with unlimited sins. Padma Puran says: Disobedience to disclosing the truth that accept the name of Krishna, which Guru, Criticism of Shruti Shastras and imposing literal is like divine knowledge of overpowering death. In Bharat meaning on divine name of God are the acts of sins and Vibhag, it is said : If a person on his death bed, leaves his Yama (restraints) too cannot purify such a person. Brahm body while chanting Krishna, Krishna, Krishna. At that Samhita says: One who has no faith in the different rewards moment of death, the first word images benediction, the earned through chanting my name and believes contrarily next two words stand shyly with politeness in a puzzled in imposing literal meaning on my name, such a person state about what to do ! Vaishnav Chintamani says : The lives a painful life and is consigned to hellish pains of this divine name of Krishna, which is most auspicious and the world. sweetest, which is the secret of Veda and in the divine form of 'Chid' (consciousness), if uttered once even casually, They then shall read hymns or study texts of religious redeems the utterer. Padma Puran says: Divine name scriptures according to their capacity. Those who do Krishna, is like wish fulfilling stone. It is full of divine not know Sanskrit shall recite songs and holy names of consciousness, it is perfect, it is pure and bondless. The Shri Krishna. (57)

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Now lets talk about the works to be carried out after Oh Ambarish ! The choicest food if prepared at home but performing Japa. Stotra means the Shloka by which we not offered to God and consumed by a person, gives hellish perform worship. 'Vishnu Sahasranam' etc are stotras. sufferings for seven births. The same scripture also Here, word 'etc' stands for 'Narayan Kavacha'. Perform describes the Punyas earned on consumption of food after reading and recitation of these stotra as per your capacity. offering it to God as Mahanaivedya. The person who offers Now, those who does not know 'Sanskrit' should perform Naivedya, and there after, lays Tulsi leaves and Japa and Kirtan of the name of God Krishna. Such Naam Charanamrit in it and consumest everyday, earns the Punya Kirtan of the attributes of God should be performed like of crores of holy fires. Stotra - Paath, and should be performed regularly. If the Such Atmanivedi devotees should perform services to text is : 'perform Kirtan of Gunas', then one can perform Shri Krishna day and night, with great pleasure and love recitation of old devotional songs describing the divine and without pretence or anguish, All his acts should be for attributes of God Shri Krishna. Bhagwat says: One should Shri Krishna. And 'with such dedication he should perform perform worship by reciting new or old Bhajans-Kirtan in Bhajan of Shri Krishna. Lord Shri Krishna do not accept vernacular language, and thereafter pray with folded hands services without love. Therefore it says: 'service with love'. to God to earn his pleasure. It is said in Bhagwat : A devotee if offers plain water with love and faith, I love to accept it, But I am not pleased They shall then offer food to Lord Krishna and with a non-devotee, though he offers flowers, light, food partake of 'Prasada' from the offerings to the Lord. and incense etcetera good many things. Further, it is said : They shall always engage themselves with love in the I accept with pleasure the offerings like leaves, flowers, eternal devotional service of Lord Krishna. (58) fruits, water and food from the Atmanivedi devotee who offers it with devotional love. Mokshdharm says: Bhagwan Thereafter, the Atma Nivedi Bhakti should offer such accepts with a nod of the head, the acts which have been Naivedya-Anna (food for God) which has been cooked performed in the best form by a devotee. Though, Bhagwan by Bhakta himself or by a proper person. Such Naivedya is always fully well satisfied, but he accepts from his should be offered to Shri Hari. Naivedya should follow devotee the offering like a needy one and shows his Aarti to complete this Mahanaivedya Vidhi. After such pleasure to the devotee by way of return in plenty. Mahanaivedya Vidhi, the devotee should take as Prasad, Pancharatra says: My devotee, if he offers a little, I take it the food which was offered to Shri Hari as Mahanaivedya. as if it is for me; but if a non-devotee offers plenty as an It is not a virtuous act to consume food without offering it offering, I don't accept it. And Puran says: A devotee if he to God. That is prescribed by Gautam in Padma Puran : offers is entire earth with the precious wealth of diamonds

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and jewels, but without his mind in God, then God would To remember God always means not to stop not be available to him. remembering the name of God for a fraction of a second. The duties of an 'Atmanivedi' Bhakta have been Bhagwat also says : Such devotee is the greatest in the prescribed in Bhagwat. He has full faith in nectar like Vaishnavas, whose firm concentration defeats the episodes of my leelas, he tells such episodes to others, he temptations of the wealth of the three worlds and remains is firm in my Pooja, he always worships me by prayers firmly fixed on those feet of Shri Hari which are desired and Stotras, service to me is the greatest respect for him, constantly by the unconquered souls of the Gods. Shrimad he offers respect to me by bowing all his limbs, he worships Bhagwat adds further : The days and the nights which are my devotees at his best and firmly believes that I reside spent without Katha - Varta of Shri Hari (Bhagwan) are everywhere and in every being. All his acts are directed to mere reduction in the length of the life. Moreover, the and only for me, and he praises loudly my virtues, his mind moment which is spent without the sweet memory of the is totally surrendered to me, he has given away all his lotus-feet of Krishna, destroys our happiness and widens desires, he has given away pleasures, wealth and happiness the horizon of our sufferings. Again it is said : Oh King ! for my sake. Desire, donation, sacred fire, Japa, penance Therefore, all the people, by all the means and forever, and Vratas are all being performed only for me. Oh should listen to Bhagwan, Kirtans of Bhagwan and should Uddhava ! By such religious duties, an Atmanivedi remember Bhagwan. Geeta says : Remember me constantly devotee earns devotion for me. In fact they desire nothing and carry on your fight. Further, it is said, "Those who are except devotion for me. Geeta says : Oh Arjuna ! with firm faith, remember me and perform my Kirtan Whatsoever you do, eat, sacrifice, donate or perform as constantly.' Vishnu Rahasya says: The moment, during Tapa, do it by dedicating it to me. God explains the reward which we forget remembering God is the moment of the of such devotion : When a devotee gives away all the acts greatest loss. It is the largest hole. It is the Moha and and becomes an Atmanivedi Devotee to realize me, then illusion. Naradji says in Vaishnava Chintamani, Oh King ! he becomes immortal and merges himself into me". Merges There is no restriction of place in remembering and in to me", means achieves a spiritual state like me, and performing Kirtan of Lord Vishnu. There is no restriction becomes free by automatic destruction of the sins. He in regard to time. Know this without any doubt. Varah inculcates my mental state. Geeta says: The people who Puran says : The person who remembers me by "Narayan" offer all their Karmas (actions) to me and become my 'Achyat' 'Anant' or Vasudev during his life earns my divine follower by meditating upon my divine form with total abode. In Kshatrabandhu Upakhyan of Vishnu Dharmottar concentration in me, get free from these worldly ways and it is said : One who is engrossed in chanting the name of I emancipate them in no time. Shri Hari lives beyond the limitations of time, space and

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Niyam. Skand Puran says : One should remember Bhagwan but adorned with the jewels of the divine attributes of with disc in His hand and should remember him constantly. everlasting benediction and divine - Shri Hari. Shri Hari There is no restriction such as space, time, state or self is the destroyer of the fears caused by Kala, Maya and purification etc in remembering it in (Kirtan). Only name Yama in his followers. Hari means Shri Krishna. Vishnu of Bhagwan is enough to fulfil all the desires of a desirous Dharmottar Puran says : There is no fear of Maya for a devotee. Brahmand Puran says: If a great sinner performs devotee of Krishna. To relate means to be used (acts) in Kirtan of Bhagwan from the depth of his heart, he becomes the services to Bhagwan. Though the acts look as if they free from the sins and becomes capable of purifying others. are embodied in Guna, but in fact they become free of the Naradiya Puran says : A fraction of a moment, if spent Gunas. They desire nothing except realisation of Bhagwan. without Kirtan of Bhagwan, gives pain like robbery. Geeta says: Concentrate in me. Be my devotee. Perform Vishnupuran says: Oh great saint ! Janardan who is the my Poojan. Offer your worshipful prayer to me. You will master of all living bodies and Guru of this universe should get only me. I am telling you this truth. You are dearest to be remembered constantly as he is the remover of all the me. Bhagvat says : People with Sattva Guna are consigned pains of this and the other world and he is the contender to heaven, people with Raja Guna are consigned to earth, of our desired acts. Nam Kaumudi says : Remember Lord and people with Tamo Guna are consigned to hell. Only Vishnu constantly. Don't forget remembering him. All dos Nirguna devotees get me (Bhagwan). As the water on the and don'ts are his slaves. Bharat says: In all religions way becomes Ganga-Jala on coming in contact with the (ethical duties), the Dharm (ethical duties) of worshipping holy water of the river Ganga, in a similar way, the acts Bhagwan with utmost devotion is the greatest religion. with attributes of Shri Hari become Nirguna. That is established by Vishnudharmottar Puran. It proves the These dedicated devotees are declared by scriptures element of Nirguna beyond any doubt. In Ekadash Skandh as 'Nirguna' i.e. those who transcend the three Gunas; of Bhagavat, Bhagwan explains his uniqueness to because all their activities are Nirguna because of their Uddhava: 'Oh Uddhava! On following my axiomatic devout and continual contact with the Lord religion with Nirgunatva - by getting free from the effects who transcends the three 'Gunas' (Satva, Rajas, of three Gunas - one becomes free from death. This is my Tamas). (59) firm determination. Therefore, my axiomatic religion is free from the effects of space, time and nature.' Therefore, those For this purpose means for 'Krishna'. All the acts means who are practising my religion wholly are called Nirguna. all the actions performed by a devotee by his own sense That part is to be taken as understood. That becomes organs. Nirguna means, free from the three Gunas of Maya imperative. His knowledge and devotion too become

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Nirgun. In third part of Shrimad Bhagwat, ' Nirguna' spiritual (Adhyatmik) happiness. Rajasi food gives sensual element of Bhakti has been described : To listen only to pleaseure and Tamasi food gives poverty subordination and my virtues, I should be considered as the cause of all the creates Moha (illusion). The food from the offerings to God secrets and mysteries, the movement of the mind- like is giver of Nirgun-Bhav. As per Pancharatra, those who the flow of the great river Ganga to merge in the great are firm in personal religion and with firmness in devotion ocean - should ultimately meet me. These are the are called Ekantik (single minded) Bhakta (devotee). They attributes of Nirguna - Bhakti. Its Nirgunatva in knowledge are with knowledge about the ultimate and are self of ultimate has been described in the eleventh part of dedicated : Those who are with knowledge of personal Shrimad Bhagwat : 'The knowledge of Kaivalya (ultimate) religion and adorned with the ornament of freedom from is Sattvik, the knowledge of Vaikalpic (antithesis) is Rajas worldly desires worship God like a lady who worships her and the knowledge of Prakrutic (material) is Tamas but own husband- such people with matchless devotion are the knowledge of faith in myself is called Nirguna. To called Ekantik Bhakta. reside in the forest is Sattvik, to reside in the a town is Rajas and to reside in house of a gambler is called Tamas Those devotees shall never even drink water or residence. But to reside with God (me) is called Nirguna. take roots or fruits without offering them to Lord The action which contains no attachment is called Sattvik, Krishna. (60) the action with attachment is called Rajas and the action with no reference is called Tamas action. But one, who Those Atmanivedi (self dedicated) devotees should not comes only to me without any self ego is called Nirguna. consume even water without offering it first to Lord The faith in Adhyatma is called Sattvik (Adhyatma means Krishna. There is nothing surprising if they cannot take spiritual knowledge). The faith in Karm (action) is called milk etce without offering it first to Lord Krishna. They Rajasi and the faith in non-religious is called Tamasi. But should not eat leaves, roots, fruits without offering it to the faith in serving me is called Nirguna. The food which Bhagvan. There is word "Adi"- etcetera. It means that grain is proper, pure and has been received without any effort to can not be taken without offering it to God. Also it may get is called Sattvik food. The food which is liked by the be concluded that all new things like clothes, ornaments sense organs is called Rajasi food. And food which gives etc should be offered first to Lord Krishna, and should be pain and is impure, is called Tamsi food. In this shloka used thereafter. Brahmand Puran says : Leaves, flowers, there is 'cha' kar at two places, therefore, it is to be fruits, water, food and medicine if they are to be consumed, understood that : The food offered to me is Nirgun : It is then they should first be offered to Krishna Bhagwan and explained so by Shridhar Swami. Sattvik food gives then should be taken. Padma Puran says : Oh King

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Ambarish! New cloth, fruits, food and other eatables should Poojan (Shaligram or image of Lord Krishna) to such first be served to Lord Krishna by a true Vaishnava and person who has convenience for performing Poojan of thereafter should be consumed by him. Skand Puran says image or Shaligram with dedicated devotion. After handing : Eatables like sweets, fruits, sugar cane and other things over Pooja, the Vaishnav should act according to place, like gems, ornaments, vehicles, clothes, cosmetics and time, age, capacity and circumstances and should protect beauty aids etc, all should be served first to Lord Krishna personal attributes as Vaishnava. Vaishnava have been and should be consumed only after offering it first to Lord allowed for mental - Poojan during extraordinary Krishna. Otherwise it becomes a drawback on the part of circumstances. They should perform Manas-Pooja- not a a devotee. It is said in Bhagwat : "Whatsoever is dear to conventional Poojan. This is a direction from Laghu Harit one on this earth, should be offered first to me and then Smriti. should be consumed. Such act from a devotee earns Only that image of Lord Krishna which is given for benediction for his own self." 'Adorned with the scent, worship or installed by the Acharya of Dharmakul garments etc offered to you and after having food offered shall be worshipped. The other images may be only earlier to you, we- your slaves - may become victorious bowed down to but not worshipped. (62) on Maya.' 'Atmanivedan means to surrender everything at the lotus feet of Bhagwan. Acharya means one who is born in Dharm-Vansh and preaches Bhakti-Marg (way of devotional worship). That All our devotees who, due to old age or great meaning is to be considered here for 'Acharya'. Not that adversity, are not able to offer worship to the image of who administers holy threads as per vedic ritual. Because Lord Krishna shall handover the image to other the reference here goes with the earlier definition. Ling devotee and shall offer that much mental worship as Puran says : Acharya means such a person who practises health permits. (61) himself, associates others in such practice and ponders over the deeper meaning of the scriptures. The idol which has The feelings of oldness are called old age. Body becomes been given by such Acharya or installed by such Acharya, weak due to old age. This weakness causes incapacity for such an image is to be worshipped everyday. Now word performing Poojan etc. One also becomes so during the 'serve' (all) is to be drawn from the Shlokas preceding and weakness caused by major sickness. In both these suceeding this. The image (or idol) which has been given circumstances or during the invasion (on the country) when or installed by the Acharya of other Sampraday (sect) it becomes impossible to perform Poojan of God, then in deserves only bowing to. One should bow down to them such circumstances a Vaishnav should hand over this with rememberance of the name of God. But one cannot

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worship them everyday. Devotee of God must not have who is the husband of Radhika. Chanting of the names thought of a stone in relation to the image or idol of God. should be performed with complete mental concentration. The people with such thought have been classified as Chanting of the names of Bhagwan emancipates the sinners as per Pancharatra. 'The people who imagine a devotee in this age of Kali. Therefore he should perform stone in an idol, imagine a human being in a Guru and it. Shrimad Bhagwat says : Oh King ! Kaliyug is like a imagine caste in Vaishnavas are sinnes.' Further, it is said mine of follies, but it has one good attribute. Human being : One who imagines a stone in the Shaligram of Pooja, in Kali has the opportunity to earn emancipation by imagines a human sense in a Guru, imagines caste in a chanting the divine names of Lord Shri Krishna. In Sat- devotee of Vishnu, imagines simple water in the sanctified Yuga it is through meditation, in Treta-Yuga it is through water of holy shrine (touched by the saints and remover of holy-fire, in Dwapar-Yuga it is through rituals of Pooja, the drawbacks of Kaliyug) imagines ordinary words in the but in Kali-Yuga same emancipation and such rewards may divine name of God and imagines common element of God be had through Kirtan-Chanting divine names of Shri in omnipresent Lord Vishnu definitely consigns himself to Krishna. It is said : Wise people worship and perform hell. Nirnaya Sindhu and Narad Puran says : One who Poojan of Shri Krishna who is dark in complexion but is worships Vishnu or Linga worshipped earlier by a Shudra, luminous with divine light, and has the divine weapon of cannot remove his such impurity through any atonement. the disc (Sudarshan) in his hand and adorns Kaustubh Mani One who worships a Linga or Vishnu which has been (a divine gem) on his heart and has Sunand etc Parshadas worshipped earlier by a woman, consigns himself in hell at his service. Wise people worship him with Yagya and for millions of years. Kirtans. The people who are aware of virtues and are

All my followers shall go to the temple of the Lord accepting core of everything always wish for Kali Yuga. In Kali-Yuga, the wishes may be fulfilled through Kirtan. daily in the evening and shall engage themselves in Vishnu Puran says: The rewards which may be earned singing loudly the praises and reciting the names of through meditation in Sat-Yuga, through holy-Fire in Treta, Lord Krishna. (63) through Pooja in Dwapara are easily available through Kirtan in Kali-Yuga. Varah-Puran says: Those who perform All devotees and everyday. They should go to the temple Kirtan of my name during Kali-Yuga have earned in the evening. At that temple, where the idol or portable benediction. They have performed a virtuous act. They image of Bhagwan is installed. They should go there and have earned the greatest benefit of their life. Skand Puran perform Darshan. Here the act of performing is to be says: There would be no danger of venomous teeth of the understood. They should recite the names of Lord Krishna, snake called Kaliyug, because name 'Govind' and it's

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chanting acts like a fire in the forest and turns that snake Kirtans. Katha of Lord Shri Krishna. Means, as per into ashes. Brihad Narayan Puran says: Those people have convenience of time, Katha should be read about Shri been benedicted who have Chanted the names of Shri Hari, Krishna from the scriptures like Dasham Skandh etc. It Kaliyug can do nothing against them. Padma Puran says: also means that the Katha should be described elaborately The people chanting 'Hare ! Keshava ! Govind ! Vasudev and should also be in vernacular language. That Katha is ! Oh Almighty !' become free from the fear of Kali-Yug. to be performed with great respect and is to be listened to Vishnudharmottar says: Oh Tiger in the form of man ! The with utmost respect. Performance of such Katha as a people, who chant the names of Lord Vasudev everyday, listener or as a speaker emancipates soul. It is said in have no harm from Kali-Yug. Virichisarvaswa says: Mere Bhagwat : The people who listen to your divine leelas, chanting the name of Shri Hari, relieves one from the pains recite such leelas, read aloud such leelas and remember of life and enables him to swim through the ocean of them in their heart, praise them and sing them earn your worldly ways. Such power of singing the praises, discards lotus feet which in no time, give eternal peace in this world. all the drawbacks and sins of Kali-Yug. There is nothing Those who listen to your auspicious name, utter such name surprising in it. Suparna says: One who gets one's own loudly, listen to it with it's rememberance and concentrate self free from laziness and performs Kirtan of Lord Narayan at your lotus feet while doing worldly tasks, automatically for a while ears divine achievements. If it is so, what would stay away from the ocean of worldly ways. It is said : To happen to a person who chants the name of God constantly describe the divine beauty of God means to perform Tapa ! This Kirtan is to be performed separately by men and (penance), Shravan (listen to), Sukrut (virtuous acts), women - that is the precise instruction in Narad Panch wisdom and donation. That is the meaning considered by Ratna. It says : lady should join the assembly of women poets. The people, who drink the nectar in shape of Katha and a man should join the assembly of men separately and poured in their ears by Satpurushas, become free from the perform Kirtan by sitting in such specific assembly, but hold of vicious intentions, become pure and earn a place not by other ways. at the lotus feet of Shri Hari. Knowledge becomes virtuous knowledge when one becomes free from the sensual Discourses on the Lord's life and teachings shall be pleasures. Impatient mind becomes peaceful. These two, delivered and listened to with great respect. On festival together remove the attachment for pleasure. Therefore, days, songs of Lord Krishna shall be sung in he becomes free from the attachments of the worldly accompaniment with musical instruments. (64) pleasures. Thus he becomes free from such attachments in this world and in the other world also. This Path is called Now, let's talk about the works to be carried out after Bhakti-Yoga. One who has achieved such stage, always

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loves Katha of Shri Hari. "Those of followers, whose the scriptures. Bhagvan says in Geeta : Only scriptures minds are concentrated in me and listen to my Katha with are the evidence against action, no-action and its great happiness and perform different Tapas. These people, organization. Padma Puran says: The person who has not though they live in their houses and though they perform studied the scriptures is like an animal. Vidurji has said : their professions very skillfully, Yet they become free from A man without knowledge is always pitiable. the pains due to listening my Katha, and have no bondage of these worldly ways. Those who recite such Katha and A man shall be assigned work only after those who remember the lotus feet, earn the state of eternal careful thought for which he is best suited but not mental peace at the time of death". otherwise. (66) Festivals means the days like Ekadashi. On such days the Kirtan of Lord Shri Krishna should be performed in Suitability of a man, means suitability in the light of his accompaniment to musical instruments like Veena, and religion etc. After careful consideration of such suitability, Mridang. Lord himself has said that on such days special the man concerned should be assigned work, but not bath - special Abhishekam, special food - Annakoota, Geet otherwise. Yagya Valkya says: Those who are well versed and Nritya - dance and singing should be performed in a in religion should be assigned religious works, Learned festive manner. people should be assigned financial works, eunuchs should be assigned work pertaining to women and lower people All my followers shall everyday follow the course laid should be assigned the work of the lowest level. Vidurji down above and shall also undertake the study of also says: Oh King ! People should be assigned three religious works in Sanskrit and vernacular to the best different categories of the works. Naradji says in Sabha of their intelligence. (65) Parva : Oh Bharat ! First know the superior, average and lower type of people and then assign work according to The followers shall practise this everyday. They should their level. perform the routine with full knowledge about it. Sanskrit means the language of God and Prakrit means the Those who have engaged servants shall ever look vernacular. They should study the scriptures written in both after them by properly providing them with food and these languages. They should ponder over it again and clothes, according to their financial capacity. (67) again. That is the source of knowledge about the form of religion and non-religion. It is said in Raj Dharm of Bharata Employees and servants. Those words are indicative of Knowledge of a person increases on his regular study of their qualities befitting those who are to be maintained. As

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per Kashi Khand following fall under that class : Mother, As per the qualities in a man, means as per the qualities Father, Guru, Wife, Sons, those who are under refuge, those like caste, clan, knowledge, penance, Yoga, majesty, who have come for alm or support, those who are under dignity etc. Those qualities are to be considered along with protection and fire those nine are to be nourished and time and place. After considering these three factors, words maintained. They should be maintained or nourished as should be uttered to him. It means in light of these three, per their status or capacity. Word 'etc' has -been suffixed one should be called. Niti Vivek says: Nobles, Yogis, to word money. It means that they should be supported by Satpurush and Statemen should be given due respect while providing money, medicine and other nourishments. This addressing them in Varna (Caste) and Ashram (stage of should be performed within one's personal financial life). Space and time should be considered means; A Guru, capacity. Those have to be satisfied constantly, means may address his disciple as 'you' (singular second person) regularly and daily. They are to be satisfied, not to be at the hermitage but should not call him so when they are dissatisfied. Skand Puran says: This class of the dependant, in a public assembly - there, he should be given respect in who is the fruit of the seen and unseen, should be taken proper words - though he may be a disciple. This example care of. One who neglects such duty attracts sin, therefore, explains space-place. Now about time (Kala). If the disciple with all out efforts one should take care of them. It is said is old in age, the Guru should address him with the words that only such living is a true life where one lives by giving of elderly respect. This is to be understood. Here virtues shelter to others. One who fills his own belly without are to be imbibed and therefore nothing otherwise is to be sharing it with others, is a living dead. Bharat also says: considered or to be thought of. One who eats sumptuous food and wears fine apparel without sharing it with his servants is most condemnable. On the arrival of a preceptor, a ruler, a very old Anger free and truthful words, equal distribution, man, a recluse, a scholar and an ascetic, our courteous forgiveness against hatred, bearing child in own wife, followers shall rise from their place and offer them a purity, malice towards none, simplicity and proper feeding seat and accord them a warm welcome by means of of servants are the essential duties applicable to all Varnas sweet words. (69) (castes). Guru-perceptor- means one who had administrated A person shall be addressed in a manner befitting Guru-mantra; Guru means one who has taught knowledge; his status and virtues in the context of time and place, Guru means elders like father etc. Rulers means Kings, and shall not be treated in any other manner. (68) old means those who are older in age. Recluse means those people who have renounced from the worldly ways and

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are engaged in pleasing God. Scholars means those who keeping the left foot on the thigh of the right leg or by are well read in religious scriptures like Vedas, Purans etc. keeping the right foot on the thigh of the left leg. One Ascetic means those who have performed penance like should not sit in such a position before or in front of his Kruchhachandrayan Vrata and other penance. Guru, deities or a King. This prohibition includes this act Our courteous followers are required to offer respect to against learned people, ascetics, scholars etc who have them by rising from the seat, by offering Pranam with been mentioned in the previous shloka. The shloka folded hand, by offering respectable seat to them, by indicates 'foot' in singular, therefore there is no objection welcoming them with great respect. If such followers in sitting in 'Padmasana' before such people. In a sabha would not practise as prescribed, then they would be in a too, sitting cross legged is not allowed. Smriti says : One great trouble. That is the meaning here. As we have read should not sit in Veerasana ( a special posture of body in the Bhagwat (Sixth Chapter) Indra-the King of Gods - befitting a warrior) or cross legged before a Acharya and lost his empire on not offering respect by rising from his those who are senior in age. Vashistha Muni explains the own seat on arrival of great saint Brihaspati. In the eighth form of Veerasana. Veerasana means to fold a leg backward Skandha of Bhagwat it is said that Indradyumna was and then to keep another foot on that folded leg by crossing consigned to the birth of an elephant on insulting Agastya it. By a cloth means with a side cloth. One should not sit Muni. These are indicative of troubling times. If a disciple by wrapping a side-cloth around the back and both knees is old aged, and his Guru is young or in his youth, even to make it a seat of comfort. Nobody should sit like that then, the Guru deserves respect from his aged disciple. before Guru etc. Sadachar Deepak also forbids such acts. Vayu Puran says : Though the Guru may be young in his age, youthful disciples rise from their seat with suspended All my Satsangi followers shall never enter into a breath, and respect him to feel comfort. Valmiki, while controversial discussion with the Acharya. They shall extending piece of advice to Bharat in his Ramayan, says: serve him with devotion with food, money and clothing Offer your Pranam to Guru, old people, ascetics, deities, in the measure of their capacity. (71) guests, temple and dutiful Brahmins. One should not enter into a controversial dicussion with None shall sit with a foot placed on a thigh or with his Guru. Here, controversial discussion means to argue, both the knees bound with a piece of cloth before a to ignore, to avoid or to enter in to a verbal fight. One preceptor, a deity, a ruler or in an assembly. (70) should follow each and every word of his Guru. One should follow it with great respect. Not following the words of One should not sit crossed leg. Crossed leg means by the Guru is treated as a breach of duty by the disciple.

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Sanat Kumar says that avoidance of the words of a Guru of the village or up to the water place of the village. This and criticism of scriptures are a breach of the religion by a is to show respect to him. Village includes town etc. The disciple. It consigns such disciple to hell. Agastya Samhita word welcome is suffixed with etc. Therefore it is to be says that the insult of the Guru implies serious trouble in understood that while welcoming him, gifts should be the present Loka. It says: Those disciples who insult their offered to the Acharya as a part of honouring welcome. Guru who is worth of worship and meditation, fall from their souls, friends and relatives. Oh Great Muni ! Those None shall undertake an activity, devoid of Dharma, sinful and fallen people who are not obeying the words of even though it may expected to bring highest reward. the Guru, are always plunged in great troubles. For, it is only Dharma that verily fulfills all the four Not only that, everybody should worship his Guru - Purusharthas like Dharma (ethics), Artha (wealth), Acharya with offerings like Anna (food), Dhana (money) Kama (desires) and Moksha (liberation). Therefore, and Vastra (clothes). Here the list is suffixed with 'etc'. It Dharma shall not be abandoned out of attachment to means, cow etc. could be given. Vishnu Rahasya says: As the desired objects. (73) all Gods reside in a Guru, one should perform the Poojan of his Guru by the way of different offerings. Great reward or big monetary gain. If such return is available on performing certain act or work, but if such On hearing the news of the arrival of the Acharya, act or work is not approved of religion, then such act or our followers shall go forthwith to welcome him with work should not be carried out. Why ? Because, religion due respect and honour and on his departure, they shall only is the truest giver of the desired fruits. No means of accompany him up to the outskirt of the village to give pleasure are non-available on performing religion. Parashar him an honourable send-off. (72) Smriti says: The act which is against the religion but is giver of great award, then a wise man should not perform My followers should go forthwith with musical such act. Because the happiness of this world and the world instruments etc to welcome Acharya to their village on other than this is available only through religion. Fall from hearing about the proposed arrival of Acharya. Moreover, the religion destructs man. on his departure from their village, they should accompany him to the outskirts of the village. In Madhaviya definition None shall initiate and follow the unethical and of Parashar Smriti it is said : On arrival of the Guru, one irreligious conduct even of the great men of the past. should go forthwith to welcome him and on his departure Only their righteous and religious precedents shall be from the village should accompany him up to the outskirts followed. (74)

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Past means of earlier times. Great men means those who virtuous acts to earn happiness. were at the peak in penance, Yoga and splendour. Irreligious acts means infidelity, consumption of non- No confidential and secret matter of anybody shall eatables etc. Such acts of those great people are not to be be disclosed to others at any place. Everyone shall be practised. The acts and courtesy which are divine and treated with the due respect he deserves. None shall uncriticised are only authentic, therefore, gentleman should transgress this rule of conduct out of distorted notion not practise unethical acts. They should not accept of spiritual equality. (75) unethical acts. Ethical acts have been defined by Matsya Puran : Donation, truth, penance, generosity, knowledge, Of nobody means, neither of men or women and nor of holy fire, worship and control on sense organs, these eight impotents. Confidential means secret; the talk which are the ethical aspects. The acts performed by Manu and deserves secrecy. Such talk should not be disclosed before Saptarshi etc Satpurusha (truthful people) have been anybody. Yagyavalkya Muni says: Do not disturb the core described as ethical actions in all Manvantaras. The of anybody. It means that the details about anybody should attributes of Dana (donation) should be known from there. not be disclosed. Naradji narrates the causes of God's love The bad acts of a gentleman too are not acceptable. for him, in the scripture Narnarayan Akhyan, and while Shrimad Bhagwat says: The people follow the life of great describing virtues says that the secret details of others people and earn emancipation. Therefore, Oh Jagadguru should not be disclosed. (greatest Preacher )! Bad acts are not good for great people. Equality. Treat everybody equally. Same Brahm resides They too, should follow and practise the great path of in every soul. Think on this line. Extend hospitality with religion, penance, Yoga, truth, mercy etc. This implies that that sense, irrespective of their good or bad qualities. That the virtuous acts of great people are highly educative to is desired courtesy, with a judgement of good and bad. us. Markandey Muni says in Shrimad Bhagwat : Usually These both cannot be treated equally, as it removes the great men are practising virtues to teach religion to the basic difference between two. So wisdom should prevail souls in human body. The practice of religion by the people, in distinguishing both. This wisdom has been explained gives them pleasure. They praise such religious acts. In a by Kapil to his mother. Living bodies are superior in similar way Bhishma had preached in Mokshadharm of comparison to inert. Bodies with soul are superior than Mahabharat : Oh King ! Religious people should not copy those. The bodies with life, soul and mind are superior to the acts performed by deities and Munis, and should not those. The bodies with life, soul, mind and organs are criticise such acts of deities and Munis. One who deeply superior to those. Then come those with the added attribute ponders over, evaluates his own powers and then performs of touch sense; then comes the further addition of sense of

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taste, then comes the addition of sense of smell, then comes know it's meaning as per the religious scriptures. All my the sense of listening, then the sense of vision, then both followers - means all female and male followers - should the rows of teeth; then set of two legs, then come people undertake special religious observances during these four divided in to four classes (Varna), then comes the Brahmin, months. The religious scriptures have prescribed good then comes the Brahmin with the knowledge of Veda, then many observances and have classified then in light of Varna comes the Brahmin with the full interpretation of the (caste) and Ashram (life stages). One should follow at meaning of Veda, then come those Vedic Brahmins who least one such Niyam befitting his caste and life stage and are capable of removing doubts in regard to Vedic which is most effective in pleasing God, from the Niyams interpretations, then come those who are practising which I am to narrate now. Now, those who are weak in religion, then are those who are fully detached to sense practising the Niyam for four full months, must practise objects, then are those who are not acting against the such Niyam strictly in the month of Shravan. It is said to religion, then come those who act without desire of fruits be important to practise this Chaturmaas Vrata in Himadri and dedicate such acts to God; they are supreme. They region of India. 'Beginning with the eleventh day of the have laid their actions and the fruits of their actions at my first fortnight of Ashadha month, men should practise these feet. They have become free from the pride of doing. They Niyam by performing fast on that day and should control have developed the sense of equality and balance. They all his sense organs. This four-month Niyam should be are supreme. Nobody is greater then them. concluded on the twelfth day of the first fortnight of Kartika month. One who fails to perform Vrata in this All my followers shall undertake special religious manner becomes a sinner for the whole year. Those who observances during the four months of monsoon. Those are weak, should perform this Vrata for one month. The who are weak and incapacitated shall do so for a procedure of this Vrata may be known from Vrata Rajya.' limited period for the month of Shravan only. (76) These special observance are constituted of the Chaturmaas means a group of four months of monsoon. following practices : Listening to with attention and Aashadh, Shravan, Bhadrapada and Aashvin are those four discoursing on the life and teaching of the Lord, Singing months. This period begins effective from the eleventh day of Lords glory, performing Maha Pooja, Chanting of of the first fortnight of the month of Aashadh and ends on Maha Mantra, reciting hymns and walking around the the twelfth day of the first fortnight of the month of Kartik. image of God. (77) This entire period between the above two dates is called Chaturmaas. This is conventional definition, one should Katha of Lord Vishnu means Katha of Lord Shri Krishna

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which is told by a devotee of Lord Shri Krishna. Means, Vishnu Maha Pooja, Panchamrut Snan, Maha Abhishek, in procedure, one should listen to the discourses on Maha Naivedya, Grand Aarti and Pooja with such Aarti Shrimad Bhagwat everyday and with all required rituals. fall under rule four. The fifth rule is to chant the sacred The procedure or the rituals for listening to such Katha hymn of Lord Vishnu consisting of eight letters. One should be known from Shrimad Bhagwat Mahatmya. should chant thise Mantra as per his capacity and according Attributes of a speaker and attributes of the listener have to procedure. To practise daily and as per procedure the been listed in that scripture. A true speaker of this Katha divine hymns of Vishnu Stotra and Vishnu Sahastra Naam should be a learned person in scriptures, he should be a is the sixth rule. Seventh rule prescribes 108 Pradakshina good speaker, he should be good in preaching, he should of Lord Vishnu. be an Aryan, he should be a devotee of Lord Shri Krishna, he should be a strict practitioner in personal religion and And full physical prostration before the Lords image should be a Brahmin by caste. Attributes of a listener are (Shastang Dandavata Pranam). These eight are the purity, religious life, concentration and attention, devotion, best observances and one out of these should be belonging to any one of the four castes, having faith in practised. (78) God, not chewing betelnut and not looking at women. He Pranaam means offer respect with all eight parts of the is not lazy, does not wear a head gear, does not speak, body. This has been explained earlier. These eight are the does not sit cross legged does not act oversmart, does not best. These are giver of the best fruits - with closer relation wear footwear, does not tie cloth around the legs and back to Lord Shri Krishna. As this term contains 'etc.', there are while attending Katha, worships the words of the speaker other rules also. In Chatur Maas Mahatmya of Skand and is free from prejudice and anger. Bhagwat Katha Puran, it is said in dialogue between Brahma and Narada should be recited as per procedure everyday and should that eyes should be kept away from the vision of things be recited to those who are desirous of listening to it and other than Lord Shri Hari. Same should be followed in such Katha should be recited near Bhagwan. In narrating regard to other senses. This should be practised more rigidly and listening to such Parayana one should know the rules, during Chatur Maas. Wise people should always try to regulations and restrictions prescribed in regard to halting control the mind. In Chatur Maas, there should be special or not halting at a particular chapter, number of chapter observance for more concentration on Lord Shri Krishna. prescribed for a particular day etc. These may be known Ego is like poison in the bodies of human being, therefore from 'Vidhan-Nidhan'. This is second such rule. Third such people should try to discard ego. This is particularly rule is to read and recite the attributes of Lord Vishnu significant at the time of Lord's rest (Chatur Maas). Wise written in vernacular. This is for daily practice. Moreover, people should always speak the truth; they should not speak

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lies. Particularly in the period of Chaturmaas and for the those who consume brinjal, watermelon, Bila and Umarada pleasure of Lord Shri Krishna, one should speak the truth. fruits. Parashar says: Animal hair, water from leather All wise people should try with all out efforts to earn the bucket, over-seedy fruits, pulse of Masoor, fluid substances pleasure of Lord Vishnu- who is meditated by Yogis. The sold by any twice born, the salt taken at the time of having name of Lord Vishnu, realises celibacy, is the highest of food, the food consumed without lavely offered it to Lord all the religious acts and gives strength to other religious Vishnu, unfiltered water, milk with salt, milk of animals attributes. There is nothing beyond celibacy. Celibacy must other than cow, goat and buffalo are called non-vegetarian be practised during Chatur Maas. Just as the Kama is a big items. Things which are produced from animals are called enemy, in a similar way anger, greed and taste are also meat, wise people should avoid such things, other enemies. These should be controlled in Chatur Maas. One observances on the similar time may be had from Vrat rule is to practice fullest devotion. That is to be practised Himadri. just for the pleasure of Bhagwan, nothing else. No other fruit is to be expected. All shall observe devoutly a fast on Ekadashi days, Herein it is said to practise this special observance, i.e. eleventh day of each fortnight of every month as therefore there ought to be some general or sub- also on Janmashtami (birthday of Shri Krishna) and observances under such special observance, that must be Shivratri days and shall celebrate them with sonorous understood and should be practised accordingly. For such, musical songs in honour of the Lord being played on as Bhavishyottar Puran has said, vegetables should not be musical instruments in a spirit of great eclat. (79) consumed during Shravana, curd should not be consumed during Bhadrapada, milk should not be consumed during Ekadashi day means each eleventh day of both the Ashwin and pulses (pod- bearing) should not be consumed fortnights of every month. These Ekadashi days should be during Kartika. Skand Puran says : A person with celebrated with complete fast, Pooja of God and in devotional attributes should not sleep on a cot, he should complete waking state without sleep. This should be not consume garlic and other non-consumables during the performed with due respect and festivity and should not sleeping period of Bhagwan (Chatur Maas). It is said that be discontinued under the fear of paining the body. Because brinjal, water-melon, radish and garlic etcetera should not all our bodyly pains are our routine matters and those pains be consumed and companionship of spouse should be are supposed to stay with us till the body stays with us. avoided completely for one whole month. One should Shri Narada says in Nirnay Sindhu, 'The people with control all the sense organs and mind and should donate devotional fervour and the devotees of Vishnu should as per capacity. Achardeep says : God stays away from perform fast on Ekadashi day.

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Katyayan says in Kaal Madhava : Those who are above 'God' means personal God or the deity of particular Vrat. eight and below eighty years of age are required to perform The state in which one becomes free from the sinful acts fast on Ekadashi days of both the fortnights. Himadri and and acts upon virtuous acts by leaving food, is called Laghu Narada says : It is beyond any doubt that the person fasting. The use of tooth brush of green tree branch is who consumes food on Ekadashi day, becomes sinful and prohibited earlier during such fast. The performer of the flows in the river consisting of night soil, urine and pus. fast should perform twelve gargles and should clean his In some cases the Ekadashi days of second fortnight of tongue and mouth with leaves. Narada Vratark prohibits the months - other than Chatur Mass period, have been even looking at cooked food. The performer of fast should forbidded for fasts by householders, but that restriction is not see, smell or think about food, and should not even for the Non-Vaishnavas,. According to Tattva Sagar, one cook for others. Those who are physically weak for who treats all Ekadashs equal in their succession is the performing a fast, should take fruits in a small amount. true Vaishnava. Details about this observation may be Nirnay Sindhu says : There are ways for physically weak referred to in Himadri. Now, about the loss of the Vratt. people they may consume roots, fruits, milk, and water Deval Rishi says : Repeated consumption of water, mouth- during the fast. Nobody suggests food on a fast day. Not freshner, day sleep and the company of women destroys only that, but Bhagwan prohibits consumption of those the Ekadashi Vrata. Vrata without faith, Vrata with anger things during Ashadha and other months. One who and Vrata without celebacy bears no fruit. A single look, a consumes roots and fruits on the fast - days of Dev Podhi slightest touch or a single utterance with a woman destroys the first day of the Sleeping Period of God in Chatur Maas, the Vrata and destroys celebacy on cohabiting with one's Dev Uthi Ekadashi (the last day of Chatur Maas when Lord own wife. One falls from the Vrata on crying, quarreling rises from the last Chatur Maas sleep.) and on Zoolana and showing anger. This applies equally to men and Ekadashi (Ekadashi day of Lord's bathing ceremony in women. Donation, Vrata, Observances, Knowledge, fresh flowing water) pierces my heart and gives pains. The Meditation, Holy Sacrifices and Japas performed with great ailing people are exempted for consumption of food care become fruitless if carried out in the state of anger. Vayupuran prescribes the consumption of suitable food on Methodology of the fast has been explained by that day for such people. Food should be consumed in the Katyayana and great saint Vashishtha. Fast means rejection latter part of the day (evening) wholesome food such as of all the comforts of life and living a virtuous life. To wheat, milk etc may be consumed except for rice and rice perform Japa of personal God, to meditate and listen to products. Fruits, til, milk, water, butter, oil, Panchamrit and religious discourses are a few of the attributes of the person air are the successive best consumables in this order of who performs fast. Other attributes are kindness etc. Herein listing. The day before the day of the fast and the day after

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the day of the fast are not allowed for consuming flowers out by others. The failure in observing these observances and sandal wood etc as per Naradiya Puran : 'Oh King ! attracts sins, as those observances are treated as daily For the three days effective from the tenth day of each religious routine. Katyayan Muni says in Madhaviya : fortnight, one should leave tastes, betel leaf, flowers, Chandrayan Vrata should be performed in the case of failure company of women and day sleeping. Sleeping state and in Ekadashi Vrata by the way of eating food in day time or lack of Poojan of Lord Vishnu reduces the fruit of Vrat in at night. Bhavishyottara Puran says: The one who is not to half. Therefore every Vaishnava should awake and performing Vrata of Vishnu Jayanti, undergoes the pains perform the Poojan of Lord Vishnu to strengthen the reward of the hell and becomes a prisoner of Yama. Skand Puran of the Vrata. The procedure of this Vrata may be referred says: person, who is not performing Vrata of Maha from Vratchandrika. Shivaratri, roams in this world for thousands of births. Besides Ekadashi days, the Vrata should be performed- Narada Panchratra recommends the practice of all those on Krishna Janma days of Janmashtami, Ram Navami etc Vrata : All pure Ekadashi days (not affected by the tenth as mentioned in scriptures along with the Vrata on day), Vaman Dwadashi, Ramnavami which gives divine Shivaratri day- with festive celebration. The procedure of power, Krishna Janmashtami, Nrisinha chaudasha and such celebration should be known from the scriptures of Shivaratri are the main Vratas. Vrata. All these Vratas should be performed in a festive mood by singing and chanting devotional songs and hymns Effort shall be made to abstain from day sleep on to the tune of musical instruments and Maha Pooja should the day of fasting, because day sleep nulifies the fast as be performed in such environment. Sumptuous food should does the sexual indulgence on the day of fasting. (80) be offered to the Sadhus and Brahmins, the Katha - Parayan should be arranged amidst devotional singing and complete On the day of Vrata or fast, the people are free from the waking state. The householder's conventions should not duties pertaining to their bellies, as such, they spend their be performed on such fast days. If it is a quarantine period fast day in utmost laziness or day-sleep. To avoid such on the day of Vrat (fast) due to some incident like birth or thing in His devotees, He prohibits such things during the death, then the quarantine period should be observed for fast days. Day sleep should be avoided in Ekadashi fast the personal self and the fast should be observed but the and atonement fast, because the day sleep and the sexual Poojan of the personal God should be performed through indulgence nullifies the Vrata. The day sleep and sexual the others. The woman who is undergoing menstruation indulgences are closely correlated in their negative effects. period should undergo the observance pertaining to Sexual indulgence destroys the fast, and in like manner personal self and Poojan of personal God should be carried the day sleep destroys the Vrata !

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Shri Vithalnathji, son of Shri Vallabhcahrya who is following day should be observed as fast day, not the first. King among the vaishnavas, has prescribed the days In the case of Janmashtami, the day at the time of sunrise of Vratas, which shall be followed by my followers, who shall be observed as Janmashtami day. If that part of the shall observe fasts and festivals accordingly and shall day is under the effect of the seventhday of the month, the adopt the mode of worship of Lord Krishna as enjoined fast may not be observed. If the Eighth day with such effect by him. (81-82) is a Kshaya Tithi (missing date) then the fast shall be The judgement about the day of Vrata and Utsava (fasts observed on the ninth day. And if such eighth days are and festivals) shall be accepted from the judgements passed two, then first day in these two shall be observed as the by Shri Vaishnavacharya. This is clearly ordered here. The fast day. In Vaman Jayanti, the Vrata shall be observed if decision in regard to the days of Vrata (fasts), Utsava there is conjunction of Vishnushrinkhal Yoga or Shrvan (festivals), Ekadashis and Anna Koota Shall be accepted Nakshatra on the Twelfth Day and shall be taken noon- from the judgements passed by Shri Vithalesh, who is the time of such date if there is no such conjunction. son of the King of all the Vaishnavas - Shri Vallabhacharya. Ramnavami Vrata day should be free from the effect of Therefore, whatsoever has been directed by him to his the eighth day. And if the ninth day with such effect is a devotees, shall be accepted and acted upon. Kshaya (missing) Tithi (date), then the Vrata should be Following and practicing that, means-not following the observed on the eighth day. And if pure ninth day are two decisions passed by others. Not a single day or date from in number then the fast should be observed on the first the decisions of others should be considered. All the ninth day. Nrisimha chaudash should be free from the effect festivals are to be performed according to the decision of of the thirteenth day. And if such polluted date is a missing Shri Vithalesh. His decisions are taken as the direction. It (Kshaya) date, then the same day should be observed as clearly indicates that no decisions from others are to be fast day. If pure fourteenth day are two in number, then accepted or to be acted upon. It applies equally to all Vratas the first such date should be observed as Vrata. In Falgun and Utsava. Now suggestion part of this direction is Purnima etc days, Fuldol Utsava should be celebrated in indicated here: If the tenth day of the fortnight exceeds the later part of night when there is Uttara Falgun fifty four becomes about of the fiftyfive Gharis (a ghari is Nakshatra. There shall be no insistence for particular date. consisted of twenty four minutes) than the Ekadashi day In similar way, Anna Koota should be performed on the following it comes under the effect of tenthday and first day of the first fortnight of Kartika Maas - right before therefore fast shall not be observed on that Ekadashi day. appearance of the moon and in the portion of Amavasya Now, if Ekadashi is free from such effect but are two in (last day of the month). The judgement on Shivaratri has the number, or may be two twelfth days, then the second not been given by Shri Vithalnathji - therefore - the

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decision in regard to this may be taken from Samay should be celebrated there. As pilgrimage has the main Mayukh, for example: Shivratri should be taken as objective of devotion, the statement has been addressed in midnight, and if there are two dates, then without general to all. Ugrashravas says, 'Oh Brahmins ! Services considering midnight portion, the next day shall be taken offered to great people and saints, pilgrimage paid to the as Vrata day. holy shrines, desire made for listening Parayan Katha, faith The procedure of serving Lord Shri Krishna should be etc. encourages interest in the Katha. Parayan of Shri taken from him. Service should be offered every day. Vasudeva. As per capacity means those who are not Should know about different services in relation to time, capable to perform pilgrimage of so many holy places clothing, ornaments, food etc. to be offered to Lord Shri should perform the pilgrimage only of the Shrine at Krishna. All such services are to be performed according Dwarika. Our personal God Shri Krishna resides for ever to the teaching of Shri Vithalesh. These have been given at Dwarika. Ekadash Skandha of Shrimad Bhagwat says: in detail in annual calender of Vrata Utsava Vidhi and The Dwarika, which was abandoned by Lord Shri Krishna Satsangi Jivan. and was sunk into bottom of the water by the ocean, has become the permanent residence of Bhagwan Madhusudan A pilgrimage of holy places, chief among which is since the day of sinking. That place removes all evils, Dwarika, shall be made by our followers in the revives all auspicious memories and has become most prescribed manner and as their means permit shall be auspicious symbol. kind and charitable towards the poors according to It's procedure has been mentioned in Kashi Khanda of their resources. (83) Skand Puran. One who is desirous of proceeding on such pilgrimage, should perform fast at home and offer Poojan According to writer of treatise, the Dwarika means the to Lord Ganapati, manes, Brahmins and the saints. place with the beautiful doors and gates. Our followers Thereafter, should conclude the fast, should under go holy should perform the pilgrimage of holy shrines which observance and proceed on such pilgrimage. The Poojan includes prominent holy Shrine of Dwarika. This should be performed of manes on reaching the pilgrim pilgrimage should be performed according to procedure place to share the fruits of pilgrimage. The Brahmins at and their personal capacity. Such pilgrimage enables the the pilgrim place should not be put to the test, and food pilgrim to cross the ocean of worldly ways and therefore, should be offered to the needy. Fast, removal of hair and these places and Shrines are called Punya Kshetra or Tirth. mane's offering should be performed at the pilgrim places. Maha Pooja should be offered to Bhagwan at such Shrines, The donations should be distributed as per personal capacity Sadhu and Brahmins should be satisfied, and festivals and should not look at the woman with a sensuous vision,

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should not perform violence, should not speak lies in regard to the offering to the manes during the pilgrimage intentionally. The one, who is well controlled bodily, of a holy shrine. At the time of performing offering to the controls his mind and has the knowledge of God, performs manes, one should avoid Arghya (offering water), Aavahan penance and has earned fame always earns the reward of (rousing call), Poojan of toe of Brahmin and the questions such pilgrimage. He never takes birth in the class of birds. like 'are you satisfied?'. Also should leave violence. During He never takes birth in the region of evils. He never suffers a pilgrimage, the God presiding over that holy shrine should pains. He becomes happy forever. He finds the means for be worshipped through Maha Pooja. Alpa Pooja and the the emancipation. The sins committed at the other places offerings as per personal capacity. Accordingly the are destroyed in the holy shrine, but the sins committed at donations should be made as per capacity to the Brahmins the holy shrine becomes everlasting and undestroyable. and sumptuous food should be offered to them. Vaishnava A Physically strong pilgrim should not take food twice should be worshipped there and cows should be donated. during the day at the pilgrim place. Skand Puran says: One And this third phase now is to be related to all the third of the Punya of the pilgrim lapses on taking food following sentences. Everybody should be kindhearted twice at the pilgrim place. Three quarter of the Punya lapses towards the weak and poors. And should take care of them of the pilgrim on performing trade at the pilgrim place, as per his capability. Treating them like personal friends and all his Punya he looses on accepting donation or alm he should welcome them with good hospitality but should at the pilgrim place. He looses half of his Punya on riding not insult them. Vyasji says, Poors, handicaps, trouble a vehicle at the pilgrim place and looses a quarter of Punya torns, diseased, women and misfortunates should be shown on using footwear and umbrella. Krutya Ratna says in it's mercy. Bhagwat also asks such impartial Brahmins to show Prabhas Khanda : If a poor Brahmin takes donation at mercy to the others. A Brahmin, who is pious and impartial, pilgrim place, and donates tenth part of it to God, stays if ignores poors, loses all his divine powers as a pure free of any fall in his Punya, Vamanji says that learned Brahmin like water flowing out from a broken utensil. people takes donation as per their bare needs, therefore no Bharat mentions that harassment to the poors invites drawback effects them. Deval Rishi says in Nirnaya sindhu disasterous calamity: One who harasses poors or makes about the removal of hair at different pilgrim places and fun of them invites great trouble on himself. A strong holy shrines: It is imperative to remove hair and perform person, who troubles the weaker one, invites destruction fast at all the holy shrines excepting Kurukshetra, for his entire clan right from its roots. Badarikashrama, Lonar and Gaya. Fast and removal of hair is a must on second visit of the pilgrim place or holy shrine All my followers shall reverently respect and offer within the span of ten months. Hemadri Granth is particular obeisance to the five deities, viz .: Vishnu, Shiva,

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Ganapati, Parvati and the Sun. (84) west sits Lord Suryanarayan (sun) and in north-west direction sits Goddess Parvati. According to All my follower shall reverently worship five Gods. Padarthaadarsh : If Lord Shiva is in centre, then in north- These five Gods are Vishnu, Shiva, Ganapati, Parvati and east sits Lord Vishnu, in the same order comes then Lord Surya (Sun). In these, Lord Vishnu who is called as Surya (Sun God), Ganapatiji and Godders Parvati. And Padmanabh (one with lotus flower from his navel), is the Lord Vishnu if sits in center, then beginning with north- incarnation of all incarnations and Omnipresent supreme east shall be Lord Shankar, Lord Ganapati, Lord Surya God and therefore he is worshipable. Lord Shiva is The (Sun God) and Goddess Parvati. And if Goddess Parvati supreme of all Vaishnava religion. Therefore, he is is in centre, then beginning with north-east shall be Lord worshipable. Lord Ganapati is worshipable, because as per Vishnu, Lord Shiva, Lord Ganapati and Lord Surya (Sun Ganapati-khand of Brahmvaivarta Puran, he is part God). If Lord Ganapati is in centre, then beginning with incarnation of Lord Shri Krishna and has been established north-east shall be Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, Lord Surya as most worshippable amongst the Gods. Goddess Parvati (Sun God) and Goddess Parvati. Like this, Lord Shiva's is to be worshipped, because she is spouse to Lord Shiva seat in the north-east blesses the worshipper with the and is helpful in receiving pleasure of Shri Krishna. This greater happiness - and an improper arrangement becomes the reason, why does the Gopies at Vraj, Shri Rukmaniji harmful. Directions and sides indicated here have been at Kundinpur and Shri Vasudeva at Dwarika have supported by Prayagdham Jatam. Face-word side of God worshipped her and the events are narrated in Shrimad should be assumed as East. Bhagwat. Lord Suryanarayan is the deity of the divine hymn of Gayatri and is the form of God and the form of When there is the calamitous influence of the evil Veda. He therefore is the root of the religious activities spirits, one should resort to the chanting of Narayan and is therefore worth worship and meditation. Therefore Kavach or Mantra of Hanuman, but not to with these five Gods for worship, there is no room for the recitation of mantras of the deities of the lower thinking about other Gods to be worshipped. In this, domain (85) vaishnavas are to worship these five Gods with prominence of Lord Vishnu as supreme God. The placement of Gods Ghosts etc. Some times means in the time of impure therefore in personal temple should be like this: In the front state. The nuisance of the evil spirits if takes place in such of the worshipper devotee and in the centre of the throne times. Evil spirits means ghosts, spirits, demons, Vampires, shall be the seat of Lord Vishnu. In it's north-east direction Brahm Rakshasas etc. One should chant Narayan Kavach sits Lord Shiva, in south-east sits Lord Ganapati, in south- which is mention in the sixth part of Shrimad Bhagwat

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and Lord Narayan is the deity of that Kavach. One should Japa of Ashtakshara Mantra (eight lettered hymn) of Lord become pure by proper wash of hands and feet, and should Krishna after such ablution. This means that nobody should take seat facing north, should take Achamana (Sip water left without ablution and no worldly activity should be from right palm) and with total withdrawal of the Indriyas performed during the period of eclipse. Great Rishi (sense or gans) and mind and with absolute control on Vasishtha has said that all become impure on appearance speech one should chant Mantra of Narayan Kavach ('Aum- of Rahu. Ablution should be performed in the beginning Namonarayanayeti - Aum - Namo - Bhagate - of eclipse, and Japa - Homa should be performed during Vasudevaya'). Thus one should perform Japa of Narayan the course of eclipse. Purashcharana Chandrika says: All Kavach. Moreover, to eradicate that evil nuisance, One active people should perform ablution (to purify himself) should perform Japa of "Hanumat Veera" either original and should perform Japa of the mantra of God till the end hymn or chanting on the rosary-beads. The procedure of of sun or moon eclipse. Markandeya Muni says ablution performing Japa should be confirming to the rituals with cold water is more beneficial than that with the hot prescribed in the scriptures of the hymns. But in no case water. Own water is more favorable than the water the Japa of the hymns not related to Lord Shri Krishna borrowed or taken from others. Water on the surface of and his devotees should be performed. Because, Chanting land is more beneficial than underground water. Flowing of mantras of other deities, attracts drawback in devotees water is more regardful than such surface water. Water of unconditional refuge in Shri Hari. Such drawback is not a lake is more rewarding than the water of a falling spring. attracted on performing Mantras of Lord Hanuman. Lord Then comes river water whichis, comparatively better than Shri Raghunathi has said in Ramayana that one who all these, but the water from then holy shrine is far better worships Hanuman is worships me as I reside as soul in in comparison to river water. Then comes greater rivers Lord Hanuman. and then river Ganges, but the highest in reward is ablution in sea water. As Kamalakar explains, the hot water bath, When the solar or lunar eclipse takes places - all my that mentioned here stands for sick or ailing people, Great followers shall leave aside every other activity and after saint Vasishtha says that the ablution recommended here, being purified shall engage themselves in the chanting should be practised in the time of defilement owing to birth of the Mantra of the Lord Krishna. (86) or death in relations. Such defilement is not effective during the period of eclipse and the person stays pure of Eclipse makes one unholy, Our followers should leave such defilement, till the release of the eclipse. Brahma their household works in the period of Sun or Moon eclipse, Siddhanta prescribes the method for the Darshan of the should become pure by taking holy bath and should perform eclipse and recommends a curtain of cloth to look at

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aclipse, also suggests to look at the reflection received in from the wise greats. Hemadri says: Perform bath in the the dish of oil or water. But a pregnant women should not beginning of eclipse. Perform Japa during the period of see such views without a curtain of the cloth. Also know eclipse. Give donations on release from the eclipse and that no food should be consumed three Prahara (a period perform again bath on complete release from eclipse. Not of three hours) prior to moon-eclipse and four Prahar (a performing bath attracts drawback as says Bhargava in period of three hours) prior to Sun eclipse. Great Gautam Archan Chandrika chapter : 24 : One who does not perform recommends in Madhaviya that no food may be consumed bath on release from eclipse becomes Sutaki (impure) for in the period beginning four Prahara (a period of three the entire period till forthcoming eclipse. Smriti Ratnavali hours) prior to Sun-eclipse and three Prahar prior to Moon suggests to perform that bath without chant of any Mantra. eclipse. This restriction excludes children, older ones and Now says about those recluses who have nothing to donate. ailing people. Nirnaya Sindhu prohibits such food to What should they do ? They should worship mentally that children, older ones and sick people for the period one supreme God by offering available objects if any. They prahara prior to the eclipse. In dusk, if such eclipsed sun whould get the reward of donating on such worship. Vishnu sets, no food should be taken for the rest of the day and Dharma says that the reward which is earned through the the night following such sun-set. And such eclipsed moon, donation of Various objects, may be earned on whole if sets early morning in such eclipsed state, then no food hearted worship and Poojan of Lord Vishnu. should be consumed during the remaining part of the night and for the day following such moon-set. All my followers belonging to four casts shall observe sutak - the period of impurity consequent upon birth When the eclipse is over, all shall take bath with and death of a relative, during which a person is clothes on, and householders shall give charities within prohibited to do religious ceremony or touch religious their means, and the others i.e. renunciates and thing - as prescribed by scriptures according to the recluses shall do only worship of the Lord. (87) proximity of their relationship with the person born or departed. (88) Now, after the performance of Japa and on release from enclipse, the householders should perform bath with cloth My followers of all four castes means Brahmins, on and should donate gold etc. That donation should be Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. They should maintain made as per personal capacity. As per the vow made in Sutak - the period of impurity caused due to brith or death. regard to donation during eclipse-Japa, in accordance to They should maintain it in accordance to their blood that vow, one should make the donations, that is the advice relation. They should practice it in accordance to the rules

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prescribed by Dharmshastra. If a female child is born in Sindhu, applies equally to the birth of a male or female the family, then Sutak - the period of impurity becomes of child. ten nights for all those who are related to this child in extent It is said more precisely about the period of impurity of seven generations. Angir Smriti says: After the period caused due to death in the family. Brihaspati says that the of ten days of impurity all four Varnas (castes) becomes relatives up to seven generations should maintain ten days pure according to Shatatapa. Relatives till fourteen for the purity from such Sutak and relations up to fourteen generation are required to maintain Sutak of three days as generations are requires to maintain it for three nights and per Agni. In the case of birth of a male child Sutak period Gotris - means - the relatives of thirty one generation should is of ten days for the seven generations. And the same is perform bath for the purification from such event. Further, of the three days for fourteen generations, whereas some Yagyavalkya and Parashar says that the event of death in recommends only one day for such Sutak. And some people the age group between new-born to teething period, recommend only three day Sutak on birth of a female child. requires simple bathing for the personal purity, and if such Now Angiras says about the touchability of such Sutakis death is in the group of first hair-cut, attracts one nights (impures). If it is a Sutak due to birth, then there is nothing impurity period, but said period of impurity becomes of wrong in touching other than Sutaki. And on touching the three nights in the case of a death in the age when Sutaka (one who has given birth), one should perform bath deceased had Sankar (ceremony) named 'Vratta'. The age to become pure. Prachetas Muni says in Haralata : Sutika beyond this Sanskar (ceremony) attracts the period of become free from Sutak in all four caste after completion impurity for ten days. A Kshatriya becomes pure of such of the ten nights, and (she) can not attend to the works Sutak after the twelve days, Vaishya after the fifteen days, related to Gods or manes during those ten days. Paithansi Shudra becomes pure after fifteen days. A married woman Muni says about the right to work : If she has given birth if gives birth at her fathers house then in that Sutak for her to a male child, then she can attend to the normal work brother is only for one day. Same is the state of Sutak if a after the twenty nights, and if that is a female child, she married woman dies at her fathers house. should be allowed after the one month. This period of the Now, Nirnaysindhu says about the extent of Sutak and twenty days or one month should be counted after the ten it's foundation on the proximity of the relation. On the days of Sutak. There is no objection in donating or death of Acharya, mother, father, daughter son, performer receiving the donation during such birth impurity period of holy-fire, priest of holy-fire and sister's son, the Sutak and for that Vyasji specifically says that there is no becomes of three days and three nights. And relations up objection in receiving or giving the donation on the first, to the fourteen generations have to practice such Sutak for sixth and the tenth day of Sutak. This according to Nirnay the same period. It applies at the same extent both in birth

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and death. The Sutak in the case of the death of the the period of impurity - is to be maintained : The Sutak performer of holy fire, son of a daughter, class-mate, becomes effective right from the moment of death in the brother in any of the three relations, disciple, mother-in- case of the death of a twice born (one who has been law, intimate friend, father-in-law, sister, sister's son, initiated sacred - threads ) but without Agnihotra ceremony, becomes of two days and one night. The Sutak in the case and becomes effective right from funeral rites if deceased of death of a disciple, Upadhyaya, relative in fourteen was with Agnihotra. If news of birth are received after ten generations and others mentioned above in previous days, there shall be no Sutak on such birth. Deval Rishi sentence, becomes at least of one night irrespective of their says in Madhaviya Puran : Sutak is non-effective after the death in the own house or at other place. One becomes passage of the period of impurity. Great sage Vasishta says free from Sutak on performing bath with cloth on in the : The Sutak of a death becomes of three nights if the news case of death of the one who has common Acharya for the received after the three months, becomes of two days and administration of sacred - threads. This rule applies equally one night if received after six months, same becomes of to all the castes. Following Shloka in Mitakshara defines the one night on the news after nine months and only Sutak period very clearly : The deceased son of the sister ablutive bath is enough for such Sutak on receiving news or daughter, if has expired after his sacred - thread rites, of the death after nine months. If deceased was in other then in that case Sutak - period becomes of one night. And place, the bath only should be performed. Brihaspati in the case of mother's brother etc, it becomes of two days defines the term other place as the place situated between and one night if he was staying in proximity and same big rivers or mountain or the place where the language becomes of one day if he is at other place. If in the same spoken is quite different. Some define this term on the bases village, Sutak period becomes of one day. And that of a of distance more or equal to the sixty Yojan. But such Ritvik (performer of holy fires) who was performed Shrout arrangement according to Smriti Artha Saar stands only and Smarta sacred fires, the Sutak becomes respectively for those who are not Pitris (belonging to same clan). The of the three nights and one night on the death of such son should maintain the Sutak of ten complete days on the Ritvik. Similarly, at other places also Sutak period becomes death of his father or mother, though he may be residing of one night and two days in this capacity. Further details at a distant place and the news if comes even after a long based on the classification in accordance to age and interval of one year. In similar way, the Sutak for the same position are not being given to avoid expansion of the period should be maintained by a husband, wife and topic. This may be referred in Dharm Shastra. Others stepwife on demise of a spouse or step-wife. Reclused saints should not touch those people who are under such Sutak. are required to take ablutive bath on death of their parents, Paithinas Muni shows the manner in which this Sutak- no other impurity period is applicable to them. According

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to Himadri of Linga Purana : Recluse saints are beyond circumstances, no Sutak - whatsoever - effects. While the effect of the period of impurity caused by Sutak. They performing donation, rite of sacred-thread, holy-fire, are required to perform ablutive bath on the death of the offerings to manes, war, first hair-cut, pilgrimage, Japa, preceptor and parents. Yama says in Madhaviya Puran : marriage ceremony, then during such activities the Sutak During a birth Sutak if arrives another birth Sutaka, or becomes ineffective, and only ablutive bath stands enough during a death Sutak if comes another death Sutak, then for the purification. One should refer Nirnay Sindhu for a predecessor purifies the successive Sutak. If birth Sutak proper interpretation of this Shloka. Yagyavalkya says: The comes after death Sutak, the birth Sutak becomes pure, priest and host of the holy-fire and the people associated but if death Sutak comes after birth Sutak, then that death to it, the organizers of Annakshetra, the performers of Sutak can not become pure and affected has to maintain Vrattas, the celibates, the donors, the knowers of Brahm- that death Sutak for the relevant period. Small Sutak the ultimate reality all these people and during the acts like becomes free and pure in duration of a big Sutak but a big distribution of the donations, marriage ceremony, Sutak can not become pure in duration of a small Sutak. performance of holy-fire, battle, transfer of political powers Exceptions from a Sutak have been shown in Kurma in the state, calamities, unfavorable times, requires only Puran for example : Satpurushas are not recommending ablutive bath for a purification from Sutak. Mitakshara any Sutak-the period of impurity-to the residents of forests, gives detailed interpretation of this Shloka. Readers should celibates, hermits and those with firm religious faith refer to it. Sandhya etc, religious rituals are not permitted (Naishthika ) on their lapse or death. The a text indicates during the period of impurity. 'birth and death'. Shuddhi Tattva and Kurma Puan says that simple bath is enough for such ablution during an From amongst my followers, Brahmins shall develop emergency or unfavourable times. Shuddhi Ratnakar also qualities like control of mind, control of senses, reveals in the words of Daksha that all these Sutaks are forgiveness, self-content etc .; Kshatriya shall have for a peaceful period and no Sutak effects in unfavorable virtues of courage, and fortitude etc. (89) times. Only bath is enough in such circumstances. Trinsh Shloki opines : One who practises Annasatra, one who The Brahmins should cultivate the virtues like performs Vratta, king, groom, priest of the holy-fire, blissfulness, withdrawal of the senses, forgiveness and scholar of the scriptural learning, Vaidya, one who extracts satisfaction. And Kshatriya should cultivate bravery and oil from the oil seeds and an ailing person if all these are tolerance. Here the ethical duties of all four castes have engaged in their respective duties and time changes forcing been described. Brahmins should cultivate Shama - them to run away for their native place, then in such blissfulness - the control on the mind. Shama gives true

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happiness, therefore, it has been given the first place. from his personal religion and all his desires are fulfilled. Smritis also say that how can one get happiness without In fact the dissatisfaction is the cause of life and death for control on the mind ? Dama means the control on the the man. One who is satisfied with whatsoever has been senses. The importance of this may be judged on the bases given by the destiny, attains emancipation as per the of 'Aapad-Dharm' given in Bharat. All great and wise Smritis. The Brahmin who is satisfied with the wealth people have considered Dama as a giver of benediction. given by destiny, attains luminosity and loses it like fire And particularly for the Brahmin it is axiomatic religion. extinguished by the water, on his dissatisfaction. Shloka Kshanti-kshma - means to forgive others to tolerate contains words 'Satisfaction etc.', therein Penance and untoward acts of others. God pleases to such people who Mercy too are included. The body of a Brahmin is not for forgives others. Therefore this attribute has been considered the satisfaction of the desires, but such means is for as a virtue. Jamadgni says in Bhagwat, Oh great ! This attaining ultimate happiness after death which is attainable virtue of forgiveness had rewarded us with our due position through penance and Vrattas like Kruchchha chandrayana as Brahmin., but this great virtue of forgiveness has given Vrata etc. Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta says: Shama the highest position of Parameshwar to Lord Brahma who (subsidence), Dama (self restraint), Tapa (penance), Shauch is the preceptor of the Lokas. It is said that Kshma- (purification) Kshanti (forbearance), Aarjava (modesty), forgiveness- beautifies Goddess Lakshmi, Brahmani and Gyan (knowledge about ultimate reality), Vigyan (science) Goddess Prabha - Kanti (luminosity) of Sun-God. And and Aasthikta (faith in God) are the natural attributes of a Lord Shri Hari pleases immediately to the people who Brahmin. Mokshadharm also says one who is neither angry adorns the virtue of forgiveness. To be satisfied with the on being insulted nor happy on being respected and gives food and clothes received effortlessly, is called satisfaction. Abhaya (freedom from the fears) to all living beings is Dissatisfaction opens the gates of hell. Naradji has said, called a Brahmin by the Gods. One who's life is for the 'Oh King ! The scholars who are capable to remove religion and practices such religion for Shri Hari and religious illusions from the mind of learned people and are performs virtuous duties day and night is called a Brahmin well read in religious scriptures with the leadership in the by the Gods. Sanat sujatiya advises to imbibe twelve assemblies of scholars are consigned to hell if they live virtues and give away twelve vices : Dharma (religion), without satisfaction. An unsatisfied Brahmin loses his Satya (truth), Dama (self-restraint), Tapa (penance), brightness of knowledge, penance, glory, and greatness due freedom from Matsar (wrath), Lajja (modesty), Titiksha to his unsatisfied desire for sense objects. God has also (endurance), Anasuya (freedom from jealousy), Yagya said that all the objects of life are fulfilled by satisfaction. (sacred fire), Daan (donation), Dhriti (steadfastness) and Brahmin if lives with absoulute satisfaction, never diverts Shriti (scriptures) are the great twelve vrattas of a Brahmin.

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And Krodha (anger), Kama (carnal desires), Lobha (greed), occupations. From these, the occupation of agriculture Moha (temptation), Desire to work, Akripa (unkindness), should be carried out as per advice of great saint Parashar. Asuya (jealousy), Maan (pride), Shoka (sorrows), Spriha To trade means to sale and purchase non-restricted goods (wishful desire), Irshya (envy) and Ninda (negative to earn profit. In occupation of money-lending one should remarks) are the twelve vices or drawbacks which the act in accordance with Vyavaharadhyaya and should make people should leave. profit accordingly. Contemptible means those who are Now, 'Bahujai' means those who are born from the arm paining on this earth as per Kshir Swami.Aaranyak says, of Vairat Purusha (cosmic God). These are Kshatriyas 'Oh Aquatic ! one who eats cooked vegetables on the fifth (caste of worriers). Explains here two duties of such or sixth day, one who is free from the debts, one who has Kshatriyas, Shruti says that Kshatriyas are born from the not to travel are always happy. Shudras (fourth and last arm. They should imbibe virtues of Shaurya (bravery) and group in the caste system) should serve all three castes Dhairya (tolerance). Bravery means great courage in the inclusive of Brahmins. The service extended to Brahmin battle field and Dhairya means capability of tolerating. benedicts shudras. It is said in Anushasan Parva of Shloka contains etc' suffixed to these two virtues, Mahabharat. Shloka here contains 'etc'. There, in therefore, the virtue of Udarata (generosity) should be interpretation to that word, shudras should serve their own considered along with those two virtues. Ekadasha Skandh parents besides those three castes and should practice of Shrimad Bhagwat says: Tej (inner light), Bala (power), religion founded on non-violence. While describing Dhiraj (patience), Shaurya (bravery), Titiksha common religion for all four castes, Yagyavalkya Rishi has (endustriousness), Sthirta (steadiness) Brahmanya (purity) said that the non-violence, truth, not stealing, purity, control and Aishvarya (prosperity), are the virtues of a Kshatriya. on senses, donations, suppressions of desires, mercy and forgiveness should be practised as the means of religion. Vaishyas shall take to agriculture trade and Refer Dharmashastra for further details in personal religion commerce, money - lending and similar pursuits as of castes. occupation and shudras shall resort to service etc, of the three castes such as Brahmin, Kshatriyas and The twice - born shall perform sacraments (which Vaishyas as a means of livelihood. (90) are in all sixteen purificatory rites consequence upon conception etc), daily rituals (Sandhya etc), also Vaishyas means those who are the third in the caste obsequies (offerings made to manes) in accordance with system. Agriculture means farming, commerce means trade the scriptures laying down such conventions at proper and money-lending means banking etc financial time and within permissible means. (91)

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Twice-born means Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas. pacifying the deities and in other rites they are required to Sacraments means the rites which purifies the body. Those be accommodated in the performance of such rituals. Also are sixteen and begin with the rites on conception. Daily the Sutra entrusted by the Acharya should be taken as rituals means such religious acts, which are to be performed Grihya Sutra. Now defines the term 'according to time'. daily (e.g. Sandhya-meditation). Parashar also says: body- The rituals are to be performed at the specific time, for bath, Sandhya, Japa, offerings to sacred-fire, religious- example - the rituals pertaining to God should be performed study of the scriptures, offerings to manes, worship to God in the first part of the day, the acts pertaining to human and deities, these six rites are to be performed daily. beings are to be performed during the middle part of the Shraadha means - offered with absolute faith. This word day and the acts pertaining to the manes and departed souls stands for Pitri Tarpan - rites to manes. Marichi has said in should be performed in the opinion of the Shritis. Smritis Prithvi Chandrodaya : Shraadha means offerings to the also says that the acts for God should be performed in the manes - departed souls and ancestors offered in the form first part of the day and the acts for the manes should be of tasty food. It is prescribed in singular form to apply it performed in the later part of the day. Therefore, one individually. Nirnay Sindhu has narrated ninty six such should perform the rituals without flouting these norms. offerings to the manes and departed souls: Ama means - 'within permissible means'- prescribes that there should be on the last day of the month - Amaavaasyaa, Fourteen no misery in spending money after such rituals if one has Manvantars, Four Yagas (kali etc), twelve Makar enough of money. The shlokas, pertaining to these rituals Sankrantis, thirteen Dhritis, thirteen Paata, Sixteen and mentioning woman, man, child should be chanted with Mahaalayas, Eighth day of the each fortnight of a month appropriate correction in accordance to gender and caste and in the eight number and four days as are the days of related one. That would give appropriate reward. Grihya preceding such Eighth day of the month this make all Parishista says that the rituals performed according to togather ninety six. All these Shraaddhas are to be Grihya Sutra (personal or of others) give appropriate perforated in accordance to personal Grihya Sutra. reward to the performer. Therefore, there are many Kalpasutras created by Now in version Yathaa-Balam, it is to be interpreted as Aashwalaayan, Kaatyaayan, Laatyaayan etc. Munis from per capacity. If there is no capacity to perform all the those one should follow the one befitting his Veda, Shakha Samskars separately, then in that case one should perform and Rishi, and should act according to it. Grihya Sutra the ritual of the first hair-cut and sacred- thread ceremony enlists relatives and family members - such as wives, sons, and other rituals should be covered in those two. In similar daughters, future sons and daughters etc and those have way, three time bothing, three time Sandhya worship one been treated as drawees to the family. In the rituals of should cover the rest two in the performance of the same

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ritual in the morning. Also in Sandhya worsihp, if whole were created by invoking Gayatri, Kshatriyas were created ritual can not be performed, then in that case Aachaman by Trishtubha hymn and Vaishyas from the hymn of Jagati, (sip water from palm), Praanaayam (to regulate vital air), but the Shudras were created without any hymn. Vyas offering to God and ten chants of Gayatri Mantra should prescribes ten rituals (sanskar) for Shudras in the scripture be performed. Similarly, instread of ninety six types of of Sanskar Mayukh : 1. Garbhaadhan in the ritual of Shraadhha (offerings to manes) one may perform the two conception, 2. Punsavan (the ritual of feeding milk offerings to manes on Mahalaya and annual if he is not performed on the third month of conception), 3. Simant capable enough and may perform only Pindadaan if he has (the ritual performed on the fourth, sixth or eighth month no capacity at all. He himself should offer only Pinda of pregnancy), 4. Jaat Karma (the ritual performed on the without any donation or Brahmin, and should perform fast birth of the child), 5. Naamkriya (the ceremony of naming in accordance to Dharmashastra. the child), 6. Nishkram ( a ritual performed in which the What if Shaadha falls on a fasting day ? Katyayan Muni four month old child is taken out of the house for the first resolves this confusion in his Madhaviya Puran : If the time.), 7. Anna Prashan (the ceremony of giving for the fast is a fast of routine, in that case observe a fast (as of first time rice cooked in milk to the child of six month age Ekadashi fast) and inhale only smell of the Pinda. As per ), 8. Vapan Kriya (the ritual of sowing seeds), 9. Karna some ancient scholars, if Shraadha comes on a fast day of Vedha (the ritual of piercing ears of the male child) 10. routine, such Shraadha should be performed on the next Vratadesh (the ritual of religious vow), 11. Vedarambh day of the fast. In Pushkar Khanda of Padma Puran it is Kriya Vidhi (the ritual of beginning study and learning of said : Oh Rama ! If Shraadh comes on the day of regular the scriptures), 12. Keshant (the ritual of tonsure ceremony), Ekadashi fasting, then that day should be omitted and 13. Snan (the ritual of bath), 14. Udvah (the ritual of Shraada should be performed on the next day - twelfth day. marriage), 15. Vivahagni Parigraha (the ritual of auspicious Brahm Vaivart Puran says, 'Oh King. The Shraadha marriage fire), and 16. Tretagrisangraha. Now in above performed on Ekadashi day, consigns the mans, recipient sixteen Sanskar, the sanskars up to karnavedha the nine of donations and performer of such Shraadh to the infernal Sanskars are for ladies and are to be performed by them regions'. This Shloka mentions 'Dwija' (twice born) without any Mantras. The Mantras - hymns - are to be therefore this should be observed by the three castes. uttered only in Vivah Sanskar. And no Mantras are to be Shudra (fourth in caste-system) have no access to Veda. uttered in all the ten Sanskars, if the Sanskar is for a All these Sanskars (rites) are not to be performed by them. Shudra. Brahmpuran says that, as per Prajapati, the shudras Therefore, they should perform the Samskars other than are not evolved with Vedic hymns, therefore, the hymns these prescribed for the three castes. Shruti says brahmins are not to be used in the marriage ceremony of a Shudra.

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But as there are divisions like 'Sat' and 'Asat' amongst the indulging in non-virtuous acts and on not holding sense Shudras in accordance to time and place as is sald in organs under self-control.' Therefore, one should undergo Nirnaysindhu. As per Shudrakamalakar, the Shudras are ablation to get free from the sin. This gives pleasure to the required to stay away from Sandhya - Vandan and should soul and Loka. As per Vigyaneshwar, this word - ablation chant the names of Shri Hari in their routine and on the is a well definined and conventional word in our rituals beads of rosary. They should follow same procedure in and in the distruction or the sins. The people, who are not Shraaddha. performing ablation and indulge constantly in the sinful acts are sure to be consigned to hell. Thus, the sinners, not If knowingly or unknowingly, either a major or a undergoing ablation, are consigned to the hell in minor sin is committed by anybody, he shall do accordance to Smriti. Bharat also says that the sin should expiation for atonement of his sins according to his not be hided by any means: 'With this purpose, the sin capacity. (92) should not be hided, as those increase on hiding it, sins are destroyed, if those are disclosed before a saint'. If committed any sin knowingly or unknowingly, one Smritis have said, "The sins committed out of ignorance should perform as per his capacity the oblation of such may be removed on performing ablation." Then how the sin. The oblation should be within ones capacity. Such sins committed with full knowledge of it, may be destroyed sin may be a minor sin or a major one. This sin may be by the ablation ? To remove the doubts like this, he says due to one's own nature or may be due to bad company. that, it is not applicable equally everywhere. The sin which Sins means such acts which brings down fall in one's may be committed unintentionally, if committed with virtuous life. The sins like killing a Brahmin are not minor complete knowledge or intention, the sin of such act sins. Those are major sins. Those sins can not be classified becomes two fold. Thus, by these sentences indicates the as minor sins. Further to this, major and minor has a little atonement for the sins committed with absolute co- difference in extent of their harmfulness. Minor sins bring operation between knowledge and action. There is no in the fall of the sinner but such fall is not very fast or atonement for the sin of killing a brahmin. There may be spontaneous. The acts of smaller sins bring fall on an atonement for an intended killing of a brahmin, but there reputation of such sinfull acts. As such, the small follies is no atonement for killing a brahmin with full knowledge. turn into minor - sins. The ablation of such sinful acts For more details on this, please refer Mitakshara. should be performed within one's personal capacity, Katyayan classifies these sins in five categories : great because as Yogishwar says, 'One is consigned to hell on sin, big sin, sin, miscellaneous sin and minor sin. Killing a not performing the duties prescribed by the scriptures on brahmin, drinking wine, stealing gold from a brahmin,

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sexual relation with Guru's wife and companionship with to copulate with a woman like a Guru's wife, to kill a a sinner are five great sins. Sexual relation with the mother, women, to become atheist, to sell wife and son, to remove sexual relation with the sister and sexual relation with the parents from the family who are not fallen, to read atheist daughter - in - law are big sins. These big sins stand equal books, to discontinue a vratta, to hunt an animal or bird, to the great sins in their negative power. In other words to gamble and to sleep in day time. Manu Maharaj has big-sin is the second or another name of the great sins. listed some other sins namely Jatibharanshakara, The sins like insulting a Guru, atheist criticism of the Vedas, Sankarikarana, Apatrikarana and Malinikarana, sexual killing a friend and forgetting memorized vedas just due intercourse with a man and smelling wine are to lazyness have been treated equal to the sin of killing a Jatibhranshakar sins. To kill horses and sheep's is called a brahmin. The sinful act of eating garlic and other non- Sankarikaran sin. To serve under a shudras (lowest caste), eatables with knowledge of such act, conspiring against a to tell lies etc are Apatrikaran sins. To kill small insects Guru, speaking about such act, conspiring against a Guru, and to consume alcoholic food are called Malinikaran sins. speaking lies before the royal family for the self esteem Now he says about atonement. The Vratta of the twelve and kissing a women in her menstruation attracts the sin years should be performed in the case of great sins. The equal to the sin of drinking wine. The act of stealing a big sins are the giver of hellish pain. And some have said horse, diamond, cow, land or security deposit of a brahmin, that there is no atonement excepting the death during the stand equal to the sin of stealing gold from a brahmin. The course of atonement. The atonement for a sin is half in act of copulating with a friends wife, a disciples wife, a comparison to the atonement of a great sin. And in virgin girl, or with a woman of one's own clan attracts the miscellaneous sin one should perform Padakruchha fasting sin of a copulation with the Guru's wife. The are the etc, and three month vratta should be observed in the case miscellaneous sins: to disown personal religion, copulation minor sinful acts. One should perform Santapana Kruchhra in day time with a woman, naked bathing and riding a Vratta in the event of Jatibhranshakara sin, and should donkey or camel knowingly. These are minor sins : to kill perform Kruchhratikruchhra Vrata in the Sankarikaran sin. a cow, the act of not giving sacred threads (upavita) untill Atonement in Apatrikaran sin requires Taptakruchhra the age of sixteen years, stealing from brahmin his wealth Vrata, and in Malinikaran sin also it is Taptakruchhra Vrata. in the form other than gold, not to maintain his wealth in The details about all these may be referred in Mitakshara. the form other than gold, not to maintain Agnihotra despite The atonement of twelve years and others mentioned above his right and duty to do so, to be married as an younger applies only when the sin under the reference has been brother without seeking permission from the existing elder committed by man himself. The others who are involved brother and to become Agnihotra as an younger brother, in the sin as a giver of the permission for such sin, the

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organizer of such sinful act and by other means are for the hidden sins, Vasishta Muni says that one who required to undergo a quarter part less in the atonement, performs Japa, performes holy fire, meditates on Lord and also in proportion to their extent in such sin. In like Vishnu, visits religious shrines and performs penance by manner Paithinas Muni says: Atonement has been holding a burning stove on his head becomes free of such prescribed as compulsory for the one who kills, one who sins. Yagyavalkya says that the sinner who has committed allows such killing, one who teaches or preaches for such an open sin should undergo an atonement prescribed by a act of the killer, one who consumes such prey, one who committee of the scholars on scriptures, but for the sins excites the killer for a killing, one who co-operates in such which are not open but secret the atonement should be sinful act, one who shows a way to kill, one who shelters performed secretly. The secret sin means such sin about such killer, one who gives weapons to such a killer, one which others are not knowing and the sinner himself only who provides food or nourishment to such a killer, one knows about it. The Japa and home should be performed who is capable to stop such killer from such an act but secretively as an atonement for such secret sins. does not act so and ignores such act of the killer and one You may pose the doubt that it is alright if the atonement who supports a fault finder. These atonements depend on is performed due to the fear of Yama, but who says to Yama the capacity and, extent of the involvement and the nature about the hidden sins of a sinner ? In removal of such doubt, of the drawback in relation to such sinners. The children it is said that Yama is the divine form of God and therefore and the aged people should be given a half of the Yama is all knower. Moreover, sun and others are witnesses atonement despite their personal commitment of such sin. to such sins. Bhagwat has said, 'Sun, fire, space, air, cows, Those people who have exceeded eighty year in their age, moon, dusk, day, dawn, directions, water, earth, time and the children who are below sixteen years in age, ailing Lord Dharm are the witnesses to the acts of the man.' people, and women should be given a half of the prescribed Mahabharat has said, 'Sun, moon, fire, wind, space, earth, atonement. It has been suggested by Angira Rishi in his water, one's own heart, Yama, day, night, dawn, dusk and scripture of Smriti. Further to this, Shankh Rishi says: The Lord Dharma know about all the acts of man.' Brihaspati atonement on the behalf of a child below eleven years and has said, 'Earth, wind, space, water, light, mind, time, above the age of five, should be performed by his brother, intellect and soul see the acts of the man constantly.' Manu father or other relative. This is the reason why an offence Maharaj says, 'Space, earth, water, heart, moon, sun, fire, committed by an innocent child is not considered as a fault Yama, wind, night, down, dusk and Lord Dharma know and does not attract a sin. Kings are not punishing them about the acts of the man. Therefore it is just to perform and atonements are not prescribed for them. atonement in the case of secret sins committed by a sinner. All those atonements are for openly committed sins, but And in the cases like this, if the sinner himself is a scholar

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of the religious scriptures, he should undergo such The atonement, particularly of the disclosed or open sins appropriate atonement without disclosing his sin to others. must be carried out as per the recommendation from the But if he is not knowledgeable in regard to the scriptural committee of the learned scholars. Angira Rishi has said, recommendations pertaining to the atonement of his sin, 'The sinner should undergo bathing in his clothes and then should contact a learned brahmin and inquire about the with wet cloth on his body and politeness in his speech, atonement on pretext of others by asking such as - what such a sinner should take permission from the committee would be the atonement if some one had committed so and of the scholars and submit before them the details of his so ? and should undergo an atonement according to the sin and than should accept the atonement Vrata from the advice from that brahmin. But, such atonement should be committee. Thereafter again the sinner should take bath to in accordance to the place and time. It has been said that undergo Vrata for the atonement.' Now, who should be one should think carefully in accordance to time, place, called a committee of the scholars. Laghu Parashar has age, strength and the enormity of the sin and should defined such committee in Prayashchit Mayukha : Three undergo an atonement where such sin has become or four learned brahmin of Veda and Vedang are called a inescapable. It prescribes to attain an atonement at the committee. Yagyavalkya has said that the four or three earliest as the human body is fragile-perishable. Shukdevji brahmins knowing Vedic religion or one learned and has said that the sins committed by speech, mind and enlightened scholar in theology, whatsoever say is the actions are not destroyed from this Loka. Such sins religion or ethical duty. Thus, the committee may be definitely gives the pains of hell to the sinner after his death. consisted of four scholars who are expert on four different As a good Vaidya (medicine man)who knows the science Vedas. Those who are learned in three branches of of diagnosis, treats a patient to remove his ailment, in the knowledge and forms a committee are called 'Traividya' like manner, man should perform the atonement for his (knowers of three branches). But they are required to be purification from a committed sin, well before the death knowledgable in Dharmashastra. These people may be of his body. Such atonement should be performed with the called a committee. Mitakshara has said that even a single devotion of God. An atonement though performed but scholar who is expert in Adhyatmagyan and Dharmshastra without devotion or the name of Lord Narayana, is not a may be called a committee. Such single member committee fruitful atonement. Oh king ! as the rivers are incapable of should suggest and prescribe the atonement in light of the purifying a pot filled with alcohol, in similar way the interpretation of Dharmashastra and by following the people are not getting purity without devotion and name prevalent time, place, etc., but should not prescribe by of Lord Narayan. Above are the words of the great sage following other principles. That is the observation passed Shukdevji. by Vasishta Muni. But the one, who prescribes an

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atonement without knowing Dharmashastra draws a meaning. These are short and brief but highly meaningful. drawback for himself, and the sinner who practises on the These are universal in its meaning and movement. These words of such a person, becomes pure of his sins. are crystal clear of any fault. Shrimad Bhagwat means a Manusmriti has said: Those who prescribes an atonement, scripture by that name. 'Shrimad' is an ornamental adjective a treatment, an astrological prediction or a decision on for the name Bhagwat. The purpose of this ornamental Dharmashastra without the knowledge of scriptures are the adjective is to distinguish this great scripture from one upa- killers of a brahmin. puran bearing the same name. The attributes of Shrimad Bhagwat have been narrated in Bhavarthadipika : It has The four Vedas, Vyas - Sutras, Shrimad Bhagwat and 18000 Shlokas and 12 Skandhas (parts). It contains Brahm Vishnu Sahasranama from Mahabharat. (93) Vidya (the science of supreme consciousness) preached by Hayagriva, contains the description of the destruction of Here in this Shloka, enlists the scriptures from the Vratrasur and Gayatri rises from that scripture. Sut Purani religious scriptures for the knowledge of axiomatic religion. narrates it's attributes in the like manner: Oh Brahman ! Vedas means four Vedas namely Rig, Saam, Yajur and Great Rishis have described the attributes of this scripture. Atharva. There are four Vedas. It is only one scripture Listen to this with due wisdom and in accordance to the containing all four Vedas. Here, one should consider word Vedas and scriptures. Scholars have defined ten attributes Veda as complete Veda inclusive of its different parts and of the scripture, namely Sarga (evolution of universe), branches. In the fourth shloka from this, He recommends Visarga (final destruction of universe), Sthan (position or study of this Veda. The Veda has six parts or branches: place), Raksha (sustainance and feeding), Antar (ages like Shiksha (a branch of Veda pertaining to doctrines), Kalpa Manvantra), Vansha (dynasty or lineage), Vanshaj-charitra (the part pertaining to rituals), Vyakarana (the part (life and histories of the heirs of such dynasty), Samstha pertaining to use of words in their correct form and (retention), Hetu (objective or desire) and Apashraya relationship), Chhandas (a branch of Veda pertaining to (destitute). The book with these ten attributes are called prosody), Jyotir (a branch of Veda pertains to astrology), Purana or the scriptures by the scholars. Some have and Nirukta (an exposition of Veda). Vyas sutras means narrated five attributes by adjusting smaller attributes in the maxims dictated by Vyas. 'Athaato Brahm Jigyaasaa'- the greater ones. Shridhar Swami has said: The Vritti and is the one from such maxims of Vyas. This and many others Raksha stand for place and feeding respectively. Antar together makes the scripture. Sutras has a distinct form. stands for Manvantar. Vansha and Vanshya stand for the These are in a highly compressed form with the distinct emperors and their histories. Samstha stands for retention clarity and are consisted of very few words with precise and Atyantiklaya stands for final destruction or Moksha.

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Hetu stands for the desire in the refuge of Jiva. There Kartika Swami, and the Skanda Purana which was told by prevails controversy in it's acute form in regard to the Kartikaswami, has seven parts. Its Vaishnava khanda means creator of this scripture whether is it created by a Rishi or the part pertaining to Lord Vishnu. The glory and greatness not ? The many have the objection against the statement of Vasudeva described in that part. This is told by Shri that it is not created by Rishi. But this controversy has no Narnaraya and holds thirty-two chapters under the title gravity as it is founded on illogical foundation. The respect 'Shrikrishna Mahatmya.' or decorum are not to be shown to such contradicting people. This topic has been treated in detail in 'Durjan And Yagyavalkya Smriti these eight favourite Mukha Chapetika, Bhagwat Prakash and Bhagwat Shanka scriptures held by us as authentic. (95) Niras etc. 'In Bharat' means in Mahabharat of Veda Vyasa. Vishnu Sahasra naam gaiven in Anushasan Parva (Part) of Yagyavalkya Smriti is a scripture of Dharmashastra. Mahabharat. Vishnu Sahasra Naam of Mahabharat, but not Rishi Yagyavalkya was the son of great Brahmarshi the one given in Padma Purana. Both are separate from Devarat. The scripture written by Yagyavalkya Rishi is each other. And the mention of Mahabharat stands for that known as Yagyavalkya Smriti. The scripture which helps distinction. us in recollection of memory, is called Smriti. To recollect on the strength of Yoga the religion which is scattered in And shri Bhagwad Gita, code of conduct named the various branches and give it a well knit form of the Vidurniti and Shri Vasudeva Mahatmya from scripture, is called the Smriti. Thus, to identify particular Vishnukhand in Skand-Purana. (94) scripture from this Smriti literature it is precisely indicated that the Smriti which is contained in the Dharmshastra as 'And Shri Bhagwad Gita, the code of conduct prescribed Yagyavalkya Smriti. Please know that, it is a scripture. by Vidur and Vasudeva Mahatmya from Vishnu Khanda in Thus, all together, there are eight scriptures. As these Skand Puran are connected to word Bharat given in scriptures establish that the form of God is true, these previous Shloka. Shrimad Bhagwadgita has been given in scriptures become true scriptures. These scriptures are my the Bhishma Parva of Mahabharat, it has eighteen chapters favourite scriptures and are benedictory to the Jivas. and holds the status of Brahm-Vidya (knowledge of supreme reality). Therefore, it stands as a scripture. The All my disciples who are desirous of their welfare code of conduct prescribed by Vidur, has been given in shall listen to these scriptures and the twice-born shall Udyog Parva of Mahabharat. It has nine chapters addressed study and teach them to others and deliver discourses by Vidur to Dhritrashtra. It is a scripture. Skanda - means on them. (96)

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Here He says that all his followers in four castes should 'Bharat, the fifth in the Vedas.' 'Histories and scepters are read these. Therein, understand that the Shudras (lowest treated and called as the fifth Veda,' proves that the in the castes) are to be excluded in listening to the scripture Histories and the scriptures have been created by the Rishis of Vedas. Shudras should read and listen to the other and, therefore, those are like Veda. In concluding part of (seven) scriptures. Because the Shudras have no right to Vishnu Sahasra Bhashya, Shri Shankaracharya has said listen to the Vedas. Moreover, it is also said that followers that the Shudras attain happiness on listening to the are not to quit their religious duties defined in accordance scriptures, but not by studying or doing Japa-Yagya. to their caste and life stage. Skanda Purana also restricts Therefore as per smritis, the shudras should listen to the Shudras from listening to Vedas - "Shudras have no right scriptures without Yagya. Bharata has prescribed in its of listening to Vedas, and listening to Puarna too should Udyog Parva that Shudras should not study the Vedas, be carried out in the presence of God and twice born. because the Yagyas are forbided for them. It is said in the Shudras belong to the fourth level of the castes, but as Mahabharata that all four Varnas should listen to the they belong to a caste, they deserve religion but without scriptures, but this permission is limited to the act of Vedic hymns like Swaha Swadha and Vashatkar etc. The listening, it does not permit the teaching of scriptures to punishment has been mentioned for the Shudras listening them. Harivansha and Parvanukirtan have said for Shudra's to Veda : Oh ! sorry to say, but his ears which have listened benediction on listening to such Puranas, and in further to the Veda, should plugged with lead and sealing vax. detail, these have categorically said that Brahmin, Vaishya Smriti has said about Jatibhransh (fall from the caste) : A and Kshatriyas should study it but shudras should listen to shudra (lower caste) becomes a chandal (lowest from the it, Shudras should not study it. Further it says, 'Oh King ! caste) on drinking the milk of Kapila (divine cow), on The religious duties of Shruti and Smriti have been narrated copulation with a brahmin woman and on studying Vedas. in this, therefore, the Shudras should not listen to it in Therefore, shudras are not entitle for the knowledge of absence of a twice-born.' 'Oh King! Shudras and others of Veda as per Parashar Purana. Kamalakar Bhatt says: the second caste should do first the worship of God and Shudras have been permitted to listen to the Purans, Brahmin (twice-born) and then listen to it'- these is the therefore they are qualified to listen the hymn of the Veda reference given in Bhavishya Purana and in the chapter of contained in puranas. But shudras have no right to listen rights of Purana given in Nirnayasindhu. Ramayan by Arya to the scriptures created by the Rishis. 'The fifth Veda, says that the study of the Veda by a brahmin makes him a named Bharat' - here in this and elsewhere, Rishis are Rishi, the study by a Kshatriya gives Kingdom to him, the treating Puranas (scriptures) like the hymns of Veda, again study by a Vaishya gives Punya to him but in case of a 'Like the hymns of Vedas, the Puranas (scriptures) also.' Shudra, it gives glory to the shudra if he listens to the Veda.

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Shudras should recite the praises of God written by the Vigyaneshwar. In this also, such treatise should be devotees in Vernacular and should sing the praises of God considered which is not contrary to the principles of this Shri Krishna composed in Sanskrit by modern poets and Sampradaya. This was the accurate meaning of word Tu. devotees. Don't raise the doubt that the shudras if study As the literal meaning of word Pankaj stand as the thing Prakrit works of the praises of God, they would not get born in mud,' but its comprehensive meaning will be the any reward for it. As Shrimad Bhagwat has said earlier, lotus. In similar way, the literal meaning of Mitakshara may praises of God written either in Prakrit or Purana languages be any thing, but in its comprehensive meaning the are equal in reward. Therefore both gives same reward or Mitakshara is the treatise written by Vigyaneshwar and we fruits. It is opined by Gaud Brahmins that shudras should should adhere to it. Looking at its literal meaning "in be given the text of Purana hymns and Shlokas for singing minimum letters" don't assume or infer that how could it the praises of God. The courtesy and decorum stands as explain at satisfaction or solve a doubt or a confusion. the evidence. Because, each word contained in this book is unique in its meaning, precision and position. It has twelve thousand The Mitakshara commentary on Yagyavalkya Smriti, Shlokas in all, but covers entire span of Dharma Shastra out of the above eight scriptures, shall be treated as and its meaning with the interpretation. That book it self authority for determining the issues relating to the says that no other is capable of interpreting the scripture standards and norms or right conduct, right dealings of Yagyavalkya. Though it has a very limited number of in worldly matters and right repentance for atonement words, but each his word has a profound meaning with of sins. (97) absolute accuracy. Those words are like nectar to the ears. Mitakshara gives meaning with absolute seriousness and Achara means the established rules of conduct and in pleasant way with total support from the scriptures. behavior in practice. Vyavahar means the moral obligations which are to be observed as a householder. Nishkrit means The Tenth and the Fifth Skandhas of Shrimad to undergo an atonement for the sins committed by the body Bhagwata shall supremely serve the object of realizing with knowledge or without of it. For the decisions in all the majesty and glory of the Lord's greatness. (98) three areas, and for the removal of the confusion if existing any due to different opinions of Various Rishi's on the same Shrimad Bhagwat, the one from the religious scriptures, topic, one should refer to the Dharm Samhita of described in the previous Shloka. It's tenth and the fifth Yagyavalkya Smriti. Mitakshara means the treatise written part - these two parts. Skandha means a branch, and this by Vigyaneshwar. Not of any other writer, but word hints at the entity of Shrimad Bhagwat as a Kalpa-

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Sutra. Twelve Skandha are twelve branches of this divine specific name of Lord Shri Krishna, one should not think tree. It describes the glory and greatness Lord Shri Krishna. that it is about other Gods. No such doubts are to be posed, Glory and greatness are the unique attributes of the supreme because there in that part it is said, 'Oh Brave ! The - the divine. The Supreme that controls and directs the memories of the worship of Lord Shri Krishna in the form Akshara, time and Maya has all the divine faculties and of the deer, still are not leaving me.' This and others are absolute freedom and is worshipable by everybody. He is indicative of Lord Shri Krishna's existence in the form of free from the bonds of action, and holds divine powers to a Golden-deer. Therefore, the Pancham Skandha of hold others free from such bonds of actions. This greatness Shrimad Bhagwat meditates upon Lord Shri Krishna and glory which are the attributes of the Supreme, rest in manifested in different forms. Lord Shri Krishna. Both these Skandha, 10 and 5 respectively, describe the greatness and glory of Lord Shri The Tenth Skandha, the Fifth Skandha of the Krishna and sing the praises of Lord Shri Krishna. Bhagwat and Yagyavalkya Smriti shall be esteemed Compared to the rest of the religious scriptures, these two respectively as our science of devotion, science of Yoga Skandhas of Shrimad Bhagwat holds apex position among and Science of Dharma. (99) the scriptures and therefore, these two scriptures are the chief among the scriptures of this Sampradaya. The The tenth Skandha of Shrimad Bagwat, the fifth Dasham and Pancham Skandh of Shrimad Bhagwat Skandha of Shrimad Bhagwat and Yagayavalkya Smriti enlightens the follower without any special effort by the stand respectively as science of devotion, science of Yoga follower for the enlightenment. The Dasham Skandha and science of Dharma. I have taken Dashama Skandha as describes the benediction of the souls residing or moving our science of devotion, Pancham Skandh as our science in Vrindavan and other places about Vrindavan. It praises of Yoga and Yagyavalkya Smriti as our science of Dharm the glory and greatness of God in freeing the souls from or our Dharmashastra. Indirectly he proposes us to take the ties of actions. The middle part of this Skandha these as sciences of devotion, Yoga and Dharma. Same describes the event of bringing the son of the preceptor, interpretation is to considered in the following discussions 'The son of my preceptor has been brought here due to his and this acceptance is to be taken as a direction and order actions. He, Oh Maharaj ! may please be given back to me for us. In these, the Yagyavalkya Smriti is taken as in light of the territory.' This and others are indicative of Dharmshastra, because the religion, as per the Smritis, has the glory of Shri Krishna. Pancham Skandha (fifth part of six distinct aspects namely-established rules of conduct, Shrimad Bhagwat) describes and explains many folded practice, atonement, Vrata, death and the consequences of meditation of Lord Shri Krishna. As it does not contain the actions carried out. Now the question is, why the

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Dashama Skandha is the science of devotion ? answers this question, 'Oh King ! That aspect of God and He answers it : God Shri Krishna, who is the refuge to that personality of Bhagwan stands for the benediction of all his devotees and dependents, has been described and human beings. That God is non-perishable, unfathomable, praised everywhere in this Skandh. Lord Shri Krishna says beyond the reach of Maya and Gunas, and he is like soul to the Gopis : Though I have the length of the age of God, of the Gunas. The man who is attached to God - Shri Hari I have not been able to access your virtuous and pious deeds - by desire, anger, fear, love or friendship constantly unifies related to your innocent relations. God has said that the himself in the form of Shri Hari. devotion you are offering by breaking the chains of the The greater love of God is called devotion. The devotion worldly ways are enough for your benediction. This shall the described in the later stage. The God has resided Skandha describes infinite love of Gopis to Shri Krishna mainly at the four places, namely Vraj, Mathura, Dwarika and the devotion as a fruit of such innocent love. Therefore, and Hastinapur. Therefore the people, residing in these four it is called Bhaktishastra - the science of devotion. If there places, have greater love for God. In the case of love of my be a doubt like - when the Gopis as such have never the residents of Vraj, it is said, 'Oh Nand ! We, the residents described Lord Purushottam with the knowledge of His of Vraj have great and inseparable love for your son, but divine form, then how could they possess such higher level on other side, why he has very little love for us ?' For the of devotion ? To discard such foggy doubt, it says to know love for Shri Krishna in the heart of the residents of the hard truth that the devotion with such independence Mathura, it is said that those people, when saw Shri Krishna from the knowledge is possible. It is said, 'After acquiring and Baladeva, became over excited like a person who over complete knowledge about me or without getting any such joys on return of the wealth which he has lost long back, knowledge about me, one who worships me with devotion, due to reunion with Shri Krishna-Baldevji after a long becomes my dearest devotee. Bhagwan has said: With this interval. Now about the love of the residents of Dwarika : purpose a yogi with my devotion and a devotee who The Yadavas, though were closely attached to Shri Krishna believes me as his soul, attains ultimate benediction by in all their ways of daily life and were attentive to Shri asceticism or ultimate knowledge.' And the words of Krishna at the greater extent, perhaps failed to recognize Brahma : ' Were offering worship by giving away the him as the greatest or supreme soul. For the love of efforts of the knowledge' represents single and uniform Pandavas and the residents of Hastinapur to Lord Shri truth. 'Oh Muni ! Gopis knew Shri Krishna as their Krishna, it is said that Pandavas rose like body which rises husband, but not as Parabrahm (supreme reality) : Thus on the entry of the Prana (vital air) in the body, as Lord those were with intelligence and Gunas, then how they Mukund and Supreme Lord of Cosmos - Shri Krishna - detach themselves from these Gunas of Maya ?' Shukdevji arrived. Moreover, Narada also says that the Pandava's

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devotion was with great love. It is said that Gopis due to said, 'How one may be hopeful in regard to getting his their desire, Kansa due to his fear, Shishupala and other soul released, when one is attached grossly to the family kings due to their jealousy, Vrishini - Yadavs due to their and sense objects ?' In the same chapter it is said : How relationship, you are due to your love and we are due to could one leave such thirst and longing for the wealth our devotion have become of Lord Shri Krishna. This is which he has bought at the cost of life and with a risk to why the description of leaving kingdom and of the his life as a thief, a servant or a merchant ? How could one pilgrimage into the forests has been given while listening give away his affection to the private company of a pitiable to the divine Leela of God's merger in the divine. Thus, woman, a tempting conversation, companionship of the the people and Shri Krishna residing in these four places friends, love and affection for his innocent children, sweet and people's love in Lord Shri Krishna has been described memories of the sons - daughters - brothers - sisters and in this Skandha. Therefore, this scripture has been called dependent parents, a decent and beautifully furnished Bhakti Shastra. house, a family business, - servants and pets ? One who Now explains the reason behind introducing Pancham labours day and night like a silk-worm for such things Skandha (Fifth Part) of Shrimad Bhagwat as Yoga-Shastra could he leave these ? And the one who is engrossed in the science of Yoga. This Skandha describes Yoga Shastra the tastes of sexual organs and tongue, could he give away : Hiranyagarbha is the supreme head of Yoga Shastra. He such temptation ? Therefore the scripture of Shri Bhagwad has established the principle that meditational concentration Geeta says: 'I am easily available and attainable to the one of the mind in whole in the Supreme Lord is called Yoga. who does not divert his mind elsewhere, remembers me This principle has been explained in detail in this fifth part without pause and follows Nitya Yoga like an Yogi. Oh of Shrimad Bhagwat : 'Oh Yogeshwara ! As it is said by Arjuna ! I am available to him in an usual course.' 'Only Yoga's expert Lord Hiranyagarbha Bhagwan, one should those who are practising daily, leaves their body without at the time of his death give away all his desires for the any pain and remembers God till their last breath.' That is sense-objects and should receive Supreme God you in his what Bhagwat says. Further : Those who drink the nectar heart. Here the word Antakala (the time of death) has been of Bhagwat Katha and remember divine lotus feet of God, used to indicate and stress the need of previous experience never face mental confusion in their final journey'. Now, (during one's life), failing which, the mind of him may not this does not require further expansion. Lord come out from the worldly affairs and may not concentrate Hiranyagarbha was the founding Acharya of Yogashastra, in the form of God at the time of his death. Those, who and this episode about him has been narrated in the are attached to the sense objects constantly, can not Narnarayani - Akhyan given in the Mokshadharma of concentrate their mind in God - Lord Vishnu. Prahladji has Mahabharat : The Sankhya Shastra was founded by Kapil

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Rishi and Yoga - Shastra was founded by ancient Yoga- King Rahugan has addressed him as Yogeshwara and has narrator Harnayagarbha, but the nobody else. Bhagwan compared his words with the sacredness of the scriptures Patanjali formed the Sutras (dictums) of Yoga. Yoga means and an enlightened twice born - which unties the knots of absolute hold on the mind and lower mind. And this has the ignorance of the mind. And in all the parts of this great been presented repeatedly in this Skandha by presenting scripture, Shri Shankar has called such person an Yogi one life and works of the Yogic-people. Therefore, this Skandha who controls his lower mind and concentrates absolutely has been called Yoga-Shastra. Moreover it has been narrated in the divine form of Bhagwan Sankarshan :' .... by attaing accordingly in the beginning at the juncture of describing through an absolute meditational trance :" ... by attainining the deeds of Priyavrata. In this it is said about Priyavrata proximity of God through Atma Samadhi (spiritual trance). that he was offering to God all his actions which were ' ... by Samadhi Yoga (Yogic trance) attained through the performed in uninterrupt Samadhi - Yoga. Also it describes uninterrupt and unique Bhakti - Yoga (devotional Yoga). the divinities of Yoga - such as to ride a divine chariot. ' ... through the firm Bhakti Yoga.' All those words and Also it describes the life of his son Agnighra to establish descriptions have been used to praise the Yoga and same that the one who undergoes eight folded Yogic meditation is to be infer in the description of universe or cosmos. Some but with an intention of attaining heavenly pleasures, and of them have suggested that the divine flame nestled in as such meditates upon some other God, earns inferior type Shishumar Chakra it self is Lord Vasudeva's Yoga. of fruits. In that episode, he indicates his higher status as Thereafter, in the description of lower Lokas, Yogacharya an Yogi by saying : Nardevkumar, the royal prince, opened Patanjali has described Yoga while he had been in the form his lotus like eyes which were still not closed with of Sheshanaag (divine snake). Also , we should know that Samadhiyoga Yogic trance) and looked. Thereafter in the Bhagwat (part III) has narrated : 'His Yogic status is known description of his son it is said : With the help of Samadhi to everybody as Yogeshwara and his followers have Yoga (yogic trance) he worshipped Lord Narnarayan accepted it.' 'Lord Vasudev Bhagwan opened his lotus like Bhagwan and attained greatness and glory of God after a eyes for the resurgence of the deities.' Maya Danav, Bali, longtime.' That was about king Nabhi and following that, Prahlad were great Yogis, and elsewhere, it has been Lord Rishabhadeva who was born as son to King Nabhi, indicated occasionally. To make this fifth part known as practised Samadhi Yoga. The same has been mentioned in Yoga- Shastra, Shukdevji, who himself is Indra amongst this scripture : He was practising on different Yogi the Yogis, has began this part with the famous dictum of processes. Then comes, Yogic status of Bharat (great son Yoga by reproducing it in prose and has justified Yogic of Rishabhadeva) : Maha Yogi (great yogi) and virtuous status of the scripture in preceding part and succeeding son Bharat was born in his lineage as son to Rishabhadeva. part both by placing this enlightening lamp on the

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threshold. It illuminates both the sides. Moreover he himself These two Shlokas explain the uniqueness of knowing has posed the doubt by questioning devotional status of about the Good scriptures, mentioned by him. In those the part ten, and Yogic, status of the part five, and has recommended scriptures too, the sentences and the Shlokas concluded the same with his own opinion. praising divine attributes like Trigunatita (beyond three Gunas) and Divya Vigraha of Lord Shri Krishna and the The commentary on Vyas Sutras, and on Bhagwad sentences which preach the religion with full force by Geeta by Shri Ramanujacharya shall be given presenting devotion and detachment as founding forces are recognition as our spiritual science. (100) to be given greater importance in the study, listening and reading of these scriptures. These sentences and narrations The Sutras (dictums) of Vyasa which are known as are more important and valuable than the sentences some Sharirik and the treatise on Bhagwat Geeta written by times decribining low profile of Shri Krishna in Lord's Ramanujacharya (or Lakshamanacharya) and known as leelas to tempt demonic spirits. In short, stress should be Shri Bhashya. Bhashyas are defined as under : There are more on the sentences, strengthening the principles. sentences to explain Sutras (dictums) and describes each The scriptural narrations which contains 'mainly' or ' in Pada (word). This is called a Bhashya. These two principle' as integral part of the text should be treated as Bhashyas have been accepted by me as spiritual science. beacons. These words aim at proper discrimination You all the followers must know this fact. This also has between different sub-sentences. The beacons, such as - hidden sense of reading it and listening to it as it propound Mahamantra, Prakriti, Paramatma and Pragya are used in the theory of God in human form and are founding this neuter gender. In nushell, other sentences are to be defined theory at a greater extent. It distinctively suggests the on the grounds of principal or beacon like sentences. The Bhashya written by Ramanujacharya, therefore, it should sentences such as escape of Lord Shri Krishna due to the be understood that other Bhashyas are not liked by Him. fear of Kansa, Jarasandha, Kalayavan, Salva etc or to be taken away by their black-magic shows recede in great The texts contained in these scriptures, which personality of God. Now, this is the criticism of such upholds utmost the divine concrete form of Lord sentences: Oh King ! some Yogis and Rishi's says such Krishna, the importance of Dharma, the Supremacy things, but why does not they look at the contradiction of Devotion, the necessity of detachment, shall be given arising in their speech, while saying so ? You just look at superior authority to the rest of the utterances. The this contrasting set - one is ignorance based Shoka, Moha, secret of the matter is the Bhakti of the Lord shall affection and fear and just on opposite side is flawless indissolubly be wedded to Dharma. (101-102) science, pure form of knowledge and supreme God with

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His divine attributes !' This, and other sentences there like sentences above. Don't treat all the narration's and events this, should be used as principal foundations. And in equally. This is the intention here. Brahmpurana has Prabhasa area divine Leela : ' He removed the burden from explained it elaborately : Ignorance, dependence, acts and the earth and discarded his earthly body' by such narration discriminations, human body, discarding human body, all it points at God's act of leaving - discarding- his body. these are for bringing demonic elements under His spell. Here the body becomes indicative of worldly attributes and There is no drawback of Lord Vishnu anywhere. loses the sense of foreverness and divinity. Such meanings Similarly in the religion : Oh Uddhava ! With this are not to be considered as cardinal preaching. The purpose, the smritis those are preaching the acts of desire sentences such : 'In his human form, God brought back and arguing for it should be discarded and .... ', such from the Yama Loka the son of his Guru.' And, 'Giver of statements which are responsible for weakning the religion refuge ! Great God protected you (in womb) against should be interpreted on the anvil of principal dictums such Brahmastra' or 'He won Lord Mahadev who is the Kala of as : For the householders, the religion it self is the attribute the Kala (who is Death God of the Death-Gods) and sent of the religious observance ... And the religion wedded to a hunter to the heaven, could he be incapable of protecting my devotion is the benedictory religion. Because the himself ? Oh King ! Taking birth as human being by such statements preaching forsaking are founded on the dry God and to become dead are mere Maya of such God." religion deprived of the devotion. Other wise, Lord Shri The events and sentences like this describes divine Leelas Krishna's words 'Oh Uddhava ! with my due permission, of God, not his death like a human being. And the you proceed to Badrikashrama and become pure by bathing descriptions like : ' ... and defeated Krishna carried there in the sacred water of my lotus feet preached earlier Shridama on his back,' are to be interpreted in the line of would not match with the one taught in Bhagwata at a later the dictum - 'Glory and greatness of supreme God are stage. This has been discussed at length in the previous beyond the limits of time, evolvement, final destruction, part of this text. and evolutes of Maya. He is the God of creation, sustenance Similarly the statements like' ..... thus the soul who has and destruction, He is all knower, He is the beginning, He detached himself from the sense objects and desires and is the omnipresence and ultimate reality. One who is has thus attained the Yogic pleasure of devotion, attains waging war without any favour from such ultimate reality, ultimate knowledge of God,'' .... knows me by the way of may win a war but as a remote possibility, where as devotion,' which defines devotion as an integral part of Supreme God is always victorious everywhere and every ultimate knowledge for attaining Moksha, should be moment.' All the judgements and logical conclusions are defined in the terms of principal dictums : 'I am, though to be carried out on the cardinal principles given in the had been unattainable even by the Yoga, Samkhya,

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donation, Vratta, penance, Yagya, Naam Japa, Vedic religion in relation to his caste and his physical age, but studies, or Samnyasa have become attainable by the Gopis, should not do it by setting aside his personal religion based cows, hillocks, deers, dumb snakes and siddhas through on the caste and life-stage. Because the religion is the their fervour of devotion without any effort.' This defines strength of the devotion. Accordingly, 'by living as per the Brahmgyan as an integral part of devotion. personal religion told by me, one should practice the laws Accordingly, in relation to detachment the statements of caste and life-stage without any desire.' 'One who such as : 'In His refuge we win at ease the enemies observes fasts with faith within the limitations of his disguised in the form of sense organs, like an army-head religious routine and worships me attains pleasure in the defeating the attackers of his fort.' 'The one who desires due course.' 'Oh Princes ! Live within the limits of personal to win his six great enemies, should begin first by holding religion, submit all your intentions at the lotus feet of God, householdership.', which are indicative of the recede in be absolutely pure and perform Japa of ultimate benedictor,' detachment, should be interpreted in the light of : 'No other and ' ... One who withdraws his mind from the elsewhere, incident creates such Moha and chains one in the shackles lives with in his personal religion and worships me,' and than the incident of the one's company of a woman. The 'As a devotee practising his personal religion attains me man who nurses the sense of detachment at his own or by the Ultimate ... ' and 'That King with the devotional Yoga the preaching of others, should leave his house by taking and penance was pleasing Shri Hari and was discarding Sanyas and should receive Shri Hari in his heart. Oh Great his worldly attachments .. ' and 'Those castes are worshiping among the Asuras ! The people who are in mental unrest their Guru - Shri Hari through their personal religion ! due to untruth, should leave their homes and proceed to Moreover, 'Devotee Narada prayed to Bhagwan Yagya the forest, to receive the shelter of God. And one leaves Purusha who was being worshipped by the people the maze of worldly ways and surrenders absolutely at the practicing personal religion .. ' and ' .. Oh ! On this earth, lotus feet of God with devotion, becomes free from all the the householders who are firm in my Vratta and have fears.' become my devotees, attain Moksha by practicing their Thus, He says that the aforesaid sacred scriptures are personal religion and acting as per the acts prescribed by founding scriptures of the personal religion with the the Yoga despite their householdership .. ' etc. The devotion of God. And that is the principal being founded Panchratra has said that those who like a faithful wife, here. And in the case of the devotion of Lord Shri Krishna, practise the devotion which is adorned with the knowledge one has to perform this devotion in accordance to his of the personal religion and absolute detachment, are the individual right for that and in the manner laid down by true single minded devotees.' 'As a woman deprieved of the religious scriptures, in absolute accordance to his clothing and the ornaments would not look beautiful,

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similarly the devotion of a man if lacks religion, disappears : The object that inspires is called religion If an object is like a spark of the lightning. 'But if the devotion is wedded called a religion, then pot and all other objects become with the religion, it becomes firm and lasting like Himalaya Dharma which attracts fallacy of Ativyapti. Therefore, the and never surrenders to the risks and fears.' This is the word 'inspires' has been used to qualify the object, so that interpretation of religious scriptures accepted and the act of the holy-fire like Shyen Yagya may not fall in recommended as cardinal principles. It hints indirectly to this fallacy. Ofcourse, the Yagyas like Shyen Yagya are know this. the giver of the fruit of killing an enemy and such killing does not attract the sin consigning one to the hell, but as it Dharma is right conduct authenticated by Shruti contains violent act of killing which is a major cause of and Smriti. Bhakti (devotion) is extreme profound love hell, the Shyen Yagya becomes harmful. Therefore in other far God coupled with the knowledge of the majesty and Smritis it is said : The acts which are praised by the scholars magnificence of the Lord. of the scriptures are the religion and the acts which they Vairagya (detachment) means non-attachment criticize negatively are not religion. Shrimad Bhagwat says towards all other objects except Lord Krishna, Gyana that the what the Vedas say is the religion and contrary to is right realization of the nature and content of Jiva, it is not religion. Manu also says: The man who acts on Maya and Ishwara. (103, 104) the religion of Shruti and Smriti attains fame and glory in this world and attains ultimate pleasure on his death. The Now explains attributes of Dharm in the half of the meaning carried in the another variation of the text is Shloka. Defines Dharm : Prescribed by the Shrutis (Veda) Shishtachar (decent acts), and such given by the Shrutis and Smritis (Smritis and Dharma Samhitas written by and Smritis. The Decent acts stand as an authority like the Yagyavalkya etc.) and to be practised in accordance to the Shruti and Smriti. Moksha Dharma says that the religion personal right of the individual. Shrutis stand for the Vedas, has three attributes, namely decent acts, Smriti and Vedas. and Dharmshastras are to be taken to Smritis. He explains Matsya Purana says the decent acts of Sadhus are an Sadachar (ethical conduct) Sad - means not contrary to the authority like Vedas. This Shishtachar (decent acts) has Lokas and the scriptures and beautifying . such ethical been defined earlier in this. Mitakshara says that the conduct is religion. Smritis have mentioned that the religion religion is of the six types, namely Varna Dharma (cast which does not consign heaven and attracts negative based religion), Ashrama Dharma (age based religion), criticism from the people, should not be practiced. Great Varnashram Dharm (caste and lifestage based religion), sage Jaimini has given the dictums defining the attributes Guna Dharma (qualitative religion), Nimitta Dharma of religion. Madhavacharya says about this in Nyay Mala (causal religion) and Sadharan Dharma (general religious

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acts). Brahmins should not take wine and alcohol is called anxiousness for knowing about devotion.', 'enormous a Varna Dharma. Agnihotra and Bhiksha are his Ashram affection for God is called devotion.' 'One who lives with Dharma. To be held a frondescence tree stick by him in devotion, attains Moksha.' Shri Vallabhacharya has said his hand is called his Varnashrama Dharma. The King who in Tattvadeep Nibandha : 'The salvation is attainable by has virtuous attributes like performing Abhishek, taking the devotion performed with greatest love for the God and, care of his subjects is called the Guna Dharma of that king. the knowledge of His glory and greatness. It is not And to act not upon a desirable action or to act upon an attainable by any other means .. ' 'The devotion created from undesirable action and to perform then the atonement for such a devotion .. ' etc statements are indicative of the two such an act is called Nimitta Dharma. Non-violence etc types in devotion. The devotion is the form of an instrument are the Sadharana Dharma. and the devotion is the form of the fruits these two are Now explains the attributes of devotion in the second distinct types of devotion. Among these two, the devotion, half of this Shloka. The knowledge of the glory and in the heart of Gopis as described in Shrimad Bhagwat is greatness, means the knowledge of divinity of God. It is the devotion in the form of fruits :' The Gopies were attained by the companionship of the scriptures and greatly pleased on the dershan of Shri Krishna, and each virtuous people. It has been explained earlier that the moment was become like an age for them without such 'Mahatmya' is the state beyond the Akshar. It has been said darshan of Shri Krishna .. ' 'Gopis curse Brahma who has elsewhere : 'Look at the Mahatmya (greatness and glory) created eyelid. Moreover, though Shri Krishna has gone of the utterance of the name of God, which relieves Ajamil to the forest, their mind chases Shri Krishna and run after from the ties of the Death.' 'I worship and pray to Lord Him. With such pitiable state of mind, the Gopis are Vishnu who purifies Bhila, Hunas, Andhras, Pulindas, spending their painful days by singing divine leelas of Shri Zapadas, Ahirs, Kathis, Yavans and Khoja etc. lowest Krishna.'' .. The Gopis were not comfortable in any state communities and tribes by taking them in His shelter.' and were torn by the pain of separation as their mind was ' ... one who goes only once under his shelter,' and ' ... I stuck in me when Akrurji took me with Balram to Mathura.' belong to you .. one who speaks the words like above, ' ... Their intellect as was such imprisoned in their episodes becomes free from all the fears. Such is the Vratta of Shri with Me, they therefore did not knew their soul, this world Hari.' One should know all these statements given in the and their body ... like a hermit in his meditational trance scriptures. Madhava = Ma + Dhava = Maya means or like the rivers merged in the ocean forgetting their own Lakshami's + Husband. The devotion means greatest form and identity.' Now for an instrumental devotion, He amount of love for Shri Krishna. Shandilya Geeta explains says "Listen to the Katha of Lord Shri Vishnu, perform the attributes of devotion. 'Now the eagerness and Kirtans, Chant names of God, serve at the lotus feet of

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God, perform worship, offer salute, act as a slave of Him, said that to know Kshetra (dwelling) and the Kshetragya perform devotion like a companion, and in final stage, (knower of the dwelling) is the knowledge of ultimate. See submit your self absolutely, thus the service with this nine Shribhashya for more details. ways of serving God is called devotion. In short, it suggests to serve God with great affection. As Shri Jiva resides in the heart. He is subtle and minute as Vallabhacharyaji says in Subodhini treatise of Bhagwat : an atom. He partakes of the nature of consciousness. The root verb of word Bhajan stands for service and word He is the knower. He pervades the entire body from Kirtan stands for Love. top to toe by power of knowledge. Jiva has been Now in the first half of this Shloka, He explains characterized as uncleavable, indivisible, impenetrable, attributes of Vairagya (detachment). Vairagya (the immutable and immortal etc. (105) detachment) means disliking all the things excepting Lord Shri Krishna, and to be disinterested in the use of those After explaining in short the existence of the soul and things. This is called Viragya. The departure from the it's form in short, now explains such form of it. In the heart. worldly affection and love is called detachment. The firm 'This soul resides in the heart. It is full of knowledge and love for Lord Shri Krishna generates virtuous reasoning is like a light in the heart.' It is said in the Shrutis. It is finding natural and other fenomenon fragile and perishable, minute like an atom. The minute or subtle means the one and such intellect rejects the idea of availing these objects. who has no problem in spreading itself anywhere, Such state of one's mind is called Vairagya or detachment. irrespective of an obstacle whatsoever. 'It is fine and subtle.' Skanda Purana says: Thus, to consider this universe as 'Such soul exists through its consciousness.' 'It is very unreal under the Gods power of four types of Pralaya (final small like a pointed tip of a pricker.' 'The soul is like the distruction) and to develop by that the distaste towards it, hundredth of the hundredth part of the tip of a hair.' Above is called Vairagya. See Samadhi Paad of Patanjal Yoga those, are the attributes given by Shritis about the soul. Shastra for a detailed classification in this. 'Chit' means absolute consciousness and absolute Now in this second half of the Shloka explains the knowledge. Shruti has said, 'Such Purusha whose soul is attributes of ultimate knowledge. Jeeva (soul) means one the infinite knowledge.' Therefore it is said that, due to who has Sharir (body). Maya means Prakriti (the material it's own nature, it is luminous at it's own. 'Here, he is cause of the universe). Isha means Paramatma (Supreme luminous at his own,' and adds that it is not only as a form soul), which by its various forms brings life and consisted of knowledge, but he is the ultimate refuge for consciousness and becomes the proud holder of the body. the knowledge. One who knows is called a knower, 'One To know very well, is called knowledge. Bhagwan has who knows is the 'soul', 'He is the one who sees, smells,

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tastes, accepts, and he is well knowledgeable, doer and three Gunas (evolutes): Sattva (goodness) Rajas (passions) the soul of the ultimate knowledge.' This visionary and Tamas (darkness or ignorance)'. 'The Maya who has possesses sixteen arts.' 'One who knows him, attains these constituent evolutes.' 'That Maya has constituent everlasting knowledge.' These are the Shrutis. It pervades evolutes, and has many forms and is a part of my being.' entire body-from head to toe-through its power of 'Prakriti means Maya which possesses common state of knowledge. It is said, 'Oh Arjuna ! As Sun God illuminates constituent evolutes.' The God who is beyond Gunas has all the Lokas, in the similar way this pervader of the body created this universe by his Maya who has Gunas, truth soul illuminates this body.' 'There are 72000 tubular ducts and falsehood.' All these have been said in Bhagwat. rising from the heart and each such duct has in it luminous Moksha Dharm describes Gunas : pleasure, penance, circle in which the soul lights like a luminous lamp.' peace, light, virtuousness, satisfaction, faith, simplicity, 'It's form is like an atom, but it illuminates entire body. sacrifice, majesty these ten are qualities of Sattva Guna. And Harichandan (a divine sandal - paste) though Unsteadiness, misery, suffering, pains and desire, ego of stationary at a place - perfumes whole body, the sun with different Kind, jealousy and rigidity these nine are the his luminosity pervades entire cosmos, the lamp fixed at a qualities or attributes of Rajas Guna. Ignorance, temptation, place illuminates whole house, in like manner, the soul greater temptations, malice, the blindness of the five 'Ma- pervades whole body. This is said by the Shrutis. Therefore, Kars' : namely wine-flesh-fish-gesticulation - and know this form of the Jiva. One, that could be pierced is copulation of vaam Maargis, sleep, lethargy and lazyness called piercible and one that could not be pierced is called these eight are the attributes of Tamas Guna. It's more non-piercible. Non-piercible and indestructible are the details can be had from the tenth Skandha of Shrimad inherent attributes of the Jiva. Gita has said, 'It can not be Bhagwat. Shrutis have said, 'The soul laid in the darkness pierced by a weapon, can not be burnt by a fire, can not and immersed in Prakriti during final distraction, attain be dried by a wind, therefore it is non-piercible, attentive state devoid of sense, as such, reaches the plane indestructible etc.' Know these as attributes of Jiva. beyond any form or attribute and becomes, therefore known, as Tamas.' 'Then there was darkness.' 'The Akshara Maya is constituted of three qualities : Satwa, Rajas immerses in Tamas.' Bhagwat has said, 'Then there was and Tamas. It is darkness of ignorance. It is the power dense and unfathomable darkness.' 'The God, who resides of the Lord. It is at the root of creating in Jiva egoism beyond it.' The power of Lord Shri Krishna has been and attachment to the body and its relations. (106) accepted as instrumental in evolution of cosmos : God's divine power with it's absolute divinity.' Bhagwat has said Now tells about the form of Maya : 'The Maya who has that the God creates, sustains and destroys cosmoses

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through his power of Maya. Soul is singular in it's status. Marichi etc. Siddhas, are not knowing Maya as we all are The body and the relations of body - in all these there is wrapped in divine Maya of supreme God.' 'This universe, the sense of belongingness - possessiveness caused by which has been created by divine Maya of God is not being Maya. ' The Purusha on the same tree becomes sad under known even by Brahma, Rudra etc, as their knowledge the Moha of Maya.' Vishnupuran has said, 'Oh son of the has been wrapped by God in the veil of divine Maya, then dynasty! Know this composition of ignorance (Avidya). how we ignorant people could know it ?' 'Brahma and The Maya means possessiveness for the fragile worldly other images, whose inner enlightenment is overshadowed objects and in the things belonging to others.' Bhagwat by Maya, are in deep slumber of divine Maya of God.' contains many statements on this topic. 'One who, under 'Divine acts of supreme God, which are not known to me the Maya of God, has delusion of his own body and the or to you, not known even to Vamdeva, how could those relations attached to that body. 'Oh Adhokshaja ! Oh God be known to other deities ?' 'We, with the intelligence ! The ego and affection, are attached to our body due to affected by the divine Maya of God, see this cosmos in your divine Maya.' 'Oh God ! This Jivaloka roams on the the form of soul,' and 'When cosmos has not been truly path of the Karmas (acts) due to your Maya and by the known even by age old Rishis, Marichi, me or Virtuous ego and affection created by such Maya.' 'Ill-intelligence people due to divine Maya of God, how could it be known absorbs the meaning by your Maya and treads wrong path by the demons and human beings, who indulge constantly of ego and attachment for the body.' 'Oh God ! Please untie in inauspicious acts.' 'This Brahma and other bodies, whose the shekals of your Maya which creates affectionate bonds intelligence has come under the spell of your divine Maya, among sons, family, wealth, relatives, home and body.' 'The see only external meaning.' 'Oh King ! As his semon people who are under strong spell of your divine Maya, discharged, Lord Shiva saw his soul lost in shy of being on your virtuous path and speak the language unconsciousness of Maya and turned back from the sin.' of 'I' and 'Mine'.' As the Shloka contains 'CHA' along etc. etc. We should know Maya, as described above. living beings, it is to be understood that there are possibilities that Brahma and other deities too may be Ishwara dwells in Jiva by His indwelling and affected by Maya. Bhagwat has said, 'Oh Parvati ! Look controlling power as Jiva resides in the heart. He is at the divine Maya of God in the form of Purusha ! That supreme and sovereign. He is dispenser of fruits of all Maya effects even me ! and as I too come under it's spell, actions of all beings. (107) how else could stay free and independent of it ? 'I, Sanatkumars, Narada, Deity Brahma, enlightened one Now says about the form of God. The heart. In the lotus Kapil, religious minded and godly saint Deval, great hermit like heart. Resides in the heart as supreme knower to

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pervade and prevail upon. He resides in the heart as Jiva proximity of magnetic stone attracts (or activates) a piece resides in body. Shrutis have said that He resides in the of iron, in a similar way, the Maya in your proximity, heart but is independent of the heart, distinct from the evolves with her Gunas the universe, sustains it and heart, soul is not knowing Him, soul is His body, He resides destroys it for the sake of Jivas, such witness to the Guna- in the heart and rules on it. 'He enters in heart and resides actions ! Oh God ! We offer our worship.' Thus it is said in it, He rules over the human beings and He is soul of that Maya acts under the command of God. God is the giver everybody.' 'Oh Gudakesha (Arjuna) ! I am the shelter for of the fruits of Karmas (actions). As He is supreme all living beings and I am their soul.' 'I myself enter and commander, gives different fruits to all. Shruti says: reside in the hearts of everybody and I am the cause of Everlasting among the everlasting and conscious among memory, knowledge and the loss of memory.' 'Oh Arjuna the conscious, Supreme God - Paramatma - fulfills the ! Ishwara resides in the heart of all living bodies created desires of everybody.' 'Then from me only receives by him and keeps them moving through His divine Maya scripture-instituted desires.' 'I am the consumer of all in this cycle of the worldly ways.' 'Oh Brahman ! I am the Yagyas and Prabhu' 'Oh Anga ! only due to attachment to soul of the souls.' 'I am received by the Parmatma residing Gunas and Karmas, we receive pleasures and pains evolved in every heart of the living bodies evolved by Him.' 'I by God.' 'The doers of unsuspicious or auspicious Karmas receive through my body the ultimate truth - Parmatma - receive your Loka or Lokas of others from you and doers residing in the heart.' That and others are on the same line. of unsuspicious receive hell from you.' These are the Bhagwat has said : One who is free and not dependent on statements from different Shrutis. Know this Ishwara as others, therefore, it derives that God is the supreme Supreme God. Ishta (adored) means independently commander of Kala and Maya. 'One who is all knower, majestic Ishwara or the master of universe. Shrutis have death of the death, He possesses all benedictory attributes said : 'Master of Cosmos and Ishawara', 'One to whom and knows everything.' That is founded by the Shrutis. everybody surrender and one who is Ishwara for Maitreya Rishi has said 'The Kala has supreme majesty of everybody.' 'I know worthy God who gives pleasures and the life beginning with the span of atom to the double of reigns these Lokas as distant of the distants, master of the the life span of Brahma, but such Kala is incapable to masters, divinity of all divines and Parama Maheshwara regulate Ishwara of the deities - The Supreme God.' 'The (Supreme Reality) of Ishwaras.' 'He is beyond appraisal, Kala who received sacrifice from we distressed lots of as he is Ishwara of past and future.' 'Ishwara of past and Brahma, wind, space, fire, water, earth and three Lokas future is Ishwara today and will be for tomorrow.' 'He then has your fear - the fear of the supreme God to whom we sees being served the other Ishwara of cosmos.' 'When sees surrender.' - These are the words of deities. 'As the the worth viewing, all doer and red coloured Ishwara.' 'In

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permanence (Akshara) and perishable (Kshara) resides the and not these kings also were not existed and not even same God.' 'Attains permanence by knowing Ishwara that the we all will not exist, but, we will be ! Shri embracing whole universe.' 'He is the Master, who has no Ramanujacharya has interpreted this Shloka as under : In fear from anybody and gives all sided protection to the first instance listen to the nature of the soul : Even I the fear ridden lots. He is only one, so that fear does not rise God of the Gods - have not existed prior to the present or among each other.' 'You don't accept anything excepting in the endless past - is not so, but I was existing. And you self attainment.' 'He the Ishwara of Ishwaras, roams on and other Kings - the Jivas - were not non-existent, but the earth and destroys the burden of earth by his power of were existing and I and you and we all also will not be time.' 'At whose lotus feet bows the luminous crowns of non-existent - but shall exist. As, without any-doubt, I am the deities, Such Lord Ramchandra Bhagwan had the supreme God and everlasting, you all souls - the knowers friendship with the monkeys.' 'On attaining in seclusion of the field - are everlasting. Believe this. Thus the the Ishwara of the universal Ishwara ... ''One who upholds distinction between supreme God and Jivas is real, and as God-trio and is Ishwara of the Ishwaras.' 'What else stands it appears, has been confirmed so by Bhagwan himself. unattainable if pleases the Ishwara of Universal Ishwara.' Now the reason : God has used different forms like - I, 'Varuna earned the pleasure of Shri Krishna who is Ishwara you, this, we, all etc. while he preached spiritual entity to of the Ishwara.' All these are the statements from Shrimad Arjuna to remove his ignorance and Moha. If you pose an Bhagwat, and therefore these stand as final judgement for argument to impress that the school of distinction in souls following it. Moreover Skand Puran says : 'He is the soul stands only on a condition or degree, then for that, we of the soul and Akshara, He is pure like sky, He is visible would say that as you are refuting philosophic distinctions through a divine vision, He is pure entity, He is the power of the soul, the reference again of such a distinction in in it's purest form, He is the son of Vasudeva, He is the them stands irrelevant in preaching about Tattva. possessor of all benedictory virtues, He is beyond the reach Therefore, the distinction of the soul, as said by God, is of the Gunas (of Maya), He is Ishwara of Ishwara, He is natural as per the Shrutis : The God, who is the permanence attainable only through Brahm Vidya. Such Supreme Lord of the permanants and supreme consciousness of the is meditated upon and attainable by Brahm only. conscious, fulfills desires of many. Now if we consider This preaches subordinative attributes of the soul and that these distinctions (means the distinctions as seen majestic attributes of Ishwara, therefore, distinction among the souls), appear so due to spiritual ignorance, then between Jiva and Ishwara are at spiritual plane and shall the Parama Purusha, as he has the knowledge of ultimate be accepted as a well founded principle. Geeta says: Not reality, has the realization of soul prevailing in the state of that I am not existed, not also that you were not existed, everlasting, eternal and absolute consciousness, therefore,

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his ignorance has diminished, as such, the acts of such traditions of Gurus are preaching to which peerless soul ignorance can not effect any objection or hurdle to them. befitting their faith ? The doubt like that exists. In Therefore, if 'the difference is found due to ignorance' and explanation to it, if it is said, that a thing looks at it's own the realization is due to such difference' then the preaching reflection appearing like a reflection, Arjuna and other are etc. acts if arising from it, a can not establish any relevance. the reflections and those reflected forms have been If said that the peerless knowledge acquired by Param preached. But this, as an explanation, stands as Purusha is a discriminative knowledge arisen from a unacceptable, because, how a spiritually wise would preach restricted state, like that of a burnt cloth that can not be his own reflection appearing on surfaces like a precious used for holding anything. But this too is not a just openion. stone, a sword or a mirror, when he knows that such image Because, the water visible in a mirage has similarity with is not separate from his soul ? Moreover, we can't say, he such restricted state, but nobody tries to fatch water from has restricted state because the restrictive agent - the the mirage-images. In Similar way, here in this case the peerless knowledge of self and the distinctive knowledge knowledge of discrimination which is restricted by the which is individual and distinct from it, and the ignorance peerless knowledge, follows it, but as it has realization of which is the cause of it, all those are distracted. The the falsehood of the senses and sense objects, stands knowledge of the two moons is caused by the spiritual detached from the acts like preaching. Moreover, there is ignorance on reflection of the moon, and such cause would one more objection. Even if, we believe that God earlier, not be destroyed by the knowledge of the one moon, as was not knowledgeable, we can not say that God attained there is possibility of restricted state. Means, though it restricted state, as he had the knowledge of the scripture. exists, the restricted state of stronger proof makes it Because, if we say so, it generates contradiction with other ineffective. But in the case of soul, the distinct knowledge Shrutis and Smritis. For example : 'He, who is the knower is subjective and with the cause pertaining to spiritual of everybody and knows everybody', 'His divine powers object. But as it is not true, it destroys true knowledge of are of unique and unknown,' 'Oh Arjuna ! I know all the soul, and therefore no restrictive state is possible. beings of present, past and future, but they don't know Therefore, if said that Sarveshwara Paramatma has the me.' Thus, it may create opposition and contradiction spiritual knowledge of this body and tradition of the Gurus, among Shrutis and Smritis. Moreover it is said that 'Power, then distinction of soul and preaching to that effect are not action and knowledge are natural for him.' It has been said possible. Now if take that Parmatma has no knowledge of : not only that, though they have absolute realization of distinction of soul and tradition due to lack of knowledge the form of the peerless soul and the knowledge of and the state of ignorance. In short, as the Guru has discrimination, this Param Purusha and contenporany unparallal spiritual knowledge, and as the ignorance about

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Brahm has been destroyed along the acts, he has no adjective, look at the following examples: 'This great intention to preach his disciple, if assumed that the Guru Brahm is my womb and I conceive in it,' thus the Brahm and his knowledge both are imaginary, then the disciple called by the name - Maya, 'Akshara is Parama Brahm,' and the knowledge of disciple, both shall be imaginary. If here the Brahm is known by the name - Akshara - holy say that there is no objection in calling it imaginary due to and tranquil and 'The Brahm which has been said from earlier opposition, then the knowledge of Guru will be heart by the first poet' Here it is Brahm in the form of proved like that, and all will be in vain. Therefore, as the words', all these stand for explaining Parabrahm. spiritually wise have said, this should be the limit ! Moreover, the Smritis have said, 'who is beyond Maya and has luminocity of the sun,' and 'Beyond Akshara and Who is this Ishwara ? He is Shri Krishna who is Para beyond that,' 'one to whom all the Vedas bow,' etc etc. Brahma Bhagwan Pusushottama and our most Bhagwan means one who has all the virtues arising from cherished deity. He is worthy to be worshipped by word 'Bhag'. Vishnu Purana has said, 'Oh Maitreya ! The us all. He is the cause of all manifestations and word Bhagwat is used for pure, great, Parabrahm and for incarnations. (108) the cause of all courses. There are two meanings in letter 'Bha' - namely sustainer Now in this Shloka says that Lord Shri Krishna is and dispenser, and in ' Ga' the meaning is the one who Ishwara, nobody else. Know that, Lord Shri Kishna is Para leads, helps to attain and creates. Majesty, bravery, fame, Brahma - Bhagwan and Purushottama and He is the cause prosperity, knowledge and detachment, these six stand for of the incarnations, Such Lord Shri Krishna only is our Bhag. It is permanence, as all living bodies reside in Him worthy God for worship. Param means the highest or and He resides in all living bodies as supreme soul of paramount - The Supreme - and worshipable by all. And universe and soul of the living bodies. Knowledge, power, this is why, he is the greatest. Brahm means ever expanding strength, majesty, bravery, light all these are different - He is greatest amongst the others due to His own glory. expressions of Bhagwat. But Bhagwat does not have any It is said in Vishnu Purana : on increase and expansion in rejectable attribute. Oh Maitrey ! That great word Bhagwan meditation and moreover on his being ultimate refuge for stand for the name of Parabrahm Vasudeva. everyone, one who receives meditation is called Brahm, Now explains word Purushottama. Purusha means one or the one, beyond which, there is no other form or nature. who exists from before, 'I was on this cosmos earlier long Superior or higher is called Parabrahm. The use of an before, thus the virtue of the Purush has been founded.' - adjective 'Isha' here, is not a defect, as this is the way to 'It is Shruti. It can be defined in other terms - one who define gender and number. Now, for using 'Parama' as an fulfills the wishes of a devotee, is a Puru, and one who

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destroys the pains of a devotee is called 'Sha'. Thus these like Varaha etc., the cause of incarnation means the one two, together form a perfect word - 'Purusha'. Sanjaya has from whom the incarnation arises. That is the meaning of said in Udyoga Parva of Mahabharat : 'One who protects word Purushottam. Brahma has said in Bhagwat 'Oh Isha and destroys is Purushottama.' There is one more, ! You unborn has manifested your self in deities, Rishis, derivation of the word Purushottam : Puru means the human beings, birds and aquatic animals, to destroy untruth devotee of him, 'Sha' means gives - one who gives much and egoist beings. Bhagwan has said to king Muchkund. more than what his devotee has desired, such now is called 'Thousands are my incarnations and thousands are my Purusha. As per one more derivation, 'Puruni' means the actions, those are infinite in number and therefore, are not sins, and 'oshati' means burns - one who burns the sins on possible to have an account of it, even by me ! one my remembering him - the Purusha. Brihadaranyaka Shruti count the earth particles of this earth by assuming infinate says: That Purusha existed since long before and was number of births, but no one can count my manifestations burning the sins, therefore, he was called Purusha or he on this earth !' 'Oh King ! My acts pertaining to past, was called the Purusha, as he was in the form of Purusha. present and future and the births in those times are Shrutis have said that earlier the Parmatma was in the form unknown even to the great Rishis in it's proper of the Purusha. chronological order.' Garg Rishi has said to king Nanda, The best means the one who possesses superior qualities. 'Your son has infinite number of names and Gunas befitting Those who are without Tamas and Moha are called his actions and attributes. I know this but others are not Superior. Word 'Uttam' stands for superior. The words knowing it.' Such great Lord - Isha- Parameshwara is Lord 'Purusha' and 'Uttam' together form word 'Purushottama'. Shri Krishna, not any other. It is said, 'In whose house One who is beyond Akshara and Kshara is Purushottama. resides Paramatma in it's real form with human image and Gita has said, There are two Purusha in this Loka, namely with spiritual mysticism.' 'One who is worthy of attainment Kshara and Akshara. The Kshara means Lokas and the and is Parmatma.' 'In truest form Bhagwan himself-' 'Shri living bodies on those Lokas, and the innermost is called Krishna himself is Bhagwan.' 'One who resides in the heart Akshara. Uttama Purusha is distinct from Kshara and as supreme entity and the one who is ever existing Purusha, Akshara and is known as Paramatma. You as eternal is this (-The God).' All those are the words from Shrimad Ishwara are pervading all three Lokas and sustaining them. Bhagwat. 'Who is the greatest and supreme for the Lokas Therefore you are superior than Kshara and Akshara. and the living beings ? Is he Lord Shri Krishna or else ?' 'Therefore in Lokas and Vedas, I am known as By posing this doubt, He has used two adjectives for the Purushottam. All the manifections and incarnations such knowledge of all. He is our worshipable God. Worshipable as vasudeva etc, and Vyuhas like Keshava and incarnations means the one who is worthy of a worship - one who is a

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personal God for worship and meditation. More has been Radha. The daughter of Vrishbhanu is Radha. Shri Krishna discussed about this in the following chapters. One who is with Radha Radhakrishna. Then know Shri Krishna as omnipresent God and is beyond Akshara and Kshara is Radhakrishna. Rukmini is Ramaa - Lakshmi, manifested Lord Shri Krishna who took birth in Bhakti by Dharma in the royal residence of king Bhishmak, the daughter was and manifested on this earth with divine name 'Shri named as Rukmini. Puranas have said : In Ramavatar, Swaminarayan'. He dwelt in human form like a dramatist became Sita and in Krishna Janma, she became Rukmini, on this earth, describing Lord Shri Krishna in the Acharya with her - means - with Lakshmi - know Him as of human beings as himself, but not as somebody else. Lakshminarayan, but not with any other name. The middle brother of Pandavas - Arjuna, knows Him Lord Shri Krishna, when he is with Radha, shall be as Narnarayana. Mahabharat has said, 'Arjuna possesses known as Radhakrishna, with Rukmini as manly emotions (of Nar). And Shri Krishna is Narayana Lakshminarayan, with Arjuna as Nar Narayan. When himself. Shrimad Bhagwat says: You are Rishi he is together with Balabhadra and other devotees, he Narnanarayan whose wishes are fulfilled.' Then again same will be spoken of by such names being placed before Shri Krishna Balabhadra means the one who is worthy with his name. Devotees such as Radha and others are at his strength and power. His other names are Shri times by the side of the Lord and at other times, they Krishnagraja - Shri Krishna's elder brother-Shri Rama, Shri become absorbed in his body, being, overwhelmed with Krishna when is with Balbhadra, Satyabhama and the Love and devotion. He then remains one and single and others shall be called so by prefixing that name with all alone. Therefore, no distinction or discrimination Shrikrishna : Ramkrishna, Satyakrishna et al. shall be made between one and the other of these There are two ways of Shri Krishna in his life with manifestations. Lord Krishna is permanently two- Radha and the others - one is the way in which they are armed. It is only out of His sweet will that he assumes visible to everybody and another in which the others the different forms like the four armed the eight-armed remain invisible. They stand besides Him (Shri Krishna). or the thousand - armed. (109,110,111,112) These - Radha and the other devotees, are some times seen standing besides Shri Krishna. Therefore, at that time they Now, herein explains four forms of Shri Krishna namely are visible to everybody. In such Darshana, know him as - Radha Krishna, Lakshminarayan etc in four Shlokas. That Radhakrishna and so on. And at times, and due to great means the one, who has those attributes, described in the love they are absorbed- merged - in the heart of Lord Shri earlier Shlokas. The capable one is called Prabhu or Krishna and have become invisible to the viewers. In such Ishwara. Iswara means Shri Krishna. Shri Krishna with circumstances, lone Shri Krishna is seen by everybody,

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but Radhikaji is not seen by them. In such Darshana, know The man on earth shall engage themselves in devotion him as Shri Krishna. Therefore, in the temples, when you of Him only. Though the word Bhuvi stands for the earth see Shri Krishna alone, know under the circumstances that but here in this particular reference take that word as Radhaji and devotees are accompanying but in incognito. Bharat Khanda of the earth, because the Gods too have Therefore, same Lord Shri Krishna, becomes known desired birth on Bharat Khanda. with different names like Radha Krishna, in accordance to Aarnayaka Shruti in Aitareya Upanishad had said, 'We accompanying devotee. This is why, no discriminative the people, born with memory of God due to the Punyas attitude should be adopted for the idols of Shri Krishna of the actions of Yagya and Purushasukta, worship and installed in various shrines in the country. No difference serve God, and God gives us pleasure.' Because, only in the form of Shri Krishna should be considered on the human beings have the right of devotion. 'The man who bases of accompaning devotee with the idols. The two- had expanded his entity as a soul by his punyas, desires armed, four-armed, eight-armed are the differences in the through his death bound body the nectar, attains spiritual shape. And therefore, four-armed etc are in it's reality, Shri wisdom, discloses and witnesses ultimate knowledge with Krishna with two arms. The forms with four, eight or a vision for distant future: knows Lokas and non-Lokas. thousand arms are the manifestations of Him at his sweet And others like an animal with only a limited duty of hunger will. Therefore, accept no discrimination on those forms. and thirst, neither tell such ultimate knowledge, nor they His darshan to king Muchkund in four-armed form, to see such or know the Lokas or non-Lokas.' Devas have Arjuna in eight-armed or thousand-armed, thus those said, 'Oh ! What Punyas does these people have performed, depended on the wish of the devotee. Shri Krishna as by which the God has pleased to them ? We have not fulfiller of the wishes of his devotee and Isha of the Yog- desired anything, except devotion, on getting the birth as Maya commands over everything as the Supreme God. a human being with the grace of God. 'Those, though have Skand Puran had said in Vasudeva Mahatmya : one who is got the human body with the knowledge in religion and two-armed and holds a flute in his hand.' One should know philosophy but are trapped in affection for divine Maya of it from that scripture. God, would not pass through the ocean of worldly ways without deep devotion of God.' God has said, 'The Ultimate All men on earth shall always engage themselves in rise and benediction of the man rests in the dedication of the devotion of Lord Krishna, with the full his rock steady devotional mind to me.' 'His' means Lord understanding that there is no other superior way for Shri Krishna's, but not of any other God.' 'The freedom achieving the summon bonum of life except the path of from fear is not available from any where but from me who devotion to the Lord. (113) is the soul of primordial man and all living beings.

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Bhagwan has said, 'one is not relieved from the bonds of engaged in the acts related to you, our mind may please be physical body unless one loves me as Vasudeva.' Gods have engaged in remembering your lotus feet, our head may said, 'Blessings for your benediction! You may ask please be boded to your Lordship, and our eyes may please anything except Moksha ! Because, Lord Vishnu alone can be engaged in the Darshan of Satpurushas resembling to bless the Moksha.' The devotion too should be rich in faith your blissful form.' 'By all the means' has one more and Katha-Kirtan.' 'Therefore, you worship God with connotation: Earthly human body is fragile and bound to devotional fervor, His lotus feet should be worshipped with death any moment, therefore, one should give away all absolute devotional submission to God.' It was the advice other acts. Moksha Dharma has said: The man desiring from Lord Kapil. Dharmaraj has said, 'The Great Rishis fruits of all his wishful acts and lost at the same time in the concentrate their Bhakti Yoga in omnipresent Supreme baser instincts, would be caught suddenly by the death like God with such thinking, and they do not deserve a lamb caught by a wolf. Flowers (Pushpa) means the fruits punishment as the sin if any, committed per chance, by of wishful acts. Act swiftly on benedictory acts. Take care, them are destroyed automatically by Katha-Varta itself of Kala (death) may overtake you. The death will take you, supreme God.' Sut Purani says, 'Bhagwan is husband of despite your unfulfilled acts. The acts needing to be Satpurushas, and Katha of such Bhagwan should be attended tomorrow be attended right now, what has to be listened everyday with attention, should tell such Katha - attended later, do attend it prior. Death never waits to see Varta to others and should meditate and worship this God. whether one attends to a work or not. Nobody knows who By every means stands for worship through body, speech will die and when. Be wedded to the religion right fram and mind. Devotees have said, 'May our mental attitude your youth, because the life is uncertain. Rudra has said be at the lotus feet of Shri Krishna, our speech may please in Shrimad Bhagwat. The death, steady and stern but be engaged in singing praises and sacred names of such hungry like that snake who licks its teeth with long God and our body may please be engaged in service to serpentine tongue and catching arodent, would take hold such God.' 'Oh Harey ! I have become a servent of such all of sudden of the man torn between greed and desire. devotees for whom your lotus feet are the real source, May Lord Shri Krishna has said, 'A spiritually wise should my mind worship you as the Lord of Pranas and know before death his perishable but benedictory body, concentrate on the praise of your divine virtues, May my should leave his laziness and should put in best of his speech sing your divine name and this earthly being may efforts for the self emancipation.' Shri Dattatraya Bhagwan attend to your blissful service.' 'Our speech may please be has said, 'After so many births, one is born as human, with engaged in praising your virtues, ears may please be a rare opportunity of a short while, if the man as such, engaged in listening your Katha - Varta, our hands may be puts in swiftly all out efforts for his self emancipation,

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would definitely save himself from the hell. Prahladji has like his soul, dear one and companion and follows your said, 'Wise one should practice Bhagwat Dharma right devotion, is a suicider if he does not worship the God in from his youth, because human life is rare and insecure front of him, due to his desire for the sense objects.' etc. but meaningful. Therefore, due to dangers in worldly life In nutshell, there is no means for benediction excepting, wise should for his self benediction act at his best before devotion of God. Know this well. 'Daan (donation) Tapa the troubles invading his body.' 'Inaction towards that (penance), Vratta (resolutes), Homa (sacred fire), attracts greater losses : 'Those who are born as human with Swadhyaya (study of the religious scriptures), Sanyama knowledge, action and wealth, if not put in efforts for the (self control) and others are the means for the devotion of self emanciption, may fall back in unending cycle of death Lord Shri Krishna.' This and other phrases indicating and birth like the specie of the bird. 'Oh Sinfree ! The man, different means to please Shri Krishna are all minor on getting a birth as a human being on the earth which is instruments supplementing to the efforts. The devotion has like an open gate of Moksha, if he despite his good a direct and firm link with Shri Krishna, therefore devotion physical condition does not do devotion of God even in holds an unique position amongst these means. Shri such a state, is bound to be like an evil minded person Kapildev has said, 'To Submit at my feet a firm mind with who is trapped in the dark well called as a house.' 'The utmost devotion, is a sign of benedictory rise for the man, after getting this human body as an open gate of Purushas in this Loka.' 'For the Yogis realising Brahm, Moksha, if lives affectionately his homely life like a there is no other means for benediction, excepting devotion senseless bird, should be known as the one who has fallen connecting them to Bhagwan - The Universal soul.' Rudra down after a high climb. 'Such man is regratable, who has says: 'You are beyond reach to everybody, but available got birth in the God's Loka of the human beings, but has easily to the devotees.' 'Those only, who worship me with not controlled his senses and not surrendered at God's lotus firm devotion could transgress my unfathomable divine feet, such man is cheating himself. Such man is a cheater Maya of three Gunas.' Prahladji has said, 'Not even the and a self destroyer, who after attaining such precious wealth, clan, cham, penance, sharpened senses, luminocity, human body as an instrument for attaining Moksha, falls glory or intellect of the Purusha could be the means for prey to the affection of sensual desires'. 'Such man is a the meditation, because God was pleased to Gajendra destroyer of himself, who has got a rarely available human (Great elephant) due to his absolute devotion. Purest form body at his ease and has a firm Guru as his navigator to of devotion is the only means to please Shri Hari, rest are direct his boat of life with My favorable wind, despite all pitiable,' 'Those who are without devotion are subject to these he fails to cross through the sea of worldly life.' 'The condemned.' Brahmaji has said, 'Your holy company which one who has got a perishable human body which moves removes the sins, has been taken away from them by their

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destiny and therefore, they act only for the sense objects; And what of thuse the many other means without devotion The minds, as have been defeated by their greed, they can of God ?' But the vedic Karmas coupled with devotion of not live pleasurably.' Yamaraja has said, 'Bring here those God and performance of such acts with devotion of God Asat Purushas (sinners), who have been tied in the ropes have been praised by Brahma : 'Bhagwan ! Purushas have of hellish desires and are away from and opposite to the to perform your devotional worship by Yagya-Karma, lotus feet of Bhagwan who is served personally by donation, penance and Vrata. This, if they perform in a disinterested Paramhamsas.' 'I grieve the people who are religious and devotional way, they would not be trapped. sinfully away from Hari-Katha and are thus ignorant. Their life is snatched away by the God in the form Kala (death) Bhakti coupled with Satsang is the most coveted and their reasoning, movements and memory have become reward of all accomplishments of all virtues and futile. 'I am sorry to say that the ears of man, if not listening learning of the virtuous and the scholarly persons. Hari Katha, are like an abode of a serpent.' Those whose Even the most learned scholars go down without knowledge has been taken away by Maya and have now devotion to the Lord and communion with the saints surrendered to devilish instincts, such rogue, senseless and (satsang). (114) fallen people can not do my devotion.' Herein, the criticism is not limited to those who are engrossed in sense objects The greatest fruits of the goodness of the virtuous people and have become devotionless, but includes also the people would be in the form of devotion of Lord Shri Krishna engrossed affectionately in vedic acts. Therefore, it is said, and in the form of company of the Satpurusha. Devotion 'Though the religion of the soul may be truth and mercy in Shri Krishna is a fruit of it. And Satsang received or based and his knowledge my be with penance, but such attained is also a fruit. Satsang is the objective of devotion. soul would not become a pure soul if he has no devotion Lord Shri Krishna has said, 'Oh Uddhava ! There is no for me.' Narada has said, 'The men in this Loka if worship better way than Bhakti-Yoga and Satsang, as I am the Shri Hari- The Universal Supreme Soul devoutly, the birth, supreme for the Satpurusha. It is the wisdom of wise ones acts, life, mind and words of such men becomes fruitful.' and intellect of the intellectuals to attain ultimate truth - And it is said, What, if one performs Vedic duties with life Moksha - by the means of untrue human body.' Narada span of deities and with celibacy, Gayatri and Deeksha, Muni has said, 'The poets have given a rock steady meaning but without devotion of God ?' 'What of the use the force by defining that the penance of the Purushas and acts like of Katha Shravan, penance, sacred words, meditational , listening scriptures, most desirable object, holy fire, concentration, intellect, expertise or sense power ? What intellect and donation all merge and dissolve in single act of the use the study of Yoga, Sankhya and other scriptures? of singing the praises of Bhagwan.' 'That one is called an

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act by which Shri Hari pleases, and that one is called attained you as a real elixir against the death in this world, knowledge which creates devotion for Shri Hari.' Vidurji where there is no treatment for it even at the cost of highest has said, 'The learned scholars have said mainly in the pain. Prahladji has said that there is no rise of devotion, praises that the heart that has absolute concentration at the without Satsang. The intellect can not concentrate at the lotus feet of Bhagwan and listens the praises of God, this lotus feet of such God who relieves from the ills of this state in fact is the fruit of the austerity they attained by world, unless he surrenders to a Satpurusha and with due listening praises of God for a long time.' Skand Purana respect places the dust particles of his holy feet on his head. has said, 'What fruit should be counted for the knowledge In obscene of such act, though he has knowledge mind, and other acts one has attained if the messengers of Yama the continues to be attached to others. Scholar's means those (God of Death) catch hold of the one as the one was who have studied scriptures and Vedas. Such people too without devotion of Shri Hari ?' Padma Purana has said, are consigned to the Lokas lower than Manushya Loka 'Oh King ! The virtues like listening Katha - Varta and and known as hell. Therefore, Prahaladj has said, 'The others would not adorn the one who has no devotion, like Rakshasas (evil minded people), despite their knowledge a widow, if she wears ornaments. The greatness and glory and scholastic achievements, did not attain self realization of Satsang may be learnt from the eleventh Skandh of and consigned to hell like a senseless lot, as they indulged Shrimad Bhagwat. Akruraji has said that the Satsang, as in the differences like mine and others and lost grossly in such generates devotional fervour in a Satsangi. Akrurji petty acts of filling bellies of them and their families. has said, 'Oh Isha ! I have attained your lotus like feet Bhagwan has said, 'Though may be an expert in which are not available to an Asat Purusha. This is a great knowledge of the Vedas, but if he does not have the favour from you. Oh God ! Oh Bhagwan ! Maditational knowledge of God, then his efforts would be futile like worship to a Satpurusha, helps a worshipper in smooth that of a man nursing a barren cow.' 'Oh Anga ! Those are sailing through the ocean of this world. This is my personal most miserable ones who protects and nurses a barren cow, wisdom.' The man attached affectionately to the culture unfaithful woman, dependent body, Viceful subjects, a of the worldly ways, gets strength and energy to detach donation made not to a deserving one, and the words himself from such earthly culture on companionship with without of me (God).' Vidurji has said in Mahabharat, 'As of a Satupurusha, and the man as such in his mind follows the birds, can not get protection of their nest and leave it the path being treaded by Satpurusha for attaining on getting their wings, similarly the Jiva on getting into Paramatma. Prachetmana has said, 'Oh ! You have become envelop of Maya can not get protection against the sin even the truest friend of dearest God Mahadeva in an association by the study of the Vedas. Age old Yagyavalkya has said, of a short while, and Oh Omnipresent God ! We have 'Those who are not practising Achara (established rules of

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conduct) can not become pure, despite their study of Six would be Bhagwan, but nobody else, that is what folded vedic scriptures.' Great Chanakya has said, 'The Shukdevji observed: 'The mind when uneasy due to the Katha-Varta that does not aim at generating detachment, acts, should be diverted in auspicious acts through the religion or peace is futile like a noise of a crow. intellect.' 'Bhagwan only is worth meditation and worship.' 'One who worships Bhagwan, attains Bhakti Yoga.' It is only Lord Krishna, His incarnations and his Shridhar Swami has written about the form of Bhagwan images, that alone can be meditated upon even though in his treatise and Shri Ramanuj Swami has written he may be a devotee of God or a knower of Brahm. extensively on the same line in his Sharirik sutra Bhashya. Therefore, the latter kind of meditation shall not be Brahma and Sanaka too have been disqualified by him as done by any of our followers. (115) they were from this world and therefore, in beginning they were bound in the ropes of worldly ways but realized self Krishna is Supreme Reality and Bhagwan. Shri in their later stage of life, not from within but externally, Krishna's incarnations means his birth in human form. His and therefore Bhagwan Shaunak has objected to the images means his idols in metal, stone etc. These only are Dhyana (meditation) of them : Right with Brahma to the worth worship and meditation. Know this well. Devotees lowest blade of Shrub, all living bodies on this earth have means those who have devotional faith in Lord Shri surrendered to the world due to their Karmas (acts) and Krishna. 'Knowers of Brahm' stands for those who have therefore, they have not been beneficial to a mediator in realized Brahm as I am Brahm, These and human beings his meditation. As they are within the boundaries of Avidya and others along deities are not worth worship. 'The man (ignorance) they are bound to rotate in a cycle of the and deities etc', here etc includes Prahlad and other Asuras worldly ways. And enlightenment, they have attained, is a (demonic spirits). Those shall not be worshipped. In development of a later stage, and not beneficial to a scriptures also, there is a recommandation in Dhyan meditator in his meditation. Unlike Brahm, their knowledge (meditation) Prakaran (chapter) about worshipping the of ultimate is not from within but has been acquired from forms of Bhagwan himself. The idol of God is treated as others.' Such statements indicate that: 'unique form only an incarnation of God. Meditation has been forbided in of Parabrahma-Vishnu is worth meditation.' The these cases. restrictions laid above against meditating to a devotee etc, Because, as they are Jivas, their bodies are bound to be stand against them for meditating if devotee etc are perished in Panch Maha Bhoota. Therefore, there is not independent as a meditated one, but not at all objectionable enough support for meditating them. Thus the objection is if a meditated devotee is at the service of his God. Because, just. The most benevolent refuge for Dhyan (meditation) if God accompanies a devotee, then a devotee is worth

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meditation in such a company. This has been explained pure knowledge, and he is known as Gyani (enlightened elsewhere in detail. one). Among all these, Gyani is the best. I am very dear to the Gyani and Gyanis are very dear to me. All these Understanding that one's self that is distinct devotees are generous. Gyani among this is the soul of and separate from three bodies, (gross, subtle and me. Such a fully attached soul attains supreme destination causal), is Brahm, one shall ever offer devotion to the in my form.' And, 'The one, who has attained Brahm with Lord. (116) happiness of soul never grieves or desires for any thing but looks with equality to all living and non living bodies It is distinct from the gross, subtle and causal bodies without making any difference and attains my ultimate and is luminous, therefore it is with unique attributes. devotional state.' Shrimad Bhagwat has said, 'I am only Bhagwan has said about this : The witness-soul-is distinct the desirable to an enlightened devotee. I am his aim and like a burning wood who has uniqueness from the fire who destination. I am his Moksha and I am his heaven, nothing burns and illuminates. Such soul looks at its own through is loveable for him excepting me.' 'Gyani Bhakta gross and subtle bodies. As it is said, creation, destruction, (enlightened devotee) is dearest to me. He worships me bigness, smallness, different types and Gunas born of such by his knowledge. Therefore, worship me with devotion have been inbibed by a soul by entering into it and has and knowledge.' 'Oh king ! Though wedded to Nirgun worn the Gunas of body. Therefore, experiencing well with Swroop (absolutism), his mind absorbs the divine Leelas the instruments like Yoga, one should meditate upon Lord of Bhagwan, such one studies the scripture of Bhagwat.' Shri Krishna through a soul like Brahm. Such enlightened 'The one whose mind is fully filled with divine happiness devotee who has attained Brahm in such manner has been and all his other desires have been disappeared and has praised by Bhagwan as a supreme devotee of Him. This is developed attraction in the divine Leelas of Bhagwan, such the core meaning of this Shloka. Geeta has said, Oh Arjuna! great one was expanding lamp like scripture Bhagwat.' 'The The four types of people with punya worship me. The first selfless and enlightened Munis worship Him with a desire is the one who has lost his prestige and now wishes to for Moksha.' Lord Shri Hari has such divine attributes that regain it, such one is called Arta (miserable). The second the Munis with absolute detachment and self consciousness is the one who desires to attain conscious state which is worship Him with selfless devotion.' All these Shlokas are separate from Prakriti, Such one is called a Jigyasu (seeker indicative of daily practice, because it is the only means of the ultimate knowledge). The third is the one who for Param Purushartha. Bhagwan has said : One who has desires unattained wealth, such one is called an Artharthi regulated his mind and senses with practice of Yoga attains (seeker of prosperity). The fourth is the one who seeks Divine Supreme through his mental worship.

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Our followers shall respectfully listen to the Tenth the Lord of the Lords - Vishnu, becomes free from all the Skandha of Shrimad Bhagwat daily or at least once in sins.''As the sun removes darkness and wind removes the a year. The learned persons shall read it daily or at clouds, in similar way, Bhagwan enters lower mind of the least once in a year. (117) man when a man sings or listen to the praises of Bhagwan, and destroys all his sins. For further details please refer to Listen with full faith. Listening without faith does not Shrimad Bhagwat Mahatmya Vaada. give desired fruits. Bhagwan has said : 'Oh Partha ! Homa (sacrifice), Havan (sacred fire), Dan (donation), Tapa Our followers shall perform reverently repeated (penance), Punya Kriya (Virtuous acts) etc. become untrue readings (Purushcharan) of the Tenth Skandha of if not performed with absolute faith. Such acts without Bhagvat and Vishnu- Sahastranama in a holy place ; faith does not give fruits either in this Loka or in the other for such performances fulfill the desires of the cherished Lokas. Those who are not able to listen it everyday, should objects. (118) listen it once a year. Wise and learned people should read Dashama Skandha if they could read Sanskrit language. The place of virtuous reward - The Punya Sthana. The They should read it daily, reading and listening this place which is a cause for the virtuous reward. Temples scripture removes all evils and gives divine abode of and Shrines are such places. Naradji has said that the place Bhagwan. It has been said : Like this, the God is beyond where a Satpurusha (virtuous and religios minded person) all and has manifested himself in human form to protect resides is a Punya Kshetra Where there us icon of God, axiomatic religion. One who listens with ardent desire for there always are all virtuous things. The great rivers - the lotus feet of God, the divine Leelas of God which Ganga etc - are such places. These places are the giver of destroy all worldly acts, and listens thus to his Godly acts, desired rewards - fruits. One hundred and eight readings attains divine abode of God with absolute meditation of the Tenth Skandha of Shrimad Bhagwat should be concentration in ever increasing Kath-Kirtan and Leelas performed with proper conclusive rites. This should be of God. The divine abode of God destroys destructive performed in accordance to one's personal capacity. Here, force of Kala (death) and the Kings have abandoned their personal capacity has special reference to Daan and Kingdoms and have retired to the forests to attain divine Dakshina (donation and alm). Both these should fit in one's abode of God.' 'Praises of God pacifies grief and mental personal capacity, but there should be no compromise in conflicts.' 'Lord Shri Krishna-whose divine episodes give Parayan (reading and singing) part. If one is capable to Punya (virtuous reward) to it's listener- belongs ot his perform reading, he himself should read it. The concluding Katha - listeners.' 'The man who listens to the episodes of ceremony and it's rituals should be performed in the case

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Vishnu Sahasranaam Stotra - where the thousand names sake of the body which is a great convenience for the of Lord Vishnu have to be recited. Here, the word 'etc' has devotion of God, it recommands practice of the religion of been suffixed to Vishnu Sahasra Naam. This means that others if required so in safe guard of one's body. Bhagwan such purashcharan should be performed of Shrimad has said, 'A brahmin in trouble should accept the work of Bhagwad Geeta and Shri Krishna Ashtakshar Mantra. The a vaishya and should get through the troubling time, or ritual - ceremonial - part for such reading session may be should hold the sword like a Kshatriya to get through referred to with Vidhi Vidhan. Rishi Shamak has said, 'A trouble, but should not maintain such attitude after getting single Parayan Katha of the Tenth Skandha of Bhagwat, over a troubling time.' Vasishta has said, 'Oh King ! In gives reward equal to a parayana of the Vedas to a brahmin. time of trouble accept impersonal religion untruth or touch of the untouchables and protect your self and others. Refer When our followers are visited upon by natural Mitakshara for further details. calamities sent by deities, or sufferings inflicted by human beings or serious physical diseases, they shall The questions relating to the right conduct, right act in a manner that ensures the protection of one self dealings in worldly matters, and right acts of atonement and of others and in no other way. (119) for sins, shall be determined in the context of and after full consideration of time, place, age, wealth, caste and The Acts inflicting troubles. Troubles from the deities capacity. (120) means drought, fire and other troubles. Troubles from humans means the troubles inflicted by a royal family and Achara - religious observances- means the acts like king or from the enemy by the way of robbery, stealing morning bath and other rituals related to it. Worldly acts etc., or troubles like spread of the disease or injury by means debts, recovery, payments etc. To make amends for weapons, In these troubles, one should act in the manner an error or deficiency is called atonement. All these should protecting body of himself and of others. Should not act match with the place, time, age, money, caste and personal otherwise. Because the Dharmshastras have described a strength. In the place where a trouble takes place, time different set of duties in such troubles. For example, means where there are favorable times, age means Moksha Dharma in Mahabharat describes separate sets of childhood, adult etc., money means financial capacity, caste duties by dividing troubles in 'Samata' and 'Vishamata' - means different castes like Brahmin, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas namely 'equity' and 'contrasts'. Moreover, in royal duties etc., all these are to be taken into consideration. it says 'The duties of capable people are separate from such Dharmshastra also recommends place and time for such duties of those who are in trouble.' This is why, for the consideration. Therefore, there are many schools deciding

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differently about religious observances. Harihar Bhashya time. Each age has it's own set of duties. Thus the sets of of Katyayan Sutra and it's Ahnik Chapter shows ten types duties for Kruta, Dwapara and Kali Yuga, are distinct in it of bath : Main water bath by bathing in river water, fire self. Kruta Yuga practiced the rules framed by Manu, Treta based bath by bathing with ash. Air bath by bathing with has practised of Gautama, Dwapara Yuga has the rules by the earth- particles spread by the hooves of a cow. Hymn- Shankha Muni and this Kali Yuga thus has the rules framed bath by bathing gestures with a blade of Durva (a sacred by Parashara. Yagyavalkya suggest that, one should keep herb) and chants of the mantras. Kapil bath is performed in mind the place, time, age, strength, and extent of the sin by rubbing body with a wet cloth. Brahm-Snan is while fixing an atonement where no atonement has been performed by spinkling water on the body with the chants prescribed. Mitakshara says that an atonement should not of 'Aapo Hishtha .. ' hymn. Earth-bath is performed with harm to the life of the one who goes under the atonement, soil from a holy place. Divine-bath means bathing in sunny because the slackness observed in this area would nullify day in a rain. Mental bath is a menal chant of Vasudeva the basic aim of the atonement (because life it self may names. Vaishnava - bath is performed by sacred water kept end and soul may leave the body before an atonement). in a sea shall after washing lotus feet of Lord Vishnu. Thus, Suppose in an atonement one has to live on air during the these different ways of bathing follows place and time as day and has to pass his night in water. If such one has to per the scriptures. Achar Prakaran and others opine in undergo this atonement in Himalyan range in winter days, similar way about Sandhya Vandan (worship in dawn and then at night in water he may turn definitely in to a block dusk). Same is the state in regard to Vyavahara of ice and soul may leave his body ! Therefore Place and (observances). For this, Bhaskar Samhita and Brihaspati time are vital factors in determining an atonement. Same in Vyavahar Mayukh says that king should not decide on is the status of the physical age. these by depending solely on the scriptures, but should practice in accordance to time, place, caste and ancient Vishishtadvaita is our approved system of traditions. In case of atonements, same principle is to be philosophy, Goloka is the most desired highest realm followed. Wise hermit Parashar has said, 'It is necessary of our permanent home. There the rendering of loving to have enough consideration for woman, children, aged service of the Lord with the self, identified with Brahm people, poors, ailing people, and those who are weak is our conception of Moksha. (121) physically for fasting.' Further, it is suggested that Munis must have a considerate approach towards them with Vishishtadvaita is our principle of philosophy. The knowledge of time, place, age, capacity etc. Moreover, it philosophic system prevalent in this Loka are : Dwaita is said that ethical duties are changed with the changes in (dualism), Adwaita (monotheism), Shuddhadwaita (Pure

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monotheism) and Vishishtadwaita (unique monotheism highest achievements like Yoga-Siddhi or Mukti, they where soul and matter are not considered quite desire for nothing except me.' 'Salokya and other Muktis inseparable). The Vishishtadwaita school (philosophic in four types which are attainable through my service, these system of unique monotheism) founded by Shri even are not desired by my those devotees who have Ramanujacharya is our principle. Know this well. Also attained absolute satisfaction in serving me. Then how know that the roots of His Sampradaya in Shri Ramanuj could they think for any other perishable thing ?' 'If I give Sampradaya. Goloka Dhaam the divine abode Goloka - Kaivalya Mukti to my wise and Ekantik Bhaaktas means the centrally located divine abode Goloka, (devotees), they would not desire to attain it !' 'The surrounded by Vaikuntha and Shveta - Dweepa etc. The devotees with absolute faith in me, would not desire divine beauty and appearance of divine abode Goloka may anything without me.' 'The Ekantik Bhaktas (single minded be collected from Shri Krishna Khanda of Brahm Vaivarta devotees) would not desire anything but the devotion at Purana and from Vasudeva Mahatmya in Skanda Purana. Your lotus like feet meditated upon with all pains by Mukti - Salvation - means to serve at lotus feet of Lord Satpurushas.' 'The single minded devotees of God who Shri Krishna residing in the pure form of Brahm in Goloka. have surrendered absolutely at the lotus feet of God, would Also know that to be consigned to the Loka of Ishwara not desire for anything.' 'Those desire free devotees, has not been accepted as attributes of Mukti (Salvation), desiring only meditational worship to me, are believed to because the Mukti - Salvation - in the form of rendering be most faithful and clever in their personal selfishness.' service at the lotus feet of Lord Shri Krishna is unique and 'Those who have fulfilled all their aims by supreme rarely available and only Ekantik - devotees (singleminde dedication to divinity, are not showing any respect to the devotees) desire such salvation, this is what has been Moksha - the ultimate reward of one's life.' These are the desired here. Bhagwat has said, 'My devotees do not accept word of great devotee Uddhava : 'Oh God ! What would salvation coupled with Salokya, Sarshti, Samipya and stands unattainable among the four Purusharthas, to the Sarupya Mukti if it is not wedded to devotion of Me.' 'Those one who worships you ? But I don't wish of it, as I desire who desire to serve my lotus feet and desires me, does not utmost to serve at your lotus like feet. God too extends like union with my physical being.' 'Those whose minds such chance to serve, only to his single minded devotees love to serve me, for them the Moksha is useless.' 'Oh (Ekantik Bhaktas), but not to all his devotees. Shukdevij Narsimha ! Such people do not believe in greatness of the has said, 'Oh King ! Bhagwan, who at times is the head of emancipation, then what about other things ?' 'Those who clan and at time is the chariot driver (for Arjuna), such have dedicated their soul, would not desire the status of God may be your master and a Guru of the Yadavas, but Brahma, Indra or an emperor or would not desire for the he at times offers Mukti to his devotees but never offers

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Bhakti-Yoga to them.' Thus are described the Ekantik ways dictum too supports such well defined equity. Shri and attainment of Brahm. This much expansion should be Ramanujacharya has defined both the dictums : worldly enough. transactions means the forms, states, acts, distinctions and Bhagwan has said, 'In fact, a man, setting aside all his regulation of all conscious and unconscious or static. The actions, submits absolutely himself to me - the ultimate in Mukta is absolutely free from all these. The Mukta has the search - attains Moksha and attains Me.' Prahlad has become free from the state of concealment, and has attained said to Bhagwan Nrusinhji, 'Oh Pundrikaksha ! The man, the majesty of the company of divine form of God. Why when removes all desires from his heart, comes into so ? : Because there is such chapter. The supreme control consideration by Bhagwan.' This explains that when all of universe rests in the hands of Parabrahm - Prakriti : 'The worldly desires vanish from one's heart, then such ekantik one from whom the Lokas and Jivas evolve and sustained devotee unifies himself with his God. Such is the state of by it, moves towards such one and merges into such. Know emancipation but not mere service. If raised any doubt as this ultimate as Brahm.' If such power of regulating cosmos such, the answer is : No. Even such an Ekantik Bhakta, becomes a common act of the Mukta, does not it minimize can not become a God. Believe it, because the God is one the Brahm's attribute as an ultimate reality of the comos, and Shrutis Smrits and Puranas have founded this fact The uniqueness it self means 'attribute'. And Oh Saumya ! firmly. Such devotees in reality attains godly majesty and This Sat (truth) it self prevailed earlier, one and unique remains pleasingly at the service of God. That is the Brahm, It thought of becoming many and created light.' principle here. Shridhar Swami has founded this fact (of Earlier this only-The Brahm-existed; though was only one, Godly majesty and service at the feet of God ) in his was ever new. It evolved the field of benediction, which treatise. Moreover, Shrutis have said, 'The devotee, is the field of the deities : Indra (God of rain) (Aqua-God), untouched by Maya, attains equality with the God.' Rudra (an epithet of Shiva), Vrishti (Rain), Yama (Death 'Depending to their knowledge of ultimate, they have God), Mrityu (death) and Ishwara (Cosmic God)'. 'Earlier attained majesty of mine.' Here equality, stands for the this soul was alone and nothing else existed, and it created experience of the achievements like anima etc. majesty and living beings,' He thus created Lokas. 'Only Narayan Brahm bhava, but it is not in supremacy and control on existed, neither were Brahma, Ishwar, space, earth, planets, universe. The reason is : 'Acts like creation and sustenance water, fire, moon nor the sun, He alone remained not in of universe are not included in Mukta state, and This Shruti Leelas but in meditational trance and created daughters in of Mukta state is not closer to the Shruti of universal the form of ten senses.' Sentences such as: 'Though on the creativity.' The dictum "Only on the signs of equity in earth, but at the same exists within it,' till the : 'Though having or consuming" and justifications in relation to this with in the soul'. We hear from it overall control of universe

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by Parama Purusha and Prakriti. Moreover, 'There is no duties are to be performed by everybody in accordance to Shruti in regard to Mukta's closeness in universal evolution their personal rights. Now, tells special duties. ; that too indicates that Mukta's are not such close in universal evolution that it may create worldly activities. We now dwell upon the rules of conduct specially Not only that, but in a true realization of Brahm, The Mukta meant for Acharyas descended from the family of - though free from earthly involvement's has the majesty Dharmdev, and their wives. Ayodhyaprasad and of being labelled as equal to Brahm,' this is what emerges Raghuvirji, sons respectively of our elder and younger from these statements. 'It enjoys all wishes with scholarly brothers shall not initiate into mantra and address Brahm.' Therefore, Muktas attribute of true resolutes and teachings to the women, not within the closer bond of equality with supreme God is to be described in the light blood relationship. (123) of description of unique and universal law of supreme God given in Shrutis, in short, the majesty of the Muktas is, Now in special rules of conduct, He tells the special without of earthly acts. 'Which has destruction of sins,' to rules of conduct for the highest Guru-Acharya-of the 'attribute of true resolutes' a famous collection of Gunas devotees founded by Himself-His brothers sons : My given in Shrutis above has been shown for the Muktas also, brother's sons - my elder brother's and my younger eventhough, such state of the Muktas depends on Param brother's sons - means the sons of Rampratap and Ichharam Purusha, it rests in Param Purusha, therefore, the Muktas - namely Ayodhyaprasad and Raghuvirji. Without of closer should serve at the lotus feet of Narayana - who is relation means the woman who is distantly related or is unparalleled and has nothing beyond or above Him. That not related at all. The nearness of the relation is to be is the highest reward and thus it is absolute innocence. established on the bases of Dharmopadesh. Common attribute of closeness in relation indicates defilement on These are the general rules of conduct to be followed such one's death to the person concerned. Women should equally by all our followers, both householders and not be initiated Shri Krishna Mantra. But there is no recluses as also by all men and women alike. We now objection in such preaching to a closely related woman. If prescribe separately particular codes of conduct for any other woman arrives for such preaching, then such specialized classes. (122) preaching to her should be conveyed through his initiated wife by the Acharya, but he himself should not preach to Now in conclusion, resolves to tell special duties. All such women. The intention is such that, the preaching to a his followers means all men and all women. Duties means woman by a Guru may cause a fall from religious status, non-violence etc. common ethical duties. These ethical as history has noted. Don't take a common seat with

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mother, sister or a daughter because the group of powerful deposit from the people of his own caste or of the other senses defeat even a scholar. In reality, woman are like castes, because accepting such deposits is the root of the fire and men are like a pot of butter oil, therefore one conflict. should not stay in seclusion even with a daughter and in the case of other woman, the conversation should be limited They shall not bind themselves by standing as surety to the most essential. It is said that the dealing with a for others in worldly matters. They shall tide over woman is painful even to the Gods, then what should we periods of distress and crisis by relying on alms, but think of the men engrossed in worldly ways ? Shri never shall they incur any debt. (125) Dharmdev has founded this religious decorum as was said by the scriptures and our devotees are required to The sons of these two brothers shall not stand as surety follow it. for himself or for others in any purchase, sale, donation or in any other transactions because it creates conflicts. And They shall neither touch nor speak with those some times, due to adverse times if grains and wealth are women. No act of cruelty shall be committed by them. lost or robbed and as such prevails adverse time, in such They shall not accept and keep with them the deposits circumstances, they like a Brahmin, shall servive (self and of money from others. (124) dependents) on an alm, but shall not incur debt. Because, debt inflicts pains. Therefore, it is said in Aranyakparva Those women, means the women who are not closely of Mahabharat : 'Oh Aquatic ! The one who lives on related. The sons of those two brothers should not touch Vegetables received on a fifth-sixth day and not getting a them and should not talk to them. It means that they should chance for daily travel, lives a happy life if he is not in not talk even for the causes like preaching or the worldly any debt.' Vidur Niti says, 'Oh King ! physical health, life acts. Here it is meant that they should avoid in absolute without any debt, no travelling, company of virtuous such occasion outrightly. Vishnudharma has said, 'The people, own or independent occupation, and a safe Gurus (great ones) shall be ruined definitely on dealing residence, these six are giver of happiness. If, due to some with women, wealth and taste. Shlok contains word 'etc' ill luck, the debt has incurred and such debt if stands unpaid which indicates that other people too of the Dharm Vansh and mean while if one dies, it brings a great calamity on should not touch a woman and should not speak to them. the dead.' Kritya chintamani says, 'If an Agnihotra' or a Moreover the sons of these two brothers shall not commit penant dies under a debt, the reward of such Agnihotra or cruelty to any animal. Because, the Smrutis have said that a penant goes to the person who had lended money. Those Gurus are merciful. They should not accept any security who are not repaying their debt due to their laziness or

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helplessness loses their Punyas of past and such Punyas is sort of exchange and retention of exchanged one, would go to the lender.' Therefore, it is meant that no debt therefore, it is not a sale. And as such, it does not attract should be incured. This is a common ethical duty, applicable any drawback. Such act protects the religion of a to everybody, but has been told to the sons of his two householder. Smritis have said, 'The exchange is just and brothers for a knowledge of them and his followers, proper, but it is improper to look for profit. through them. The Acharyas shall perform worship of Ganapati on They shall not sell grains offered by their disciples. the fourth day of the bright half of the month of The exchange of old grains for fresh ones shall not be Bhadrapada and that of Hanuman on the fourteenth deemed to be a sale. (126) day of the dark half of the month of Ashwin. (127)

The peddy and other grains given by the disciples, as The fourth day of the bright half of Bhadrapada is they are surplus on their family needs, should not be sold famous as Siddhi Vinayak Chaturthi. On this day, the out in a business act. Gautam Smriti says, 'Earth, peddy, worship and prayer shall be offered to Lord Ganapati - the oat, goat, horses, bullocks, cows and oxen should not be destroyer God of troubles. An earthen idol of Lord sold even by a brahmin.' It is said in Raj Dharma chapter Ganapati shall be installed and worshipped with Sindur, of Mahabharat, 'Goat is fire, lamb is water, horse is sun, sacred grass, and sweet - balls. This worship and Poojan Earth is grains, Dhanush (bow) is a holy-fire and Soma does not attract the fault of worshipping other God, as (wine), these should not be sold. Because by selling Goat Ganapatiji is one of the incarnations of Lord etc, one is selling fire and other deities. And these two ShriKrishna. This has been explained in detail in the Acharyas with their large families, if conserves food-grains, previous part of this scripture. Bhavishyottar Puran would be supportive in their religious acts of offering alms prescribes this day for worship and Poojan of Lord to the needy, poors and brahmins in adverse times of a Ganapati : 'An earthen or Gold-idol of Lord Ganapati shall draught. Therefore, they should keep away from selling be worshipped by wise people on the fourth day of the food-grains. Now, in the place of not selling, He tells of bright half of Bhadrapada month. The idol shall be given what should be done. Stale grains, the grains of past year a bath of oil of white til in the morning and in noon time, can not be retained for a longer time as it would develop within personal capacity. Ganapatiji shall be worshipped insects and germs on passage of time. In circumstances as with sacred grass and sweet-balls. One who worships in such, stale grain shall be exchanged with a fresh one, by such manner, becomes free from all the pains and never selling stale and buying fresh grain from that money. This faces any hardship. He then attains desired fruits.' Now

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says about determining such fourth day. Fourth day with It means that, by initiating Shri Krishna Mantra, the sight of the third day is better. If there are two days of Acharyas shall favour the followers. Panchratra says, 'Guru the fourth in the fortnight, then such first fourth day shall should initiate Deeksha to Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishya be considered for Poojan of Ganapatiji - or should be taken and Kshudra gents and ladies who have devotional love such fourth day which has Abhijit lunar mansion. If such Lord Vishnu.' fourth day belongs to next day, in such cases noon time shall be a preferred time. These are the observations from The Acharyas shall see that different classes of our Vratotsava Vidhi. And on the fourteenth day of the dark followers strictly confirm to their respective obligations half of Ashwin month, the Poojan of Lord Hanuman - the and duties laid down by us and keep them in their ambassador of Lord Rama should be performed. This day respective Dharma. They shall reverently follow the is known as Narak Chaturdashi. Lord Hanuman is eternal pursuit of the study of beneficial scriptures. (129) and greatest among the monkeys and is envoy of Lord Rama. He is Ekantik Bhakta of Lord Rama. Lord Hanuman And those two Acharyas should found properly the shall be worshipped. The worship shall be offered with followers and disciples in their respective religion. Here oil, Sindur, Aakada (Swallow-wort plant) flowers etc as is a hint to the effect that failing which the sins of disciples Poojan of Mahavir increases love for Lord Rama. shall come to the Guru. Shankh Smriti says, 'If the religion Bhagwan Ramchandra has said, 'Those who worship you is not taugh properly, the sins of subject shall come to the on fourteenth day shall not be consigned to hell and shall king, the sins of disciples shall come on the Guru, and the be dearer to Me.' This fourteenth day should be counted sins of wife shall come on her husband.' after 36 Gharis (a ghadi means 24 minutes) from Sunrise. Those - the sons of My brothers should respect Sadhu The worship of both these Gods is a general religious duty Purush, means Poojan Archan should be offered by them of all our householder devotees. to Sants (Saints). Poojan-worship of Sadhu gives desired fruits- rewards. Mundakopanishad says, 'The man, who is Ayodhyaprasada and Raghuvira have been installed pure in his innermost, whatsoever desires and wishes in as head of our fellowship for the purpose of establishing his pure mind attains all such desired objects, fruits and and protecting the practice of Dharma among all our glory. Therefore, those who are desirous of ultimate good, followers, and the Acharyas, therefore, shall give should offer Poojan to Sants, otherwise, the Poojan offered initiation of Krishna Mantra to all those who are earnest to Bhagwan become futile. Shrimad Bhagwat has said, for their liberation. (128) 'The one who has consciousness in his body, has worldly wisdom in his family, has sense of respect in earthly

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objects, has sense of respect towards water, but if he has lazyness and others as drawbacks : 'Lazyness, affection, no respect for the saint, should be known as donkey.' 'Oh smartness, talkativeness, state of astonishment, ego, lack Brahman ! Therefore worship those Brahm Rishis. You are of detachment these seven are the enemies for a student.' worshipping me by their worship. There is no greater He says that the student is not required to consider his pain devotion than that by which I could be worshipped.' 'The on removal of his lazyness and doing his study. 'How, a man who worships Shri Hari with great faith but does not desirous of comforts get Vidya ? How a student get the worship other devotees is an elemental devotee.' 'I can not pleasure ? A learner can not have the pleasure. 'Either a be attained without of my devotees.' etc. etc. They should seeker of the knowledge should give away his knowledge read and study the Vedas and scriptures as the both have or should give away his pleasures for seeking knowledge.' suggested above. This study is consisted of your parts : to Thinking on the learning point and learning by heart the studyit, to think on it, to learn it by heart and to sanctify it. study units should be undertaken in the later part of the The study of the scriptures attained by serving a Guru, is night, because intellect becomes sharper during later part not attainable by the other means. 'Not to serve, to act of the night. Intellect of the student becomes blunt on their hastily and the self praise are the three enemies of sleeping in day time. Repeated learing in the later part of education and learning.' Thus Vidurji has said that not to the night refreshes a learner, as per smritis. Manu Maharaj serve a Guru, acts like a great enemy of the knowledge.' has said, 'one should not return to the sleep after study of As the person digging a ditch with an implement receives Brahm-Vidya in a later part of night.' Gautam has said, water, similarly a person serving to his Guru receives 'one should not turn to sleep after a study during later part knowledge.' Thus, Manu Maharaj also gives great of the night.' Naradji has narrated in Samskar Mayukh the importance to the service extended to one's Guru. It is said obstacles in ones study : Gambling, card game, desire for in Kalpalata, 'The knowledge is earned by serving a Guru, a stroll in a garden, women, sleepiness and sleep, these or by wealth, or by knowledge or by good acts of past six are obstacles in acquiring knowledge. One who like a births.' Here in, last three are attain able by extending serpent is scared of the people one who is scared of the respect, therefore, it is said that it should be done with due sweet dishes as like a fear of death, and one who is scared respect. The knowledge is not inspired without study and of the women as like a fear of an evilspirit, would earn the therefore, study should be done with due respect. Lazyness knowledge. As mentioned above now about the method is the cause of disliking, therefore lazyness should be and degree of quitting the sleep. Bhaskaracharya has said, removed, this act of removing lazyness is called respect. 'Spiritually wise shall quit sleep for whole day prefixed Smritis have said, 'the death with the help of lazyness and and suffixed with both Sandhyas. Thus one should take food, destroys a Brahmin.' Therefore, Vidurji has treated the interpretation as given by Smritis, but should not take

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it as quitting sleep forever. The same Acharya has fulfill all four goals of one's life. determined the period prohibitive for study and learning. 'One should not study at midnight and should not study on They shall offer worship in compliance with proper such days prohibited by scriptures.' The Shlokas prescribe ritual to the images of Laxmi-Narayan and others the act of learning. It should be understood that such study installed by me in great temples. (130) should be of Good scriptures. One should study Vedas and should acquire knowledge of it. Shrutis have said, 'Though Big temples means great temples and shrines, but as there there may be no cause, but a Brahmin should learn the is word 'etc'. suffixed to this, small temples too are to be Vedas with its all six parts, and should know it.' Bhagwat considered. Those temples where I have installed the idols. says, 'The penance and knowledge both are benedictory The idols of Lord Laxminarayan and as there is 'etc' for a Brahmin.' Smriti says, 'In his early age, a Brahmin suffixed to Lord Laxminarayan, Lord Narnarayandev and should study good scriptures at proper time and with proper others are to be known as included in it. Here the reason wisdom, otherwise he will descend from his higher status.' of mentioning Lord Laxminarayan is that, he himself has Daan Khand of Mahabharat says that a Brahmin ignorant written this scripture of Shikshapatri by sitting in front of of Vedas, is like a blind. Shrutis and Smritis have been Lord Laxminarayandev. Therefore, the doubt of receding called the two eyes of a Brahmin, if one from these two is glory of other Gods should not arise. He himself has proved missing in him, will make him blind of one eye and if both elsewhere the equality amongst the Gods. Therefore, one those are missing will make him total blind.' Kamandak should serve to all these forms with a greater love. Such has said, 'Cows see through a smelling, Brahmins see service should be extended without flouting the procedures through their knowledge of Vedas, kings see through their prescribed by Shri Vitthalnathji. One may have a large spies, and a common man sees through his eyes.' 'The number of servants, but the one should extend such service scriptures are the eyes for a Brahmin.' Vidurji says, 'Eight himself to the God. God himself has said about the duties Virtues graces a man : Intellect, lineage, control on sense of his devotees and has mentioned that such service should organs, study, valour, brevity, donation within personal be extended with great respect and Namskar (bowing to limits and knowledge of personal deeds.' It is said in the give respect) should be offered to God by all the limbs, Kashikhand of Skanda Purana that the spiritual status as a and should serve at his home his God like a humble servant. true Brahmin can not be attained without learning and study Also it is said that, such His devotees should not show : A wooden elephant, an artificial deer and a Brahmin affection elsewhere and should serve Shri Rukminiji and without knowledge exist only as a name.' Therefore, the others in like manner. study and knowledge of the scripture is a must, as they

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If a person comes to the temple of God for food, he of the people. Therefore, there had been no donation shall be served respectfully with alms of food according greater than donation of food and there would be no to available means. (131). donation greater than donation of food even in the farthest future. More details on donating should be inspected in Anybody - known or unknown person but hungry and Anushasan Parva of Mahabharat. in need of food, if comes in the temple, should be served with food within capacity. It means that raw or cooked Acharyas shall be establishing Pathshala for Sat- food should be served to him as per available sources. Atri Vidya (true education) and appointing right learned Smriti says : No guest shold be kept hungry at the own Brahmin teachers there, for imparting true education, place or at the place of others. Food also is a denotation of propagate true education, for the teaching of true water, because both these live together.' Aditya Purana says education, is a great act of benefit to all. (132) : Scholars have praised donating food and grains, because food is the cause of life. Therefore, donating food is Pathashala - means an appropriate residency for the donation of life. The wise people should donate food students. Should establish such residency. Should appoint everyday, and should donate it without any a test or Brahmin scholars with appropriate salary and conduct such checking. That is the advice from Swayambhu Manu. Lord activity on earth for spreading true-knowledge and true- Brahma pleases with food. And such food pleases Lord education. Such activity earns Punyas. As donating eyes Kamala Pati - Shri Bhagwan, Shivaji and Indra. Therefore, to a blind earns punya, in like manner, this too earns the the wise people knowing Vedas have suggested donation Punyas. In Dan Hemadri chapter of Garuda Purans it is of food. Donation of water valued equally with a donation said, 'Those who educate Brahmins by appointing scholars of food. Water is the life for all living bodies.' Rewards of with salary do not exclude any donation required for donating food have been mentioned in Skand Puran : The attaining four ultimate goals of life. A man fulfills all his donor of food receives Vimaan (aero-plane) shining like a desires by donating food, oil, clothing and alm to the golden sun and surrounded by Apsaras (celestial damsel). students. There is no doubt in it.' Agni Purana says, 'Oh Nothing is greater than donating food in this world. Living king ! Those who donates to the students a daily service bodies are born of food and survive on food. There is no of lamp, bedding and food would earn the fruits of doubt in regard to that. No donation is greater in this world performing a holy-fire.' than a donation of life, and all these Lokas survive-live- on the food, they are the fruits of the food. All three Lokas The wives of Acharyas with permission of their reside in the food, and the food is the fruit of the donation husbands shall give initiation of Krishna-Mantra to

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women only and not to men. (133) stands good as initiating deeksha or preaching by Acharya himself. Thus, there is no drawback or fault. Otherwise, if After assigning specific religious duties of the sons of Acharya preaches to women and Acharya's wife if His two brothers, now in following two Shlokas, describes preaches to men, would attract a serous drawback as specific religious duties of their wives. Their means, of woman is like fire and man is like a pot of butter oil, and Ayodhyaprasadji and Raghuvirji. Their wives means, of such togetherness would definitely attract serous troubles their wives namely Sunanda and Virja. They, under the as has been said in the scriptures and would bring them permission from their husband, should initiate Shri down from their spiritual heights. Therefore, Acharya's Krishna-mantra Deeksha to the women surrendered at their wife should take permission from Acharya and then, should refuge. There is 'etc' suffixed to Shri Krishna-mantra initiate Shri Krishna Mantra Deeksha to devotee women. Deeksha to the women surrendered at their refuge. There And Acharya should entrust his wife through His preaching is 'etc' suffixed to Shri Krishna - mantra, therefore, the to her, such initiation by his wife to devotee women. There religious preaching - pertaining to married woman and is no drawback in this order. With proper understanding widowed both-should be preached. of the core of all scriptures, the religious decorum Now 'the initiation of Deeksha from a Vaishnava Guru' established by Shri Dharmdev is being practiced. Know etc. sentences authorizes only a Guru for such Krishna this well. Desist from independent preaching. Parashar mantra (eight lettered hymn) deeksha, then here in this such Muni has said, 'The woman who preaches, donates, an authority for Mantra deeksha has been entrusted to performs pilgrimage or austerities without any order or wives of Acharyas. What is the ground for such authority permission from her husband earns no fruit of it. ? Here are the Smritis and Shrutis for such support : 'Wife is the one half of his body,' 'Place husband and wife before The wives of Acharyas shall neither touch, converse the fire,' 'One half of his body is his wife.' 'Retain my with, nor show their face to male not within closer bond speech with mental concentration,' 'Retaining your heart of their blood relationship. (134) in my austerity.' 'My psyche follows your psyche.' 'May Lord Prajapati unite us.' 'Retaining your vital air by my Not of near relations. Means those who are either very vital air.' 'Bones by bones,' 'Flesh by flesh' and 'Skin by distantly related or are not related at all. They should not skin' gets the nourishment,' etc-etc. Shruti-Smritis and talk to such man and should not touch them. They should Grihya Sutras are indicative of bodily unison of husband not show their face to such man. The events, wherein such and wife, similarly it indicate union in action, therefore, vision may be possible, therein they would either cover the initiating deeksha or preaching by wife of Acharya their face or would turn off their face from such men. This

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is a just approach for a Guru's wife, failing which there not take place with such woman. may be the fear of a fall due to events of Darshan and worship taking place frequently during religious Our male followers shall not stay in a lonely place celebrations. Manu Smriti says that even a faithful and even with their young mother, sister or daughter except virtuous woman falls due to company of other man. in extraordinary circumstances of calamity. Never shall Therefore, avoid such eventuality by conscious efforts. they gift away their wives to others as alms. (136) Word 'etc' is suffixed to Acharya's wife, therefore, the women belonging to Dharm Kool should desist from Young mother means mother who is in her stage of speaking to and touching men. youth. Mother, sister and daughter with them. The man should not stay alone with them in a lonely place except Our followers who are male householders shall not in the adverse times. Means, during adverse times, when touch the widows who are not closely related. (135) there is no alternative place to stay at, one may stay with them in such lonely place in accordance to place and time, Now in this special Shloka tells special religious duties but at the barest minimum. Even if there is no lonelyness, of the householders. My followers, those who are in second the company of woman is always a tantalizing affair. It Ashrama - Grihastha Ashrama (householders) - should not may rock the steadiness of mind in such loneliness. touch widows who are not in nearer relation but are very Therefore, a spiritually wise should not create such distantly related or not at all related to them. Nearly related occasion. Shrimad Bhagwat has said, 'Realy, the woman means such relation in which a defilement takes place on is like fire and man is like a pot filled with butter-oil. One her death. Widows means such women, whose husband should not stay alone even with his daughter, if on call of his expired. Such ladies - widows - should not be touched time, such loneliness has become a need of time, it should by a householder devotee. Because their touch is scaled off to bare minimum.' 'One should not share a single inauspicious. In Skand Purana, great Rishi Agastya has seat with his mother, sister or daughter, because the bunch said, 'In all inauspicious objects, a widow is most of the senses is so powerful that it has defeated great inauspicious, therefore, if she is not in nearer relation, a scholars.' Moreover, the Kashi Khand of Skand Purans wise man should not touch a widow.' Further, in the same says, 'Don't stay in seclusion with your mother, sister or scripture, it is said, 'The blessings of a widow are like daughter, because the senses are tempting the scholars.' A poison of a snake, if seen her on a departure out side, it Man should not donate his wife as a donation, because definitely brings one's death.' As Shloka has 'etc' suffixed such act of donating breaks faithfulness of one's wife and to touch,therefore, a conversation or ligher talk too should such act generates the sin. Therefore, she can not be given

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to anybody. In Dan Mayukh of Skand Purana, it is said, visitor has no fixed time or day for his visit. He comes all 'Evan in the greatest trouble, one should not donate these of a sudden and with an exception for food and eatables. nine things : whole wealth if he has progeny, his wife, one Word Atithi indules all types of beggars and expectants of who is in his refuge, deposits of others, securities, income food. Skand Puran says : A traveller on his path, one whose of the clan, securities taken for others, women's property food stocks have finished, a learner, a supporter of a Guru, and son's property. An unwise, who donates any from these an ascetic, and a celibate, these six are called religiously nine, has to undergo an atonement for self purification. sustain on alms. Those should be given satisfaction by offering food and water within personal capacity. Kashi No association shall be maintained in any way with Khanda says : Punyas earned by donating a cow equals women who have connection with rulers through any the punyas earned by offering food and water to a dealing in any form. (137) deserving beggar of alm. Parashar Smriti says: He pleased his God by offering Poojan with love to the Atithi. Bhagwat 'Those' stands for 'my followers'. Know this well. The says : Poor and gentle householders are fortunate, as their women who have open or secret connections with rulers houses, water, food, seats, earth householder himself, his or such occasions with the ruler, means the connections wife and children earns the pleasure of serving to Sat- like visiting harem of a ruler. One should not talk to such Purushas. The palatial houses and wealth if not graced by woman, should not come close to them. No relations should lotus fee of saintly persons, become like trees with ancient be kept with such lady. Rajdharm Teeka says that a woman burrows. The householders descends to the depth of hell who has connection with a ruler through a queen, through and house becomes like a burrow of jackal, if an Atithi a messenger or independently, should not be dealt with. arrived to his house is not welcomed even with a bowl of water. Insulting an Atithi, consigns one to hell. It is said, They shall propery treat with food etc the guests who 'A householder jealous and devilish towards an Atithi, have come to their house as also perform rites and attracts sin for his eyes and when consigned such oblations in respect of deities and pitris according to householder to hell, and vultures, and other big birds tear their permissible means. (138) apart his eye-balls by theis steel like beak.' 'If an Atithi turns back with disheartened spirit from the place of a 'They' means householders. Atithi means the one who householder, the punyas of such householder could be has arrived suddenly or unexpectedly without any fixed destroyed in no time. Smriti says : 'One should undergo date or time but with a desire for food. There is difference ablative chandrayan Vratt, if he eats food without offering between Atithi and Abhyagata. Atithi the unexpected it to those ascetics and celibates eating cooked alms.' Aapad

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Dharma chapter of Shanti Parva supports even welcome but the Shudra instead of offering cooked food, should of an enimy : 'If an enimy has come to the house, he should offer uncooked double food to the Brahmins in riluals to be welcomed properly, as like a tree not withdrawing his manes. Vishnu and Ushanas have said, 'Satshudras are not shade from such man who has come there to cut it.' Godly allowed to offer cooked food in rites to manes, as such means the acts related to God - offerings and worship to food to the Brahmins attract sins for a Satshudra and Lord Brahm, Vaishvadeva etc rituals. Shraddha means destroys his rewards of rites to manes.' Sumant has said, offering of water, food and other things to the Brahmins 'Shudras should perform Shraddha always with uncooked in honour of manes - to please manes. These rituals and food.' 'Uncooked food should be double in quantity and acts should be performed as per personal capacity - and as gold should be four times in amount.' Shadatrishan school per personal right of doing so. For example if father is in Dharma Pradeep says : 'The uncooked food of the alive than as per that capacity and right and if not surviving, offering to brahmins to please shudras mane if accepted then in light of that capacity and right. Also refer Dharma by a Brahmin from a shudra, does not make any harm to Shastra to know about the justness of the act during an such Brahmin with a family.' 'Uncooked food which comes ailment and during a good physical state. An unintelligent from shudra for the rites to manes, should be accepted by man who is not performing acts towards Gods and manes a Brahmin as a one day meal and should be taken in that in accordance to his wealth loses all his punyas and much quantity, but such offering should not be consumed consigns himself to the hell, there is no doubt in it. Here, in a routine or in the daily rituals.' Angira Muni has said in according to Shudra Kamalakar, the householders of Shuddhi Tattva, 'Shudra's grains arrived in a Brahmin's Shudra community, should utter only the names in the rites house is always pure and holy.' Parashar Muni has said, to Gods and manes as they are not authorized to chant 'Shudras grains remain as the grains belonging to Shudrit, Vedic hymns. Spiritually wise Parashar says about until a Brahmin touches it. Brahmin should sprinkle Shraddha : Shudras should satisfy Brahmins by uncooked purifying water on the grains from a Shudra brought to his food, then should offer Poojan to them and after rites to house and should accept it. the manes, such shudra householder should offer food to the people of his own caste. According to Kamalakar, such Our followers shall render life long service to their Brahmin boy who have not been given sacred threads, mother, father, Guru and diseased persons to the best women and shudra etc should be given a side cloth for of their capacity. (139) Savya and Apasavya sacred-threads. The shudras should not ask Brahmins to cook food and have it there at that My followers should serve their real and step mother, place during the rites to manes at the place of a Shudra, father, Guru (preceptor) for whole life, within their

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capacity. Manu Maharaj has said, 'the pains and troubles be served mercifully within one's personal capacity by the tolerated by the parents on birth of a child can not be repaid food, water, medicine and personal services. Yagyavalkya by a service for the century. Therefore one should please has compared the service of helping an ailing man with his parents and his Acharya - preceptor. All penance merges the donation of a cow. Both these earn equal amount of in the pleasure of those three. The service extended to these Punya: to carry a tired person, to serve a sick person, to three is called penance. worship God, to offer an honoured wash to sacred feet of These three Vedas are called three fires. Bhagwan has a Brahmin and to clean left-overs are the acts equivalent said in Bhagwat, 'The man can not repay the obligations to Go-daan. even in a century of his manes, who have given him the body and have nourished it. The son who has wealth and Our followers shall follow a calling befitting their has physical power, if fails in looking after his ancestors, Varna and Ashram to the best of their ability. Our eats his own meat, after the death. 'The man who is strong agriculturist followers shall not castrate the bulls. (140) and powerful, but shall be like a living dead, if he does not look after his aged parents, faithful wife, younger son, (My followers) Befitting their Asharam (life stage) and preceptor and a surrendered one. To serve his preceptor Varna (caste) means Brahmin etc castes and householders and father is a religious duty of a virtuous son. All these (Grihastha) etc life stages. In accordance to both these, - are the words of the deities, in relation to service. Skand befitting both these. One should earn wealth. They should Puran has said, 'The perceptor and father should be served not use more strength or energy in earning if they are weak regularly. The man who does not serve them as per his energy wise. And should not use less energy or strength in personal capacity suffers hellish pain in Raurav Hell. In earning if they are strong and energetic. Failing which, Mitakshara treatise of Vyavaharadhyaya of Yagyavalkya they would be drawn up to suicide under criticism and it is prescribed by Narada that the son opposing his parents insults from the people. Yagyavalkya has said, 'One should should not be given his due share of succession. 'The real act in confirmation to his age, intelligence, words, son who has become a minor sinner or, an opponent of the meaning, scriptures and personal acts and should maintain father or, a fallen one or has become inpotent can not a criticism free and forcefree tendency.' Vidurji has said, receive a share in the property of his father, then how could 'Those are wise and intelligent who think in the term of a step son could get a share? Further, serve to the ailing their personal capacity, act as per their strength, does not people, within personal capacity. Ailing includes weapon desire for impossible, does not grieve for a perished one injuries, and its pain. Parashar Smriti says,' The people and are not imbalanced in the state of great troubles'. The suffering due to pains of illness, fire and weapons should acts performed by God and saints should not be practiced

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by a religious minded man, and such man should not pass As per annual capacity of consumption, they should derogatory comments on listening about such acts. 'Oh accumulate food, grains and wealth. They should do it King! The man who thinks enough and acts within his within their personal capacity and strength. That should capacity with complete knowledge attains benediction.' be done at an appropriate time for doing so. The time when Above are the words of advice from Parashar Muni. And food - grains are produced and being sold, at that time those Laghu Chanakya says: An imroper beginning of a task a should be stored for the annual requirements. Otherwise, conflict with the relations, a competition with a stronger may have to spend more in later time to fulfill the needs of one and trust in a women are the four gates of death.' Here family, as the food grains shall be costlier in a later time. word task or work is not limited to worldly acts, but should In similar way, the money should be received and be considered in a larger perspective of improving life after accumulated at a proper time. Those who have been death. Vidurji has said, 'The work through a day should domesticating cattle, should accumulate and store fodder be such that it gives peaceful sleep for a night and work of for future provision. That should be purchased and stored the first eight months of an year should be such that it gives at a convenient time, when prices are less. This does not pleasure in the rest four months of monsoon.' Such acts require any proof or support as the results are visible by a should be performed in the first phase of life, which give householder. pleasure in the last phase of life. And such acts should be performed during the life, that gives pleasure in the life They shall keep cattles like cows, bulls, buffaloes and after death. Those who are living on agriculture or farming, other animals if they are able to take proper care means those who are Vaishya (traders and business and maintain them by providing them with adequate community) and Brahmins also, should not indulge in an fodder and water etc. otherwise, they shall cease to act of cutting testicles of a bull. Respected Parashar has keep them. (142) said, 'The bull with a steady body, healthy, fully satisfied, and with testicles but not impotent or startling should be Cow etc. means animals like cow, horse, buffalo etc all used in farming. domesticated animals. As this contains 'etc', birds like parrot and others are to be included. And fodder etc should They shall store food grains and accumulate wealth be treated as the food required by such birds etc. For adequate for future occasions according to their example, a fish would need some cooked grains, soaked capacity. Those who domesticate cattle shall make flour or such things in small amount. Birds would be adequate provision of fodder. (141) needing some grains. Thus according to their food habits, the fodder is to be kept available. Like food - fodder - the

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water too should be made available to all such animals. If family, truthfulness, religious, strait forward, father of a one has the capacity to provide fodder and water as required male child, and rich, also should be either a Shrot and daily by an animal, one should domesticate the animals, Smarta in their religious rituals. Their caste and class but if one can not provide so to the animals regularly, should be in accordance to transactees. For example in case should stop domesticating the animals. If it is not possible of a enthroned King, the witnesses should be the Kings. to fulfill their requirements in food and water, such animals In case of a Brahmin, the witnesses should be a Brahmin. should be given away to others for to domesticate them. Yagyavalkya explains the attributes of a documents of such Majesty of the man vanishes with the pains of hunger, transaction: one who is expert in finance, and with natural thirst, physical pain and odd placement of the animals. The interest, when deals with a rich man, such dealing may be thirsty animals tied to a nail, physically matured daughter called document. This document must contain names, year, and stuffless deities destroy the punyas of a householder month, fortnight, day, date, caste, class and companions. man. These are the evils described in the scriptures. The Father's names also should be noted. At the end of such ways to taks care of animals may be referred in Parashara document, the debtor himself in his handwriting must write: Smriti. As stated above in this document. I am the son of Mr. So and So. I accept this fact. The witnesses too, should write No transaction relating to land or money shall be in their own handwriting that they are witness to this entered into even with a son or a friend or others except transaction and should place their fullname with their by a written document duly attested by witnesses. (143) father's name. And the debtor if not literate, should stand there with someone, other than those who are witness to 'With witness' means in physical presence and with it, and through that man should write his witness. Now signature of that person. It should be in written form. Laghu Chanakya says about the attributes of a writer: The Nothing should be transacted without these two conditions. writer of such a document should be intelligent, smart, Not even with a son, a friend or a relative. Land and money steady, brief and political. means fields, farms, houses, housing land, money and precious things neither are to be given nor to be taken Written agreement duly witnessed shall only be without a witness and a written procedure. Here it is meant made in cases relating to marriage of oneself or others that first a document should be made and thereafter such in which there is a stipulation of payment of money. transaction should be carried out. Thus a witness has been No oral agreement shall be made in such cases. (144) defined by Yagyavalkya: There should be atleast three witnesses possessing virtues like penance, donation, noble In marriage of himself and in marriage of others, the

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money or property given as dowry should not be given They shall daily write accounts legibly in their own without witness and document. In no case such transaction hand after recollecting both the amounts received as should be made orally. First of all, a document should be income and spent as expense in the course of economic made to that effect with the witnesses and marriage dealings during the day. (146) procedures should only be undertaken thereafter, failing which a conflict will lake place between the parties. In all his dealing in income and expenses, one should recall very well each such dealing each such day of dealing Expenses shall even be incurred in proportion to and should note it down neatly and in legible handwriting their income. They shall bear in mind that they shall himself. It should be in good Akshara (meaning : alphabets surely meet with great difficulty if they spend more - letters). Word Akshar thus, has two meanings one is than what they earn. (145) 'writings' and another is 'Moksha' (emancipation). It should be written by himself, not by others. Getting it noted by Income means the money and wealth produced. It should others may cheat him. In Rajdharma treatise in Niti Shastra, be monitored well. It should be spent or used with its it is said that cheater document-writers write the documents proper relation and reference to the income. In other words, in a language of dual meaning and in illegible handwriting the expenses should be made with proper context of the that deceive an owner by taking away his money. amount of income. There should be neither a misery nor an over spending resulting into a debt. The expenses made The Satsangi householders shall offer to the Lord without considering the bulk of income, invite great pains. one tenth of their earnings, in terms of money or food- The troubles created by the man from whom some thing grains, from their own profession or business. Those has been borrowed or purchased and not paid back or who are economically weak shall offer only one returned to him, becomes unbearable for a borrower. Know twentieth part of their earnings. (147) this well. Therefore, a householder should spend less than his income. It is a perfect suggestion. Moreover, seasoned The economic activities (and earning that of ) which is thinker Chanakya has said, 'It is a wise step to spend less carried out without disturbing own religion. The money than the income.' The one who has income of the four, if earned through such economic activity or business or other spends five or six, definitely invites a fall from his religion. profession includes money, food grains and agricultural Kamandak Niti-Shastra says: one who brings things from products like cotton and grass-fodder, as there is word 'etc' here and there and thus overspends, has to consume poison suffixed to word earning. The tenth part of such earning. to kill himself, due to the pressure form the lenders. As per Kaiyyat the word 'Samkhya' (number) itself is a

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word giving complete meaning like word 'Tribhag'. And goods, to buy and sell, to draw and paint, to dance, to sing, thereafter, poet Magh, while describing lines on forehead to play musical instruments. Moksha Dharma says, 'By has used word "Trilochanam" in the fourth line of that doing the works not attracting criticism, or by earning the Shloka. Poet Harsh too uses "Tribhaga". In his wealth by the knowledge earned on paying money for that Sarvakashaya treatise, Poet Mallinath uses or by doing the works prescribed by Brahmarshi or by "Tridivadavaantare". Such tenth part should be dedicated getting precious stones from the mountains, or by getting to Lord Shri Krishna, should be given to the personal God the wealth from deities by pleasing them through holy-fires, in the temple. And those who are weak economically, a householder should earn wealth and should perform his means those who have lasser income and greater expenses, householder duties by such earning. The works fixed by should give twentieth part of their income. The money does Brahmarshi means the holy-fires etc activities prescribed not become pure if such tenth or twentieth part of earning by Yagyavalkya Muni and other great Rishis. Precious is not given to God. Shrimad Bhagwat has said, 'The stones from a mountain means - diamond and other jewels, people, desirous of manifoldned increase in their income gold, and natural medicines. As per Shrimad Bhagwat such and wealth should donate money to Lord Shri Krishna - wealth received from the mountain, is purified by donating who is soul of all living beings, blissful and complete in it to Lord Shri Krishna. The earth with the time, the child Himself. Yagyavalkya Muni has said in his Jivika Vritti: with a bath, wealth without of holy fire purified by Vaishya (class of traders and businessmen) and Kshatriya ablution, sense organs by the penance, Brahmins with a (class of worriers) too should do holy-fires, study Vedas Yagya, things with a donation it, mind by the satisfaction and give donations. Moreover, the Brahmins should receive and soul becomes purified with inner knowledge. Shuddhi such donations, should organize holy-fires and should Vivek says: wealth becomes pure by a donation. The teach Vedas. In addition, the Kshatriyas, should in their donation should be made to a proper person. Daan khanda major responsibility or duty, protect people and Vaishyas says: Donate to a just person. And such justification is most should deal in money lending, agriculture, farming, trading, proper for Lord Shri Krishna. Lord Shri Krishna is the best animal husbandry etc. Shudras should serve to the twice- as a receiver of the donation, as per Bhagwat. Naradaji born classes, and if the earning through such service is not says in Shrimad Bhagwat, 'Oh King! Lord Shri Hari is the enough for his living, should do trading or sculpturing in only entity pervading whole cosmos-mobile and interest of twice-born class. Deval Rishi has listed some immovable. Among Devarshi's and Sanakas and other. Sat other jobs for Shudras: The ethical duties of Shudras - to Purusha, the worship as the greatest and just goes to serve twice - borns, to discard sinful acts, to grow saplings Bhagwan, Bhagwan is most worshipable among of paddy, to breed domestic animals, to carry luggage and everything. Moreover, Brahmins too have been ranked at

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the equal level as devotees of Bhagwan. 'Oh King! In men, The performance of this ceremony yields desired know the Brahmins as the best, as they have attained objects. (148) knowledge of Vedas by penance, knowledge and satisfaction. The Vedas are the limbs of Shri Hari.' Daan The Vrattas in which Ekadashi is main Vratta. The word Mayukh describes measurement of such donation.' Three 'etc' suffixed to word Ekadashi, therefore, one lac wicks, parts of wealth should be considered for livelihood and one lac Pradakshina (circling God's inner temple with two parts should be considered for religious works, because meditational prayer), chanting Namaskar hymn and life is uncertain.' Hemadri interprets this in following Purasharan etc are included in these Vrattas. These Vratta manner: Whole wealth should be divided in five equal parts give desired fruits to the doer of these Vratta. The closing and then three parts of this wealth should be considered ceremony means the rituals to be performed at the end of for livelihood and rest two parts should be considered for Vratta to complete it. According to Vrattark and Vratraj religious works, in accordance to the wealth. Bharat says procedure, one should conclude Vratta by donating cow about weak and misers: Those who have ten cows should and gold etc, after offering sumptuous food to Brahmins, donate one cow, those who have a hundred cows should should offer worship - Poojan to his personal God in donate ten cows, those who have a thousand cows should accordance to the scriptures and within his personal donate one hundred cows, they all earn equal punya. capacity. If one fails to conclude Vratta according to Hemadri has said that as given in the example of cows, scriptural procedure, the Vratta becomes futile. Nandi wealth too should be considered on the same line. Those Purana says that Vratta should be ceremonial concluded who are weaker than these people, Parashar has suggested either in the beginning or in the middle or in the end of like this: A farmer becomes fault free if he gives sixth part Vratta. The Vratta is not fruitful without closing ceremony. to the king, twentieth part to God and thirty third part to a Where there is no specified procedure of closing ceremony Brahmin.' Here word 'farmer' applies to everybody. A part, or concluding ceremony, the Vratta in such cases should in the like manner, if not been given away, then the use of be concluded by offering Maha Pooja to Bhagwan, such impure earning or wealth destroys his devotion, sumptuous food to the Brahmins with donation of a cow religion and knowledge and miseries of such man never and gold. ends. They shall personally perform or ask holy Brahmin They shall perform the celebration of the conclusion to perform on their behalf the worship of Shri Mahadev of Vrattas like Ekadashi and others as prescribed with love by offering leaves of Bilva tree and other in the scriptures according to their capacity. things in the month Shravana. (149)

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Either the devotee himself or a holy Brahmin on the wealth of God, by treating it like poison." For social affairs behalf of the devotee, should perform with respect and with means for marriage ceremony and other social celebrations. Poojan items such as Bilva tree leaves as main thing, the Utensils means huge cooking-ware used in community Poojan of Lord Shiva in sacred month of Shravana. Shiva- Kitchen. Ornaments means ear rings and other ornaments Puran says for this: The devotees worshipping Lord Shiva and jewelry, clothes and vehicles. May be all these together during Shravana month with Mahabhishekam and tender or separate as single item, may be from Acharya or from a leaves of Bilva tree attain everything in this Loka and in temple, but should not be taken or borrowed. Because such the Loka other than this. This Poojan Vidhi is permissible borrowing for a time being is like incurring a debt. This is through a holy Brahmin, but in no case, the month of the core of the meaning. Shloka has suffixed etc to the list Shravan should go without such Poojan-worship of Lord of items, therefore the things, even like bricks, should not Shiva. Padma Purana says: Lord Vishnu should be be borrowed. Yama Raja says in Prayashchitam: The worshipped with lotus flower and Tulsi leaf during sacred householders should not take bricks, stones, timber, steel month of Kartika, and Lord Shiva should be worshipped etc from the temple for their houses, if they take such with tender leaves of Bilva tree in the month of Shravana. things, they have to undergo hellish pains.' Further it says, while offering Bilva-Patra, the hymn of Lord Shiva's A householder should not take cloth, utensils, money or sacred name should be chanted with each, such offering. grain etc anything from his God or preceptor or a brahmin The man worshipping Lord Shiva with devotional fervor or a penant but if such things are given in return of any and in this manner, attains Moksha with divine bliss. For service, then there is no objection. Also there is no more details on this topic one may refer to Shravan objection if those have been given with due insistence. To Mahatmya. For those who are weak, for them, upanmanyu give with insistence means to give it forever. says: Those who do darshan of Lord Shiva in pradosh period of Shravan, attain all desired fruits of Shiva Poojan. When householders undertake a journey to have a Darshan of the image of Lord Krishna, a preceptor or Our followers shall never ask for a loan from the a saint, they shall not eat meals of others either during Acharya or from a temple. They shall not borrow the journey or at the respective places of the temple of utensils, ornaments or clothes for use in social affairs Lord Krishna, preceptor or a saint, for partaking of from the Acharya or temples. (150) others food deprives one of one's merits. They shall, therefore take their meals at their own cost during such Angira Muni has said: "No debt should be made unless journey. (151) there is risk to the life, and should stay away from the

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Shri Krishna and Guru. Guru means Acharya. Sadhus Mitakshara. Narada has said in Mahabharat, 'Oh means saints and devotees with saintly attributes of deep Yudhishthira! Do you appraise the work of others ? and devotion. The devotees while on their way to the temple do you praise the work of others ? and do you welcome and in the premises of temple, should not eat food from the Satpurusha with meditational prayers ?' Garuda Purana others which takes away the Punyas of such devotee, but says that the one who did not give after promising to give should take their own food. Here, the food of others, means a thing, becomes unhappy in his life and does not attain the food which is not of Bhiksha, because the food received Moksha after his death. in Bhiksha is not treated as other's food. The clause 'which Purification of wealth or money, means repaying a debt. takes away the Punyas of such devotee', has a deep hidden The repayment of such borrowing from a wealthier man meaning. 'The one, whose food has been eaten by a devotee, should not be kept secret, but should be carried out in earns the punya of the Shrine, Vratta, Yagya, Japa and tapa witness of a person. Parashar Muni says: 'Intelligent ones performed by such a devotee pilgrim.' That is the should not hide repayment of a debt and their lineage.' observation of Smritis. Kashi Khanda says: 'Those nine should be in public: Hidden sins, uncriticised acts, a debt, repayment of a debt, They shall pay agreed wages in cash or kind to the own lineage, buying and selling, Kanyadaan (woman's servants employed by them. If the debt is repaid, the share given to a daughter in her marriage), and a virtuous fact of repayment shall not be kept secret. So also they rise.' Yagyavalkya has said about repayments of a debt: shall not conceal their lineage or the fact of having given The account of the moneylender should be closed by away their daughters in marriage. They shall have no himself or by others. The payment of such debt should be dealings with the wicked persons. (152) carried out in public through a witness. If the document of such a debt either of his own or of his father is not available, Employee means the one who has been assigned a fixed then such document should be created afresh without task. 'You do this much work, I will pay this much for that involving a current witness and such debt should be settled work,' to inspire a worker to do the work through such forever. Such process is called a settlement in our day to contract is called 'employed', such employee should be paid day language. the amount as per promise. Otherwise, the displeased heart Wicked persons, means those who are practising sins of such employee may destroy everything of the employer.' and are against the religion. They oppose God. There "The employer must pay in beginning, middle and end the should be no dealing with such people. Vyavahara salary or remuneration in accordance to their natural Samuchchaya says: There should be no relation with the understanding." That is the observation of Narada in people opposing, God, practicing sins, hypocrite and short

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tempered. Brahmins and saints in places of pilgrimage and on festival days. (155) In places of usual residence where there is immenent danger to reputation, wealth or life on account of Now in two Shlokas tells something more for wealthy famine or violent situations created by an enemy or a and prosperous householders. Here householders means King, my shrewd and discerning followers shall soon those who have a wife. Non-violent means such not quit those places, eventhough, they may be their involving killing an animal. Such holy-fires to Lord Vishnu, original native place. They shall migrate to some other which does not involve killing an animal. Great Rishis have place, free from such dangers, where they shall stay said that this path is of such householders, who performs happily. (153,154) holy fire from their money and worships Lord of holy fire. The procedure and rituals of performing a non-violent holy In time of drought and due to troubles from enemies or fire has been given in Ashva megha Yagya Akhyan of due to hardships from ruler or a head of that area. The Uparichar Vasu, in Moksha Dharm chapter of Mahabharat. time when reputation, wealth and life are in danger in that One should refer to it. Shrines (Tirtha) means the sacred country. Even if, that may be a native place - birth place places of God, sacred areas, sacred rivers described in of my follower, he should quit such place, but should not scriptures. Festive days means the days like lastday of a stay there. Muni Maharaj has said, 'One should not live in month, Sankranti (passing of a planet from a particular such places where there are hypocrites, irreligious, ill and zodiac sign), the seventeenth astronomical union. etc days. nuisance creating people. Seasoned statesman Chanakya On all such days, the brahmins and saints should be served has said, 'Lions, Satpurushas and elephants leave their with sumptuous food. Sadhu means a devotee with virtues places in a case of calamity or disaster inflicting pains, but of a saint. Herein, it is suggested that the fruit of offering crows, cowards and deers continue to live in such places.' sumptuous food to a brahmin or a saint is greater than a Change of the place means to leave for other country, to fruit of performing a holy-fire. Lord Vaikunthnath has said, live elsew there happily. Therefore, it is to be understood 'The satisfaction offered to me by offering sumptuous food that even in such changed place, if there are hardships that to a Brahmin or a saint is greater than a satisfaction given place too should be changed. Country means a place where to me by performing holy-fire. Prithu has said that one can live a happy life. Bhagwan eats such food which has been offered with great faith by a Brahmin in a holy-fire. The searchers of Moksha Wealthy and prosperous householders shall perform Leave an agile and move towards an inert, but Bhagwan, non violent Vaishnava holy-fires. They too shall feed in the manner being worshipped and pleased by sacred

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hymns from the mouth of a holy brahmin is not being organs is the religion of Kali Yuga (present age)'. worshipped and pleased at such extent by the mouth of a Shatapatha Shruti says, 'Learn controlling the sense organs, holy-fire. donating and being merciful.' Yagyavalkya has described the attributes of a proper one, 'The propriety can not be They shall also make arrangements for great attained only by acquiring knowledge and performing celebration of festivity in temples of God and for penance, but the one who has good character and acquired distributing various alms to deserving Brahmins. (156) both these becomes a proper one.' Yama has said, 'The Brahmin who learns Vedas, observes religious orders, The temples of God, means temples of Lord Shri performs penance and meditation, has the virtue of Krishna. Festive celebrations means to worship and please forgiveness, donates to others, lives a truthful life, becomes Lord Krishna with music, Kirtans, dance, Mahabhishekam, a proper-just-person.' Cow, land, Gold etc. should he Mahanaivedyam etc, on Ekadashi, Janmashtami and other donated to such a proper person by offering a Poojan-and festive days. Donations in various kind should be offered worship to him. But, the learned wise who are desirous of on these days to a deserving Brahmin. Daan Khanda their own prosperity should not donate to an improper - describes finer distinctions of a similar looking donation. person. The attributes of a proper person for receiving such For example in the case of donating a cow, there are donation, may be learnt from Daan Hemadri, but the distinctions like a cow of Gold, a cow of sesamum seeds, donation in the form of food and water does not require a a radish - brown cow and a cow with double mouth, may test in propriety of the receiver. For that, Vyas has said in be the distinctions in donation of a cow. Similar is the state Bhagwad Bhaskar, 'Don't think of propriety of a receiver in regard to other donations. A cow, a piece of land and of a donation of food or water. If he is hungry, he is proper gold are considered fit for a donation. As there is 'etc' with for receiving food as a donation, and if one is unclothed, such donation a saints may be given clothes etc things for he is just for receiving donation of a cloth. But in donation a donation. In Krita-Yuga (the age of truth) the penance is of other things, if such donation goes to an improper person, prominent, in Treta-Yuga it is knowledge who prevails the donation becomes Tamas Daan. Bhagwan says, upon everything, in Dwapara Yuga, holy fires are prominent 'Irrespective of place and time, a donation made repeatedly but in Kali Yuga (present age) donations are supreme in without any knowledge becomes a Tamas Daan. The fruits achieving desired fruits. Brihaspati has said, 'Penance is of such donation are attained by taking birth as a bird.' the religion of Sat-Yuga, knowledge is the religion of Treta This has been said by Him in Vishnudharmottar Puran. Yuga, Yagya (holy-fires) is the religion of Dwapara Yuga Moreover, it is said that the fruits of such donations are and the trio of donation, mercy and control on the sense attained by a donor on taking birth as a bird. What one

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should do when a proper person is not available? For that, for the donor. Thus these Sixteen donations are not fruitful. Bhaskaracharya has said, 'Address in your mind a proper Now, Bhavishyat Purana says about a proper donation: To one and pour water from your palm in the water container donate to a virtuous person, a donation from a just earning or in any water body on such mental resolute of donating or possession is the main attribute of a donation. gives desired fruits of donation to a donor, and as and when Mahabharat says, 'Oh Yadhishthira ! That donation a person receives such donation, does not attract any fault becomes an everlasting and eternal donation which is given for receiving a donation. Thereafter, such donor should from a just earning and donated with earnest faith and with handover that donation to proper person when he finds him, proper rituals.' Yagyavalkya has said: In a manner not or he should arrange to send it to the home of a proper creating any controversy in the family, one can donate any person. thing excepting his wife and his son. If lineage continues Showing more about such donation, it is said in Kashi after the one, the one should not donate everything of him. Khanda that a donation becomes an everlasting donation One should not donate to somebody else after promising a when it is given to any one from these nine: A proper donation to the one. If there are many children in a family person, a friend, a poor, an orphan, a favourer, a mother, and if there is no opposition in the family for a donation, a father and a Guru (preceptor). The donation given to any then after satisfying the needs of clothing and food for the one from these nine becomes futile: a Bhat (singer of the family, one should donate from remaining savings, but praises), a Charan (a royal bard), a thief an alchemist, a should not donate any thing by creating a conflict for the rascal, a cheater, a wrestler, and a public praiser. It is said same in the family. Vyasji has shown alternative in this: If in Parashar Smriti that a donation to such one becomes a great Brahmin soul comes to the house, the householder futile if such a receiver sells to the others the things of desiring self emancipation, should donate food to a visitor such donation. Also it is a futile donation if it is given to at the cost of the family members. These sentence applies person who has fallen after a rise. And a donation becomes to visiting ascetics and saints. In Daan Khanda, Daksha, futile if it is given from an unjustified income. A donation has described the things which can not be donated: common is not fruitful if it is given to a non-brahmin, a fallen one, property, things borrowed from others, things received in a thief, a hater of his own perceptor, an unthankful person deposit, things of hypothication, wife, women's wealth, and common priest of whole village. The priest of whole things received from others and deposit amount should not village, Husband of a debauch woman, a trader of the Vedic be given in donation. These nine things should not be knowledge, one in whose house a wife has a kept-husband, donated even in the times of greatest trouble. The thing one who is a henpecked husband, a snake charmer and a for which there are many owners, is called a common servant if given a donation, such donation becomes futile property. The ornaments and clothes borrowed from others

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for personal use have been called a borrowed thing. Trusted in Kurukshetra area never takes again a birth as a man. items means such items which have been given by some Iron, sesame seeds, a buffalo, oil, salt, a cow made of one to the house members by asking them to hand it over sesame seeds and jewel are called disastrous donations. It to the head of the house. Ornaments and precious items is said in Daan Khanda of Brahm Purana that a donation belonging to a woman are called woman's wealth. Deposit even to save his own life, should not be taken by the one means a thing kept in the house by some one by considering in an area about the four hand length of a river stream. the presence of the owner of the house or without any Yagyavalkya has said in connection with the donations that consideration. It is also said that donation of a used cloth, a killer of animals, a driver of a oil extracting mill, a donation given after an insult, insufficient donation, distiller, a prostitute and a king are wicked by nature in donation of an unclean thing, donation from an unjust multiple of ten to each other in their merit order given income, are not just as the donations. Also it is said that above. Here, a king means such a ruler who rules his state donation of gold, silver and copper made to an ascetic by disowning the limitation of the scriptures. becomes a fultile donation, and instead of earning punyas Bhaskaracharya has said that no donation should be for a donor it becomes it becomes an irreligious act. Smrits accepted from a king who flouts the scriptures. Mitakshara have said that a donar donating gold to an ascetic, says that a donation should be accepted from such a king consigned to hell after his death. Deval Rishi has said that who donates without begging to him for the same. Evil a donor who is desirous of Punya should not donate cooked doers if donates without a demand to them, such donation food to a householder, a milk product to a Vanprastha (one should be accepted form them. But an uncalled for donation who is in third stage of his life) and should not give money should not be accepted from a prostitute, an impotent, a to a beggar. fallen one or an enemy. Because in Prayaschita Mayukha, Some more has been said in Daan Dharm about a taker Lord Manu has shown a way of atonement for accepting a of such donation. Those who are without knowledge and donation unknowingly from an improper person: If a penance should stay away from taking a donation. Because donation has been received from a unjust -improper- a learned one removes through his knowledge the person, such a receiver of a donation should stay in a cow drawbacks incurred to him due to accepting a donation. hut, living on the milk of cow and chanting hymn of The act of taking a donation removes brahmic light of a Goddess Gayatri for the three thousand times with a rock Brahmin. But the sufferer families should take a good steady mind and divine bliss. donation from a Sat Purusha. Vyasji has said in Daan Mayukha : A man receiving a donation of deer skin, a bed Our ruler followers in compliance with canon of given after some ones death and an impregnated she lamb Dharma shall look after all their subjects like their sons

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and shall endeavour to establish on earth the reign of not harsh, wedded to religion, intoxicant free, wise, brave, religion. (157) a knower of secrets, hides well his weaknesses, knows well the science of investigation and the principles of justice, Now tells religious duties of a ruler. Here, the kings and should be an expert in the three ways. Bhishma Pitamah means those who are enthroned Khatriyas and are followers has said in Rajdharma chapter of Mahabharat: Sat aside of Shri Hari. Those Kshatriyas should take care of their liking and disliking and practice religious duties, leave subjects like their sons in accordance to the preaching and personal attachment, and be a theist. Earn wealth by not teaching of Dharma Shastra - as per the polity taught by inviting a criticism for that. Enjoy pleasures without Yagyavalkya. These Kings should keep their subjects in becoming arrogant, speak sweetly and don't be a miser. the state living their life as per their caste-religion and as Be brave and don't criticize and don't donate to a per life-stage. They should live a virtuous life. Bhagwat undeserved person. Be effective, don't be merciless. Don't has said, 'A King taking the revenue without keeping his compromise with Anaryas. Don't fight with your brothers. subjects religiously, eats sins of his people-subjects and in Don't appoint one a secret messenger who does not love his ultimate stage loses his majesty.' Moreover, Bhagwat you. Work by not creating pains for the self. Don't converse it-self has said about the fruits of founding religion: 'The to Asatpurusha. Shun self praise, don't collect taxes from king, in whose kingdom his subjects live a Varnashram Sadhus, don't give a shelter to a Asatpurusha, don't impose Dharm life (life in accordance to his caste and life-stage) punishment without a proper test, don't disclose a hymn, and perform holy-fires etc., in that country the king attains don't give money to a greedy, don't trust an ungrateful, divine pleasure of God, and thus, that king pleases his God don't be over amorous to women, consume pure food and through his own rights.' Know that, the religion is to be refrain from a harmful food, offer worship poojan decently founded in harmony of space and time. Seasoned hermit to the respectables and elders and serve them honestly. Yagyavalkya Muni has said, 'The country where a Worship your deities without hypocrisy, desire for such particular type of customs, traditions and social life prevails wealth which does not attract negative criticism and spend therein on taking over the ruling of such country, the king such wealth instead of loving it, know well the prevailing should refound same customs traditions and social life time and act smartly. Maintain peace but not for the self which have prevailed praior to a take over. Yagyavalkya emancipation and don't be prejudiced while obliging some has narrated in common the attributes of a king: A King one, don't attack unknowingly and don't be sorrowful on must have great enthusiasm, foresight, knowledge of killing an enemy. No sudden anger. No soft corner for an action, serves old people, polite, Virtuous, noble lineage, ungrateful.' Yogishwar has said, 'King should be generous truthful, holy, active, with excellent memory, not cheap, towards brahmins, should be openhearted to the dear ones,

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should be angry towards the enemy, should be fatherly of the body, destroys all meaningful relations and contexts. towards the servants and subjects and should be just to his Therefore, Mokshadharma says, 'As a criminal under a life public by taxing, sixth part of their income. The greatest punishment comes to the priest and surrenders to him with amongst the donation is to look well after the subjects. a prayer to forgive him, as he in future would not repeat The people should be protected well against the cheaters, such sinful act, then in such state, the sinner should be theives, thugs and extremists troubling the people. King freed in accordance to the orders of Brahma.' should protect the people against those lots and against Yagyavalkya has said about the wars, 'One who says the diseases. The people not protected well by a king, if that he is yours, an impotent, one who has no arrows, one commits sinful acts one half of such sin would go the king, who is affectious, one who has turned back from a war, as he shares peoples income by collecting taxes. King and those who are witnessing a war should not be killed. should respect saintly people and should punish sinful lots. This Shlokas has suffixed 'etc' to the list of these forbidden He should honour the scholars of Vedas by a decent people, therefore, a horse, a warrior without a chariot welcome, honour and donations. The fire ignited by the driver, one with the folded hands, one with untied hair, pains and sufferings of his subjects destroys royal majesty, one who has given away a fight, one sitting on a tree, one lineage and life of the King. Rajdharma thus, further says sitting on a bare ground, one drinking water, one eating that the people living happily and peacefully along the food, one without protective shield, a bard, a messenger, a saints and Satpurushas, live their life in a religious way cow, a brahmin, a she elephant, a chariot and a king should and king gets one fourth of their Punyas.' According to not be killed by a king. It is preached in Gautam, Shankha Shrimad Bhagwat, principal duty of a king is to take care and other Smritis. Knowers of virtuous living and scriptures of his subjects. A king's benediction to other world means have preached that the war is the last alternative to be his total care for his subjects, as he gets sixth part of the chosen as a solution: Vidur Niti says that an arrow released earning of his subjects. Despite this tax, if he fails to from the hands may or may not kill a person, but the protect his subjects, his punya recedes and becomes a intellect released from the brain of an intelligent one kills sinner. To remove the pains of his sufferer subjects is the the king with his entire kingdom.' And therefore, Manu prime duty of a king. 'It is religious duty of a king to protect Maharaj suggests reprimand as a first step of punishing, and look after his subjects, practicing a religious life.' 'I then in order comes oral punishment, monitory punishment, am king of this state to deliver justice to my subjects. I am and in last is beheading. But has very clearly said that it is the giver of livelihood to the subject, I am their protector most proper to punish wickeds for founding and and I place them in suitable duties.' 'The king has to think strengthening religious duties in the state. For this, there much before executing a life punishment, as destruction is one statement of king Ashwapati in Chhandogya

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Upanishada: In my kingdom there is no thief, no miser, no sending secret spies. They also shall know the alcoholic, no body is without of Agnihotra, nobody is an characteristics of persons wellversed in worldly matters ignorant and nobody is a debauch, then how could there and dealings, as also those who deserve to be punished be any debauch women?' Kamandak Niti Shastra has said, and those who should not be punished. (158) 'It is not proper to exempt from punishment a sinner, if he be a brother, a son, an elder, a father-in-law or a maternal The organs of a state means the monark, the minister uncle, though he has fallen from the religion of course, etc and also conciliatory, nonetary, secretive and punitive there are some situations where such punishments are means of polity should be learnt well in detail by a king. exempted. Bhagwat says, 'Oh wife of the brave one! Those Tirtha-shrines means the places, like missions, who are non-brahmin and have committed a sin, I punish appointments, secret codes, etc should be learnt well and them. In all three Lokas, I don't see any body free from such a king should be export in his dealing - giving and grief and living happily except of devotees of God.' I hold taking. And they should know full well about the nobles canon of punishment in all seven islands excepting lineage and officers attending their court as a courtier. Also they of Brahmins and devotees of Bhagwan.' 'There should be should by the attributes the punishable persons. There are no impact of royal majesty on a brahmin lineage adorned words of advice in Bharata: Master, minister, friend, with endurance, penance and knowledge and Parmatma treasury, state, fort and strength are the integral parts and (supreme soul) is their deity.' Bharat says that, accordingly the inherent nature of a state. One who opposes any of the force of Kaliyug gives a way to the force of virtues of these, should be punished. There are four ways: Saam a king. King is the cause of destiny or time or the destiny (conciliatory), Daam (monetary), Bheda (discriminative or time is the cause of a king or the polity. There should and secretive variation) and Danda (punishment), these be no doubt in it that the king is the cause of time. 'If a should be applied in a just way. Fifth such way is ignoring king lives religiously, his subjects live a religious life. And or avoiding. A king should be firm in these six: Sandhi (a if acts a king sinfully, his subject becomes sinful. If acts pact or treaty), Vigraha (disjoining from a treaty), Yaan moderately, subjects too act in a moderate way, subjects (an attack on a enemy), Dwaidhi Bhava (differentiate), follow their king; as a king would be, the subjects would Samaashraya (inclusion) and Sthaan (position or place), be like that.' It is the wisdom of Chanakya. these six should be decided firmly by a king. The eighteen Teertha places are: Minister, royal priest, prince, army The rulers shall be conversant with seven organs of head, chief of the fort, head of the prison, treasurer, finance the state, four skilful techniques of winning victory, six manager of the investments, preacher, mayor, executive diplomatic qualities and proper places or persons for head, religious head, assembly head, magistrate, guarding

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head of the fort, home minister and forest officer, these goods received in begging, on the remaining part of a thing sixteen places should be filled by fixing own spies in such already taxed, and from the artisans, children, messengers, places of of the own kingdom or in the places of the others, ascetics and learners of Vedas. Also there should be no but a minister, prince and a state priest should not be placed toll levied on the wealth of God. there as a spy. The dealing are of eighteen types: debt, receipt and payment, deposit, sale of others belongings, Married women having their husbands alive shall Partnership dealings, non-payment of the things, render loving service to them as if they are Gods disobedience to the king's orders, territorial disputes, theft, eventhough they may be blind, ailing, poor or disputes on sale proceeds, disputes involving servant- impotent. They shall never utter a harsh or an insulting master relations, breach of service contract, beating, bad word to them. (159) and bitter words, of taking away somebody's wife, non- payment of salary, gambling invitation, property share Now, in these following four Shlokas explains special between brothers and male-female ethical duties. 'The King religious duties of the married women whose husband is should appoint such courtiers who are scholars of Vedas alive. The prime duties of such women is to serve their and Shrutis, knowers of religion, truthful and impartial to husband. Due to their destiny, such husband become blind friends and foes.' Those who are not practicing personal or has become a prey to a prolonged sickness, or may have religion, and are hypocrite, opposing virtuous people, become poor or impotent, but she should treat him like her harassing weaker people, flouting the rules of decorum, God. Narada has said in Shrimad Bhagwata, 'Oh should be punished by the state. Brahmins, kings, benedictory women! Serve your husband with a conspiracy economically weak, devotees of Lord Vishnu etc Gods, free service and serve your husband's brother too and mediators, members of a greater family and Gurus are not provide sustenance to the children. This is the specific punishable. More details on this can be had from Niti religion of a married women. Husband may be of evil Shastra. nature, stuffless, aged, inactive and dull, sick and poor, Shloka has 'etc', therefore, it should be understood well but the woman desiring other world and living a sinfree that from whom the toll should be recovered and from life should not quit him. This is the advise of God.' And whom should it be not. The toll money means the levies to Narada says that the married woman if serves her husband be paid to the state on taking goods across river, in a town as her God lives a happy life like Goddess Lakshmi with or in the streets and markets. Mitakshara says about the her husband Shri Hari in this world. Kashyapa has said, incidents where such toll should not be collected: No toll 'The greatest divine force of woman rests in her husband. should be charged on immetational ornaments, on the She should not speak harsh, pinching and irritating words

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to her husband, but should speak sweetly, and in a her husband, in her old age, she is under the protection of favouring tone. She should act in accordance to the her sons and grand sons, a women can not have a free direction from her husband, as it is her duty to do so. And life.' Madhava says, 'A women- married or widow-if lives if husband of such a married woman is a great sinner, she freely, then her life is like life of a beast fallen from the should wait calmly for his purification from those sins. religion. Those were the words of wisdom from the preachings of our respected ascetic Yagyavalkya. Narada has said, 'It is The married woman who are devoted to their the daily Vratta of a married woman to serve her God-like husband totally and integrally shall behave in a manner husband and look after the brother of her husband. She that they do not expose to the sight of males, - their should keep her house neat, clean and should attend to naval, thigh or breasts. They shall never remain domestic chores, in a neat and clean dress. without saris. They shall shun immoral and vulgar shows, and company of immodest, shameless and They shall shun an occasion which - though comes immoral women. (161) in the natural course of things, for coming in to contact with a handsome, young and virtuous man. (160) Chaste woman means a virtuous woman. The word has been kept in singular form to address whole lot of women. Those women should shun an occasion with a person If they don't cover their breasts, thighs and naval it would who is other than her husband and is handsome, youthful, become visible to the man. It means that there always artful, skilful and religious minded. She should not should be an uttariya, should be large enough and properly converse or be with such person. 'As a man parishes o woven so that it does not appear like that of a prostitute or association of an youthful woman, in similar way a chaste a street dancer. These chaste ladies should not establish woman parishes on a sudden company of an youthful man.' contact with those public women and cheaters. That is an observation of Anushasana Parva given by Lord Yagyavalkya has said, 'The woman who lives in the Shankara. She should discourage such company interests of her husband, a virtuous life by controlling all intelligently and intentionally. More duties of such a her sense organs, earns fame in the family and society and faithful married women may be had from Brahmvaivarta attains heaven after her death.' Shankha Muni has said Purana. Also it is to be understood that they should not about this virtuous behavior: Should not go out without a live independently or freely. Parashara Smriti says, 'In her permission from the husband, should wear uttariya adolescence and during her unmarried life a Girl is properly. Should not move hastily. Should not speak to protected by her father, in her youth she is protected by other man. Should not speak to a trader, ascetic, old person

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and Vaidya (doctor) without a purpose. They should not the woman who can not live a life of a celibate, would be show their naval, should wear a dress upto their knee, a fit case for becoming a Sati. Moreover Manu Maharaj should not uncover their breasts, should not laugh loudly, has said, 'A saintly woman either should have to live a life should not be malicious towards the husband or the brothers of a celibate or should become a Sati after her husband.' of her husband. She should not come in contact with a Brahmvaivarta Purana says: There is no path for a woman prostitute, a cheater, a lady messenger, a woman ascetic, a in Kaliyuga for attaining her ultimate destination except woman with black magic, a cheater woman, a woman with the path of becoming a Sati after her husband. For this, jokular nature and an ill-tempered woman. As an Nirnaya Sindhu provides a scholastic treatise: This is only association with a non-virtuous spoils the chastity. for those woman who are not capable of maintaining Therefore, it is to be concluded that a company with evil celibacy in their everyday life. Mitakshara treatise of minded should be avoided. Bharata says: Drinking wine, Acharadhyaya says: Those women who have no desires company of the evil minded, separation from husband, of Moksha and are desirous of tempting pleasures of sleeping in day time and to pass time by sitting in others heaven, should become Sati after their husband. 'The houses are the six evils for a chaste woman. Sleeping in heavenly pleasures are very much available in the state of day time and excessive sleep are forbided. absolute celibacy as per Kashikhanda of Nirnaya Sindhu. The attributes of a chaste woman are as under: She is The woman practicing widowhood after the death of her sad in the pains of her husband, she is happy in happiness husband, gets her husband again and enjoys heavenly of her husband. She lives a dull and unglamorous life while pleasure with her husband. Mitakshara may be referred for her husband is away from her. She sacrifices her body in more details on this topic. fire and becomes a Sati an death of her husband. The chaste woman with these attributes attains respect like great When their husband have gone to some other region, woman Arundhati. Here, the suggestion of becoming a Sati they shall not put on ornaments or dress themselves in is only for those women who are not desirous of moksha pretty garments. They shall not visit places of and are not capable to live a life of celibacy and are neighbours and indulge in idle gossips or frivolous desirous of the pleasures of heaven. If they are not acting humorous talks. (162) in the like manner, they would indulge in debauchery etc evil acts and will draw her generations in the hellish pains Now tells here the special religious duties of woman, of the hell. Great saint Garga Muni has said, 'The woman, when their husbands have gone to some other region. The who after the death of her husband, lives a free life would married women, should give away wearing pretty dresses be consigned to hell with her three generations. Therefore, and ornaments, when their husband have gone to same other

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region. They should not visit the houses of others during The woman should not live without father, mother, son, such period. They should not indulge in laughing and brother, father-in-law, mother-in-law or maternal uncle, gossiping in society. Yagyavalkya has said, 'The married otherwise she becomes a prey to public criticism in absence woman should leave pleasure loving talks gossiping, pretty of her husband. Vigyaneshwar has said, 'The woman when dresses, public enjoyments, and socialization when their is in her childhood and adolescence, a father should protect husbands have gone to some other region.' her against untoward acts, in her youth, she should be protected by her husband, when her husband is nomore The widows shall render loving service to the Lord and when she is in her old age, her sons should protect as if he is their husband. They shall always behave in her. And in case, if exists no body as such, then people of conformity with the instruction's of their nearest her own caste should look after her. And in absence of relatives like father or son and others. But in no cose caste people, the king should take care of such woman. As shall they behave independently. (163) Smritis have said, the king acts like a sustainer and a master, when relatives and community are not existing. In Now in following ten Shloka, tells about the duties of nutshell women are never to be given an independent life. widowa. The married woman whose husband has expired It means that, a husbandless woman should not disconnect is called a widow woman. Such woman should take Shri her self from her paternal relations. Manu Maharaj says, Hari - Lord Shri Krishna - as her husband and should serve 'A woman from any age group-child-dolesent-youth or old him in a like manner. Means, such woman should meditate - should not do any work independently even in her own upon the image of Lord Shri Krishna. Thus they should house. A woman should never desire a separation from serve Lord Vishnu treating him as husband, but should not her father, husband and son, because such separation causes serve to him with other sense. That is the opinion of Shudra ill talks for both the sides. Kamalakara, Madan Parijata and Skand Purana. Such woman should not live an independent life but should live They shall not touch the males who are not closely under their nearest relatives like father, brothers and sons. related. Young widows shall not converse with young Yagyavalkya has said in Acharadhyaya, 'When she is a males except under unavoidable circumstances. (164) girl, father should protect her, when she is in her youth, her husband should protect her, and when she is in her old Near relations means father, brother, son etc. near age her sons should protect her, and if she has no child, relatives. A widow should not touch the people who are then people of her community should protect her. But in not her near relatives, though they may be from her own no case a women should be allowed to live independently. community or caste. She should not touch them knowingly.

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And if they are youth, she should not converse with them near relative is applicable only in the case of her protection. without a purposeful work, though they may be from Everybody should know this. Parashara also says: Deities relatives or non-relatives. This includes talking eye- to- too are incapable to know truly the acts, character and mind eye. Achaarasaar says, 'A brahmin, a widow, a cotton cloth, of a woman, then what could be said for the men on this an earthen utensil, etc become impure on a touch, shadow earth with the mind torn by sensual desires. Therefore, such or a glance at it. The word touch needs a careful treatment. woman should be protected well by her father-in-law, That is to be treated on this line: The scriptures have brother-in-law, father and brother. The relatives should permitted a life of celibacy to such widow women who keep such woman under their control, as they are bound are either capable of living a life of celibacy or are pregnant by their nature to becomes amorous. Manu Smriti says: or have infants to feed them. As a male celibate loses his They should not touch even to their relatives without an hard earned celibacy on preaching Katha-varta to a woman important work. This relaxation is valid for emergency or on a eye-to-eye look at the woman, in similar way a work. In such circumstances there is no draw back if woman celibate loses her hard earned celibacy on listening spoken or touched. In short, one should act in such manner to praises or follies of a man or on looking eye-to-eye a so that the person and personal religion are not harmed. man. And loss of celibacy is loss of everything for them. Therefore, a widow should not touch a man. Smriti Artha The touch of a suckling child, like the touch of an Saar has said: A widow if becomes amorous on seeing a animal does not entail sin,: so also the touch of-or the man, falls from her celibacy and goes to hell with her past conversation with the old man in the event of a three generations. Parashara has said: A woman with her necessity, does not incur sin. (165) wicked mind desires for other man, becomes a sinner and goes to hellish hell. Therefore, Manu Maharaj has said in The suckling child means a child surviving on mother's Shudra Kamalakara: The woman, whose husband has milk - an infant. Such child means a male child of such expired, should burn to ashes root to leaves her sensual age if touched, does not entail sin, as it's touch is like a desires, and should not look even to the faces of other men. touch of the calf of a cow. Both are innocent. It is also They should live a life of a celibate with complete hold on said that in relation to carnal desires and fulfillment of such all sense organs. In the same scripture, Yama has said: carnal desires, a man after his age of forty is considered as Eighty eight thousand celibate Munis from Brahmin caste worned off stuff. Therefore, there is no harm in touching died without producing progeny practicing celibacy on or talking to such man. Widow woman gets sensually death of her husband attains heaven like a celibate, though disturbed on touch of a man, and therefore, such objection she may have no son. Here no objection to the touch by a exists for such touch. But it appears that such sensual

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disturbance is not taking place on touching a child or an oil massage on her person and should not ride a bull even old man. As this contains word 'etc', widow women are for a cost of her life. She should not wear a bodice and forbided to walk along a man on the road. Skanda Purana should not put on a strange dress. Such woman should has said that all sensual disturbances are rooted in the undergo special penance in the months of Vaishakha, youth, therefore, man and woman should practice these Kartika and Maha, and should undertake special Vratt in rules minutely. additional month and in monsoon. Narada Purana says that a widow attracts sin if she does not perform Ekadashi Widows shall not receive education from a male Vratt: An ascetic and a widow woman are cosigned to the person who is not closely related. They shall control hell of Andhatamisra uptill the day of final destruction, if physical urges by means of undertaking Vrattas and they don't do Vratt of Ekadashi. A widow, if eats food on fasts. (166) ekadashi day, loses all her punya, and on even following day she attains sin of killing a brahmin. Above, was the A widow should not receive education from the people observation of Katyayan. who are not related to her, because it brings in untoward results. If such woman desires to listen and learn Katha- Widows who have wealth just sufficient for the Varta of God, she should learn it from her father and brother subsistence of body for their life time, only shall not or relatives, but in no case from others. That is the desired offer it even for religious work. They may give it for meaning of this preaching. Also, such a woman should religious purposes if they have more than their punish and purify her body and spirit by undergoing Vratta necessary requirements. (167) and fasting time and again. That would purify her from unknown touch of an unknown man. There are more Because, the donation of such livelihood wealth, instructions in Nirnaya Sindhu in this regard: A widow compells her to serve others and thus brings her down from decorating her hair locks in a bun, consigns her husband her personal religion. Does this mean that a widow should to hell. Therefore, she should either shave off her hair on not donate money for the religious purpose? To solve a the head or should tie it on her scalp like on ascetic. A ridde like this the words 'more than', have been used to widow should eat once in a day and should not eat twice a indicate surplus wealth. therefore, a widow should donate day, except in case of an emergency. She should under such wealth for religious purpose, which is more than their take month long fasting penance and should undergo necessary requirements. Otherwise it may attract the sin chandrayana Vratt. Widow if sleeps on a bedstead, of irreligious act if they don't donate dispite their capability consigns her husband to hell. And a widow should not take of donating.

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SHIKSHAPATRI BHASHYA : 168 SHIKSHAPATRI BHASHYA : 169

Vidurji has said, 'Oh King ! The three are really without These widows should take only one meal during the wealth: the woman, the servant and the son. Wealth belongs day, and should not take any meal on Vratt or fasting days. to the one, who has it's possession. Then, don't pose a They should sleep on the floor, but should not sleep on a quation that how could be a wealth of a woman? Because cot. In Vidhava Dharma chapter of Skanda Purana, it is her husbands right on such wealth is limited to the authority said: They should abandon all sense objects and pleasures, to protect it, but has no right to spend it.' Smritis have said, should eat only once a day, should not sleep during day 'Even in the religious purposes, a man should not use the time, and should not sleep on a cot except in unavoidable wealth of a woman. And after death of her husband, she is circumstances'. Further to this, it is said: They should not the whole and sole to protect it. Woman's wealth is of six look at purposefully to the people indulged in sexual acts, kind: Adhyagni (the wealth receive by her at the time of as it causes immediate anxiety of the mind and leads the her marriage in witness of sacred fire), Adhyavahanik (is viewer to a breach in his celibacy. Skanda Purana has said the wealth received by her when she leaves her fathers that in it's Vidhava Dharma chapter that one should not house for her first arrival to her husband's house), the look knowingly at animals indulged in sexual intercourse. wealth received as gift of love (is the wealth given to her with love by her mother-in-law, father-in-law, and by other Widows shall not put on dress similar to that of elders at husband's house), the wealth received from her married women with husbands living, or identical with brother, the wealth received from her mother and the wealth that of women who have become Samyasini or who received form her husband. These six are woman's wealth. have renounced the world. They shall never put on a Yagyavalkya has said that this woman's wealth can not be dress contrary to conventions and customs of the place, taken away by her relatives: 'The brother who takes away family and practice. (169) the wealth from his living sister, should be punished like a thief by the king. The ornaments given to the woman when These widows should not put on dress similar to a her husband was alive, can not be divided into the parts, married woman with husband living. A widow should not and one who divides it, suffers the pains in hell. wear a dress similar to a Sanyasini like woman, who loiters to cheat people through her external appearance. Also they Widow shall take meals only once during the day should (those widows) not wear a dress similar to a and shall sleep on the floor. They shall not deliberately renounced one. Widows should not wear such dress which look at the beasts and birds and others in sexual is contrary to the place, caste, lineage, customs and conjugation. (168) traditions. Supporting proofs in this regard may be had from the Smritis mentioned above.

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SHIKSHAPATRI BHASHYA : 170, 171 SHIKSHAPATRI BHASHYA : 172, 173

They shall neither keep the company of woman who Even a mother or a son are not exception in it as per the do abortions, nor touch them. They shall scrupulously truth pronounced by Jaimini in the scriptures. avoid to indulge in talking or hearing the amorous stories of male persons. (170) Widows shall not participate in sports of Holi and shall not put on ornaments and pretty coloured The woman who do abortions, means such woman who garments etc. They shall never wear transparent clothes undertakes abortions of pregnant woman with the help of mixed with golden fabrics. (172) herbal medicines. Widow should not keep company of such woman who do abortions, and should not touch them. Their The widows should not participate by throwing colors company attracts the sin of debauchery and the touch of etc in sports of Holi. They should not wear golden such woman attracts the sin of touch. In similar way, a ornaments. As there is word 'etc' suffixed to ornaments, widow should not indulge in talk about amorous stories of they should not use ornaments and other auspicious signs man or should not talk about amorous stories of man or like Kumkum, Kajal etc used by a married woman. They should not talk about their amorous acts and should not should never use all these things. Gold and other listen to such discussions, because, talking about or ornamental metals. The clothes woven with the threads of listening to such talk disturbs mind and such disturbance such metals, and superfine clothes of cotton or silk, should results into breach of celibacy. Support to this can be had not be used by a widow. Because, all these items are for from Shankh Smritis. those married woman whose husbands are alive. The evidence for these have been given earlier. Young widows shall not stay in a lonely place with young men even though they are within the closer bond Women either with husbands alive or dead shall of blood relationship except under calamity. (171) never take bath without cloth on their person. They shall never conceal the period of menstruation. (173) The widows in their youth, should not stay in a lonely place even with their youthful blood relations like father Now explains the common religious duties of widows or brother, except in the case of real exception, as a fire and all other women. The duties of those married woman burning forcefully due to wind becomes unavoidable, in whose husbands are alive, have been given in these two similar way carnal desires becomes enough forceful in such Shlokas. The woman whose husbands are alive, and the circumstances to overcome the world. Therefore youths widows, should not take bath without cloth on their person, and young ladies should not live togather in a lonely place. because doing so is an insult to deity Varuna. Bhagwan

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SHIKSHAPATRI BHASHYA : 173 SHIKSHAPATRI BHASHYA : 174

has said to Gopis: You are practising Vratt, and now having purifying their body with bath on the fourth day. (174) bath in the river without cloth on your person. That is an insult of the deity.' Same is applicable to men also, The woman who menstruates is called during such therefore, no man should take a naked bath. Suvrata has period the woman in her monthly course. Such woman, said, 'To have a naked bath or to sleep without cloth on during her monthly course, should not touch human being. person, both are acts worth condemnation for a man.' There is no fault in touching animals, but they are supposed Vasishtha Smriti says, 'Never to ride a bullock, donkey or not to touch clothes, earthen utensils and other domestic a camel, never to cajole a woman in day time and never to objects. Shloka prohibits those acts for immediate three take a naked bath, naked walk or naked sleep. Shankha days. Here 'day' means the period between two sun rise Smriti says 'Do a one day fasting on a day time sexual i.e. Whole day and following whole night together makes intercourse, on bathing in water without cloth on person, a day here. As defilement is observed for a day and and on looking at a naked woman of others.' following night on touching a dead body, here in this case, As the women of the world have shared with Indra one a day includes day and night both. She should not touch quarter sin of the Brahmhatya committed by him, that share anybody knowingly. Such woman should take a complete, of sin in women appears every month in the form of body and head bath on the fourth day, and should touch menstruation. This should not be kept secret. Such woman the domestic objects and others thereafter. Bhavishyottar in menstruation, should not join domestic chores, and Purana has said, 'A woman on the first day of her monthly should not touch others. The touch of a woman in her course is a chandali (a sinful woman of the lowest caste), menstruation period attracts sin of killing a brahmin. on her second day she is like a killer of Brahmin, and on Shrimad Bhagwat has said,' women have accepted that third such day she is a washer woman and becomes pure share of sin with a carnal desire and therefore it appears in on the fourth day.' Vishnu Dharmottar Purana prescribes every woman every month in the form of menstruation. the religious duties of a woman during her monthly course: Therefore, touching utensils and other domestic objects such woman should not use milk and milk products, during such period attracts major calamity. More details flowers, ornaments, kumkum - kajal, fragrances, wooden on this can be had from famous religious story of "Rushi but decorated Bajath (a backless low seat) as seat, a Panchami Katha." bedstead, touching fire, for first three days. Daksha also says that a woman in her monthly course should not do Women who are in monthly course (menstruational enointment on her body, should not do travelling, and period), shall avoid the touch of persons, clothes and should not use tooth cleanser. Such woman should stay other things for first three days. They shall do so after away from bathing, mouth fresheners and day time sleeping.

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SHIKSHAPATRI BHASHYA : 174 SHIKSHAPATRI BHASHYA : 175

Now understand some more in this connection. If a woman in her monthly course, a dead body and a person menstruation begins during a night, then divide that night who has touched dead body. Also it purifies the one who in three parts and if that menstruation has appeared during has shaved, has done intercourse, has smelt smoke of a first two parts of that night, then treat it on the earlier day burning dead body. Rishi Ushanas has shown the path for and if appeared during third such part of that night, count a ablution bath in Nirnaya Sindhu when a woman in her it in the following day. Some Smritis opine that if such fourthday of menstruation undergoes a fever: On the menstruation appears before midnight or before the sunrise, fourthday of such woman under fever other woman should then the previous day should be counted as the first day. touch that woman and should take bath on her behalf with As per Nirnaya Sidhu, the counting of such period should clothes on, and should repeat such bathing act atleast ten be as per customs and treditions of the place. If such to twelve times, with a sip of pure water every time with menstruation appears with in the span of seventeen days, his right hand palm and, thereafter, she should leave those purification is enough by a simple bath, but if appears touched clothes to purify both of them. This ablative ritual again on the eighteenth day then the period of one night is equally applicable for purification of any sick person. should be observed as menstruation period, and such Now what should be done if a Vratt or fasting day fall happening on the nineteenth day, requires complete within first three days of the menstruation period? Madan observation of period for full two days. Appearance on Parijata of Matsya Purana shows the solution: In such the twentieth day needs three days for the observation of Situation, Poojan etc should be performed by others on impurity. If one woman in her menstruation touches her behalf and she herself should do fasting of these days. another such woman unknowingly, they should perform Parashara has explained the way out for an extraordinary bath for self purification and if such touch is with situation: ablutive Fasting should be enough for the knowledge, they should undergo fasting for self purification in the circumstances like marriage, festival, purification and should take Panchagavya. Parashara Smriti sacred-fire, political turmoil, escape from a country, desert says: If a woman in her menstruation touches to such a region and forests. woman of Brahmin or Kshatriya caste, she then should have to undergo Ardha Kruchha Vratta, for self Total and absolute celibates who are our followers purification, and if touches to such a woman of other shall fully and absolutely abandon the touch of woman, community or caste, she will have to take a bath with clothes nor shall they ever engage themselves in conversation on for personal purification. A simple bath with clothes with them. They shall not deliberately cast a look at on person is enough for the purification on the touch of a them. (175) fallen one, a sinful person, a woman in her maternity period,

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SHIKSHAPATRI BHASHYA : 175 SHIKSHAPATRI BHASHYA : 176

The religious duties of the celibates have been described is not harmful. Now, with reference to this, Muni Deval in the following thirteen Shlokas. My dependents means has said in his Trishata Shloki Tika, 'A celibate should not my disciples. The disciples who are to practice celibacy carry any dead body and should not engage himself in any up till their last breath of life. Naishthik Vratta means such acts, and he would have to undergo against a purifying absolute celibacy 'Varnin' means praiseworthy. The one Sanskar if he acts so'. 'This objection is applicable to all who deserves a praise. According to Mallinath: The glory the circumstances excepting the dead body of his father, and praise that one earns on his absolute celibacy by leaving as per Nirnaya Sindhu. Manu says, 'A man with celibacy, all the eight types of intercourse. These eight types in if carries dead body of his perceptor, teacher, mother, intercourse have been defined well in Agnipurana : To father, or Guru on their death, does not attract any sin or listen to a woman, to talk about a woman, to copulate, to drawback.' Kaladarsha has said, 'A celibate does not attract see a woman, to talk secretly to a woman, to wish for a any sin or fall from his celibacy if he attends or performs woman, to desire firmly for a woman and to have pleasures funeral rites of his preceptor, mother, father or maternal with a woman. These eight have been taken as various father. On other occasions, even like touching the feet of types of the copulation. Opposite to these eight, stand the Guru's wife while paying respect to her, are treated as, attributes of a celibate. A celibate would not touch a forbidden acts. Moreover, it is said in the thirty seventh woman knowingly, would not talk to her knowingly, would chapter of the Kashi Khanda of Skanda Purana that the not establish even a dialogue with her. Shrimad Bhagwat inherent nature of a woman is very agile, therefore it is says, An ascetic should keep himself away from touching, treated as harmful to man. The wise people never fall a talking or cajoling with a woman and should not glance at prey to a womanly relation because such relation brings the copulating couple. down fall equally even in the lives of worldly wise and Here in , all the women have been restricted, but a doubt laymen. If we think about gazing a woman, we can learn raised in these of contradicting Smritis allowing touch of well from the occasion of great celibate Narada and Parvata real mother, step mother or a perceptors wife as it is not who became mokey faced on looking at the charming arm harmful as per those Smritis. For removal of this anomaly and hand of the princess of king Ambarisha, and on it is to be clarified that such touch and a permission for becoming amorous due to such scene. such touch stands valid only in the circumstances of Upakurvanaka. Means, if mother has expired and if her They shall neither occupy themselves with the stories other son/sons are not there to perform funeral rites such relating to woman, nor listen to them. They shall not as giving fire to her pyre, in that case a celibate-son can go for bath etc. to places which are frequented by do it without attracting any sin or drawback. Such a touch woman. (176)

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SHIKSHAPATRI BHASHYA : 177 SHIKSHAPATRI BHASHYA : 178, 179

They should never talk of the woman. Narada says, touched or looked at it. Narada Pancharatra has said, 'A Those who are not householder and are practicing celibacy, woman's idol, though may be in the form of a picture, should stay away from talking to a woman, as the human should not be gazed at with sense. Shrimad Bhagwat says sense has great power beyond nobody's control, it defeats that celibate should not touch even with his feet, the idol the mind of an ascetic.' They should not pay an ear to a of a woman-a lady. talking woman, and Mokshadharma therefore, advises precisely: Don't listen to a talk of a woman.' A conversation The integral and absolute celibate shall not construct or dialogue is treated as a tool of carnal desire. Moksha an image of woman. They shall not touch garments put Dharma has said, 'Carnal desire only is the obstacle for on by women. They shall not intently look upon beasts the man on his way to emancipation - salvation, there is and birds and others engaged in sexual union. (178) no other bondage except this. One who gets himself free from the bondage of desire emancipates himself. The man These celibate should not draw an idol of women. Here who learns the way of removing carnal desire, surpass word 'women' excludes Goddesses. They should not touch easily the pains caused by carnal desires. Now about the knowingly the garments put on by women. This excludes objection stated against the bathing etc at the places where washed clothes, washed and wet clothes, dried clothes after women used to come and go. Here in this Shloka 'bathing' a wash, new garments and the garments not used by a includes all the acts concerning wash and toilet. And also woman. That explanation has been extended by should know that in such places and in such acts, one should Dharmopadesha. And about sexual union, the birds and not remember or recall memory and occasions of a woman. the beast engaged in such acts should not be looked at with knowledge - by a celibate. Shrimad Bhagwat has said Excepting the images of Goddesses, they shall not earlier much on this topic. touch the images, pictures and idols of wood etc of women and shall avoid even looking at them They shall neither touch a person in the guise of a intentionally and willfully. (177) woman nor look at or speak with him. Addressing woman they shall neither deliver discourses nor Idols of Goddesses means, idols of Goddess Lakshimiji perform collective singing of the glory of God. (179) and others. Idols means statues and shapes made from wood, metal, stone, paper etc substances by carving, The celibates should not touch or look at the people sculpturing, drawing or painting on such substances. Such dressed as a married or a widowed woman, because such female idols, if are not of any Goddess, should not be look or touch encourages desires for a woman. This is the

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SHIKSHAPATRI BHASHYA : 180 SHIKSHAPATRI BHASHYA : 180

hidden meaning behind such order. Also should not sing no support from such statements should be taken in relation the praises of God which women can listen to at a distance, to breach in great Vrattas. Shrimad Bhagwat says, Lord because, such singing helps in thinking about a woman Brahma gave birth to his sons Sanaka, Sanand, Sanatana unconsciously and attracts drawback in his Vratta as a and Sanatkumar and then asked those self-disciplined sons celibate. to produce sons, but those sons who were desirous of benediction and were at the refuge of Lord Vasudeva They shall not implicitly obey even the dictates of Narayana, did not desired to produce progeny.' the Guru to give a go bye to the vow of celibacy. They Skandapurana has said, 'Asked them to produce progeny, shall even remain tranquil, steadfast self-content and but as those celibate sons refused, Brahma became angry.' free from egoistic self-pride. (180) Celibacy is the only means to attain Brahm, therefore, it is principal amongst all the means. Chhandogya Smriti says, These eight things are not harmful to a vow of celibacy: 'The Brahm Loka could be attained only by an absolute water, roots, fruits, milk, sacred sacrifice, fulfilling a wish celibacy. Celibacy it self is an Yagya. A knower of ultimate of a brahmin, words of a Guru and a medicine. Smritis knowledge attains Brahm Loka on the strength of his have unanimously asked all disciples to obey to the order celibacy. The celibacy is the ultimate good for everybody. of a Guru. And on the strength of this sentence here it is Meditation through celibacy provides proximity of supreme said that the orders from a preceptor should not be practised God.' 'Indra practised absolute celibacy for the one by a disciple if such orders are to effect adversely an a hundred years in Brahma and become it known as Brahm vow of celibacy. Linga Purana describes the attributes of Loka. It is beyond all religious tenets and Brahm Loka is celibacy: celibacy means not to indulge in sexual attainable by it etc. Sanat Sujatiya says, 'The blissful intercourse by any means like mind, speech, body and Brahm can not be attained swiftly. 'The highest knowledge actions. This is celibacy of an ascetic or a celibate. It tells is attainable by celibacy by merging intellect in the mind.' more for those celibates who are womanless in their lives Geeta says, Seekers of ultimate knowledge live a life of and those who are in their Vanprastha and have detached celibacy.' In Shrishti Khanda of Padma Purana it is said: themselves from householdership, as their renouncement celibate is the best virtue for a brahmin born in Brahmin is of superior level. The words of a Guru, if are harmful to lineage. Even Brahma in his heavenly abode adorns a vow of celibacy, are not to be followed or obeyed to by celibacy as a best ornament. The Brahmic virtue of a a disciple. The Smritis, advocating follow up of the words Brahmin is rooted deeply in celibacy. Those are the of Guru by a disciple, advocates so, in relation to Vratta, observations from the knowers of Brahm dwelling in the fasting, illness, and food during adverse time, therefore other world. Dharma (religion) resides in celibacy, Tapa

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SHIKSHAPATRI BHASHYA : 180 SHIKSHAPATRI BHASHYA : 180

(penance) resides in celibacy, and Brahmin who have houses while narrating loudly and repeatedly the sinful practised celibacy, reside in heaven. Ultimate achievement event in a repentive mood. If such a woman belongs to is not possible without Yoga. The glory and greatness are Vaishya-caste, the sinner should undergo such atonement not possible without ultimate achievement. Such glory and for an year, in Kshatriya - caste that should be for two greatness are not attained without a penance, and such years and in the case of a Brahmin woman, the sinner will glory is not greater than celibacy. No other penance is have to do so for three years. Vasistha Smriti extends two required by the one who renounces himself from five sense options namely riding a donkey or holding sacrificial objects and maintains absolute celibacy. There is no other offering of Nairut - Yagya. The spiritually wise have penance greater than celibacy. Here in above the scripture suggested sacred fire with a donkey as sacrifice for those and enlightened rishis have discussed the celibacy with a sinners who are Rajas and Tamas by nature and have stress more on women and a relationship with such women, suggested to hold sacrificial offering of Nairut holy fire and as there is risk of attracting sin by such relationship, for the sinners with Sattvik nature. As non-violence is they have rejected in total any such relationship with a cardinal among the principles, it is most proper in Kali woman. The sin of such relation requires a greater Yuga to hold sacrificial pot of Nairut holy fire. For more atonement for purification of such a sinner. Yagyavalkya details on this topic, one should refer to Mitakshara treatise. says, 'A celibate if goes to a woman, attracts sin for himself, As an atonement in breach of celibacy is very hard, it is and for an atonement of such sin he is required to perform good for a celibate to disobey to a Guru and such orders a holy-fire. Nairut is the deity of that holy-fire and a from a Guru which may endanger a vow of celibacy. In donkey is the sacrifice for self purification of a sinner.' Gobhil Sutras of Kritya Chintamani the teachings are to Vasishta has said, 'If a celibate goes to a woman, he would be considered on the line drawn above. Moreover, it is undergo an atonement for self purification in darkness of preached that one should obey to his Acharya - preceptor, night of the last day of the month. Such holy-fire for his failing which shall be an irreligious act, discard your anger atonement would be presided by deity-Rakshasa (demon) and untruth, stay away from sexual intercourse, don't sleep and one eyed donkey is the sacrifice. Such holyfire of on a cot, don't shave, don't intoxicate, don't eat meat, don't atonement should be performed in a forest in a square or sit in a vehicle pulled by a cow. The atonement mentioned in public fire or such a sinner should purify himself by above is in relation to a woman who is not ranked at par to eating from the sacrificial pot of such holy-fire. Gautam preceptors wife (Guru-Patni) and such other women. The has said, 'Such a sinner should put on his person an animal atonement's in such great sin by a celibate is very hard hyde with the hair standing on its surface, should hold a and extremely painful, therefore, smaller atonement's like begging bowl of iron and should beg a meal from seven Avikirnavratta of the twelve years can not destroy a great

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sin of a celibate. And the atonement's in whole prescribed unsatisfied Brahmin destroys himself. One who has ego is against the breach in celibacy of a celibate is not just, called a egoist, and those who does not have, are called because Mitakshara it self suggest an atonement in double egofree. One should live without ego-pride. Egolessness amount for a celibate in comparison to that of the other is one of the foremost tool for attainging place in the Ashrams of life. Prayashchit Mayukh and Mitakshara service of God. Shrimad Bhagwad Geeta says, 'One who prescribes Nairut Yaag atonement in case of ejaculation of is free from ego and attraction, victorious on his semen in absence of a woman and for ejaculation of semen weaknesses, lives at spiritual plane, free from carnal with the help of the hand. Vasishta has said in Mitakshara, desires, free from the conflicts between happiness and 'One should undergo an atonement Vratta on an intentional sorrows and possesses absolute knowledge about ultimate ejaculation and ejaculation of semen during a dreamstate. reality, attains everlasting position near his God. Vidur Niti Lord Manu and Lord Vishnu has said about the atonement has opined that the ego is the cause of all the losses: oldage for ejaculation during a dream: 'If a celibate ejaculates his destroys beauty and charms, hope destroys calmness, death semen during a dream state, he should take complete bath, destroys vital air, malice destroys a Dharmacharya, anger perform fasting for the day and should meditate upon destroys wealth, services of a non-aryan destroys character, Gayatri hymn. If such ejaculation is willful, the fasting desire destroys intellect and ego destroys everything. should be for a day and a night both.' Mitakshara prescribes Nairut Yaag also to the householders ejaculating during a Restrain by speech or insult a woman coming hurried prescribed period of celibacy for performing Ekadashi and forcibly in closer proximity with them and shall Vratta, Chandrayana and Yagya Deeksha Vratta. Yama not allow her to come nearer. (181) suggests an atonement of three Pranayama and one thousand Gayatri-hymn meditation for a householder Now in following two Shloka explains that there is ejaculating on the earth. nothing wrong in speaking to a woman or touching her in A celibate should be calm and steadfast. The state of times of great trouble. A woman - whether she has soft such calmness is a state in which one acts in a well feelings or has not, if comes closer forcefully, should be composed way despite mental disturbance. One who lives asked orally to go away, and evenif, she did not go away, with full satisfaction by the meals received in begging as a should insulher with harsh words to send her off. But she monk. One should not go to a rich man's house with a should not be touched in any case, as a touch is a cause of desire for tasty food. Bhagwat has said, 'A Brahmin, who damaging the eighth celibacy. Vayu Purana has said that a has satisfaction with the things he has received as per his spiritually wise should put in such efforts which protects destiny, becomes brighter in his brightness, and an his greater vows. On completion of moral duty during a

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high time, one should undergo an universally proper such death.' 'Protection of life is the highest religion, and atonement and should stay with his cardinal ethical duty, any act opposite to it is highly irreligious, therefore, a that is the principle laid down by Shritis. spiritually wise should act at his best in a religious practice.' Those are the words from Yama Smriti. Daankhanda of But when an emergency arises wherein there is the Vishnu Dharmottar says, 'A man in a risk to his life, should immanent danger of their life, or that of woman, they not hesitate to accept the donation of life from a person shall do their utmost for protecting their life and that from the lowest caste. Because a living man achieve of women even by touching or speaking with them. anything and everything, and the practice even that of the (182) religion is possible only if one is alive. The body-person- it self is religion, therefore, it should be protected by all In case of fire, flood, or attack by animals with jaws or out efforts.' Bharat has said, 'At times, the fruits of great horns, or may be killer disease, and in circumstances as holy-fire diminishes, but the fruit of donating amnesty to a such the lives of self and or women are endangered, then man never diminishes. 'It is absolutely equal, if there are in such circumstances, even by touching them, lives of great holy fires and donations are on one side and on the such women should be saved, and life should be protected other side there is donation of amnesty to a Jiva.' That is by speaking with them. If there is emergency or danger, the observation from Agni Puruna. the words like "there, there are deep waters, don't move to that side' this that and other dialogues should be initiated They shall not massage their bodies with oil and shall from either side in according to emergency, and lives not hold arms and weapons. They shall not put on should be saved. The cardinal principle 'Life is above dreadful dress. They shall strive their best to win a everything' prevails here. A touch of woman attracts a victory over the sense of taste. (183) minor atonement, but ignoring loss of life attracts a greater sin. Therefore, with due mercy lives should be saved as They shall not massage their bodies with oil. They shall per personal capacity. That is the central idea of this not hold weapons like sword etc as it ignites violence, in preaching. As per Shrimad Bhagwat amnesty is the supreme intellect. Manu and Yogyavalkya have told Brahmins to among the religious duties: Oh Sinfree! All Vedas, holy- hold weapons in times of real emergency. 'All twice-born fires, penance and donations together are not equal to a (those who are wearing sacred thread) should hold fraction of a donation of amnesty.' A man should avoid weapons if religion is in peril. As the word weapon has death by the force of all his intellect, and the death has not 'etc' as it's suffix even a stick is not to be kept with. A avoided despite that, then he would not be at any fault for dreadful dress means such attires, which are not appreciated

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either by the scripture or society. They should put on a They should not go to such houses of Brahmin caste dress of a cloth covering Kaupin (undergarment) and where meals are served by a woman - maiden, a married should wear a waist covering belt. That is to be understood. or old-aged ladies of the house. Because, costing look at It suggest also an atonement for not wearing such dress: such a woman may attract a breach in celibacy. Here it is Shauch (ablution), Aachamana (sip water held in right hand meant that only such houses are to be visited where meals palm), Sandhya Vandan (worship on sun rise, in noon and are served by a male. In this Shloka above the word before dusk) and Agni-Hom. (worship of fire by sacred Brahmin stands due to exuberance of Brahmin caste and sacrifice) if not attended, and touched if by a Shudra (lower word 'meal' stands for cooked meals. Smritis have said that caste); if Kaupin (undergarment), Kati Sutra (waist an ascetic and a celibate are required to take only cooked covering belt), Yagyo Pavita (sacred threads), Mekhala food in their Bhiksha (begging). Yagyavalkya has said that (sacred chain), Danda (status-stick) and Mrig Charma Bhiksha should be accepted only from spotless Brahmins. (deer-skin) are not held; if slept in day time, if Chhatra Mitakshara, further to it, says that Bhaksha should be taken (sheltering cover) Paduka (wooden foot wear) and Mala from spotless-criticism free - brahmins who are not cursed, (rosary) are not held; if indulged luxurious bath, Sandal not fallen, not with a cat or a crane like nature. A pure wood paste, eye lesh dice playing dancing, singing, or food purifies one's mind and spirit. As per Chhandogya playing musical instruments, if conversed or talked with a Shruti the purity of food fosters Sattva Guna in a man. hypocrite; in all such events, an atonement is a must for a Such Sattva - Guna fosters stead fastness of memory - and celibate. 'For each such breach as is said by Kratu, a diminishes worldly desires - and worldlythoughts. Moksha celibate is required to undergo total fasting for a night. Dharma says: It is the best to accept meal from those Dharma Shastra my be referred for more details on it. Sense Brahmins who are wellversed in rituals, because a well organ of taste should be controlled, as all sense could be regulated food from such Brahmin recedes the sins of Rajo won by winning the sense organ of taste. A man can not Guna, and it withdraws the sense organs from the different be called a person with an absolute control on all his sense objects.' Bhagwat says, 'Bhiksha (begging) should Indriyas (sense organs) until he wins all his sense organs, be repeated by accepted from Vanprasthi (those who are and the victory on the sense organ of taste makes him in third life stage) householders, because such meals in victorious on all the tastes of sense objects. donation are free from desires and are surved with purity of mind and heart, therefore, such meals help in quicker They shall not go to the house of a Brahmin, where achievements. In case of an emergency, following are the the meals are served by a woman. They shall go there guidelines in Medha Tithi. Fresh meals should be accepted where there is a male server. (184) from Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaishya, if no Brahmin is

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available, the Bhiksha (meal) may be accepted from a like Som-Pan and is not treated as donation. Bhiksha is Kshatriya and if both - Brahmin and Kshatriya-are not not a meal from others, and not treated as of others. Bhiksha available for a Bhiksha, same may be accepted from a is 'Madhu Kari' and it removes all sins. Eating Bhiksha is Vaishya in this descending order of castes. The Smritis of like not having any food-and one who eats Bhiksha is survival in a critical time given in Mitakshara suggests that called a Bhikshuka (one who survives on Bhiksha-meals). a Bhiksha may be accepted from all four castes. But such A fasting is better than having food once a day and meals Bhiksha is of un-cooked meals. The cooked-meals in such received without begging are better than a fasting, and a circumstances, are acceptable only from those Brahmins Bhiksha is quite better than such meals without a begging. who are firm in their personal religion. The celibates from Therefore, as per Vishweshavar Paddhati Smriti, a celibate Kshatriya and Vaishya castes, if takes meals from the should survive on Bhiksha. The Bhiksha - meal, meal from householders of his own caste, there would be nothing a Shrotriya (a scholar of Vedas), leftover meal of a sacred- wrong and if it is possible, they may take the meals from fire and sacrificial meal of a holy fire are like a fire the householders belonging to the caste higher that the caste purifying gold and such meal purifies the body from tip to of the celibate. Same has been mentioned in other toe, as per Vasishta Smriti. Indigo in clothes, water in butter scriptures. Bhiksha should not be taken repeatedly from milk, a Gaushala (cow breeding farm) in a prayer place of the same house to satisfy sense organ of taste, but should other religion and a Bhiksha collected from different houses be taken like a bumble bee by visiting different places. are treated as holy in all the ages, as per Vyas Smriti, and Regarding Bhiksha from a single place, it is precisely said therefore, it is most appropriate to practise Bhiksha meal that it should be in critical times and meals should be in everyday. And therefore, Lord Manu has prescribed un-cooked state and bellyful in the quantity. Yagyavalkya atonement's in Prayashchita Mayukha and other Smritis. also says that a celibate should not eat meals from a single One has to undergo an atonement of Avakrni Vratta for house excepting a real emergency. Dharma Vivek says that the seven nights if one has not demanded Bhiksha despite a Bhikshu without an emergency should not eat meals from his ailment free state or if he has not sacrificed Samidha a single person. (fuel) in sacred fire. Angira Muni says, 'One who stays in Angira Muni asks celibate to quit day-sleeping, meals his abode without any emergency by collecting cooked from others and second meal in a day. There in light of meals should undergo an atonement of drinking Vajra (a above, a doubt may be posed that then why a celibate is food in urine of a cow) for the ten nights, and should take asked to beg meals from other's houses? Such doubt should such Vajra for three nights if it has happened so due to an not be posed, as meals in begging are not treated as 'meals emergency. Vajra, as per Bhagwad Bhaskara, is the food from others'. Atri Muni has said that the meal (Bhiksha) is named Vajrakuchha made with urine of cow.

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They shall ever engage them selves in the pursuit of men. Also it is said that to serve to their Guru, is their study of Veda and other scripture and in constant ultimate duty. Ethical duty of a Bhikshu (ascetic) is to service of the Guru. They shall always shun the practise non- violence with tranquility, ethical duty of a company of females and males with feminine features Vanprasthi (a householder in his third life stage) living in and characteristics. (185) a forest is to perform penance and meditation, ethical duty of a householder is to protect animals and worship God Vedas means Rig Veda etc four Vedas. Scriptures means and ethical duties of a Brahmin are to meditate to his different parts of the Vedas such as teachings, Samkhya, Acharya-perceptor and to stay before a Guru by holding a Yoga, Uttara Mimamsa etc. As these are eternal by nature lower seat or bed. A celibate in hermitage should control and aims at the benediction of mankind, they should study all his sense organs and should foster companionship. On these scriptures. Narnarayaniya Akhyan of Bharat has instructions from his Guru, he should study Vedas with mentioned, 'Oh King! Samkhya Yoga and the four Vedas absolute hold on sense organs, and should offer respect to are eternal.' Uttar Mimamsa or Vedant also should be his Guru by bowing head at the end of each such learning. treated at par with the Vedas. As Shrimad Bhagwata and Those are the scholarly instructions from great saint other scripture have come from it they have not been Narada. Yagyavalkya also has said that one should meditate mentioned separately. Or say that those have been preached and worship his Guru. Womanly means such thoughts or so while disenssing general religious duties. Therefore, a thinking wherein, one's mind is fixed in a woman. A celibate should study all these eternal religious scriptures. celibate should avoid company of such people. He should As this chapter deals exclusively to celibates, it shall not leave them like leaving a woman. Kapildev has said, 'One be a mere repeatation if they are asked to study scriptures should discard a companionship of the people who are and Vedas with all it's parts and branches. Word scripture harmful to the truth, purity, mercy, silence, intellect, should be defined as the parts of Vedas. At the age of eight decorum, prosperity, fame, forgiveness, steadfastness, years, a brahmin child should be given sacred threads to control and majesty, and should leave those who are begin with education and study. 'Should learn Vedas', impatient, unintelligent and spiritually damaged. He should Shrutis too prescribes, 'Though, there may be no reason, a discard companionship of such people who are not saintly brahmin should learn and study Vedas with it's six by nature, deserves sorrow and lives in company of branches. A twice born man, on getting second birth by women. And no other incident creates such Moha accepting sacred threads, should stay in a Gurukul (affection) which is created by single incident of the (hermitage of a perceptor) and should learn scriptures. That companionship of a woman or companionship of the man is the preaching in Shrimad Bhagwat for all twice born having close company of a woman. The one, though may

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be well read and educated, but if affectious to a woman, excepting shudras, but in case of an emergency, the water should he be discarded by a celibate from his company, from the earth surface may be consumed by other people. because the virtues of that person are not useful due to his If there is no mud, the water accumulated on earth surface drawback in relation to a woman. Ail Geeta of Shrimad is holy and pure as per Chanakya. Prayaschita Mayukha Bhagwat says: What of the knowledge, penance, sacrifice, says: In case of an emergency one should collect water in scriptural knowledge, detachment and greatness of a an utensil from the ground and drink it. person, when his mind has been drawn into a woman? The brahmin should not eat onion, garlic and other ill Therefore, there should be no dealing with a woman or smelling things. Onion and garlic spreads more smell, such man whose mind is stuck in a woman. Even learned therefore those should not be consumed, and if consumed and enlightened ones are not trusting in six impulses, then per chance, one has to perform atonement for such act. how can I ? For this, Brihaspati has said in Prayaschita Khanda : A twice born (brahmin) is required to do atonement of Tapta Those who are Brahmins by birth shall never drink Kruchchha if he consumes onion, garlic and other such water drawn by or passed through a leather bag. They things. Kavak and Grunjan are two other Vegetables shall shun in every way the uneatable articles like respectively from the origin of mustard and garlic with a onions or garlic. (186) heavy smell. Vyakhya Sudha clarifies that Grunjan is a type of white onion. Vaidya Chintamani gives an analysis Now he tells special duties of Brahmin caste. These rules of Grunjan and says that in smell, sprout, guise and shape are to be observed by all who are born in Brahmin caste it is almost like onion but has leaves. Sushruta describes irrespective of their sacred thread ceremony. It applies to ten types of onion: garlic, Deergha Patra, Pichchha the brahmins in different life stages - celibacy to Sanyastha Gandha, Mahaushadha, Faran, Palandu, Lava Tarka, (renouncement). They should not drink water drawn by a Aparvarika, Grunjan and Yavaneshta. Sumantu adds that, leather bag. Laghu Harit says: 'one should undergo an there is no harm in eating garlic as a part of a medicine. atonement of complete bath with clothes on, and full day All these things have been treated consumable as a fasting if he drinks water from a water hut or water from medicine but if taken without an illness becomes like an utensil used form storing seer- or the water from a alcohol and attracts great sin for a consumer. That warning bucket used for removing water from a ship or water drawn is from Yagyavalkya. He, further to that says that eating a from the well by a leather bucket.' Yama says: The water forbidden thing, conspiracy, talking a lie for personal from a forest water hut, water from a pot used for storing progress, and kissing a woman during her menstruation seer, water from a ship not to be used by the people are like drinking alcohol. Mitakshara adds in this: To

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conspire against a Guru, tell lies for self elevation, to therefore, it is used in three meanings. Brahmin should pretend expertise in Vedic knowledge etc. etc. perform Sandhya everyday. There the word is used with reference to the deity by that name. The Rishis performing Brahmin shall not take a meal without performing long Sandhya, attain longivity in their physical life. Here, bath, Sandhya, Chanting of Gayatri Mantra, worship in those Smritis, the word is used in reference to a specific of Vishnu and performing Vaishwadev. (187) meditation. Early morning Sandhya is with Nakshatra (lunar mansion). Here it is in relation to Time (Kala). Bathing is mainly by water. As has been said earlier, Therefore, it is to be interpreted as per possibility. At the those who are physically well should do it in cold water time of Sandhya meditate upon godly power named and those who are physically weak should do it in warm Sandhya. 'Sandhya' - the word - may be a proper word to water. Bathing is required to be performed while singing indicate morning Sandhya and evening Sandhya as there and chanting sacred hymns of deity of water. Smritis have is visible union (of day and night) but how could it be asked to do bathing with chanting sacred hymns. Early called Sandhya in noon, as there is no union or meeting of morning bath should be swift and short, otherwise risk the two. For this, it is said that it is union of early period may arise of losing time of Hom (sacred fire). Katyayan and later period of the day. Therefore, word Sandhya for says that early morning bath should be brief and noon time noon is not a diffusion of Sandhya. Acharkhanda says, 'One bath should be an elaborated one. Nrisimh Puran says: Do should perform morning, noon and evening Sandhya early morning bath by standing in a flowing river or stream everyday right from the day of his sacred thread ceremony and complete it before sunrise.' Skandh Purana says: Early to the day of his last breath. A Brahmin should do it two morning bath carried out by sunrise is like Prajapatya (a Muhurta (an unit of one hour and forty eight minutes sacred ritual by that name) and destroys all sins. It increases duration) before the sunrise, A Kshatriya should do it one enthusiasm, intellect, fortune, charms and wealth and gives Murhurta before the sunrise and a Vaishya should do it blissful happiness, therefore, early morning bath is the best one half of a Muhurta prior to a sunrise. Achara Mayukh ritual. No sins are attracted to a man, bathing early in the and Dharmasar says that sandhya done in the presence of morning. Therefore, this early morning bath is the giver the stars visible in the sky is the best, the Sandhya of all visible and invisible rewards and therefore, it should performed after disappearance of the stars in the sky is be carried out accordingly. medium and Sandhya performed on sunrise is the lowest. 'Sandhya' is the deity by that name. Not doing Sandhya Thus, there are three levels in performance of Sandhya. means not doing meditational worship of the deity named Similarly, in evening Sandhya, it is the best to perform Sandhya. 'Sandhya' is a well defined word from Yoga and Sandhya in presence of sun, the Sandhya amidst

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disappeared stars is medium, and Sandhya in presence of attainable after sacred thread ceremony. And the right of the stars visible in the sky is the lowest. For Sandhya in Chanting Ashtakshar Mantra (hymn) is attainable after noon-time, it is said that Sandhya performed after Vaishnavi Diksha. Sangavakala (time span up to the nine a.m. in morning) Harita has explained the procedure of performing i.e. between 9 a.m. and 12 noon is the best, Sandhya Gayatri Japa : One should perform the one thousand eight performed after 12 a.m. noon (Kutapa) is medium and chants of Gayatri hymn by pronouncing elaborately divine Sandhya performed in later part of the day is the lowest. form of Pranava with each such chant. Such Japa may be Similar classification for evening Sandhya can be had from performed in smaller units like the one hundred eight or Gruhya Sutra of the own clan. Now says about the ways ten as per personal capacity. Great Rishi Yagyavalkya of performing Sandhya. Early in the morning, stand facing recommends Gayatri Manta with single Pranava (Oum) for direction of the Sun and form a Swastika of the hands, in the householders and celibates. Such Japa should be noon - leave your hands at ease and in evening - perform performed in morning by placing hand on the neval, in Sandhya by raising palms. That was the method given by noon it should be performed by placing hand on the heart Kashyap in his Snan Deepika. Now, Vyasji says about the and in evening Japa the hand may be placed before the time to be selected for offering water (Arghya): Hold water nose. in hollow of your palm, chant the hymn of Gayatri by The worship - Poojan of Shaligram or image of Shri standing before the sun and offer thrice this Arghya in the Vishnu should be performed with different objects (flower same method.' Brahmin, according to Kritya Chintamani etc) and specific hymns. These upachara (mode of are required to give only one such Arghya in noon time worship), according to Panchratra, may be sixty four, thirty Sandhya. And in evening Sandhya, they are required to eight, sixteen, twelve or fifteen depending on the capacity sit facing direction of sun and should offer Arghya in that of the worshipper. A worshipper should choose from it, position with the chants of Vedic hymns.' As there is etc with in his personal capacity. Achar chintamani says that suffixed to Sandhya, they are required to perform Hom there are different ways of worshipping. One should select (sacred offering to fire). Those who does not have any one from those. These procedures- ways- of Agnihotra (prescribed procedure of offering sacred worshipping have been discussed in detail in the later part sacrifice to holy fire) should offer Arghya in morning on of this scripture. Harit says that the Lord Vishnu should be the name of Prajapati and in evening on the names of Lord worshipped three to five times in a day, and if a devotee Agni (Fire God) and Lord Prajapati. is weak, he should worship at least once a day, but all such Japa means silent chanting. Gayatri means famous hymn Poojan - worship must be offered with great faith. of Gayatri. The right of chantining Gayatri hymn is Vaishvadeva means five great holy fires. Yagyavalkya

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explains this : 'Balidan Karma (sacrificial acts), Swadha per Parashara : One who takes a meal without bathing, (addressing words in offerings to manes), Swadha eats excrement. One who takes a meal without doing Japa, (addressing words in offerings to manes), Hom (sacrifice eats puss and blood. One who eats without Hom, eats to holy fire), Swadhyaya (scriptural reading) and Atithi- worms and insects. One who eats without donating, eats Satkar (duties as host) these five are great holy fires of cowden.' And says that, 'One who has not acquired the Bhoota (elements), Pitri (manes), Devata (deities), knowledge of Sandhya Mantra and not worshipped Brahmins (twice born - wearing sacred threads) and Gayatri, though alive becomes a Shudra and sinner. And a Manushya (human beings).' Katyayana says: Teaching is Brahmin who is not knowing Gayatri Mantra and if knows the Brahm Yagya, Tarpan (libation of water to the manes it but not doing Japa of the hymn, though in a skin of or deceased ancestors) is holy-fire of the manes, Hom Brahmin, know him a Shudra and take him as debarred in (sacrifice to holy fire) is the holyfire of deities, Balidan rituals for deities and manes. A Brahmin not worshipping (offer sacrifice) is the holyfire of Bhoot (elements) and God with devotion, does not get pleasure in this and other Atithi Poojan (worshiping guests) is the holy fire of world, and spends his births in the lowest species. Skanda humans. Now explains meaning in detail: To teach to the Puran says: Those fallen Brahmins eating meals without disciples and to learn is Swadhyaya Brahmins should study Vaishavadeva, live in this world without food and become hymns of Sam and Yajurveda - that is called Brahm Yagya crows after their death. As there is 'etc' suffixed to this, by the Smritis. Vaishvadeva can not be performed in a children too are first to be served food and meals are to be cooking stove. Vasishta has objected to such act. He says : taken thereafter. Skand Puran also says that the seniors in No Vaishvadev should be performed in a cooking - stove, the family and house, should take meals after offering food in an utensil of iron, on the open earth, in a Khappar to all their dependent house members and in a non- (begging bowl or a shard) in a tanks or on a very high emergency time householder and house members should platform. take their meals togather. Yagyavalkya says: Householder One should not take a meal without Vaishvadeva. Snan couples should take their meals after serving the meals to (bathing), Sandhya (worship of three times), Tarpan children, older house member, pregnant women, sick (libation of water to the manes) etc and Japa (silent chants), people, she child in the family, servants and the guests if Hom (offering to holy fire) and worship of God should be any. Therefore, it is to be understood that there should be performed by a fasting devotee even if he has not no partiality in cooking food for the house. Moksha performed evening Sandhya with an appropriate Ahuti Dharma says: 'A householder is praise worthy when he (sacrifice). Such is the opinion of Varaha Purana. Non - takes his meal along his guest, servants, family members performance of those acts, attracts major draw backs. As and attendants - without - any difference. A householder

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is consigned to hell on partiality in cooking food, A Sanyasi tension and sickness. That is in relation to complete (ascetic) is consigned to hell on making difference and a Sandhya. Chyavan Rishi has said in Shuddhi Deep that woman is consigned to hell on bearing two man in her the Sandhya which is followed by an Arghya (offering conjugal life. Meals too are to be taken after removing sacred water to deities) should be performed mentally Aposhan, otherwise, may be harmful to the one who eats. without Kusha (a sacred shrub) and water. Paithinsi and Samvarta says: A Brahmin, if takes his meal without leaving Bharadwaj favours even Arghya with sacred hymn: During an Aposhana in a routine period, has to undergo an a defilement one should worship Sun deity by Chanting atonement of one hundred eight Gayatri hymn Japa. One Gayatri Mantra and offering Arghya. Arghya should be should not consume meal in an excess. Kashi Khanda says: offered to Sun God with proper pronouncement of Gayatri Excessive meal shortens the life of a consumer, brings him -hymn. Deities should be worshipped mentally. down from a heavenly abode, becomes non-virtuous and Vaishvadeva should be dropped for such period. Know this attracts ill criticism from others. Therefore, one should not from Mitakshara. eat in excess. Vidurji has said: one who eats a limited meal after distributing it among his dependents, works more with Sadhus shall even shun the company of females and a lesser sleep, gives even to his enemies the things on a effeminate males like total and absolute celibates and demand or call is a self conscious person and free from shall conquer internal enemies like lust, anger, greed, the vices. One who eats less possesses health, life, strength, self egoism etc. (188) happiness, cleanliness and progeny and one who eats excessively, can not defeat a person eating less. More Now, a new subject begins here. My Sadhus (saints) details about food and meals may be had from Smriti who are my followers and absolute celibates should refrain scriptures. In a state of defilement (due to a death or birth from the company of females and effeminate males; should in the family), though a Vaishwadeva can not be offered, not look at them knowingly or converse to them. As there but a mental Sandhya worship is to be performed without is 'etc' suffixed to such prohibited acts, such Sadhus should fail. For this, Pulatsya has said in Nirnaya Sandhu: A not massage oil and should not indulge in other such acts. brahmin should perform Sandhya rituals and should chant There is risk of a fall from the vow of celibacy and saintly Sandhya Mantra without pranayam (yogic procedure of hood. It is said that a man who has not controlled his organs controlling vital air) even if there is defilement of a death and if attracted to the charms of a woman would jump into or a birth in the family. Vishnu Puran says: Oh Parthiv ! A the depth of the hell like a butterfly jumping into a flame. Sandhya worship should be performed in all times; but Also it is said that the one who loses his spiritual wisdom should not be attended during a defilement, impurity, mental in charms of a woman, Gold, ornaments, attires etc sense

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objects of Maya (eternal entity) and thinks of pleasing his knowledge of an enlightened one, is covered by the born senses, destroys himself like a sightless butterfly. A Tyagi enemy and ever hungry Kama (carnal desires). Oh Arjuna! (ascetic) should not touch even a wooden statue of a Sense organs, mind and intellect are the tools-weapons of woman by his big toe. Those are the words of wisdom such Kama, and by these tools or weapons it veils-covers- from spiritually wise Dattatraya. Medha Tithi and Jabala the real knowledge and traps the man in Moha (spiritual Smriti says: Not to talk to woman, and should not ignorance). Therefore, Oh Arjuna! You control your sense remember a woman seen earlier. Should leave a Katha if it organs and leave this sinful killer of ultimate knowledge. is by a woman, and should not look even at a drawing- The indriyas (sense organs) are said to be beyond reach, picture-of a woman. Any ascetic, who indulges in any of the mind is beyond sense organs, the intellect is even these four makes his mind polluted and such pollution beyond the mind Atma (soul) is beyond the intellect, know destroys him. Moksha Dharma also asks to stay away from this Atma (soul) as beyond the reach and control such Atma a discourse by a woman. Saubhari Rishi says: A seeker of (soul) with the help of Atma (soul). Oh Mahabaho! Thus the knowledge of ultimate should discard the by controlling soul, banish your undefeatable Kama (carnal companionship of sensual, objects and should not allow desires) from within : Shrimad Bhagwat asks particularly his senses to be extrovert, should dwell solely in siclusion for the banishment of Kama (carnal desires) and Krodha and concentrate in God meditatively in God. If desires a (anger): Oh King! As a medicine removes a disease, companionship, he should associate himself to a like remove by listening the scriptures, the instinct of anger minded (sanitly) ascetic wich is an obstacle on your path of self benediction, you To win the internal enemies like carnal desires etc. would be benedicted, because an angry man generates means to discard such enemies. Bhagwan says, 'There are anxiety and fury in this Loka, therefore, a spiritually wise three gates of hell destroying soul : Kama (carnal desires), should aspire fearlessness and should not surrender to the Krodha (anger) and Lobha (greed), therefore, these three anger. should be discarded. And Bhagwan had asked particularly Moreover, it is said, 'Hunger and thirst causes the end about Kama (carnal desires) to leave it immediately: 'The of carnal desires (Kama) and the rise of the fruits of the Kama (carnal desires) and Krodha (anger) which are born destroyed carnal desires, causes the end of the anger, but of Rajas Guna are like a monsterous python and great sin, the greed in a man never diminishes even after capturing and should be recognized as great enemy. As a fire becomes whole earth and space. Oh king! Even the well dull due to a smoke enveloping it, and a mirror looks dirty knowledgeables, great pritual guides, and great faculty due to the dirt covering it, and a foetus is covered by flesh, heads are consigned to hell due to their dissatisfaction. The similarly this whole is covered by carnal desire. The dissatisfaction in carnal desire and desire for sanse objects

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is the cause of life and death. Moksha (salvation) means suppress the organs is an imprisonment and to control the to be happy and satisfied by the reward of the destiny, a organs is the emancipation (Moksha). Shrimad Bhagwat fraction of the greed destroys even purest fame of famous Geeta says: 'The Munis who have won their organs, mind ones and destroys praiseworthy virtues of a virtuous one, and intellect are treading the path of emancipation and those like the disease of leprosy destroying the charms of a body. who have discarded their desires, fears and anger have In Aapad Dharma of Bharat it is said elaborately that the become everfree. Like a turtle shrinking his limbs, they greed should be removed as it the root of all sins, know attach their organs to the means of it's own are called more about this from that scripture. Narada has shown in Sthitpragya (seated majestically with in their domain).' Shrimad Bhagwat the ways, to overpower inner enemies: Bharat says: Oh Vipra! The penance is the root of the win your Kama (carnal desires) by mental steadfastness, what you have asked, therefore, penance is nothing but to defeat anger by forsaking carnal desires, sense objects control all organs. Heaven and hell both are organs, control should be discarded by thinking on their vicious effects, on organs is heaven and freedom of organs is hell. Acts of greed and fear should be discarded by concentrating on the organs attracts sins and control on organs attracts Ultimate entity, Shoka (sorrow) and Moha (spiritual achievements. The one who attains the majesty of soul by ignorance) should be removed by worshipping spiritually those six (five sense organs and mind), becomes immune greats, obstacles of the Yoga should be removed by to the sins and adversaries. Tongue, the sense organ of Moksha (emancipation) and violence should be taste should be controlled first. Here word 'tongue' stands overpowered by detachment toward physical being. for the sense organ of the taste, the victory on this organ is the victory over all the senses. The control of the tastes of All sense - organs shall be controlled, and tongue, enables one to control everything, all the sense particularly the organ of taste. They shall neither do organs, otherwise the drawback of carnal desire and tastes, themselves nor through others the accumulation of imprison a man like a keeper of a house. The man lured by wealth. (189) the tastes of his tongue winds up himself in the lot of adverseries, like a fish hooked in the trap of a fisher man. All sense organs means cognitive organs, the organs Therefore the food as per Aruneya Smriti, should be of action and mind. Those should be won. Bhagwan has consumed like a medicine, Aruneya Smriti restricts the said in Shrimad Bhagwat: control your speech, control tastes of tongue. Bhagwan has said that the adverseries your mind, control your vital air and control your organs take place on not controlling sense organs: The man and by your soul control your mind, then you would not thinking about sense objects, becomes a prey to it's come again in this world. As per Shrimad Bhagwat: To affection, Such affection creates carnal desire, carnal

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desire generates anger, anger initiates delusion and anybody. Shall not be accepted even for protecting it, and delusion creates delusion in memory and such delusion in not even with such promise. Because, the acts like this memory destroys intellect and destruction of intellect disturbs mind and creates mental conflict. And such saints, results into the destruction of man. even in their adverse times and place and even in the state And those ascetics should not store new clothes, new like not getting meals on begging, should not give away utensils etc. which may generate income or money by sale their patience and shall not succum to the force of senses, of it. He neither should store such things with himself nor because the destiny of the body is very powerful. Smritis should get it stored by others for himself, and should not too advises to not to become impatient. Moreover, such inspire others to generate or collect funds for himself. ascetics shall not allow women to enter in their place, Because that is the cause of all worldly pleasures. Here, because an entry of such women would give a view of a hidden preaching asks an ascetic to stay away from money woman and would make a breach in their celibacy. Here treating it equally harmful like a relationship with a the Shlokas describing attributes of an ascetic should be woman. It is a famous teaching of Shrimad Bhagwat, taken as supportive proofs. showing habitation of Kaliyuga in Gold. Therefore, Paramhamsi Upanishada says that an ascetic attracts the They shall not move out at night, but in cases of sin of killing a brahmin if he looks at gold with a sense of calamity they may do so with the company of others. affection, becomes a lower caste if he touches it and They shall never go out all alone unaccompanied by becomes a self killer if he holds it. Therefore an ascetic other Sadhus except in cases of calamity. (191) should not look at, should not touch it and should not accept it. Jeevan Mukti Vivek has said that an ascetic leaving his These ascetics should not move alone without company sperm or collecting money-gold- intelligently consigns of the people at night, if they are physically well. This himself to hell. means that, they should not travel all alone at night without company of the people. There is no objection, if one moves They shall not accept and with them deposits from in the time of an emergency. Moreover, these ascetics others. They shall not give up patience at any time. should not go to any place all alone. Gautam has objected They shall not allow the entry of woman in their against walking on the road after sunset and has said in enclosed residential premises. (190) Kritya Chintamani: One should not travel all alone on the road after sunset, should not travel with evil minded people, From nobody, means neither from a known person nor and should not tread a criticized path or a secret path. from any unknown. No deposit shall be accepted from Now here is a doubt based on the preaching that, if many

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are living together or if they talks to each other, creates wise should shun the company of the evil-minded people some times inner conflict (between the two), therefore like and should associate himself with virtuous people. Saintly a bracelet of a maiden, an ascetic should walk all alone, people removes mental affection of the one, by their speech. then why it is a command here to not to go anywhere all These saints are desire free and attached solely to me. They alone? Here is the solution for this riddle : There the are tranquil, affection free, ego free, non-conflicting and company of evil-minded people is being objected to, but are among those who are not accepting donations. not the companionship of saintly people. Bhagwan Kapil Therefore, Shri Shukdeva who was the one from such has said : The man accompaning his relatives, if supreme ascetics, had to study Shrimad Bhagwat for accompanies saintly people in the like manner, with equal accompaniment of such saintly people. Ugrashravas has firmness, consigns himself to the gates of emancipation. said: Shri Shukdevji a dearest to the devotee of Lord Vishnu These are the words of spiritually wise. 'Those who do turned toward the study of this scripture (Bhagwat) to my devotion with a great devotional fervour.' For that they submit intellectually to Lord Vishnu and Sadhus of Lord have disowned their worldly acts and relatives. They have Vishnu. Therefore, the saint too associate himself to a saint. surrendered submissively to me, and listens to devotional In other Shlokas also, a company of a saint has been treated praises of me, and engages himself in reciting such Katha- as a rarest opportunity. Therefore, it is meant here that due Varta about my praises. They are with absolute meditational to adverse times, if company of a saint is not feasible, one concentration in me. No worldly trouble pain them. Oh should move alone just to avoid the chances of Asat Faithful woman! Those only are the ascetics who have purusha (evil minded lots). discarded everything inclusive of affection and attachment. The company of such saint, Oh Mother! Is benedictory They shall never wear costly costumes or clothes for you, because the companionship of such people which are gaudy in colour, or printed variegated removes our inner drawbacks. The devotees attaining designs. They shall not put on precious shawls or other ultimate pleasure in serving me, have sat together listening decorative garments though offered devotedly to them to and telling to others my stories (katha). Those devotees by others. (192) are such desirefree that they even did not desire to meet me ! Ekadasha Skandha has said that one should shun the Priceless means very costly and therefore are difficult company of such evil people who are affectionate to sex to be priced and designed means with different colors. organ and belly. One who walks even with such people Such clothes received from others at their free will. following them, ends up in the hell, like a man following Priceless clothes are such clothes which can not be priced a blindman falls in the well. With this object, a spiritually definitely due to unfamiliarity of others about those clothes.

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The clothes dyed in gaudy colour 'etc' means the clothes there in these houses. Bhiksha means to move about the dipped in such dark colours and this would include the places to beg meals as an ascetic, please take care to whitening agents such as indigo and others. Majestic attire interpret it in that sense. An assembly means a Sabha means very precious shawls and such other garments and (meeting) or gathering (to be in large group) wherein decorative attires. They should not wear any of those. This people of the society are gathered. Word Sabha (meeting) includes such precious and such dyed or printed garments is being used in relation to a social, a gambling, a discussion which are gifted by others to them. Such clothes, if with and a temple. In event of a Sabha too, one has to attend it excessive affection and sentimental pressure if are gifted only on an invitation to that effect. The food sustains the and forced similarly to put on, should wear it that moment vital air, therefore, one should try at his best for the food; to the pleasure of the one who has gifted it and should that is the preaching of God. It is said in Niti-Saar, that remove it at the same time and should gift it to the others even if he is not invited, one should attend holy-fire, and forever. He should not wear it again and again. And should should attend a Sabha only on an invitation. Therefore, an not keep it with himself by protecting it. This is the full ascetic should visit the residence of a householder strictly meaning of this preaching. Dharmdeep says: The garment on these two grounds, and a visit in such circumstances is befitting a wealthy person or a cloth woven with gold not at all objectionable, but attracts the drawbacks in rest thread, a very fine cloth, a cloth with colorful print and a of the circumstances. He, now says about the manner in strange looking cloth are called majestic attires. They which a meal is to be begged by an ascetic. An ascetic should put on old piece of cloth over their Kaupin (loin should look at the house with open door, and ask for a cloth) and should use a torn and stuffed covering sheet. begging by chanting Shri Hari's name loudly, without This and similar others are observations given in the looking at the women in the house. Here it is advised scriptures. precisely to chant loudly, means has to stand outside the house while begging a meal. And when attending a Sabha They shall not visit the residential places of (meeting) should speak just and with proper scriptural householders except on the occasion of Bhiksha (taking support, but should not sit dumbly. Moreover, it is said of meals) or of attending a religious meeting. They shall that a wiseman should not recall the draw backs of a host not kill time or waste a moment without the devotion while attending a Sabha, because when he is in such a of the Lord. (193) Sabha, if he does not speak or speaks something against the host, would attract a sin for that ignorant host. Further, They should not visit the houses of the householders such an ascetic should not waste a single moment without except on an occasion of Bhiksha or a religious assembly devotion of God. He should do devotion of God within

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his personal capacity throughout the day. He should not But they should not beg so for themselves. Lord also has waste any moment in other activities. All supportive said that those who are cooking meals for the self are eating statements, in regard to such devotion and full-time sins. The specific attributes, as described by Lord devotion, one may have from the discussion held earlier Dattatraya, are : He lives on begged meals and while eating in relation to "Atmanivedi Bhakta" - a single-minded such meals he removes all past and future sins of his donors. devotee, an absolute devotee. In ancient times Bharat son of Rishabhdev, lived on My Sadhus shall go for begging meals to the earth like a brahmin absolutely inert to the body residence of householders where there are male servers consciousness and to the worldly affairs. Our of meals and where there are absolutely no chances of Paramhamsas shall follow him and tread in his foot- having the sight of women. If this facility is not prints. (196) available, they shall ask for uncooked articles for food and cook it with their own hands and shall take the Earlier, means in his earlier birth, the son of Shri meal after reverently placing it before the Lord's image. Rishabhdev ascetic - king Bharat. 'Aarshabha' is used here (194-195) as an adjective to Bharat to determine that the Bharat means not anybody else but the next descendant heir of Now in following two Shlokas says distinctively about Rishabhadev. As in his birth, Bharat lived a life on this Bhakta. The house where meal server is a male, but not a earth, the Paramhamsa of mine (of Shri Hari) are required female and where cooked food is served by a male server, to live a life treading in the foot prints of Jada Bharat. Word there - in such houses - a Sadhu should go for a meal. And paramhamsa has been analyzed in several ways. 'Para' if there is no facility as said above, a Sadhu there, should stands for the 'best' 'Ma' means Lakshami - Goddess of beg for an un-cooked food, and should cook the meal at majesty; or 'Paran' means one who kills the enemies of his own. That is the meaning of the Shloka. As there is religion and 'Hansa' means Lord Vishnu. Moreover the 'etc' suffixed, such food may be cooked by a brahmin. In word Paramhamsa is used as synonym to Lord Vishnu. short, it conveys that the disciplinary rules for a Sadhu are According to Vishva Kosha (Universal Dictionary) to be observed by all in letter and spirit. Though, it is Paramhansa means: Swan, a kind of Swan, Sun God, Lord believed improper for an ascetic to cook the food, but there Vishnu. Further, it is said, 'Param hamsa is the saviour of shall be no harm in cooking the meals as these ascetics the souls and acts as a separator of the evil minded Yogis; are practising the cardinal religion of serving Lord Vishnu 'Paramhamsa means complete and absolute soul', in all and the meals so cooked are to be served to Lord Thakorji. these words Paramhamsa stands for Lord Vishnu. The

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Paramhansas who meditates to Lord Vishnu - the donation, very well knowledgeable in the philosophy of vaishnavas, or Param means principal - main, primordial, the path of Brahm, pure minded, begging Bhiksha at proper aumkar. Thus as per the meaning given above, those who time by the bowl in the form of belly for sustaining vital worships absolutely Lord Vishnu, and nothing else, are the air, equiposed in the state of loss and gains with, Paramhansas. The word Hamsa has been used frequently undecided- residency any where in a deserted shelter a in Shrimad Bhagwat as a substitute of Lord Vishnu: I bow temple - a hey stock - an anthill - a tree root, a potter's my head to that swan residing in that holy palace.' 'The shade, a place of sacred fire, a river bank, a hill, a cave, a swan who resides in divine and observes', 'Those ever free cavity, a velly, a stream or a public place are alert and and faithful to penance worships the Swan-me.' 'The Swan sentiment free, attached consciously to the supreme soul, with the beautiful wing resides in Vaikunth', 'I, for them in faithful to spiritualism, always ready to uproot unauspicious the form of a swan and a preceptor, being worshipped with acts and always discard their body through a perfect great devotion, 'the swan who regulates the speech and is asceticism, such ascetics are called Paramhamsa. Others the God of Vedas.''And to the one who is in the form of a are with Abdhoot oppearance like Bharata and Shridama swan among them', 'To the great in the form of Hamsa described in Shrimad Bhagwat. These Abohoots as shown (Swan)' etc etc. Now, the ascetics are required to live a by some others are accepting the guise of those characters life like the life of great enlightened soul Jadabharat and of the society who have been insulted and rejected by the word 'tatha' has been used in that commandment, therefore society. They are generally described covering their bodies Paramahamsa becomes equally applicable to those with torn blankets or living like a poor clothless twice born practicing saints. Now about the life of Jadabharat. He was or wearing tettered garbs mad of tree-shins. It is described absolutely detached from family relations and was about Shridama that when Shri Krishna - who has spotless concentrating his mind absolutely at the lotus feet of Lord fame and majesty - offered a high place to that Abdhoot - by listening about it, recollecting repeatedly the same and like Shridama in his royal court, the women in Shrikrishna's memorizing divine attributes of it, and others described in palace were highly astonished, and they thoughtfully fifth part of Shrimad Bhagwat. In these Lokas and as per imagined about the Punyas earned earlier by that abdhoot the scriptures, the Paramhansas are of two kind namely like man ! Through sentences like this one should know Alinga and Avadhoota linga. Shri Shukdevji and others that Shridama too has been classified as an abdhoot. It moving here and there without any veil on their person appears that Jada Bharata also was in the same guise: A are Alinga Paramhamsas . As Jabalopanishada has said, dirty and tattered cloth was wrapped about his waist and those live in the same form as they were at the time of sacred threads on his shoulder were looking black due to their birth free from conflicts, free from taking any excessive dirt. This guise was evident to establish that, 'The

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man was twice born fallen from his own high community, like ascetic.' 'The lotus like feet which could be attained due to repeated insults by ignorant lots of his own through the religious duties of a Paramhamsa, were being community.' 'Meanwhile by luck there arrived the greatest worshipped by Brahma.' The episodes which are about from the twice born.' 'Listening to the greatest among the God and are dear to the Paramhansas.' 'Why does the Brahmins, people asked about the reason behind such a religious duties of a Bhagwat have not been founded as a secretive guise. And please tell us your number among the main theme? Because the Paramhamas like only that, and Abdhoots descended on the earth, Oh you twice born! 'Oh Bhagwan too likes only Paramhamsas.' 'And for Bhakti- Abdhoot! You are with the symbols like a brother of a twice Yoga of pure hearted Paramhamsas,' etc. etc. mentioned born! We bow to you Oh experienced one of the mystic in Shrimad Bhagwat should be considered in this and eternal!' 'The twice borns roaming in the guise of an perspective. Moreover, like the meditation of Bhagwan, Abadhoot' All these words and descriptions, and. It was the practice of the personal religion in a judicial way is not proper to engage a naked brahmin in carring a equally important. Besides that, in Moksha Dharma of palanquin, and therefore he must have been in at least Bharat there is narration of Virtuous acts of Ajagar Swami: tattered clothes,' and 'One who was abandoned by his steady minded, firm in personal religion, acts in most relatives, became an Abdhoot and practised Vrattas to judicious way, knows beyond cognitive sphere and about please Shri Hari' explains the meaning the guise of Abdhoot supreme soul, has no elemenal limits in sleeping and as a person wearing clothes made from the bark. This is sitting, practices Dama, Niyama, Vratta, Satya and Shauch what Shridhar Swami has observed. But for both types of as his inherent nature, free from fear, worry, greed and these Paramhansas are required to meditate Bhagwan: The infatuation, thus in this form I practice the Vratta of an lotus feet, which are desired and worshipped constantly Ajagar (python). Thus, by these two distinct types of by the Paramhamsas, Lord Vishnu with such feet and Paramhamsas, Shrimad Bhagwat intends to preach the life Goddess Lakshmiji went there.' 'Oh Lotus-eyed! style of Jada Bharat for following it - for practicing it. Thereafter, those Paramhamsas surrendered to those shown pleasure and liking towards Jada Bharat and his blissful lotus-feet,' 'On their path as Paramhamsas they earn life style. highest devotion,' 'To the highest preceptor of the Paramhamsas,' 'Oh you have attained the pleasure of Total and absolute celibates and Sadhus shall enlightenment of the soul. The doors of the heart have carefully and deliberately avoid pan - chewing and opened and have achieved the ultimate knowledge of the intoxicant drugs like apilem tobacco etc. (197) self with the divine knowledge of supreme self emerged from the innermost meditational trance of the Paramhamsa These, following six Shlokas describe the mixed duties

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of Brahmacharis (celibates) and Sadhus (saint-ascetics). a Vratta, should not eat meals of obsequious rites. He The celibates and also the ascetics living like a celibate attracts an atonement on taking such meals. Refer Nirnay shall not chew Tambul (betel leaves) and shall not consume sindhu and Mitakshara for further details. opium, tobacco etc any intoxicating substance. They shall leave all these. Prachetas Smriti has said, chewing betal They shall not sleep during the day except in the case leaves, having bath with oil massage and eating meals in a of disease or a similar difficult situation. They shall bronze utensil should be given away by an ascetic, celibate neither indulge themselves in narrating worldly and widowed women.' Brahmvaivarata Purana has said: matters or in deliberately listening to them. (199) Wines, meat, intoxicants, garlic and the extracts and juices which are not wholesome or are sinful in it's preparation The disease means fever and other such illness and as or are not properly purified shall not be taken by the men there is 'etc' suffixed to that, the state like excessive and women practicing a Vratta. tiredness caused due to a long walk should be included in such illness. One shall not sleep in a day time except such They shall not attend meals which are served on the physical illness. Otherwise, the act of sleeping in day time occasions of sacraments of conception etc. and shall attracts an atonement. Vasishtha has said in Prayashchita avoid meals on the occasions of the performance of Mayukha (Avakirni Prayashchita): 'One should undergo Shraddha ceremonies up to the eleventh day and on an atonement in the case of a forcible ejaculation of the the twelfthday (from the date of the departure of the sperm and an ejaculation during a day dreaming.' There, departing soul). (198) in such cases, a person is required to do Nairit Yagya, Therefore, Bhishma has said in Moksha Dharma, 'Those Now, here He tells about the rites. Those saints and who are desirous of practising a sinfree celibacy, should celibate shall not eat the meals served in consecration rites stop sleeping in day time. A man is defeated by Rajas and a conception or in other such obsequies observed in honour Tamas. Gunas during his dreamstate. He indulges in of the dead, though they may have an invitation to attend irrational and unjust acts like the one has got another body. such meals. All the obsequies means such rites to the deal Sanatkumar Samhita says: The celibacy of a man with a and manes offered on ninethday, eleventh day, twenty Vratta breaks due to sleeping in day time. Therefore, the nineth day (monthly), twelfth day as manes rites and wise ones and the celibates in particular, should not sleep obsequies, even in a obsequious rite of uniting a dead during the day. To sleep in day time is a sin, and atonement relative with the manes. Saints and Brahmcharis shall not recommended for such sin has been suggested under attend any such rites. Matsya Purana says: one while doing Upapataka listed earlier in this scripture. A sin is always

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foreseeable, one should leave it. Atri Rishi has described particularly the Madhava Nidan it is that day time sleep day-sleep as a cause of downfall, in his Nirnaya sindhu generates a large variety of illness: day-sleep dream causes chapter: To adorn a dias, to wear a white cloth, to listen to ejaculation, such ejaculation causes cold. Such cold a woman, tastes, day-sleep and to ride a vehicle, those six generates caught and caught becomes tubereculosis. It is are the root causes of the descend of an ascetic. Daksha said that the one who does not do exercises, one who sleeps has described the manacles: A seat, greed for an utensil, in day time and eats irregular meals becomes ill due to accumulation of money, building a group of disciples, day- stomach worms. Also it is said that one who eats extreme sleeping, and rustic dialogues, these six are like manacles salty, sour or a gas generating food or eats mud and soil, for an ascetic. Kratu has said in Vishweshwar Paddhati: or sleeps in day time, or eats very hot spoils his blood, medicines, utensils of a brighter metal, ejaculation, white such polluted blood spoils his skin and becomes a prey to cloth, night-meals and day-time sleep should be given away jaundice. by an ascetic. These six are rejectable for householders, These ascetics should not indulge in a rustic talk. Rusic and for that, Vyasa has said in householder duties described talk means a conversation or a dialogue away from God in Bharat: During wholeday or in an earlier and a later and divine leelas of God. Such talk may be about household part of the night, during a down or dusk one should give subjects. They should stay away from such conversation. away sleeping. No copulation with a women without Because, as per Shrimad Bhagwat a dialogue like this menstrual period. Narada has said that one desirous of self brings in a fall. Those who stay away from the dialogues benediction should stop taking meals at night, sleeping in and episodes removing or destroying the sins, and indulge day time, laziness, back biting, intoxicants, excessive in rustic talks of the fools, consign themselves to the approach or ignoring. All these should be stopped. darkest hell after losing majesty and divine shelter. Those Intoxicants means the things stimulating dizziness. Excess who are not listening to episodes of God and listen to the means too much. To ignore means not to pay attention or rustic talks are like a dirt-worm living in and consuming avoid it intentionally. Anushasan Parva preaches that a sleep dirt. They are killed by their ill fate. They can not think in day time shortens life and destroys spiritual upliftment. steadily and their intellect never become insatiable and Skanda Purana says: Those desirous of longevity should imbalanced like ship in the sea rocking and swaying in desist from riding a cow, inhaling smoke of a dead body, the cyclone. The ascetic in a forest should not give on ear swimming in a river, sunshine of a rising sun and sleep in to rustic talk. Vishnu Dharmottar Purana says that day-time. To Swim in a river means to swim with the help indulgence in household dialogues as a speaker or a listener of own hands. Kapil Muni suggest Prajapatya Vratta for is like a shakle. the habitual sleeping in day-time. In medicinal scriptures -

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The total and absolute celibate and Sadhus shall not is said that forgiveness is the natural course of an ascetic. sleep on bed-stead except in circumstances like disease. Shri Shankar observes such state as a most difficult state: They all shall behave always in perfect frankness These saints are burning day and night at their heart due without reserve before Ekantika Sadhu. (200) to scorching harsh words looking like a pointed arrow shooted by enemies. Bhagwan has said, such ascetics are They should not sleep on a bed-stead unless they are in not getting angry to an untrue man hurling arrows of harsh trouble. There is no harm in sleeping on a bed-stead if they words piercing his saintly heart. Among these people, there are in trouble, because religion always follows the way are no such great saints who may compromise for the protecting one's body. The Smritis forbid the sleep on bed- wounded hearts injured by the harsh words of evil minded stead as it is harmful to celibacy of an ascetic. And such people. This intends to convey that, it is not easy to get ascetic shall behave always in perfect frankness without such generous hearted saints. The ascetic, who has been any reserve before a true senior saint. Narada has said that insulted, injured, compelled, thrown away like night soil, one should behave open heatedly before a true saint- shaken repeatedly by the ignorant lot, but at the same time Satpurusha. Sanat kumar says: A servant before a king, a desirous of self benediction, should sat aside all these pains disciple before a Guru (preceptor), a married women before and should benedict his soul with the help of his soul. Shri her husband and everyday before God or a true saint, one Shukadevji has said, 'The people suitable to Lord Shri should behave open heatedly. Krishna - the devotees of Lord Shri Krishna; anybody if uses any harsh words towards such devotees, those words If ignorant persons of perverted understanding hurl would turn futile like the efforts of demons against the God insults and abuses to the absolute celibates and Sadhus and deities. 'The devotees of God were capable enough to and physically belabour them, they shall silently bear curse Goddess in return, but instead of doing so, they took them and shall not resist them by paying them in their on their head the curse from the Goddess and proved by it own coin and shall mentally wish well of them and their saintly nature. The mountain, bearing on it's person never think of evil attending upon them. (201) the thundering showers of rain never feels pain of it, Similarly the devotee of God never gets defeated by the These saints (ascetics) with absolute celibacy should troubles due to his absolute concentration in God. The silently bear the harsh words, insults, beating, hitting and hardship and troubles tolerated by God himself is the other injuries hurled by ignorant persons. They (these symbol of sainthood. Sut Purani has said that in this world, ascetics) should not become angry at it. Because, such the saints reeling under the conflicts of worldly ways, never anger attracts drawback in religious duties of an ascetic. It feel pain for such ill treatment, or pleasure for honour and

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importance granted to them, because they live their life at others. Pure love is a rarity in this world dominated by spiritual level and as such, the soul never depend on the pains and sorrows and the people entrapped by poverty different expressions of Maya. But such pains and hardship and worldly pains. Those saints should always think of are affordable only by the true devotees of God it is not universal benediction, they should think Good even of their within the reach of everybody. Moreover, Uddhavji has enemies. They should not wish ill of others. Because the said, 'Oh universal soul! The excessive attack of viceful saints are always favourable to everybody and are impartial actions on the soul is beyond the limits of tolerance, in their outlook. These virtuous attributes of the saints are because the nature is most prevalent force even to the like an obstacle to an inauspicious thinking. Therefore, scholars of the scriptural knowledge who have submitted know these attributes well. themselves at the lotus feet of God. Jivan Mukti vivek defines 'insults' as an objective of increasing penance. They shall neither act as secret agents or messengers, Smritis say that fruits of penance increase by the insults, nor as back biters, nor as spies of others. They shall and the honour stalled to a penant, decreases the strength forsake egoistic identification with their body and of his penance. Naishkarmya siddhi says: Somebody if attachment to their relations etc. These are the general observes impurities in the urine and nightsoil which are rules of conduct for celibates and Sadhus. (202) already rejected and then declares it if impure and condemns it, then why and for what there should be any Messenger service means to deliver a message to others adverse effect of it to a person who has left it - removed or receive a message from others to deliver it to someone. and abandoned it - long back. Similarly there would be no This may be an oral or written form. One who acts like effect on a spiritually wise if some faults and drawbacks if this is called a messenger. Messenger-work means act of found in the material or subtle body that has been disowned passing on or receiving on behalf of others, such messages. by him long back. Manu Smriti preaches that those who If we look at this as a grammarian, we should study the bears with insults, attains pleasures: 'An insulted one sleeps grammatical observation of Vaman: An adjective describes peacefully, attains knowledge blissfully, earns worldly some more about the object, when an adjective and a noun pleasures, and such insulted ones are never destroyed. As are together, only one should be taken for the meaning of per Gyanankusha the criticism hurled by others is nothing that pair. The acts of a messenger is called messenger work. but the blessings in disguise: 'Somebody if satisfied by Backbiting means to disclose before some one the secrets criticizing me, I would treat such criticism as a random of other's, in a most secretive way. They should not do favour to me. The people desirous of self-benediction none of these. They should not act like a secret agent. disown their hard earned money for the satisfaction of Should not gather secret information of others and should

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not disclose it secretly before the others. Because these devotees.' As Manu Bhagwan has said, to take soul as body four acts destroy the virtues of openheartedness and and nurse animity is not the path of the saints following indifference. Backbiting brings cruelty in a saint and spoils their God. Prahladji has said that such following pollutes him. As there is 'etc' suffixed to the word, these includes intellect with animal instincts and with the difference household matters. Ascetics have no right for it. between the self and others. Shri Shukdevji also has said Yagyavlkya has said, 'household-dealing carried out by an 'Oh King! leave aside your animal like thinking which insane or a sick or a child or a scared one or an intoxicated generates fear of death. This is why Prahladji also advises one or a proudly or a detached one can not be taken as to leave such beastly thinking. Discard evil thinking born granted. Here, detached ones means those who have of Moha and body, in the form of I and mine. As per disowned their worldly relations - Brahmcharis (celibates) Satirugra Shrava the one, who is free from all the vices, and Vanprastha (those who are in their third stage of life attains divine abode of God: Though who are free from span and have withdrawn themselves from householder the ego generated by body and house, attain the highest ship. position in abode of Lord Vishnu. God stays far away from Moreover, they should discard their ego for the self and the egoists, as per the prayer submitted by the elements: for the body. It is to be understood that such disowning is Oh Bhagwan ! Your lotus like feet are far away for those to be carried out by self control. They should not establish who are nursing affection in perishable body and family, affection for the family and relatives. 'etc' means objects and indulge in sentiments like I and mine. We worship and like utensils and clothing. They should not attach pray to such lotus feet.' Vasishtha has said, 'An ignorant themselves to such objects. Because such objects are man can not detach himself from the world, till he has deprived of spiritual touch and relations. Those, with affection for his body and bodily relations.' Therefore, affection and love or other such feelings, can not attain Brahmaji has said that those who are blessed with the emancipation, as per Bhagwan. Bharat says that the mercy of supreme and omnipresent God, Swim through emancipation can not be imaginated for those who are tied the ocean of worldly Maya. They never attach themselves in the knots of love. Bhikshu Gita suggest a definite fall to their perishable body which is like a morsel for dogs for those who nurse ego and affection. 'The people with and foxes; and they never think in the term of 'I' or 'mine'. ego and affection wear their mind as body and introduce it More details on this can be had from Bharat Akhyaan. as 'T' or self, and consider rest as 'others' and consign themselves to hell due to such illusion. Yudhishthira treats We have thus sketched in brief the outline of the them as animal : 'Oh Madhava ! Oh Victorious ! I and mine, general as well as the particular code of conduct for you and your, all such beast like attributes are not in your men and women who are our followers. For detailed

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and exhaustive description, a reference shall be made Therefore, as it is condensed cream of all religious and to larger treatises of our Sampradays (faith). (203) good scriptures and as it gives all desired fruits to it's practitioners, the followers of mine, who are with well Now, here concludes his religious preaching. Thus I disciplined mind should follow it stipulously. They should have narrated in brief the religious duties and conduct of not act at the fancies of their mind. all my followers. The expansion of these religious duties can be had from the religious scriptures of the Sampradaya. Our followers, both men and women, who shall act Devotees and followers should know these in detail from in conformity with the commandments of this the scripture like Shrimad Bhagwat. Shikshapatri shall surely attain the fulfilment of all four Purasharthas - Dharma (ethics), Artha (prosperity) We have compiled and composed Shikshapatri Kama (desires) and Moksha (liberation). (206) which is the digest of the cream of all scriptures, extracted by us therefrom with our intelligence and Those followers, men and women, who shall act in understanding. This Shikshapatri is such as, will conformity with commandments of this teaching and ensure the fulfilment of the cherished desires of all preaching and thus would perform those religious duties, people. (204) would earn all four Purusharthas (achievements of life) namely ethics, majesty, desires and salvation. They will Now, about the source of this scripture (Shikshapatri). attain desired fruits as success in religion, success in This Shikshpatri would give all desired fruits to it's achieving majesty success in fulfillment of desires, and worshippers - the followers. I (Lord Shri Hari) have attaining emancipation after their death. In nutshell, they condensed all auspicious scriptures in the form of this will attain all desired fruits. Shikshapatri, in accordance to my (Lord Shri Hari's) spiritual wisdom, It is fruitful for everybody. Those man and women followers who shall transgress the precepts contained in this preaching shall Our followers, therefore, shall always confirm be deemed by our loyal followers to be outside the fold carefully to the precepts enjoined in it and shall follow of our fellowship. (207) it both in letter and spirit and shall never make even the slightest departure from it and follow the fancies Those, who shall not follow and practice this teaching of their mind and dictates of its urges. (205) and preaching and if shall act in accordance to their fancies, shall be treated as out side the fold of our Sampradaya by

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our loyal followers. This means that, only those are the wealth and not to those who possess unrighteous vices true Satsangis who live their life in accordance to the of the Dark and devilish powers. (210) principles of Shikshapatri. As Bhagwan has said, there are two sources in progeny Our Satsangi followers shall daily engage themselves on this earth, namely - those with righteous virtues of in the reading of Shikshapatri. Those who are illiterate divine and godly wealth and the others are those who are and incapable of reading shall reverently attend to the with the properties of demonic vices. This Shikshapatri listening of Shikshapatri. When there is none who can should be given only to the people with righteous virtues read out Shikshapatri, they shall do daily worship of of divine and godly wealth. The Shikshapatri is never to it. All shall pay reverent respect to Shikshapatri as our be given to the people, possessing properties of demonic words are our concrete and manifest form. (208-209) vices. Because, a donation made to an improper place brings out adverse results. That is the intention behind such The devotees from all three castes, who are my instruction. Godly properties and demonic properties have followers should read Shikshapatri regularly everyday. been narrated in detail in Shrimad Bhagwad Geeta. Those who are illiterate and are not clear in pronunciation Following are the Godly properties: fearlessness, and those who have no right to read it, should listen to it wholesomeness, absolute purity, engagement in with due respect. In case of non availability of a suitable management of knowledge, philanthropy, control on sense reader, one should offer Poojan and worship to this organs, holy fires, study of the scriptures, penance, scripture, through available means. The Poojan of the simplicity, non-violence, truth, angerlessmess, sacrifice, scripture is equally rewarding like a Poojan of Shriji peace, mercy, freedom from the tastes, softness, public Maharaj himself. Shikshapatri is His own form, it's decorum, well composed steadyness, aura, forgiveness, preaching is His own words, and discloses deeper meaning patience, purity, egolessness etc are divine and godly of the religion preached by him. As this scripture is idol of properties. Whereas:, Oh Arjuna! Know that the hypocrisy, Shriji Maharaj, all his devotees are required to worship it ego, pride, anger, harshness, ignorance etc are demonic with appropriate Poojan of the scripture. Here, it is meant properties of inherent nature. The divine and Godly virtues that Poojan is equally rewardful in fulfillment of desired give Moksha and demonic properties become like manacles fruits. for a person possessing such properties.

Our Shikshapatri shall be given only to persons We have written this Shikshapatri on the fifth day endowed with righteous virtues of the Divine and Godly of the bright half of the month of Maha of the Vikram

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Samvat year One thousand Eight hundred Eighty two. Bhagwat has said, 'Bow again and again to the God, who Shikshapatri is one which will yield the highest welfare removes the pains of his saints.' 'I bow to those God fearing of all human beings. (211) people who have attained the lotus feet of God which discard worldly chains by their sanctity and shelter the The Samvat (era) Founded by great virtuous king auspicity.' 'Oh Vidura ! How the pains from the worldly Vikram is known as Vikram Samvat - Vikram Shaka. The ways, deities, human beings and body could harm a time when religious rules have been framed: Netra (eyes- devotee who has surrendered to Shri Hari ? The one who two), Vasus (prominent demi-Gods, namely Dhava, destroys the sins of the people who have come beneath Dhruva, Soma, Vishnu, Anila, Anala, Prabmsha and the blessed shade of the lotus feet which destroy the unrest Prabhava - in all -eight) in a pair Bhumi (earth-one). Thus of worldly ways and the different pains.' etc etc. The it is 2881, but as the number has leftward movement, the invocation that subsides the pains of those who surrender year is 1882, Vikram Samvat year one thousand eight to it,' One who removes the fears in the heart when hundred eighty two. The spring festival day, a famous surrendered to Him,' one who removes the worries of the festival of Vaishnavas is the day - the first day of spring one who bows at Him,' etc. etc. Bhagwat it self has said festival - Vasant Panchami - the fifth day of the bright half that the sins are not removed of the one who does not of Maha. The shikshapatri has been written on this surrender to God: 'The souls scared of the death, world auspicious day. and the heaven of deities have no shelter to surrender excepting your lotus feet. The soul scared of snake like May Lord Krishna, destroyer of total miseries of his death went to all the Lokas, but got no abode, assuring devout votaries, protector of Bhakti (devotion) coupled him fearless safety: Oh Prime ! He sleeps peacefully on with Dharma, fulfiller of His devotees desires for attaining an assuring shelter of your lotus feet, and death cherished happiness, shower the integral beneficence goes away from him. Religion means the religion which is on us all without exception. (212) advocated by the Vedas - the personal religion prescribed in Vedas. Protection of such religion and Bhakti (devotion) In this concluding chapter, he concludes the scripture both. One who is protecting it. It is said at the many places with an auspicious prayer, as it has been said as a well set that God is the protector of religion and devotion: convention that such works are always praise worthy which 'Incarnated himself repeatedly to protect religion and are auspicious in their beginning, in their core and in their devotion,' 'Had put on body for the godly acts required concluding part. The God is the remover of the all the pains for protecting others and guiding others on His divine path.' (right from birth till death) of His devotees. Shrimad Know all these. He is giver of every thing desired

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consciously or at heart. This should be interpreted in Shri Hari He who has divine person, He who is God of relation to His followers and devotees. Further to this, it is Gods and resides in Akshardham, and He who is beyond said that the people who are worshipping him devoutly everything, such Lord Sahajanad, the son of Dharma had with an open heart attains strength from God in such founded victory on this earth by protecting and nourishing affection and God illuminates the proper object of human religion. life for them from their efforts and attainments. Also it is said that the wishes of the followers are fulfilled by God ends here, the treatise named Deepika written are invoked in the follower by the God. The way in which His disciple Shatanand muni on the Shikshapatri a follower worships, the God fulfills his desires in written by Lord Shri Sahajanad Swami- The accordance to it. It is said that one desiring religion, wishes, Supreme Promoter of Uddhava Sampradaya. majesty and benediction attains desired fruits through his devotion of God. Also it is said that God fulfills the wishes of his friend like devotees and gives them His own form. 'He neither has a rise nor a fall.' Also, 'Oh Infinite! One who pleases you attains longevity, desired charm and body, majesty, heaven, earth, tastes, virtues, religion, wealth, heaven, earth, tastes, virtues, sense objects and salvation. Therefore, there is nothing surprising if they defeat their enemies: Such Lord Shri Krishna may do all auspicious of everybody and expand their auspicity in all the directions. It means that nothing inauspicious happens in any of their acts. Here are the feelings of auspicity at the core of heart. Thus I have constructed this treatise 'Shikshapatri Deepika' in accordance to the supportive scriptures of the Rishis and with in my intellectual capacity. May Lord Shri Hari bless me His pleasure. May Lord Shri Hari expand this auspicity in all directions. Shri Hari, who is son of Dharma and Bhakti and possess benedictory image, has earned fame by preaching axiomatic religion and benedicts his followers who have surrendered at His lotus feet. Lord

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