Faith, the vital breath of dharma.
Faith, the vital breath of dharma.
Narayan Muni said:-
‘Dharmic merits cannot be obtained by chastising the body. Neither is splurging loads of wealth on Gods a display of faith. 1.
If one gives up all his wealth or even his life, but without faith, he will not derive any success or even fruit of labour. Hence one should always have faith. 2.
The knowledge of the self, non-self and the supreme-self is very subtle; it cannot be obtained by eyes or hands i.e., by sense organs or motor-organs; but only by means of faith. 3.
Faith is mother of knowledge and detachment. One can attain virtue only by having faith and not by any other means. 4.
The Brahmins, seer-sages and the completely renounced attain heaven only because of faith. Dharmic merit, worldly prosperity, fulfillment of one’s desires and even the final emancipation can be obtained only by means of faith. 5.
A wise, non-jealous, noble, faithful person who practices traditional austerities and who discriminates between righteous and unrighteous can overcome the inescapable darkness of ignorance. 6.
Other essentials of dharma: observance of sacred duties regularly.
Although one performs Dharmic rites faithfully, he cannot get the expected fruit if he lacks determination. Hence one should observe them regularly and unfailingly. 7.
To observe the rules and regulations without lapse and with full faith is indeed as difficult as walking on the edge of a sword, for the human beings are likely to be caught up by anger or lust. 8.
The gods gained divinity, the stars illuminate forever and the oceans remain within their bounds only because they observe their duties according to the sacred laws set by the god. 9.
The fire burns, the sun shines, the wind blows and the universe is sustained only because of the divine law. 10.
Observance of rules and regulations always bestows remarkable success. Those who are careless and violate the stipulations have to face severe calamities. 11.
Hence people have to repose faith in Dharmic values in order to attain entitlement to the bliss of the other world. 12.
Auspicious (1) place, (2) time, (3) rites prescribed by scriptures, (4) utensils rightfully earned, (5) faith, (6) worthy person, and (7) abandonment of ego, are the seven basic factors operating towards accomplishment of religion (any religious act). 13.
Learned people know it for certain that if these are pure, (rightful) the religion turns out to be virtuous and it gives good results and if they are impure, the results will be adverse. 14.
Essentials of dharma: holy association.
Virtues and vices of a man depend on his association with the wise or the wicked. Hence, those who really aspire for salvation should always be in the company of the virtuous, and not in the company of wicked ones. 15.
Association with dishonest men is the root of all vices, and association with pious holy men gradually helps imbibe Dharmic virtues. 16.
An intelligent man should first discern three characteristics in a person: his origin, traditional knowledge base and deeds. If they are good, strong and righteous respectively, such person should be served with veneration. 17.
He that renders his services to a noble person acquires merits (puòya) though he does not observe any religious ritual. Similarly he that renders his services to a sinful person acquires sin. 18.
Human beings are sure to go astray from religious path and be derived of success if they converse, come in contact and be in the company of sinful men. 19.
The intellect of men wanes due to his association with wicked people, it becomes mediocre in the company of ordinary people and is elevated from allegiance to noble men. 20.
One should always be in the company of pious, good natured, wise, matured and noble men as well as of those who are of subdued nature. 21.
The true nature of religion that has to be practiced and the traits of one that have to be shunned can both be known from only virtuous men indeed. 22.
Hence, all devotees! Always ensure that you are associated with well-mannered people and always be particular to observe your own religious duties properly. 23.
The preceptor Ramananda Swami himself has said that this (one’s Dharmic duties) can also be learnt by thoughtfully reading the Vasudevamahatmya and reflecting on the same. 24.
Being firm in practicing self-religious duties you should always perform devotion to Krishna, which bestows upon you all your desires. 25.
Essentials of a good Religion: study of sacred texts.
The discernment between righteous and unrighteous, good and bad, just and unjust as well as the knowledge of Sri Krishna’s true nature, and devotion to Him can all be learnt only from sacred texts. 26.
Hence, my followers should study the religious scripture swith respect, according to their intellectual capacity. 27.
Even after attaining the state of attribute-less atman, one should not give up the study of sacred scriptures, for even an accomplished soul may slide from that state by ignoring the sacred texts. 28.
Abstaining from reading the holy texts may cause one’s vigour, enthusiasm and devotion towards Sri Krishna to diminish, may cause his wisdom to be overcome by delusion and his faith slacken. 29.
The texts which are in conformity with the essence of the Vedas and which expound the divine incarnation of Krishna and His attributes are the authentic religious scriptures. 30.
There are numerous such scriptures. I will name some of them, which I approve of and are beneficial for your well- being. 31.
The eight books recommended by me are: the four Vedas, the Brahmasutras written by the great sage Vyasa, the Bhagavadgita narrated by Lord Krishna, the thousand names of Vishnu, the Bhagavatapurana written by sage Vyasa, Sri Vasudevamahatmya, Viduraniti and the Yajnavalkyasmriti. 32 - 33.
Among these, Bhagavadgita and Sariraka (Brahmasutra) bhashya with the commentaries by the great sage and ascetic Sri Ramanujacharya are the two classics according to me. 34.
If one studies them, his mind will be full of devotion towards Sri Krishna. There are many other books and texts explaining various religious subjects, which may distract one from the path of Uddhava tradition. 35.
If one is incapable of reading these two texts, at least he should read the Bhagavadgita with the commentary of Sri Ramanujacarya. 36.
I recommend Yajnavalkyasmriti, a book on code of conduct with the commentary of Vijnaneshvara known as Mitakshara. 37.
In conformity with this commentary (Mitakshara), one can take decisions regarding individual and social conduct and atone for sinful acts. 38.
But among all these books, I appreciate mostly these three – the 10th and 5th skandas of Bhagavatapurana and the Yajnavalkyasmrti. 39.
Hence, my followers should daily read these two noble shastras, and contemplate over them with a quiet mind for their own welfare and bliss. 40.
Shri Hari tells His followers to give up sorrow.
You may obey my orders and I will protect you. And you should not grieve like a common man, upon the passing away of our preceptor. 41.
Great men who remain eternally in their true selves take birth here for the universal well-being. 42.
Unlike the common man depending on his past deeds, the noble men manifest or disappear according to their will. The death of noble men causes pleasure to demons due to their ignorance. The people on the divine path realize their real original form and hence, understand that the death is nothing but their sportive pastime. 43 - 44.
Hence, now you can all go back to your place give up your sorrow over our divine preceptor’s death. I too am proceeding for Dhirajitpuram. 45.
Suvrat said:-
Thus enlightened by Him, all the devotees became griefless. They saluted him and accepted Him as their preceptor. 46.
O King! Shri Hari thus clearly taught them the basic principles and essence of all the sciences of Religion. In this manner, he alleviated their grief, and proved his name meaningful. 47.
Thus ends the second chapter entitled ‘In the conversation of Narayan Muni, Mukund and others, speaking in praise of faith and other virtues and instructing about noble preaching ‘ in the second Prakarana of Satsangijivan, the life story of Lord Narayan, also titled as ‘Dharmashastra’ (the rules of the code of conduct). 2
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