Narration of Narayan Gita by Shree Hari. Bhagavata Dharma common for all.
Narration of Narayan Gita by Shree Hari. Bhagavata Dharma common for all.
Suvrat said:-
Mukunda and other disciples having saluted Narayan Muni with folded palms, asked Him respectfully: 1.
‘O Lord, you are the only refuge to all beings, and especially to us your disciples you are the sole Master, the preceptor guiding us on righteous path. 2.
Hence O Lord, kindly tell us renunciates, commoners and women who have sought your shelter, about the righteous ways and means leading us to the find beatitude.’ 3.
Thus asked by devotees, the Lord treasure trove of compassion explained to them the eternal Vedic principles of righteousness in its essence. 4.
Sri Narayan Muni said:-
Listen to me all my men, women devotees. I tell you the principles leading to intense devotion in conformity with sacred texts. 5.
Everyday getting up in the auspicious hour (Brahmi) before dawn, the last hour of the night, all my devotees should chant the name of Shri Hari and His devotees names with a tranquil mind. Shri Hari should be meditated upon for one or two hours. 6 -7.
In the same meditative mood, devotees should observe even the morning physical duties with pure mind recollecting Sri Krishna alone, the consort of Radha, in their lotus heart. 8.
Purification of body and meals.
After the morning bath, men belonging in all three castes should offer oblation with salutations to Sun god by chanting Gayatri hymn (Sandhya) and the names of Vishnu, offer oblation in fire, read sacred scriptures and offer water libation to the manes, and worship God every day. 9 - 10.
The worship of Shri Hari’s idol should be done with pure ingredients ritualistically and according to one’s status, to the chanting of hymns. 11.
While eating food you should not take overdue interest in it (its taste, richness, appearance, smell, touch etc.). Eat whatever is available at the time – cooked delicacies or raw vegetables/ fruits. 12.
The host should take food only after feeding his co-mates everyday and there should not be discrimination of any kind. 13.
Those who are my followers should observe fast on all Ekadashis (eleventh day of every fortnight), Janmashtami and Shivaratri. 14.
They should never touch meat, wine or anything that contain them. They should keep away from intoxicative substances like hemp (fresh or dried), tobacco etc. 15.
Purification of listening and reading of scriptures.
Scriptures of spiritual knowledge in which the incarnations of Lord Shri Hari and their exploits are narrated should be studied with devotion and memorized with full import of the meaning. 16.
All those texts should be learnt verbally only from intelligent and wise people and not at all from one whose heart smarts from passion, greed, anger and such foes within and who is not a devotee of Sri Shri Hari. 17.
Among the philosophical scriptures, those that do not establish the divine form of Lord Narayan should not be listened to at all. 18.
Purification of association.
Men should not learn scriptural (or any other) knowledge from a woman even though she may be observing all stipulated restraints and though she has attained the highest state of spirituality. 19.
One should always praise and sing the glories of Vishnu and His devotees with full devotion, and one should always be associated with saintly men, and not at all with those who do not believe in Vishnu. 20.
You should always attend upon saints and sages modestly like a servant, without ego and listen to their advice with full concentration, inculcating it in your actions. 21.
You should avoid making senseless arguments, listening to rustic stories or using abusive language, and you should not utter lies unless you are in distress. 22.
You should not leave, on any account, the company of those who support you in observing vows and in developing excessive love for Krishna. 23.
He that severs association with such wise saintly men is likely to fall from the righteous path even though he is firm in spiritual wisdom. 24.
You should not at all be disturbed in the mind if any one blames you for being associated with the saintly ones. 25.
One priding in his devotion to Vishnu, but not observing stipulated vows should be kept off. Also, never befriend a sinful man. 26.
You should always be aloof from a person who is rid of faith in Vishnu and calumniates the Lord of the world and His incarnations, even though he has good knowledge of self and the supreme self. 27.
Though one holding perfect signs of my sect outwardly and inwardly are attached to passion, women and such pleasures, he should be disavowed and kept at bay. 28.
My followers should imbibe virtues like tranquility, selfcontrol, desisting from worldly pleasures, forbearance, faith in god etc., which are difficult even to the gods. 29.
Having succeeded in obtaining actual vision of self and the supreme self, my devotees should not indulge in the objects of five organs like words etc. 30.
You should follow only the righteous acts of the highly accomplished ancestors and not any of their irreligious acts done contextually. 31.
If one preaches devotion alone to be the immediate means to salvation, but does not emphasize on disciplines like restraints, celibacy and observance of duties etc., a virtuous devotee should forthwith abandon such preacher as well as his ways of devotion; his disciplines need not be disowned. 32 -33.
One should know that devotion has three limbs - righteousness, knowledge and detachment, respectively representing the head, heart and feet. 34.
If one takes an oath to observe particular vows in the beginning, but fails to adhere to them eventually, he or she is to be considered as an out caste. 35.
Aware that greed, passion, anger etc. as real foes, you should not be influenced by them, for they are the doors leading to hell. 36.
That virtuous person, who has reached a state of complete renunciation, has realized the nature of the highest and worships Sri Krishna well and with love, should be adored like one’s own preceptor. 37.
You should always listen to and tell each other the stories about the celestial abodes of the Lord like Goloka, Vaikuntha and the beautiful Brahmapura (Aksharadhama) and their opulent splendour. 38.
You should reflect upon and reminisce in your heart those divine abodes, the indwelling Gods with their divine attendants, liberated souls, His shakti Radhika and others, for at the moment of your death, constantly reminiscing these will bestow salvation on you. 39 - 40.
Those wise people living in this world who are fully absorbed in Brahman also may involve themselves in devotional practices like listening to and singing the glories of Krishna all the time and pondering over these like Shuka Muni and other liberated souls. 41.
After worshipping the Lord, remnants of food-offerings and auspicious water offered at the feet of the Lord should be accepted according to one’s own status and caste only and not otherwise. 42.
The holy water of Lord’s feet and the food offering should not be given to a non-devout man who does not seek it. It should be given only to devotees who aspire for it. 43.
True devotees of Shri Hari, even though destitute, should never be dishonored, for insulting them would bring great distress. 44.
One should be serving a Vaisnavite who is suffering from some ailment; you should give food etc. according to his liking. 45.
One should confess his own faults before the noble and saintly men, and should not brag about his own qualities. 46.
My followers should not sit impolitely spreading their legs before the Lord, the preceptor, the king, a devotee of Vishnu and in an assembly. 47.
You should always speak the truth thoughtfully and pleasingly in their presence. Their secrets if any, should not be revealed to others in any way. 48.
You should not harm anybody. Theft should be completely avoided and you should always speak truth which is beneficial to others. 49.
There should not be any act on your part causing admixture of castes. Do not torment yourself or others; and do not utter words unpleasant to others; do not accuse anybody. 50.
On hearing of the preceptor’s arrival, one should go and welcome Him. In the same way, on his return, you should follow Him up to the outskirts of the town. 51.
On seeing a devout Vaisnavite you should not be jealous of Him. You should neither insult nor abuse Him. 52.
In any assembly you should glorify the virtue of intent devotees and of great men but never their shortcomings. 53.
You should always honour Brahmins knowing that they are dear to the Lord. Beholding a temple even from distance, you should bow at it with folded hands. 54.
My followers should not enter the temple of those who defy Vedas and God. They shall neither speak to their preceptors nor listen to their scriptures. 55.
Code of conduct of men in three stages of life.
So far I have told you the general code of conduct for my devotees, ascetics and commoners. Now I shall tell you the specific rules. 56.
The student–celibates should study and recite Vedic hymns and should serve their teacher. The men in the third stage of life (Vanaprastha) dwelling in the forest should observe penance and perform sacrifices without killing of animals. 57.
The renunciates should stay without any possessions. They should adore Vishnu and keep chanting the sacred syllable ‘Om’ at all times. 58.
Excepting commoners, my celibate, renunciate and hermit (Vanaprastha) followers shall not accumulate wealth like gold, silver etc. 59.
They should observing the eight-fold celibacy, avoid contact with women, abstain from seeing or drawing or touching pictures or images of women except that of a Goddess. 60.
While walking along a road you should keep a distance of a bow from any woman. In the festivals in the name of Shri Hari and while going through a narrow lane, you should keep yourself untouched by anyone. 61.
My men should not find their way to women’s’ domains where they attend to their usual activities; they shall not emulate such activities. 62.
One should neither stay in a place being partitioned by a thin wall in a house where woman are staying alone nor sleep at night in such places except in an emergency. 63.
Men firm in their vows should not go to see ceremonial rituals which are done by women devotees. 64.
My followers who are ascetics or celibates should not approach families or be found in their gatherings, other than for reason of seeking alms. 65.
They should not go alone anywhere and at any time; and they should not sleep on a bedstead unless suffering from illness. 66.
They should not travel on the roads at night and should not go out of their dwellings during nights. 67.
There can be exceptions in extreme situations in observance of other vows, but not in case of the eight-fold celibacy, even if one’s life is at stake. 68.
The renunciates should abandon their ego like Rusabhadeva and (his son) Bharata. Similarly my disciples who have realized in themselves the supreme self should give up attachment to the body. 69.
Those who are firm in cessation of worldly activities should not take the words advocating motivated practices coming from the preceptor or even the Lord. 70.
Code of conduct for women.
During the period of four auspicious months (Chaturmas), it is advised to observe the vow of fasting on alternate days for widows in particular. At the same time they should not touch a man, or his picture etc. except the image of God. 71 - 72.
They should not donate money meant for their daily expenses even for religious purposes. O people, this indeed is my order. 73.
Women, young or old, widowed or otherwise, are not supposed to live independently. They should always be under the protection of their father. 74.
Women should not go to holy places alone. They should be accompanied by their relatives. 75.
Married woman who are under my shelter should serve their husbands as they would serve God, notwithstanding that they are blind, ailing or old. 76.
They should always preserve their character and overcome their fickleness. They should not behave in such a way that it would bring blemish to their fathers or family of in laws. 77
The duties of a house holder and a king.
The commoners should look upon women other than their wives as they would their mother. They should keep contact with other women relatives similarly. 78.
While relating the stories of Sri Krishna to an audience of women relatives, proximity should be avoided and proper distance should be maintained. Such narrations should not be done by men to other than relative women in groups. 79.
Commoners should not sit with their mother, sister or daughter in a private place unless there is some difficulty. 80.
Commoners should not touch a widow or a woman unrelated to them intentionally, unless there is some need for it. 81.
Commoners should daily perform five sacrificial rituals towards Gods, manes, fellow beings, preceptors and animals. They should adore ascetics, sages by offering food etc. and should also gift them according to their capacities. 82.
Know that real charity is done when one gives his most favourite thing, except his wife, to a deserving one, without any
ego, jealousy or hypocrisy. 83.
The wealthy commoners should perform sacrifices without animal slaughter and spend for works of charity also. They should make charities and appease Brahmins by offering food and gifts at holy places. 84.
My followers of royal families should take to four-fold policy of negotiation, enticement, penalty, dividing to achieve their political objectives without annihilating life. 85.
Though for political purposes killing of beings s advised in ruler’s code, it should be observed only in times of war only. The ruler should protect his subjects as would a father. 86.
Shri Hari on importance of human life.
If anybody fails to observe these rules told by me, he should atone for his wrong doings, accordingly. 87.
Thus I have told you the real noble dharma. One should observe it with full knowledge and detachment according to his status and to the best of his ability. 88.
One should do service to the Lord, with love and without deceit, greed etc., and with sympathy to all, and at the same time make those inclined towards the Lord know that for sure all these virtues and acts of him will soon please Shri Hari. 89 - 90.
Having taken birth as a human, which is rare to get, and being guided by a good preceptor, whoever becomes disposed to Lord
Shri Hari, can cross the ocean of worldly life. 91.
This human birth is compared to a divine gem (Chintamani) which is believed to yield whatever is desired. Likewise, with his human life, one may attain any desired end, heaven or salvation. 92.
This human body is the boat to cross this worldly ocean. With preceptor as the helmsman and Krishna as the favourable wind, who would not be able to cross it? 93.
Enjoying these worldly pleasures through sense organs is a common tendency of all living beings, but an intelligent man endowed with the rare human body should adore Shri Hari for his own good. 94.
Knowing this body as a transitory phenomenon, a morsel fallen in the mouth of a serpent in the form of death, one should exert for his own good, making it meaningful. 95.
Wise men understand that it is by God’s grace they are gifted with this human life which even divinities aspire for. 96.
Despite meriting such a precious human birth, those indolent fools that devolve divine devotion and inclination to religious duties, practices & restraints onto favourable time, past deeds and Lord’s grace shall never, even after many births, attain the goal of life, and they keep whirling in the worldly current. 97- 98.
Hence all of you being firm in following self-religious duties and observing restraints with unswaying faith be devoted to Him in all earnestness. 99.
O my virtuous devotees, you should all keep observing the following six auspicious disciplines every day: Bathing, meditating, worshiping Shri Hari, chanting His name, singing of His divine virtues and being in the company of holy men. 100.
As long as you are conscious of your body, you should not fail to observe these self duties I have told you. This is my order. 101.
Suvrat said:-
Listening to the words in accordance with sacred texts from the master of the world, the Lord Himself, all of them were delighted. 102.
They said: ‘O the master of the virtuous we will certainly follow your instructions as you have said’ and all of them saluted Him with love. 103.
Following His orders, knowing Him as Sri Krishna and taking shelter firmly under him, they served Him in all attentiveness. 104.
Greatness of Narayan Geeta.
Whoever sings or listens to this song of Narayan Muni, the benefactor of beings, is sure to realize his wishes. 105.
This story of Naraya Muni, is a great wish-yielding tree (creeper) which fulfills every wish of men. Hence all living beings should savour this (nectar) for their well-being. 106.
This song (poem) is the best of all other scriptures, and has flowed directly from the lotus face (mouth) of Sri Narayan Muni Himself. 107.
Whoever practices the disciplines told by this eternal poem, set forth by Sri Narayan Himself, according to one’s status following self-religious duties regularly, he is poised to reap the highest fruit meant for humans. 108.
Thus ends the seventh chapter entitled ‘Narration of Narayangeeta’ in the second Prakarana of Satsangijivan, the life story of Lord Narayan,, also titled as ‘Dharmashastra’ (the rules of the code of conduct). 7
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