Yathadhikaaram Santhapyaha Sve Sve Dharme Nijashritaha |
The Acharyas should ensure that his disciples stay true to their Dharma and to observe Swadharma according to their individual rights (Adhikaara). If an Acharya is unable to do this then the sins of the disciple befall upon him. Shankha Smruti explains, ‘If a King does not teach and uphold Dharma (in his kingdom) then the sins of his subjects fall upon the king. Similarly a Guru receives the sins of his disciples and a husband, the sins of his wife.’ Therefore a Guru is held accountable and responsible for the actions of his disciples, just as a father is held accountable for the actions of his young children.
It is the duty of the Acharya to ensure that his disciples act in accordance with Bhagwat Dharma and therefore the responsibility of an Acharya is very great.
Manyaha Santascha Kartavyaha Satshastrabhyasa Adarat ||129||
They should respect devotees of Shree Krishna - saints or men (Sadhupurusha). They should have firm faith in them and worship them accordingly - Yathachitam Pujaniyaha. To do so is the cause of eternal bliss - Sadarchanasya Sakalsukhetutvaditi.
Bhagwat explains, ‘If they do not worship saints and holy men then they do not receive the full fruits of worship of God.’ Other Shastras state simply that those who do not worship Satpurushas are mere animals. ‘Therefore worship Brahmarshis (saints) and Satpurushas, for their worship is worship of Myself’, explains God.
The Acharyas should study the Vedas and other Satshastras mentioned before. There are four types of study - Adhyayana (physical study - reading etc.), Chintana (deep thought), Goshana (proclamation) and Pathan (recitation).
Adhyayana can be mastered only through association with a Guru, but cannot be acquired alone. Vidura explains, ‘Non-service (to a Guru), to hurry and self-praise are three enemies of learning.’ Manu adds, ‘Non-service to a Guru hinders learning. Just as a person can obtain water (which is inherent in the Earth) by digging, a person who serves a Guru is able to attain the knowledge and learning that a Guru possesses.’
Madhava explains, ‘Without the blessing of a Guru, one can never attain knowledge and learning.’ One should always learn with an open mind respecting others. Those that do not respect the elders etc. cannot acquire the required knowledge and so face difficulties in their studies and even destruction of their knowledge. Smruti adds, ‘Laziness, arrogance, intoxication, delusion, impatience, talking, shock and arrogance are the seven enemies of a student.’ Hence students should stay away from such things. Also students should not strive for material happiness as it hinders learning also.
Shatanand explains the best time for study is the latter period of nighttime. During such time, one’s intellect is said to be at a stage of brilliance and so will excel one’s learning ability. Manu adds, ‘Sleeping during the day wastes intellect (becomes inanimate). Study during the last three hours of nighttime will excel one’s learning ability. After studying during the late hours of nighttime, one should not go back to sleep.’
Also gambling, women, laziness and sleep are all obstacles to learning, and so students should stay away from such things. Smruti explains further with regards to sleep: ‘One should not sleep during the first and last three hours of night time, at both Sandhyas (day break and night fall) nor during the daytime.’ Thus, these times are forbidden for sleeping in though sleeping generally is not forbidden explains Bhaskacharya.
Narad also explains that women are a hindrance to a person’s learning and so should stay aloof of women during studies. Indeed Brahmcharya Vrata (vow of celibacy) should be enforced. Also, one should not study during the middle six hours of nighttime.
Acharyas should study the Sat-Shastras as they are Brahmins. Shruti explains, ‘Brahmins should study the Vedas along with the six annexes to the Vedas (Vedangas).’ The reason being - ‘A Brahmins penance and learning are his tools to salvation’, explains the Bhagwat.
Smruti explains, ‘From young age, Brahmins should begin their study of Shastras in accordance with time and intellectual ability. Those that do not study face downfall.’ Daankhanda explains, ‘Brahmins devoid of knowledge of Vedas and other Shastras are considered as blind.’ ‘A Brahmin’s eyes are Smruti and Shruti. If he is devoid of any one of them then he is one-eyed. If devoid of both then he is totally blind.’
Kamandak explains, ‘Cows see with their sense of smell, Brahmins with the Vedas, Kings with their spies and all others with their eyes.’ Bartruhari explains a Brahmin is bound to degenerate without study or knowledge: ‘A king with a wicked secretary, an ascetic through association with the wicked, a son through over fondness or protection, a Brahmin through not studying, a family through a wicked son, good qualities through association with the sinful, a woman through intoxication, a farm through not properly overlooking, love through over affection, friendship through lack of affection, prosperity through unlawfulness and wealth through excessive donation and laziness all face degeneration.’
Bairvi explains, ‘Study of true Shastras results in attractiveness of the self. Study leads to peace and tranquillity producing heroism and chivalry and this in turn sustains morality and wise action.’ Vidura has said, ‘Intellect, birth in a reputed family, control of the senses, knowledge of Shastras, heroism, restraint in speaking, donating according to one’s ability and benevolence; these eight qualities suit a person.’ Subhashit Chintamani explains that knowledge is wealth. Kashikhanda states simply that a Brahmin is useless without knowledge.
The importance of knowledge is stressed here which really applies to all of us. We all go through Brahmcharya Ashram during which time we undergo an education program of some sort. We learn various arts and sciences. However I feel that we fail to satisfy the requirements of studying our Veda Shastras. We even fail to learn to an acceptable degree our mother tongue language such that we are not able to read our Shastras translated to Gujarati. This fact needs to be addressed.
Just as a proper education is often important to secure a good job, study of our Shastras are necessary to build the mind and intellect and develop it so that we can truly understand and experience the nature of God and our purpose in life. All of us are capable of grasping this Vedic knowledge, it is simply a case of applying ourselves and making time for this task. In the end we will definitely benefit by having a better insight into life.