2023-05-31 04:00:35 by ambuda-bot
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INTRODUCTION
purushärthas (i.e., artha and kama) and are. full of beneficent
qualities. Therefore, the śästras (scriptures and works of
religious authority) and their teachings are to be preferred.
As is proclaimed with one voice by those learned in the Itihasas
(epic history) and the Puranas: "Truth, this is the Truth and
again the Truth. This is proclaimed with hands uplifted
that there is no sastra (authority) higher than the Vedas,
no God higher than Keśava."
As regards the Vedas, the highest of the 14 subjects of
study (vidyā-sthānas), they are to be understood in their fullest
extent and scope through the Itihasas and Puranas. It is also
said that the Veda trembles with fear at ignorant or half
learned persons, thinking, 'They will betray me (by misinter-
pretation). Hence, it is clear that the understanding or
interpretation of the Vedas can be done only through the
study of the Itihasas and Puranas; and of these, since the
Puranas are mentioned only after Itihasas, the Itihasas are the
more important.
[This
a
reasoning is according to rules of grammar. In
copulative (dvandva) compound, the word
with less number of vowels must be mentioned first,
except in the case where the thing denoted by the word
with the larger number of vowels is the more to be
respected.]
Hence, the Mahābhārata, like the Rāmāyaṇa, is the proper
refuge to us (properly to understand the Vedas).
[Then the commentator takes up each one of the topics
given above for further elucidation.]
The chapter of The Thousand Names (1) is the essence of
respected Mahabharata, (2) has been sung by the great sages,
(3) has been strung together by the great preceptor of the
Vedas, (4) was expounded by Bhishma as his excellent creed of
faith, (5) has been accepted by all persons with respect as
excellent, and (6) contains truths and lessons in conformity
with the teachings of the Gita, and other such authoritative
works. Because of all these, this chapter is to be taken up
(for study, recitation and meditation).
5
purushärthas (i.e., artha and kama) and are. full of beneficent
qualities. Therefore, the śästras (scriptures and works of
religious authority) and their teachings are to be preferred.
As is proclaimed with one voice by those learned in the Itihasas
(epic history) and the Puranas: "Truth, this is the Truth and
again the Truth. This is proclaimed with hands uplifted
that there is no sastra (authority) higher than the Vedas,
no God higher than Keśava."
As regards the Vedas, the highest of the 14 subjects of
study (vidyā-sthānas), they are to be understood in their fullest
extent and scope through the Itihasas and Puranas. It is also
said that the Veda trembles with fear at ignorant or half
learned persons, thinking, 'They will betray me (by misinter-
pretation). Hence, it is clear that the understanding or
interpretation of the Vedas can be done only through the
study of the Itihasas and Puranas; and of these, since the
Puranas are mentioned only after Itihasas, the Itihasas are the
more important.
[This
a
reasoning is according to rules of grammar. In
copulative (dvandva) compound, the word
with less number of vowels must be mentioned first,
except in the case where the thing denoted by the word
with the larger number of vowels is the more to be
respected.]
Hence, the Mahābhārata, like the Rāmāyaṇa, is the proper
refuge to us (properly to understand the Vedas).
[Then the commentator takes up each one of the topics
given above for further elucidation.]
The chapter of The Thousand Names (1) is the essence of
respected Mahabharata, (2) has been sung by the great sages,
(3) has been strung together by the great preceptor of the
Vedas, (4) was expounded by Bhishma as his excellent creed of
faith, (5) has been accepted by all persons with respect as
excellent, and (6) contains truths and lessons in conformity
with the teachings of the Gita, and other such authoritative
works. Because of all these, this chapter is to be taken up
(for study, recitation and meditation).
5