2023-05-31 04:00:40 by ambuda-bot
This page has not been fully proofread.
BHAGAVAD GUNA DARPANA
às a sure medicine to cure all diseases. This is true, this is
true, I say".
Elsewhere also: "Utter the name of Jagannātha or recite
the Vedas. (They are equally efficacious)." In the Vishnu
Sikta: "Those who understand the holy Names as being the
most distinguished and utter them, become fixed (in
Vaikunta), without return to this world".
Worship: This indicates that this dharma is of the form
of serving a particular soul and that it is not very much be-
yond direct experience. In the Gitā (IX.2), it is said: "It (bhakti)
is capable of being experienced directly". That penance and
pilgrimage are pleasing to God is known only from faith in
sastras (and is not directly seen); but, in the case of the
stotra (or praise) we see from direct experience that it ought
to be pleasing.
Person: This kind of worship by praise is open to almost
all sentient beings as far as possible. The use of the singular
number is significant, as praising (can be done) by any person
by himself without seeking the help of others, and therefore
it is unlike the great sacrifices which require the services of a
number of persons. Even a person of bad character or con-
duct or of lowly birth may, without fear, approach God,
solely by reason of the great virtue of a taste for devotion.
Very soon, thereafter, he becomes purified of all taste for sin
as if by a bath in the Ganges, and becomes an extremely
virtuous man. So it is said in the Gitā. Speaking of character,
the Lord said: "I am equally well disposed to all beings" (IX.29).
About conduct, the Lord said: "Even if he is a man of very
bad conduct......" (IX.30). And about birth He said: "Even
persons born from sinful wombs, if they will resort to Me, O
Partha......" (IX. 32).
What does the above mean? Is it that even bad conduct
is recognised as dharma? No, bad conduct is condemned every-
where. For instance: "A person who does not keep away from
bad conduct, or one with senses uncontrolled or one with no
peace of mind cannot (attain the Atman by knowledge)" (Kath.
Up., 1. 11. 23). Again, "O king! Keśava is not to be obtained
by those who have not conquered their senses." By these
and other sayings, bad conduct is condemned as not being
28
às a sure medicine to cure all diseases. This is true, this is
true, I say".
Elsewhere also: "Utter the name of Jagannātha or recite
the Vedas. (They are equally efficacious)." In the Vishnu
Sikta: "Those who understand the holy Names as being the
most distinguished and utter them, become fixed (in
Vaikunta), without return to this world".
Worship: This indicates that this dharma is of the form
of serving a particular soul and that it is not very much be-
yond direct experience. In the Gitā (IX.2), it is said: "It (bhakti)
is capable of being experienced directly". That penance and
pilgrimage are pleasing to God is known only from faith in
sastras (and is not directly seen); but, in the case of the
stotra (or praise) we see from direct experience that it ought
to be pleasing.
Person: This kind of worship by praise is open to almost
all sentient beings as far as possible. The use of the singular
number is significant, as praising (can be done) by any person
by himself without seeking the help of others, and therefore
it is unlike the great sacrifices which require the services of a
number of persons. Even a person of bad character or con-
duct or of lowly birth may, without fear, approach God,
solely by reason of the great virtue of a taste for devotion.
Very soon, thereafter, he becomes purified of all taste for sin
as if by a bath in the Ganges, and becomes an extremely
virtuous man. So it is said in the Gitā. Speaking of character,
the Lord said: "I am equally well disposed to all beings" (IX.29).
About conduct, the Lord said: "Even if he is a man of very
bad conduct......" (IX.30). And about birth He said: "Even
persons born from sinful wombs, if they will resort to Me, O
Partha......" (IX. 32).
What does the above mean? Is it that even bad conduct
is recognised as dharma? No, bad conduct is condemned every-
where. For instance: "A person who does not keep away from
bad conduct, or one with senses uncontrolled or one with no
peace of mind cannot (attain the Atman by knowledge)" (Kath.
Up., 1. 11. 23). Again, "O king! Keśava is not to be obtained
by those who have not conquered their senses." By these
and other sayings, bad conduct is condemned as not being
28