{"collection":"scripture-revelation","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/gutenberg_7261/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/gutenberg_7261","id":"gutenberg_7261","license":"Public Domain (US)","rights_basis":"gutenberg_metadata_copyright_false","source":"gutenberg","source_url":"https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/7261","summary":null,"tags":["Category: Religion/Spirituality","Swami-Narayanis"],"text":"Produced by John B. Hare and Chetan Jain. HTML version by Al Haines.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe \u0160iksh\u00e2-Patr\u00ee of the Sv\u00e2mi-N\u00e2r\u00e2ya.na Sect\n\n\n\n\n\nJOURNAL\n\nOF\n\nTHE ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY.\n\n\n\n[New Series, Volume XIV]\n\n[London, Tr\u00fcbner and Company]\n\n[1882]\n\n\n{Scanned and edited by Christopher M. Weimer, May 2002.\nCircumflexes represent macrons in this file, and \u00e7 represents c\nwith an acute marking.  Also, the name Brahma (not Param Brahma)\nis spelled with a breve over the final a, which is not\nrepresented.}\n\n\n\nART. XXIV.--_Sansk.rit Text of the \u0160iksh\u00e2-Patr\u00ee of the\nSv\u00e2mi-N\u00e2r\u00e2ya.na Sect_.  Edited by Professor Monier Williams,\nC.I.E., D.C.L.\n\n\n[THE text of the \u0160iksh\u00e2-Patr\u00ee of the modern Vaish.nava Sect,\ncalled Sv\u00e2mi-N\u00e2r\u00e2ya.na, was lithographed in Samvat 1928 (A.D.\n1872) by order of the Heads of the Sect.  It has a Gujar\u00e2t\u00ee\nCommentary by Nity\u00e2nanda-muni.  So far as I know, this is the\nonly version of the text that has yet appeared.  It was given to\nme by the Wart\u00e2l Mah\u00e2r\u00e2ja on the occasion of my first visit to\nWart\u00e2l in 1875.  It is full of mistakes, and in preparing the\nfollowing edition of the text I have taken as my guide the far\nmore accurate manuscript and Sansk.rit commentary written by\nPa.n.dit \u0160at\u00e2nanda-muni, and given to me by the Mah\u00e2r\u00e2ja on the\nsame occasion.]\n\n\n\nTRANSLATION OF THE FOREGOING \u0160IKSH\u00c2-PATR\u00ce.\n\nBY PROFESSOR MONIER WILLIAMS.\n\n\n[In making the following translation I have been careful to study\nthe Sansk.rit commentary called Artha-d\u00eepik\u00e2, written for me in\nclear beautiful characters by Pa.n.dit \u0160at\u00e2nanda-muni (one of the\ndisciples of Sv\u00e2mi-N\u00e2r\u00e2ya.na), by order of the Wart\u00e2l Mah\u00e2r\u00e2ja,\nafter one of the formal visits to the Wart\u00e2l Temple, which were\nkindly arranged for me by Mr. Frederick Sheppard, C.S., late\nCollector of Kaira, and now Commissioner.  The translation is the\nfirst ever made by any European scholar, though it is right I\nshould mention that I have consulted a fairly accurate version\n(not always perfect either in its renderings or its English)\nwritten by She.th Bhogil\u00e2l Pr\u00e2nj\u00eevand\u00e2s, of the Bombay Education\nSociety's Institution, Ahmedabad, and given in Mr. H. C. Briggs'\nwork, \"The Cities of Gujar\u00e2sh.tra.\"  I have also received\nassistance from my friend Pa.n.dit Shy\u00e2maj\u00ee K.rish.na-varm\u00e2, of\nBalliol College, Oxford.]\n\n\n1.  I meditate in my heart on that K.rish.na on whose left side\nis seated R\u00e2dh\u00e2, on whose breast reclines \u0160r\u00ee (Lakshm\u00ee), and who\nenjoyed sport (with them) in V.rind\u00e2vana.\n\n2.  I, Sahaj\u00e2nanda.h Sv\u00e2m\u00ee (afterwards called Sv\u00e2m\u00ee-N\u00e2r\u00e2ya.na),\nliving at V.ritt\u00e2laya, write this Letter of instructions (or Book\nof directions) to all my followers scattered throughout various\ncountries.\n\n3.  Let the two youths named Ayodhy\u00e2-pras\u00e2da and Raghu-v\u00eera, the\nsons of my two brothers, R\u00e2ma-prat\u00e2pa and I\u00e7\u00e7h\u00e2-r\u00e2ma, who were\nthe children of Dharma (or Hari-pras\u00e2da);\n\n4.  And let those Naish.thika Brahma\u00e7\u00e2r\u00ees (that is to say, those\nBrahmans who continue Brahma-\u00e7\u00e2r\u00ees or celibates all their lives),\nthe chief among whom is Mukund\u00e2nanda, and those G.rihasthas\n(householders), such as May\u00e2r\u00e2ma-Bha.t.ta, and other of my\nfollowers;\n\n5.  And let those women, whether wives or widows, who have become\nmy disciples, and the whole number of holy men (S\u00e2dhus), such as\nMukt\u00e2nanda and others;\n\n6.  Let all these (persons) constantly give heed to my prayers\nfor their perpetual continuance in their own proper duties--(my\nprayers) offered up with repetition of the name K.rish.na\n(N\u00e2r\u00e2ya.na), and in accordance with the sacred scriptures.\n(Literally--Let my benedictory words which keep them in their own\nduties be always read by all these persons accompanied by\nrepetition of the name of K.rish.na, and approved by the\n\u0160\u00e2stras.)\n\n7.  Let this Letter of directions, which has important objects\n(to be hereafter enumerated), and which promotes the welfare of\nall living beings, be studied with perfect concentration of mind\nby all these (persons).\n\n8.  Those (virtuous) persons who conform to the good usages\nenjoined by the sacred \u0160\u00e2stras will always enjoy great happiness\nboth in this world and in that which is to come.\n\n9.  But those evil-minded persons who wilfully transgress such\n(good usages) will certainly suffer great misery in this world as\nwell as in the next.\n\n10.  Therefore let all of you who are my disciples always remain\ncareful and well-contented in the observance of this (Book of\ndirections).\n\n11.  Let no followers of mine ever intentionally kill any living\nthing whatever--not even a louse, flea, or the most minute\ninsect.\n\n12.  The killing of any animal such as a goat, etc., for the\npurpose of sacrificing to the Gods and Pit.ris, must not be\npractised; because it is declared, that abstinence from injury to\nothers is the highest of all duties.\n\n13.  The killing of any human being in any way, at any place, for\nany object, (even) for the sake of acquiring a wife, wealth, or\npolitical supremacy, is wholly prohibited.\n\n14.  Suicide at a sacred place of pilgrimage, or from passion,\neither by hanging, or by poison in consequence of the commission\nof a criminal act [Footnote: A father sometimes kills himself\nbecause a criminal act has been committed by a member of his\nfamily], is prohibited.\n\n15.  Flesh meat should never be eaten, not even that which\nremains of a sacrifice.  Spirituous liquor of any kind should\nnever be drunk, not even that presented to the Gods.\n\n16.  If an unlawful act has been committed anywhere by one's self\nor any other person, no member either of one's own or any other\nperson's body should be on that account mutilated with a weapon\nof any kind through anger.\n\n17.  All theft is prohibited, even that which is committed under\npretence of contributing to religious purposes; nor must such\nthings as wood and flowers that have an owner ever be abstracted\nwithout his permission.\n\n18.  Let no male or female followers of mine ever commit\nadultery.  Let them shun gaming and similar vices, and abstain\nfrom all intoxicating liquors and substances such as hemp, etc.\n\n19.  Nowhere--except in Jagann\u00e2tha-pur\u00ee--let a man accept water\nor food which has been cooked by one from whom food is not to be\ntaken (_i.e._ from a person of low caste), even though that\nfood may have formed the Pras\u00e2da [Footnote: By Pras\u00e2da is meant\nthe remains of food presented as an offering to a god.  Here the\nword must be either pras\u00e2d\u00ee or pras\u00e2di, from pras\u00e2din] of\nK.rish.na (that is, the remains of what has been presented as an\noffering to K.rish.na).\n\n20.  No calumnious language must be used against any one for the\nsake of promoting one's own interests.  No abusive words must\never be spoken.\n\n21.  Never use nor listen to profane language against the Gods,\nsacred places, Br\u00e2hmans, holy women, S\u00e2dhus and the Vedas.\n\n22.  The remains of the offering to that Goddess to whom flesh\nand liquor are offered and in whose presence the killing of\ngoats, etc., takes place, are not to be eaten.\n\n23.  If you happen on the road to see before you a temple of \u0160iva\nor any other God, having first made a salutation, respectfully\nenter inside to view the image.\n\n24.  Let no one abandon the duties of the class and order to\nwhich he belongs, nor practise the religious duties of others;\nnor have anything to do with those propounded by heretical\nteachers.\n\n25.  The narrative of the exploits of the Lord K.rish.na should\nnot be heard from the mouth of any person whose words lead one to\nfall from his worship or from duty.\n\n26.  Never tell a truth which is likely to cause serious injury\nto yourself or to any one else.  Avoid associating with\nungrateful persons.  Never accept a bribe from any person\nwhatever.\n\n27.  Never associate with thieves, wicked or vicious persons,\nheretics, people who are in love, and people who are engaged in\ndishonest occupations.\n\n28.  Never associate with those who, through eager desire to\nobtain a wife, wealth or some sensual gratification, practise\nsinful acts under pretext of devotion to religion or to sacred\nknowledge.\n\n29.  Never pay attention to those books in which K.rish.na and\nhis incarnations are impugned by controversial arguments.\n\n30.  No unstrained water or milk should be drunk, nor should\nwater containing minute insects be used for such purposes as\nbathing, etc.\n\n31.  Never take medicine which is mixed with spirituous liquor or\nflesh meat; or which has been prescribed by a physician whose\ncharacter is unknown.\n\n32.  Never allow bodily excretions or evacuations or saliva to\nfall in places prohibited by the \u0160\u00e2stras or by public custom.\n\n33.  Never enter or leave (a house) by a side entrance (or\nprivate door); never take up your residence at a place belonging\nto another person, without asking the owner's permission.\n\n34.  Males ought not to listen to (discourses on) religious\nknowledge, or to tales (about the exploits of heroes) from the\nmouths of women, [Footnote: This is in strict unison with the\npresent Hind\u00fb practice of keeping women ignorant.  That women in\nancient times were not only educated, but sometimes erudite and\ncelebrated as religious teachers, is proved by the example of\nMaitrey\u00ee, G\u00e2rg\u00ee and others] nor ought they to carry on\ncontroversial discussions with females; nor with a king or his\nofficials.\n\n35.  Never speak disrespectfully of religious preceptors, of\nsuperiors, of those who have gained renown in the world, of\nlearned men, and of those that carry arms.\n\n36.  Never do any act rashly; nor be slow in a religious duty.\nImpart to others the knowledge you may receive, and daily\nassociate with holy men.\n\n37.  Do not go empty-handed to pay a visit to a religious\npreceptor, a god or a king.  Never betray a trust or violate\nconfidence.  Never praise yourself with your own lips.\n\n38.  The clothing of my followers should not be of such an\nimproper kind that, when put on, the limbs are exposed to view.\n\n39.  The worship of K.rish.na must not be performed without\nattending to religious duties.  Adoration of K.rish.na should not\nbe abandoned through fear of the reproaches of ignorant people.\n\n40.  On religious festivals and on ordinary days, the males and\nfemales that go to K.rish.na's temple should keep separate and\nnot touch each other.\n\n41.  Those twice-born persons who have received initiation into\nthe worship of K.rish.na from a duly qualified religious teacher\nshould always wear on their necks two rosaries made of Tuls\u00ee wood\n(one for R\u00e2dh\u00e2 and another for K.rish.na), and should make an\nupright mark on their foreheads.\n\n42.  This mark should be made with Gop\u00ee-\u00e7andana (_i.e._ white\nearth from Dv\u00e2rik\u00e2), or with sandal which is left from that\nemployed in the worship of Hari (K.rish.na), and mixed with\nsaffron.\n\n43.  Within this (erect mark) there ought to be made a round\n(v.ritta) mark with the materials (or earth) used for the\nPu.n.dra, or with saffron which has served for the Pras\u00e2da of\nR\u00e2dh\u00e2 and K.rish.na (that is, with a portion left from that\nemployed in their worship).\n\n44.  Those pure \u0160\u00fbdras who are worshippers of K.rish.na, while\npractising their own peculiar duties, should, like the twice-born,\nuse a rosary and a vertical mark on the forehead.\n\n45.  By those (\u0160\u00fbdra) worshippers who are different from the pure\n\u0160\u00fbdras two rosaries made of sandal wood, etc., are to be worn on\nthe throat, and only a round mark is to be made on the forehead.\n\n46.  Those twice-born of my followers, who have inherited from\ntheir forefathers the custom of using a rosary of Rudr\u00e2ksha\nberries (sacred to \u0160iva), and the three horizontal (\u0160aiva) marks,\nshould not discontinue that practice.\n\n47.  N\u00e2r\u00e2ya.na and \u0160iva should be equally regarded as\nmanifestations of one and the same Universal Spirit, since both\nhave been declared in the Vedas to be forms of Brahma.\n[Footnote: This precept furnishes an interesting proof of the\ntolerant character of Vaish.navism, and of its harmony with the\npantheism of the Ved\u00e2nta.]\n\n48.  In times of slight distress my adherents shall not chiefly\n(or by preference) follow the laws which are laid down by the\n\u0160\u00e2stras for times of (excessive) distress.\n\n49.  Every day let every man awake before sunrise, and after\ncalling on the name of K.rish.na, proceed to the rites of bodily\npurification.\n\n50.  Having seated himself in some place apart, let him cleanse\nhis teeth, and then, having bathed with pure water, put on two\nwell-washed garments (an under and an upper).\n\n51.  Then having seated himself on a clean and single\n(asa.mk\u00eer.na) seat placed on ground purified (with cow-dung,\netc.), let a man sip water with his face either to the east or\nnorth.\n\n52.  My male followers should then make the vertical mark with\nthe round spot in it on their foreheads, and wives should only\nmake a circular mark with red powder (of saffron).\n\n53.  A widow is prohibited from making either a vertical or round\nmark on her forehead.  In the next place all my followers ought\nto engage in the mental worship of K.rish.na.\n\n54.  After engaging in mental worship, let them bow down before\nthe pictures of R\u00e2dh\u00e2 and K.rish.na, and repeat the eight-syllabled\nprayer to K.rish.na (that is--the formula meaning\n'K.rish.na is my refuge') as many times as possible.  After that\nthey may apply themselves to their secular affairs.\n\n55.  All my ordinary disciples should perform the preceding\nrules; but those who like Ambar\u00eesha have dedicated their whole\nsouls (to the Deity) should be most particular in performing the\nduties ending with mental worship in the order enumerated (in the\npreceding six verses as well as the following):--\n\n56.  (Such devoted persons) should also then worship an image\nmade of either stone or metal, and the black stone called\n\u0160\u00e2la-gr\u00e2ma (representing Vish.nu), with the (sixteen) offerings (of\nsandal, etc.), such as are procurable, and the eight-syllabled\nmantra of K.rish.na should be repeated (manu = mantra).\n\n57.  Next (in order to the performance of brahma-yaj\"na) the hymn\ncelebrating the praises of K.rish.na should be recited according\nto ability, and those that have not studied Sansk.rit should at\nleast repeat his name.\n\n58.  All who have devoted themselves (in this way) to the worship\nof K.rish.na, should next present an offering (of cooked food) to\nhim, and then they should eat the remains of the offering\n(pr\u00e2s\u00e2dikam).  They should at all times be full of joy.\n\n59.  Since they are called the passionless (nirgu.na) worshippers\nof the passionless K.rish.na, therefore, in consequence of that,\nall their acts are also (called) passionless (nirgu.na).\n\n60.  By these devoted (worshippers) indeed no water should be\ndrunk, nor should any leaves, roots or fruits anywhere be eaten\nwhich have not been presented to K.rish.na.\n\n61.  All those who from old age or some grievous calamity are\nunable (to perform worship) should make over the (image or\n\u0160ala-gr\u00e2ma stone) of K.rish.na to the charge of some other\ndevotee (able to carry on the proper services), and should\nthemselves act to the best of their ability.\n\n62.  An image (or \u0160\u00e2la-gr\u00e2ma) of K.rish.na, given by a religious\nleader (_\u00e2\u00e7\u00e2rya_), or consecrated by him, should be worshipped,\nbut to other images it is sufficient to make obeisance.\n\n63.  Every day all my followers should go to the temple of God in\nthe evening, and there loudly repeat the names of the lord of\nR\u00e2dhik\u00e2.\n\n64.  The story of his exploits should be related as well as heard\nwith the greatest reverence, and on festivals hymns in praise of\nK.rish.na should be sung accompanied by musical instruments.\n\n65.  In this manner all my followers should every day perform\nreligious duties.  Moreover, they should study works both in\nSansk.rit and in the popular dialects, according to their mental\nabilities.\n\n66.  Whatever individual is appointed to any office, he should be\nso appointed with strict regard to his qualifications, after due\nconsideration, and never in any other way.\n\n67.  Let every one always provide his own servants with food and\nclothing in the most suitable manner, and according to his own\npecuniary means.\n\n68.  In conversation every person should be addressed conformably\nto his character (or qualities), and suitably to time and place,\nand not in any other manner.\n\n69.  By all well-conducted persons due deference must be shown to\na religious guide, a king, an elder, an ascetic, a learned man,\nand one that practises austerities, by rising from the seat and\nso forth.\n\n70.  No man should sit down on the ground in the presence of a\nreligious preceptor, a god, or king, or in a (solemn) assembly,\nin such a (disrespectful) attitude as to make one foot rest on\nthe thigh, or with a cloth tied round the (waist and) knees.\n\n71.  A controversial discussion should never be carried on with a\nreligious teacher (_\u00e2\u00e7\u00e2rya_).  He is to be honoured with gifts\nof food, money, clothes, and with all other things according to\nability.\n\n72.  When any of my disciples hear of his arrival, they should\nimmediately show their respect by advancing to meet him, and when\nhe departs, they should accompany him as far as the confines of\nthe village.\n\n73.  If an act, attended with large recompense, be opposed to\nreligious duty, that act ought not to be committed; for religious\nduty (when performed) confers all desired objects.\n\n74.  An unrighteous act that may have been committed by great\npersons in former times must never be held (worthy of imitation);\nbut their virtuous conduct only is to be imitated.\n\n75.  Let not the secrets of any one be ever anywhere divulged,\nthe neglect (vyatikrama) of proper respect (for those deserving\nof reverence) should never be made, (as if all were to be looked\nat) with an equal eye (of esteem).\n\n76.  All my disciples should practise special religious\nobservances during the four special months (beginning with\n\u00c2sh\u00e2.dha).  But those who are sickly need only practise the same\nin the one month of \u0160r\u00e2va.na only.\n\n77.  Reading and listening to the exploits of Vish.nu, singing\nhis praises, solemn worship, repetition of his mantra (\"Great\nK.rish.na is my refuge\"), recitation of the hymn of praise\n(_i.e._ of the thousand names of Vish.nu), reverential\ncircumambulations (from left to right with the right side towards\nthe object adored),\n\n78.  Prostration with the eight members (of the body) these are\nconsidered the best religious observances; any one of these ought\nto be performed with special devotion.\n\n79.  The fasts of all the eleventh days (of the waxing and waning\nmoon) should be carefully observed; also of the birthdays of\nK.rish.na; and of the night of \u0160iva (_\u0160iva-r\u00e2tri_) with\nrejoicings during the day.\n\n80.  On a fast-day sleeping by day should most carefully be\navoided, since by such sleep the merit of fasting is lost to men,\nquite as much as by sexual intercourse.\n\n81.  Whatever appointed order of religious fasts and festivals\n(vrata and utsava) was enjoined by \u0160r\u00ee Vi.th.thale\u0161a\n(Vi.th.thala-natha), who was the son of \u0160r\u00ee Vallabh\u00e2\u00e7\u00e2rya, the\nmost eminent of Vaish.navas.\n\n82.  Having conformed to that order, all religious fasts and\nfestivals should be observed accordingly; and the form of\nworshipping K.rish.na directed by him (Vi.th.thale\u0161a) should be\nadopted.\n\n83.  A pilgrimage to the T\u00eerthas, or holy places, of which\nDv\u00e2rik\u00e2 (K.rish.na's city in Gujar\u00e2t) is the chief, should be\nperformed according to rule.  Love and Charity should be shown\ntowards the poor by all, according to ability.\n\n84.  Vish.nu, \u0160iva, Ga.na-pati (Ga.ne\u0161a), P\u00e2rvat\u00ee, and the Sun,\nthese five deities should be honoured with worship by my\nfollowers.  [Footnote: It is evident from this verse, as from\nverse 47, that although Vaish.navas give preferential worship to\nVish.nu, they are really Pantheists in the sense of honouring\nother deities, as manifestations of the Supreme Being.  It may be\nobserved that although five deities are here mentioned, Ga.napati\nand P\u00e2rvat\u00ee are connected with \u0160iva, as the Sun is with Vish.nu.]\n\n85.  When at any place a calamity is caused by a demon or by any\nsimilar cause, the charm called N\u00e2r\u00e2ya.na should be recited or\nthe mantra of Hanum\u00e2n should be muttered, but not the mantra of\nany inferior god less esteemed.\n\n86.  On the occurrence of eclipses of the sun and moon, all my\nfollowers should immediately suspend their other business, and,\nhaving purified themselves, should make repetition of the\n(eight-syllabled) mantra of K.rish.na.\n\n87.  When the eclipse has passed off, they should bathe with\ntheir clothes on, and those who are householders should\ndistribute gifts according to their ability.  Other persons (who\nhave no worldly means) should engage in the worship of the\nsupreme Lord (Vish.nu).\n\n88.  Those followers of mine who belong to the four classes\nshould observe, in conformity with the \u0160\u00e2stras, the rules in\nregard to the contraction of impurity through births and deaths,\naccording to the degree of kinship.\n\n89.  Br\u00e2hmans should possess tranquillity of mind,\nself-restraint, forbearance, contentment and similar virtues.\nKshatriyas (or the soldier caste) should be remarkable for\nbravery, fortitude, and the like qualities.\n\n90.  Vai\u0161yas (or the agricultural and commercial caste) should\noccupy themselves in mercantile pursuits, money-lending, and the\nlike.  \u0160\u00fbdras (or the servile class) should be employed in\nserving the twice-born, etc.\n\n91.  The twice-born should perform at the proper seasons, and\naccording to their means--each according to his own domestic\nrules--the twelve purificatory rites [Footnote: Of these only six\nare now generally performed, viz.:--1, the birth-ceremony, or\ntouching the tongue of a new-born infant with clarified butter,\netc.; 2, the name-giving ceremony on the tenth day; 3, tonsure;\n4, induction into the privileges of the twice-born, by\ninvestiture with the sacred thread; 5, solemn return home from\nthe house of a preceptor after completing the prescribed course\nof study; 6, marriage.  See _Indian Wisdom_, p. 246.]\n(_sansk\u00e2ra_), the (six) daily duties [Footnote: The six daily\nduties (called Nitya-karman), according to Par\u00e2\u0161ara, are:--1,\nbathing; 2, morning and evening prayer (sandhy\u00e2); 3, repetition\nof sacred texts; 4, offerings to fire (homa); 5, worship of\nancestors; 6, worship of the gods.  The six daily acts enjoined\nby Manu are different.  See _Indian Wisdom_, p. 244.], and the\n\u0160raddha offerings to the spirits of departed ancestors.\n\n92.  If intentionally or unintentionally any sin, great or small,\nbe committed, the proper penance must be performed according to\nability.\n\n93.  The Vedas, the Ved\u00e2nta-s\u00fbtras of Vyasa, the Bh\u00e2gavata-pur\u00e2.na\nand the thousand names of Vish.nu in the Mah\u00e2bh\u00e2rata,\n\n94.  The Bhagavad-g\u00eet\u00e2 and the precepts of Vidura, the\nV\u00e2sudeva-m\u00e2h\u00e2tmya from the Vaish.nava-kha.n.da of the Skanda-Pur\u00e2.na,\n\n95.  And the Sm.riti of Y\u00e2j\"navalkya, which is one of the\nDharma-\u0160\u00e2stras, these eight sacred books are approved by me as\nauthorities.  [Footnote: I commend this list to the attention of\nthose European scholars who wish to be guided by Indian\nauthorities in determining the real \"sacred books\" of India.]\n\n96.  All my twice-born disciples who wish good to themselves\nshould recite these sacred books and hear them recited.\n\n97.  In deciding questions of ancient usage (\u00e2\u00e7\u00e2ra), or practice,\nor penance, the code of Y\u00e2j\"navalkya, with its commentary the\nMit\u00e2kshar\u00e2, should be taken (as the best authority).\n\n98.  The tenth and fifth books of the Bh\u00e2gavata Pur\u00e2.na are to be\nregarded as having the preeminence over all the other sacred\nbooks for the understanding of the glory of K.rish.na.\n\n99.  The tenth and fifth books of the Bh\u00e2gavata Pur\u00e2.na and the\ncode of Y\u00e2j\"navalkya are respectively my Bhakti-\u0161\u00e2stra (manual of\nfaith), Yoga-\u0161\u00e2stra (manual of devotion), and Dharma-\u0161\u00e2stra\n(manual of law).\n\n100.  As a treatise on the soul, the commentary on the Bhagavad-G\u00eet\u00e2\nas well as that on the \u0160\u00e2r\u00eeraka-S\u00fbtras of Vy\u00e2sa, made by\nR\u00e2m\u00e2nuj\u00e2\u00e7\u00e2rya, commends itself to my approval.\n\n101.  Whatever precepts in these sacred books have for their\nsubject the excessive exaltation of K.rish.na and of Justice\n(V.risha), of faith and of indifference to the world--\n\n102.  Such precepts should be regarded as taking precedence over\nall others.  Their essential doctrine is that devotion to\nK.rish.na should be joined with the performance of duty.\n\n103.  Duty (_dharma_) is that good practice which is enjoined\nboth by the Veda (\u0160ruti) and by the law (Sm.riti) founded on the\nVeda.  Devotion (_bhakti_) is intense love for K.rish.na,\naccompanied with a due sense of his glory.\n\n104.  Indifference to worldly objects means absence of\nsatisfaction in any object except K.rish.na.  True knowledge\nconsists in discriminating rightly between the nature of the\npersonal soul (jiva), of the external world (M\u00e2y\u00e2), and of the\nSupreme Being (\u00ce\u0161a).\n\n105.  The personal soul dwells in the heart.  It is as subtle as\nan atom; it is all thought; it has the faculty of knowledge; it\nis ascertained to be constantly pervading the whole body\n(_i.e._ the three corporeal envelopes k\u00e2ra.na, s\u00fbkshma, and\nsth\u00fbla) by its power of perception; it is characterized by\nindivisibility and the like.\n\n106.  The external world (M\u00e2y\u00e2) is identical with the energizing\npower of K.rish.na.  It is composed of the three Gu.nas; it is\ndarkness; it is to be understood as the cause of the soul's\nhaving such ideas in regard to the body, and the things relating\nto the body, as are conveyed by the expressions I, mine, and the\nlike.\n\n107.  He who abides in the living personal soul in the character\nof an internal monitor, as the personal soul dwells in the heart,\nhe is to be considered as the Self-existent Supreme Being, the\nRewarder of all actions.\n\n108.  That Being, known by various names--such as the glorious\nK.rish.na, Param Brahma, Bhagav\u00e2n, Purushottama.h--the cause of\nall manifestations, is to be adored by us as our one chosen\ndeity.\n\n109.  He, together with R\u00e2dh\u00e2, should be regarded as the Supreme\nLord, under the name of R\u00e2dh\u00e2-K.rish.na.  With Rukmi.n\u00ee and Ram\u00e2\nhe is known as Lakshm\u00ee-N\u00e2r\u00e2ya.na.\n\n110.  When joined with Arjuna, he is known by the name of\nNara-N\u00e2r\u00e2ya.na; when associated with Bala-bhadra ( = Bala-r\u00e2ma), or\nany other divine personage, he is called Ram\u00e2-K.rish.na and so\non.\n\n111.  Those devoted (female companions of the god) R\u00e2dh\u00e2 and his\nother (consorts) are in some places represented at his side.  In\nother places (their images do not appear, because) they are\nsupposed to be one with his body and he with theirs.\n\n112.  On no account let it be supposed that difference in forms\nmakes any difference in the identity of the deity.  For the\ntwo-armed K.rish.na may exhibit himself with four arms (or eight, or\na thousand, or any number of arms).\n\n113.  Towards him alone ought all faith and worship (bhakti) to\nbe directed by every human being on earth in every possible\nmanner.  Nothing else, except such (faith), is able to procure\nsalvation.\n\n114.  The best result of the virtues of those who possess good\nqualities is faith in K.rish.na and association with holy men;\nwithout these, even persons who know (the \u0160\u00e2stras) go downwards\n(towards a lower state).\n\n115.  Meditation should be directed towards K.rish.na, his\nincarnations and their images, but not towards living men, nor\n(inferior) gods, etc., nor devotees, nor (even) those who\n(merely) have knowledge of Brahma.\n\n116.  Having perceived, by abstract meditation, that the Spirit\nor Self is distinct from its three bodies (viz. the gross, subtle\nand causal bodies), and that it is a portion of the one Spirit of\nthe Universe (Brahma), every man ought to worship K.rish.na by\nmeans of that (self) at all times.\n\n117.  The tenth book of the Bh\u00e2gavata-Pur\u00e2.na should be listened\nto reverentially, and learned men should read it daily or (if\nfrequent reading is impossible, at least) once a year.\n\n118.  The repetition (of the Bh\u00e2gavata), as well as of the\nthousand names of Vish.nu, etc., should be performed as far as\npossible in a pure place (such as the precincts of a temple); for\n(such repetition) causes the accomplishment of desired objects.\n\n119.  On the occurrence of any disaster caused by the elements\n(such as a flood or fire), or when any human calamity or sickness\ntakes place, a man should be wholly occupied in striving to\npreserve himself and other people and in nothing else.\n\n120.  Religious usages, business transactions and penances,\nshould be adapted to country, time, age, property, rank and\nability.\n\n121.  The (philosophical) doctrine approved by me is the\nVi\u0161ish.t\u00e2dvaita (of R\u00e2m\u00e2nuja) [Footnote: This verse proves that in\ntheir philosophical ideas the Sv\u00e2mi-N\u00e2r\u00e2ya.na sect are followers of\nthe R\u00e2m\u00e2nuja sect.  Compare verse 100.], and the desired heavenly\nabode is Goloka.  There to worship K.rish.na, and be united with\nhim as the Supreme Soul of the Universe, is to be considered\nsalvation (Mukti).\n\n122.  These that have been specified are the general duties,\napplicable to all my followers, whether male or female.  Now I am\nabout to enumerate the special duties.\n\n123.  The two sons of my elder and younger brothers (viz.\nAyodhy\u00e2-pras\u00e2da and Raghu-v\u00eera) ought never to impart instruction\nto any women except their nearest relations.\n\n124.  They ought never to touch or converse with any women in any\nplace whatever.  Cruelty should never be shown towards any\nperson.  A deposit belonging to another should never be taken\ncharge of.\n\n125.  In business matters no one should stand security for any\nother person.  In passing through a time of distress it is right\nto ask for alms, but debts should not be contracted.\n\n126.  One should not sell corn bestowed by one's own disciples;\nhaving given away old corn, new corn is to be bought.  That is\nnot called a sale.\n\n127.  On the fourth day of the light-half of the month Bh\u00e2dra,\nthe worship of Ga.ne\u0161a should be performed, and on the fourteenth\nof the dark-half of \u00c2\u0161vina, Hanum\u00e2n should be worshipped.\n\n128.  Those two sons (of my brothers, viz. Ayodhy\u00e2-pras\u00e2da and\nRaghu-v\u00eera), who have been appointed as spiritual guides to guard\nthe religious interests of my followers, should initiate all\ndesirous of obtaining salvation (in the use of the mantra of\nK.rish.na).\n\n129.  They should cause each of their disciples to continue\nsteadfast in his own appointed duty.  Honour should be paid to\nholy men, and the sacred \u0160\u00e2stras should be reverently repeated.\n\n130.  Worship of Lakshm\u00ee-N\u00e2r\u00e2ya.na, and other forms of K.rish.na\nthat have been set up and consecrated by me in the great temples,\nshould be performed with the proper ceremonies.\n\n131.  Any one who may come to the temple of K.rish.na to ask for\na gift of food (cooked or uncooked) should be received with\nrespect, and food given to him according to ability.\n\n132.  Having established a school for giving instruction, some\nlearned Br\u00e2hman should be appointed over it.  True knowledge\nshould be promoted throughout the world, for that is an act of\ngreat merit.\n\n133.  The two wives of these (sons of my brothers), with the\npermission of their respective husbands, should initiate females\nonly (eva) in the Mantra of K.rish.na.\n\n134.  They should never touch or speak to other males than their\nnearest relations; nor should they ever show their faces to them.\n\n135.  My male followers who are householders should never touch\nwidows unless they are their own near relatives.\n\n136.  They should not remain alone in any private place with a\nyouthful mother, sister or daughter, except in a time of\ndistress.  Nor should a wife be given away (to another man).\n\n137.  No attachment should on any account be formed with a woman\nwho in any transactions has been brought into connexion with the\nking of the country.\n\n138.  When a guest has arrived at a house, he should be honoured\nby those (who live in it) with food and other things according to\nability.  Offerings to the Gods and the Pit.ris (at the\nDevat\u00e2-tarpa.na and Pit.ri-tarpa.na and \u0160r\u00e2ddha ceremonies) should be\nmade according to right usage and according to one's means.\n\n139.  It is the duty of my disciples, as long as they live and\naccording to their ability, to honour with faithful attention\ntheir father, mother, spiritual preceptor, and any one affected\nwith sickness.\n\n140.  Every person should, according to his ability, carry on\nsome occupation suitable to his caste and religious order.  Those\nthat live by agriculture should not allow a bull to be gelded.\n\n141.  Provisions and money should be laid by according to\ncircumstances and time; and those that keep cattle should store\nup as much hay as these animals may need for their consumption.\n\n142.  If a man can himself attend to the proper feeding of cows\nand other animals with hay and water, then only he may keep them,\notherwise he must not do so.\n\n143.  No business in regard to giving or receiving land or\nproperty should ever be transacted even with a son or friend,\nwithout a written deed attested by witnesses.\n\n144.  When any pecuniary transactions connected with giving away\na girl in marriage have to be transacted for one's self or\nanother person, the money to be delivered over should not be\nsettled by verbal agreement, but only by a written contract\nattested by witnesses.\n\n145.  A man's expenditure ought always to be in proportion to his\nincome.  Otherwise it is certain that great misery will arise.\n\n146.  Every day one should take note of one's income and\nexpenditure in the regular business of life, and write them down\nwith one's own hand.\n\n147.  My followers should assign a tithe of the grain, money,\netc., acquired by their own occupation or exertions, to\nK.rish.na, and the poor should give a twentieth part.\n\n148.  The due performance of fasts, of which the eleventh-day\nfasts are the principal, should be effected according to the\n\u0160\u00e2stras and one's ability; for this will lead to the attainment\nof desired objects.\n\n149.  Every year in the month \u0160r\u00e2va.na one should perform, or\ncause others to perform, cheerfully the worship of \u0160iva with the\nleaves of the Bilva-tree, etc.\n\n150.  Neither money, nor utensils, nor ornaments, nor clothes\nshould be borrowed for use (on festive occasions) from one's own\nspiritual preceptor, or from the temple of K.rish.na.\n\n151.  While going to do homage to great K.rish.na, to a spiritual\npreceptor, or to a holy man, food should not be accepted from\nothers on the road, or at the places of pilgrimage; for such food\ntakes away religious merit.\n\n152.  The full amount of promised wages should be paid to a\nworkman.  Payment of a debt is never to be kept secret.  Let no\none have any dealings with wicked men.\n\n153.  If through great distress caused by a famine, by enemies,\nor by (the oppression of) a king, any danger of destruction\narises anywhere to character, wealth or life,\n\n154.  The wise among my followers should at once quit even their\nown native country, and having gone to another, let them reside\nthere happily.\n\n155.  Wealthy householders should perform those sacrifices in\nhonour of Vish.nu which entail no killing of animals.  Br\u00e2hmans\nand holy men (S\u00e2dhus) should be fed on festival days at sacred\nplaces of pilgrimage.\n\n156.  They should observe the great festivals in honour of the\nDeity in the temples, and should distribute various gifts among\nBr\u00e2hmans who are deserving objects (of generosity).\n\n157.  Kings who are my followers should govern all their subjects\nin accordance with the law (laid down in the Dharma-\u0161\u00e2stras), and\nshould protect them as if they were their children, and should\nestablish the observance of proper duties throughout the whole\nland.\n\n158.  They should be well acquainted with the circumstances of\ntheir kingdom; as, for example, with the seven Angas (viz. the\nduties of the sovereign, minister, ally, treasury, territory,\nfortresses and army); the four Up\u00e2yas (viz. conciliation, sowing\ndissension, bribing, and punishing); the six Gu.nas (viz. peace,\nwar, marching, sitting encamped, dividing the forces, having\nrecourse to an ally for protection); and the places of resort to\nwhich spies should be sent.  They should also make themselves\nacquainted with the men who are skilled in legal procedure, and\nwith all the court functionaries, observing by the right signs\nwhether any ought to be punished or not.  [Footnote: With\nreference to this verse compare Manu's directions to Kings (Books\nvii. and viii.), and the precepts in the Vigraha chapter of the\nHitopade\u0161a.]\n\n159.  Wives should honour their husbands as if they were gods,\nand never offend them with improper language, though they be\ndiseased, indigent, or imbecile.  [Footnote: Compare Manu, v. 154.]\n\n160.  No communication, even though arising naturally\n(_s\u00e2hajika_), should be held with any other man who may be\npossessed of beauty, youth and good qualities.\n\n161.  A chaste woman should not allow her navel, thighs, or\nbreasts to be seen by males; nor should she remain without an\nupper garment (anuttar\u00eey\u00e2), nor should she look at (the antics\nof) buffoons, nor associate with an immodest woman.\n\n162.  A wife while her husband is absent in a foreign country\nshould wear neither ornaments nor fine clothes; she ought not to\nfrequent other people's houses, and should abstain from laughing\nand talking with other women.\n\n163.  Widows should serve the God K.rish.na with minds intent on\nhim as their only husband; they should live under the control of\ntheir father, or other male members of the family, and never in\nindependence.\n\n164.  They must never at any time touch any men except their\nnearest relations, and when young they should never without\nnecessity engage in conversation with youthful men.\n\n165.  If an infant male-child touch them, no blame attaches to\nthem, any more than from contact with a dumb animal; nor if they\nare compelled from necessity to talk with or touch an old man.\n\n166.  Instruction in any science should not be received by them\nfrom any man except from their nearest relations.  They should\nfrequently emaciate their bodies by vows and fasts.\n\n167.  They should never give away to others the money which is\nrequired for their own support.  That only must be given away\nwhich they have in excess.\n\n168.  They should eat only one meal a day, and should sleep on\nthe ground; they should never look at (animals) engaged in sexual\nacts.\n\n169.  They must never wear the dress of a married woman, nor of a\nfemale ascetic, nor of a mendicant, nor any unbecoming attire.\n\n170.  They should neither associate with nor touch a woman who\nhas been guilty of procuring abortion; nor should they either\nconverse about, or hear stories of the loves of the male sex.\n\n171.  Except in times of distress widows who are young should\nnever remain alone in secret places along with men, even with\ntheir own relatives, if youthful.\n\n172.  They should never join in the frolics practised at the Hol\u00ee\nfestival, nor should they put on ornaments or finely woven\nclothes composed of cotton or metal threads.\n\n173.  Neither wives nor widows ought ever to bathe without\nwearing clothes.  No woman should ever conceal the first\nappearance of her monthly periods.\n\n174.  A woman at that season should not for an interval of three\ndays touch any human being, clothes, etc.; nor ought she to do so\ntill she has bathed on the fourth day.\n\n175.  Those of my followers who have taken the vow of Naish.thika\nBrahma\u00e7\u00e2r\u00ees (that is, of perpetual celibacy and chastity) must\nnot knowingly either touch or converse with or look at women.\n\n176.  They should never talk or listen to conversations about\nwomen, and they should not perform their ablutions or other\nreligious rites at places where women pass backwards and\nforwards.\n\n177.  They should never knowingly touch or look at even the\npictures or wooden images of women, unless they be the\nrepresentations of goddesses.\n\n178.  They should neither draw any likeness of a woman, nor touch\nher clothes.  They must never knowingly look even at animals\nengaged in sexual acts.\n\n179.  They should neither touch nor look at a male dressed up as\na woman; nor should they sing the praises of the Deity with a\nview to being heard by women.\n\n180.  They should pay no attention to the command of even their\nspiritual preceptor if likely to lead them to a breach of their\nvow of chastity.  They should continue steadfast, contented, and\nhumble-minded.\n\n181.  When a woman insists on forcing herself near them, they\nshould immediately try to keep her off by expostulating with her,\nand (if she still approaches) by reproaching her.\n\n182.  In cases where their own lives, or those of women, are in\njeopardy, they may be allowed contact or conversation with women,\nsuch contact being necessary for the saving of life.\n\n183.  They should not anoint their lips with oil.  They should\nnot carry weapons.  They should not dress themselves in\nunbecoming costume.  They should subdue the sense of taste.\n\n184.  If in the house of any Br\u00e2hman the meals are cooked and\nserved up by a woman, they should not go there to ask for food,\nbut should ask for it at some other house.\n\n185.  They should constantly repeat the Vedas and \u0160\u00e2stras, and\nserve their spiritual preceptor.  They must shun the society of\nwomen, and of men who are fond of women.\n\n186.  He who is by birth a Br\u00e2hman should on no account drink\nwater from a leathern vessel; nor should he ever eat garlic,\nonions, etc.\n\n187.  Nor must he eat food without having first performed his\nablutions, the Sandhy\u00e2 service, repetition of the G\u00e2yatri, the\nworship of Vish.nu, and the Vai\u0161vadeva ceremony.  [Footnote: This\nceremony, which partly consists in throwing portions of food into\nthe fire, before dinner, as an offering to all the deities, will\nbe fully described in my new work on \"Religious Thought and Life\nin India,\" to be published by Mr. Murray.]\n\n188.  All who are S\u00e2dhus are bound, just like those who have made\na vow of perpetual celibacy, to avoid associating with women, or\nwith men who are fond of women, and should subdue their (six)\ninternal enemies (lust, anger, avarice, infatuation, pride, and\nenvy).\n\n189.  They should subjugate all the senses, more especially the\nsense of taste; they should neither lay by a store of property\nthemselves, nor make others do so for them.\n\n190.  They must not take charge of any one's deposit, they should\nnever relax their firmness, nor allow a woman to enter their\nabodes at any time.  [Footnote: We may notice that there is no\nlittle repetition in this Book of instructions, especially in\nenforcing the duty of keeping clear of all feminine seductions.]\n\n191.  Except at a time of distress, they should never go anywhere\nby night without a companion, nor should they travel to any place\nsingly.\n\n192.  They should not use a costly variegated cloth, or one dyed\nwith kusumbha, or dyed in any other way; or any expensive cloth,\nthough freely presented to them by another.\n\n193.  They should not go to the houses of householders unless for\nthe purpose of asking alms, or for being present at an assembly.\nThey should not spend time uselessly without devoting any of it\nto the worship of the Deity.\n\n194.  To the abode of a householder in which only males are\nemployed for serving up the cooked food, and where no woman is to\nbe seen--\n\n195.  To the house of such a householder only should my S\u00e2dhus\nresort for participation in a meal, otherwise they should ask for\nuncooked food, and prepare it themselves.\n\n196.  All my holiest sages should conduct themselves in the same\nmanner as Bharata, son of .Rishabha, the idiot Br\u00e2hman\n(Ja.da-vipra), did in ancient times.  [Footnote: The story is told in\nVish.nu-pur\u00e2.na, ii. 13.  He feigned idiocy, that he might not be\ntroubled with worldly society and might so give his undivided\nattention to devotional exercises.]\n\n197.  Those holy men (S\u00e2dhus) who are Brahma\u00e7\u00e2r\u00ees should\ndiligently abstain from eating or using betel-leaves, opium,\ntobacco (tam\u00e2la), etc.\n\n198.  They should never accept a meal given on the performance of\nthe Sa_n_sk\u00e2ra ceremonies, beginning with that of conception;\n[Footnote: See note to verse 91.] nor on performing the \u0160r\u00e2ddha\nceremony at death, nor at that performed on the 12th day after\ndecease.\n\n199.  They should never sleep during the day, unless afflicted\nwith sickness, etc.  They should never gossip about local\nmatters, nor intentionally listen to such gossip.\n\n200.  They should not lie down on a bedstead except when\nsuffering from illness or other affliction, and should be\nguileless and straightforward in their behaviour towards other\nS\u00e2dhus.\n\n201.  They should patiently bear abusive language, or even blows\nfrom evil-minded persons, and wish good to (them in return).\n\n202.  They should not undertake the work of a go-between or\ninformer, or spy; they should never show selfishness or\npartiality towards their relations.\n\n203.  Thus I have specified in a summary manner the general\nduties of all.  Those who desire more particular instructions\nmust refer to the sacred books handed down by tradition.\n\n204.  Having myself extracted the essence of an the sacred\n\u0160\u00e2str\u00e2s, I have written this Directory, which leads men to the\nattainment of desired objects.\n\n205.  Hence it is incumbent on my followers, having their minds\nwell controlled, to conduct themselves in conformity with its\nprecepts, and not according to their own wills.\n\n206.  Those males and females of my disciples who will act\naccording to these directions shall certainly obtain the four\ngreat objects of human desires (viz. _Dharma_, religious merit;\n_Artha_, wealth; _K\u00e2ma_, pleasure; and _Moksha_, final\nbeatitude).\n\n207.  Those who will not act according to these (directions)\nshall be considered by my male and female followers as excluded\nfrom communion with my sect.\n\n208.  My followers should daily read this Book of directions, and\nthose who do not know how to read should listen to others reading\nit.\n\n209.  But in the absence of a reader (vaktrabh\u00e2ve), worship\nshould be paid to it every day, and it should be honoured with\nthe greatest reverence as my word and my representative.\n\n210.  This Directory should only be given to those persons who\nare endowed with a nature of the divine type; never to a man\npossessing a nature of the demoniacal type.  [Footnote: The\nPur\u00e2.nas divide all men into two classes: those whose nature is\ndivine, and those whose nature is demoniacal.]\n\n211.  This Book of directions, bringing welfare (to all who study\nit), was completed on the first day of the season of spring in\nthe year 1882 of the era of Vikram\u00e2ditya.  ( = A.D. 1826).\n\n212.  May K.rish.na, the remover of the sufferings of his\nworshippers, the maintainer of devotion, accompanied with the\nperformance of proper duties, the bestower of the desires of the\nheart, grant us blessings of all kinds!","title":"The Siksha-Patri of the Svami-Narayana Sect","tradition":"scripture-revelation","translated_text":null,"word_count":7709}