--- In [email protected], "do.rflex" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > The effort that is made according to the shaastra, that is puNya > (meritous action) which gives rise to earthly advancement and mokSha > (salvation). > > However much purushhaartha (effort) is needed for a task, that much > effort is to be made. However much puNya (meritous action) is needed > in order to cross bhavasaagara (sea of experience), without that puNya > it is not possible to get to the other side. If someone has a thirst > for a sera of water then how can their thirst be quenched with a > chhaTaaMka (a sixteenth sera) of water? > > Certainly, by reading holy books you can become holy. Studying the > Gita, the Ramayana etc gives puNya (merit). But by reading, the amount > of puNya acquired is not enough to cross bhavasaagara (the ocean of > experience). > > I am not negating the value of reading holy books - you should read; > but by studying alone one's duty is not finished, you should obtain > its value. You should make an effort to apply what is written, in the > form of work, only then can it be completely useful, and then abundant > puNya will be accumulated. If you wish to be saved from downfall then > escape from sin, don't make any effort to do anything contrary to the > shaastra; escape from sin and do meritous action - this the way to > progress. > > Guru Dev [Shri Shankaracharya UpadeshAmrita kaNa 43 of 108] > http://www.paulmason.info/gurudev/UA_Hindi.htm#kaNa_43
Great quote, John. It brings to mind what George was just saying about the student never quite understanding the teachings of the teacher. Then again, as I said to George, the difference of opinion might merely indicate that the student was disagreeing with the teacher.
