Shankaracharya's Question And Answers Here

Discussion in 'Pujas Prayers & Slokas' started by sunkan, May 31, 2008.

  1. sunkan

    sunkan Gold IL'ite

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    Verse 1 - Meaning:
    If a person cannot find a fitting ornament for his neck which is the source of voice, in this Prasnottara-ratna-malika, will he ever be able to understand what is good for himself here and in the hereafter? (lit.- life and after death)

    [Note: Prasnottara-ratna-malika - means "the necklace (malika) of gems (ratna) consisting of questions (prasna) and answers on matters of vital importance".]


    Verse 2 - Meaning:
    Q: What deserves full and unquestioned acceptance ?
    A:The instructions and orders of the Guru (guru vachanam)
    Q: What is to be rejected?
    A:Those things that one should not do or what is evil.[akaryam is the negative part of karyam which is any normal duty that one is permitted to do]
    Q: Who can be considered as a Guru (the spiritual teacher)?
    A:That one who knows the truth, who lives in and as truth and who always (satatam) strives for the good of his (hita) disciple(s) (sishya).


    Verse 3 - Meaning:
    Q: What (kim) is the immediate duty (kartavyam) and binding of a truly learned man ?
    A:To try and succeed in terminating the ever-revolving cycle of births and deaths.(samsaara santati - is this vicious cycle)
    Q: What is the seed (bijam) of the tree (taru) of liberation (moksha)?
    A:The attainment of perfect and true knowledge (samyak-jn~anam) and its application in everyday life (kriyaa-siddham)


    Verse 4 - Meaning:
    Q:What is the most beneficial thing ?(kah pathyataro)
    A:Dharma, or the path of righteousness is.
    Q: Who is the clean person ? (kah sucir-iha)
    A:That one whose mind (maanasam) is pure (suddham).
    Q: Who is the real intelligent person? (kah pandito)
    A:That one who is endowed with the power of discrimination (viveki).
    Q: What is poison ? (kim visham)
    A:Not abiding by the advice of wise, elderly people. (avadhirana gurusu).


    Verse 5 - Meaning:
    Q:What is the essence of this (illusory) life that we are leading ?(kim samsaare saaram)
    A:The understanding that it is only transitory and will not last forever.
    Q: What can be considered as the dearest thing for a man ?
    A:The leading of a life that is entirely devoted to the good (and only good) of himself (sva) and others (para).
     
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  2. Devika Menon

    Devika Menon Gold IL'ite

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    Dear Sunkan,

    That was really very wonderful to read. I must say that Prasnottara ratna malika is truly a gem.

    Love,
    Devika
     
  3. Sriniketan

    Sriniketan IL Hall of Fame

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    sunkan,
    thanks for bringing these one-liners to our notice...
    It enriches our mind....and soul....

    sriniketan
     
  4. sunkan

    sunkan Gold IL'ite

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    DEAR devika,
    i came across this only now, i have read ramana mahrishi's that was also very interesting...thanku for appreciating here..sunkan
     
  5. sunkan

    sunkan Gold IL'ite

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    happy srini,
    you like these gems they have to be removed from the boxes and reach the crowd.sunkan
     

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