The Siksha Patri of the Swami Narayana Sect by Professor Monier Williams (Trans.)
P >>
Professor Monier Williams (Trans.) >> The Siksha Patri of the Swami Narayana Sect
107. He who abides in the living personal soul in the character
of an internal monitor, as the personal soul dwells in the heart,
he is to be considered as the Self-existent Supreme Being, the
Rewarder of all actions.
108. That Being, known by various names--such as the glorious
K.rish.na, Param Brahma, Bhagavan, Purushottama.h--the cause of
all manifestations, is to be adored by us as our one chosen
deity.
109. He, together with Radha, should be regarded as the Supreme
Lord, under the name of Radha-K.rish.na. With Rukmi.ni and Rama
he is known as Lakshmi-Naraya.na.
110. When joined with Arjuna, he is known by the name of Nara-
Naraya.na; when associated with Bala-bhadra ( = Bala-rama), or
any other divine personage, he is called Rama-K.rish.na and so
on.
111. Those devoted (female companions of the god) Radha and his
other (consorts) are in some places represented at his side. In
other places (their images do not appear, because) they are
supposed to be one with his body and he with theirs.
112. On no account let it be supposed that difference in forms
makes any difference in the identity of the deity. For the two-
armed K.rish.na may exhibit himself with four arms (or eight, or
a thousand, or any number of arms).
113. Towards him alone ought all faith and worship (bhakti) to
be directed by every human being on earth in every possible
manner. Nothing else, except such (faith), is able to procure
salvation.
114. The best result of the virtues of those who possess good
qualities is faith in K.rish.na and association with holy men;
without these, even persons who know (the Sastras) go downwards
(towards a lower state).
115. Meditation should be directed towards K.rish.na, his
incarnations and their images, but not towards living men, nor
(inferior) gods, etc., nor devotees, nor (even) those who
(merely) have knowledge of Brahma.
116. Having perceived, by abstract meditation, that the Spirit
or Self is distinct from its three bodies (viz. the gross, subtle
and causal bodies), and that it is a portion of the one Spirit of
the Universe (Brahma), every man ought to worship K.rish.na by
means of that (self) at all times.
117. The tenth book of the Bhagavata-Pura.na should be listened
to reverentially, and learned men should read it daily or (if
frequent reading is impossible, at least) once a year.
118. The repetition (of the Bhagavata), as well as of the
thousand names of Vish.nu, etc., should be performed as far as
possible in a pure place (such as the precincts of a temple); for
(such repetition) causes the accomplishment of desired objects.
119. On the occurrence of any disaster caused by the elements
(such as a flood or fire), or when any human calamity or sickness
takes place, a man should be wholly occupied in striving to
preserve himself and other people and in nothing else.
120. Religious usages, business transactions and penances,
should be adapted to country, time, age, property, rank and
ability.
121. The (philosophical) doctrine approved by me is the
Visish.tadvaita (of Ramanuja) [Footnote: This verse proves that in
their philosophical ideas the Svami-Naraya.na sect are followers of
the Ramanuja sect. Compare verse 100.], and the desired heavenly
abode is Goloka. There to worship K.rish.na, and be united with
him as the Supreme Soul of the Universe, is to be considered
salvation (Mukti).
122. These that have been specified are the general duties,
applicable to all my followers, whether male or female. Now I am
about to enumerate the special duties.
123. The two sons of my elder and younger brothers (viz.
Ayodhya-prasada and Raghu-vira) ought never to impart instruction
to any women except their nearest relations.
124. They ought never to touch or converse with any women in any
place whatever. Cruelty should never be shown towards any
person. A deposit belonging to another should never be taken
charge of.
125. In business matters no one should stand security for any
other person. In passing through a time of distress it is right
to ask for alms, but debts should not be contracted.
126. One should not sell corn bestowed by one's own disciples;
having given away old corn, new corn is to be bought. That is
not called a sale.
127. On the fourth day of the light-half of the month Bhadra,
the worship of Ga.nesa should be performed, and on the fourteenth
of the dark-half of Asvina, Hanuman should be worshipped.
128. Those two sons (of my brothers, viz. Ayodhya-prasada and
Raghu-vira), who have been appointed as spiritual guides to guard
the religious interests of my followers, should initiate all
desirous of obtaining salvation (in the use of the mantra of
K.rish.na).
129. They should cause each of their disciples to continue
steadfast in his own appointed duty. Honour should be paid to
holy men, and the sacred Sastras should be reverently repeated.
130. Worship of Lakshmi-Naraya.na, and other forms of K.rish.na
that have been set up and consecrated by me in the great temples,
should be performed with the proper ceremonies.
131. Any one who may come to the temple of K.rish.na to ask for
a gift of food (cooked or uncooked) should be received with
respect, and food given to him according to ability.
132. Having established a school for giving instruction, some
learned Brahman should be appointed over it. True knowledge
should be promoted throughout the world, for that is an act of
great merit.
133. The two wives of these (sons of my brothers), with the
permission of their respective husbands, should initiate females
only (eva) in the Mantra of K.rish.na.
134. They should never touch or speak to other males than their
nearest relations; nor should they ever show their faces to them.
135. My male followers who are householders should never touch
widows unless they are their own near relatives.
136. They should not remain alone in any private place with a
youthful mother, sister or daughter, except in a time of
distress. Nor should a wife be given away (to another man).
137. No attachment should on any account be formed with a woman
who in any transactions has been brought into connexion with the
king of the country.
138. When a guest has arrived at a house, he should be honoured
by those (who live in it) with food and other things according to
ability. Offerings to the Gods and the Pit.ris (at the Devata-
tarpa.na and Pit.ri-tarpa.na and Sraddha ceremonies) should be
made according to right usage and according to one's means.
139. It is the duty of my disciples, as long as they live and
according to their ability, to honour with faithful attention
their father, mother, spiritual preceptor, and any one affected
with sickness.
140. Every person should, according to his ability, carry on
some occupation suitable to his caste and religious order. Those
that live by agriculture should not allow a bull to be gelded.
141. Provisions and money should be laid by according to
circumstances and time; and those that keep cattle should store
up as much hay as these animals may need for their consumption.
142. If a man can himself attend to the proper feeding of cows
and other animals with hay and water, then only he may keep them,
otherwise he must not do so.
143. No business in regard to giving or receiving land or
property should ever be transacted even with a son or friend,
without a written deed attested by witnesses.
144. When any pecuniary transactions connected with giving away
a girl in marriage have to be transacted for one's self or
another person, the money to be delivered over should not be
settled by verbal agreement, but only by a written contract
attested by witnesses.
145. A man's expenditure ought always to be in proportion to his
income. Otherwise it is certain that great misery will arise.
146. Every day one should take note of one's income and
expenditure in the regular business of life, and write them down
with one's own hand.
147. My followers should assign a tithe of the grain, money,
etc., acquired by their own occupation or exertions, to
K.rish.na, and the poor should give a twentieth part.
148. The due performance of fasts, of which the eleventh-day
fasts are the principal, should be effected according to the
Sastras and one's ability; for this will lead to the attainment
of desired objects.
149. Every year in the month Srava.na one should perform, or
cause others to perform, cheerfully the worship of Siva with the
leaves of the Bilva-tree, etc.
150. Neither money, nor utensils, nor ornaments, nor clothes
should be borrowed for use (on festive occasions) from one's own
spiritual preceptor, or from the temple of K.rish.na.
151. While going to do homage to great K.rish.na, to a spiritual
preceptor, or to a holy man, food should not be accepted from
others on the road, or at the places of pilgrimage; for such food
takes away religious merit.
152. The full amount of promised wages should be paid to a
workman. Payment of a debt is never to be kept secret. Let no
one have any dealings with wicked men.
153. If through great distress caused by a famine, by enemies,
or by (the oppression of) a king, any danger of destruction
arises anywhere to character, wealth or life,
154. The wise among my followers should at once quit even their
own native country, and having gone to another, let them reside
there happily.
155. Wealthy householders should perform those sacrifices in
honour of Vish.nu which entail no killing of animals. Brahmans
and holy men (Sadhus) should be fed on festival days at sacred
places of pilgrimage.
156. They should observe the great festivals in honour of the
Deity in the temples, and should distribute various gifts among
Brahmans who are deserving objects (of generosity).
157. Kings who are my followers should govern all their subjects
in accordance with the law (laid down in the Dharma-sastras), and
should protect them as if they were their children, and should
establish the observance of proper duties throughout the whole
land.
158. They should be well acquainted with the circumstances of
their kingdom; as, for example, with the seven Angas (viz. the
duties of the sovereign, minister, ally, treasury, territory,
fortresses and army); the four Upayas (viz. conciliation, sowing
dissension, bribing, and punishing); the six Gu.nas (viz. peace,
war, marching, sitting encamped, dividing the forces, having
recourse to an ally for protection); and the places of resort to
which spies should be sent. They should also make themselves
acquainted with the men who are skilled in legal procedure, and
with all the court functionaries, observing by the right signs
whether any ought to be punished or not. [Footnote: With
reference to this verse compare Manu's directions to Kings (Books
vii. and viii.), and the precepts in the Vigraha chapter of the
Hitopadesa.]
159. Wives should honour their husbands as if they were gods,
and never offend them with improper language, though they be
diseased, indigent, or imbecile. [Footnote: Compare Manu, v. 154.]
160. No communication, even though arising naturally
(__sahajika__), should be held with any other man who may be
possessed of beauty, youth and good qualities.
161. A chaste woman should not allow her navel, thighs, or
breasts to be seen by males; nor should she remain without an
upper garment (anuttariya), nor should she look at (the antics
of) buffoons, nor associate with an immodest woman.
162. A wife while her husband is absent in a foreign country
should wear neither ornaments nor fine clothes; she ought not to
frequent other people's houses, and should abstain from laughing
and talking with other women.
163. Widows should serve the God K.rish.na with minds intent on
him as their only husband; they should live under the control of
their father, or other male members of the family, and never in
independence.
164. They must never at any time touch any men except their
nearest relations, and when young they should never without
necessity engage in conversation with youthful men.
165. If an infant male-child touch them, no blame attaches to
them, any more than from contact with a dumb animal; nor if they
are compelled from necessity to talk with or touch an old man.
166. Instruction in any science should not be received by them
from any man except from their nearest relations. They should
frequently emaciate their bodies by vows and fasts.
167. They should never give away to others the money which is
required for their own support. That only must be given away
which they have in excess.
168. They should eat only one meal a day, and should sleep on
the ground; they should never look at (animals) engaged in sexual
acts.
169. They must never wear the dress of a married woman, nor of a
female ascetic, nor of a mendicant, nor any unbecoming attire.
170. They should neither associate with nor touch a woman who
has been guilty of procuring abortion; nor should they either
converse about, or hear stories of the loves of the male sex.
171. Except in times of distress widows who are young should
never remain alone in secret places along with men, even with
their own relatives, if youthful.
172. They should never join in the frolics practised at the Holi
festival, nor should they put on ornaments or finely woven
clothes composed of cotton or metal threads.
173. Neither wives nor widows ought ever to bathe without
wearing clothes. No woman should ever conceal the first
appearance of her monthly periods.
174. A woman at that season should not for an interval of three
days touch any human being, clothes, etc.; nor ought she to do so
till she has bathed on the fourth day.
175. Those of my followers who have taken the vow of Naish.thika
Brahmacaris (that is, of perpetual celibacy and chastity) must
not knowingly either touch or converse with or look at women.
176. They should never talk or listen to conversations about
women, and they should not perform their ablutions or other
religious rites at places where women pass backwards and
forwards.
177. They should never knowingly touch or look at even the
pictures or wooden images of women, unless they be the
representations of goddesses.
178. They should neither draw any likeness of a woman, nor touch
her clothes. They must never knowingly look even at animals
engaged in sexual acts.
179. They should neither touch nor look at a male dressed up as
a woman; nor should they sing the praises of the Deity with a
view to being heard by women.
180. They should pay no attention to the command of even their
spiritual preceptor if likely to lead them to a breach of their
vow of chastity. They should continue steadfast, contented, and
humble-minded.
181. When a woman insists on forcing herself near them, they
should immediately try to keep her off by expostulating with her,
and (if she still approaches) by reproaching her.
182. In cases where their own lives, or those of women, are in
jeopardy, they may be allowed contact or conversation with women,
such contact being necessary for the saving of life.
183. They should not anoint their lips with oil. They should
not carry weapons. They should not dress themselves in
unbecoming costume. They should subdue the sense of taste.
184. If in the house of any Brahman the meals are cooked and
served up by a woman, they should not go there to ask for food,
but should ask for it at some other house.
185. They should constantly repeat the Vedas and Sastras, and
serve their spiritual preceptor. They must shun the society of
women, and of men who are fond of women.
186. He who is by birth a Brahman should on no account drink
water from a leathern vessel; nor should he ever eat garlic,
onions, etc.
187. Nor must he eat food without having first performed his
ablutions, the Sandhya service, repetition of the Gayatri, the
worship of Vish.nu, and the Vaisvadeva ceremony. [Footnote: This
ceremony, which partly consists in throwing portions of food into
the fire, before dinner, as an offering to all the deities, will
be fully described in my new work on "Religious Thought and Life
in India," to be published by Mr. Murray.]
188. All who are Sadhus are bound, just like those who have made
a vow of perpetual celibacy, to avoid associating with women, or
with men who are fond of women, and should subdue their (six)
internal enemies (lust, anger, avarice, infatuation, pride, and
envy).
189. They should subjugate all the senses, more especially the
sense of taste; they should neither lay by a store of property
themselves, nor make others do so for them.
190. They must not take charge of any one's deposit, they should
never relax their firmness, nor allow a woman to enter their
abodes at any time. [Footnote: We may notice that there is no
little repetition in this Book of instructions, especially in
enforcing the duty of keeping clear of all feminine seductions.]
191. Except at a time of distress, they should never go anywhere
by night without a companion, nor should they travel to any place
singly.
192. They should not use a costly variegated cloth, or one dyed
with kusumbha, or dyed in any other way; or any expensive cloth,
though freely presented to them by another.
193. They should not go to the houses of householders unless for
the purpose of asking alms, or for being present at an assembly.
They should not spend time uselessly without devoting any of it
to the worship of the Deity.
194. To the abode of a householder in which only males are
employed for serving up the cooked food, and where no woman is to
be seen--
195. To the house of such a householder only should my Sadhus
resort for participation in a meal, otherwise they should ask for
uncooked food, and prepare it themselves.
196. All my holiest sages should conduct themselves in the same
manner as Bharata, son of .Rishabha, the idiot Brahman (Ja.da-
vipra), did in ancient times. [Footnote: The story is told in
Vish.nu-pura.na, ii. 13. He feigned idiocy, that he might not be
troubled with worldly society and might so give his undivided
attention to devotional exercises.]
197. Those holy men (Sadhus) who are Brahmacaris should
diligently abstain from eating or using betel-leaves, opium,
tobacco (tamala), etc.
198. They should never accept a meal given on the performance of
the Sa__n__skara ceremonies, beginning with that of conception;
[Footnote: See note to verse 91.] nor on performing the Sraddha
ceremony at death, nor at that performed on the 12th day after
decease.
199. They should never sleep during the day, unless afflicted
with sickness, etc. They should never gossip about local
matters, nor intentionally listen to such gossip.
200. They should not lie down on a bedstead except when
suffering from illness or other affliction, and should be
guileless and straightforward in their behaviour towards other
Sadhus.
201. They should patiently bear abusive language, or even blows
from evil-minded persons, and wish good to (them in return).
202. They should not undertake the work of a go-between or
informer, or spy; they should never show selfishness or
partiality towards their relations.
203. Thus I have specified in a summary manner the general
duties of all. Those who desire more particular instructions
must refer to the sacred books handed down by tradition.
204. Having myself extracted the essence of an the sacred
Sastras, I have written this Directory, which leads men to the
attainment of desired objects.
205. Hence it is incumbent on my followers, having their minds
well controlled, to conduct themselves in conformity with its
precepts, and not according to their own wills.
206. Those males and females of my disciples who will act
according to these directions shall certainly obtain the four
great objects of human desires (viz. __Dharma__, religious merit;
__Artha__, wealth; __Kama__, pleasure; and __Moksha__, final
beatitude).
207. Those who will not act according to these (directions)
shall be considered by my male and female followers as excluded
from communion with my sect.
208. My followers should daily read this Book of directions, and
those who do not know how to read should listen to others reading
it.
209. But in the absence of a reader (vaktrabhave), worship
should be paid to it every day, and it should be honoured with
the greatest reverence as my word and my representative.
210. This Directory should only be given to those persons who
are endowed with a nature of the divine type; never to a man
possessing a nature of the demoniacal type. [Footnote: The
Pura.nas divide all men into two classes: those whose nature is
divine, and those whose nature is demoniacal.]
211. This Book of directions, bringing welfare (to all who study
it), was completed on the first day of the season of spring in
the year 1882 of the era of Vikramaditya. ( = A.D. 1826).
212. May K.rish.na, the remover of the sufferings of his
worshippers, the maintainer of devotion, accompanied with the
performance of proper duties, the bestower of the desires of the
heart, grant us blessings of all kinds!