Eight Righteous feelings

[Guest guest]

Swathy Prabhu asks:

> Dear ones across the net,

> I was reading Jnaneshwari, book on Bhagavad Gita by Saint

> Jnanadev. In one of its sections appears the following

> statement,

> "Let there be placed on the feet of the worthy preceptor,

> fully bloomed lotus having eight petals constituted of the

> eight righteous feelings, laden with fragrance in the form

> of righteous joy."

>

> What are these eight righteous feelings the Author is referring

> to? May I request an explanation from my fellow netizens.

 

Dear Swathy,

 

I am not sure, but in all probability, this refers to the principles

enunciated by the following sloka, which is cited in Vatsya Varadacharya's

"Prapanna Paarijaata". This is one of my favorites:

 

ahimsA prathamam pushpam

pushpam indriya-nigraha:

sarva-bhUta-dayA pushpam

kshamA pushpam viSeshata: |

jnAnam pushpam tapa: pushpam

dhyAnam pushpam tathaiva cha

satyam ashtavidham pushpam

vishno: prItikaram bhavet ||

 

This sloka refers metaphorically to eight flowers which

delight Vishnu:

 

1. ahimsa - non-violence (love) first and foremost (prathamam)

2. indriya-nigraha: - control of the senses

3. sarva-bhUta-dayA - showing compassion to all living beings

4. kshamA - tolerance/patience

5. jnAnam - knowledge

6. tapas - austerity

7. dhyAnam - contemplative meditation

8. satyam - truth

 

raamaanuja daasan,

Mani

[Guest guest]

Dear ones across the net,

I was reading Jnaneshwari, book on Bhagavad Gita by Saint

Jnanadev. In one of its sections appears the following

statement,

"Let there be placed on the feet of the worthy preceptor,

fully bloomed lotus having eight petals constituted of the

eight righteous feelings, laden with fragrance in the form

of righteous joy."

 

What are these eight righteous feelings the Author is referring

to? May I request an explanation from my fellow netizens.

regards

swathy prabhu