Article from "The Hindu" Need for faith in scriptural texts

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Date:11/11/2002 URL:

http://www.thehindu.com/2002/11/11/stories/2002111102370900.htm

 

 

Miscellaneous - Religion

 

Need for faith in scriptural texts

 

CHENNAI NOV. 11 . Manu, the law-giver, has said that no matter how

old one is, he should not cease to learn. A person may get the

doubt, "I am aged. There is no occasion for me to utilise in this

life what I had learnt. Should I then strive merely to end up

straining myself? Is it not much better for me to take rest happily

instead." To this Manu has replied: Knowledge should be acquired by

the wise, with dedication, though they may be old. Though such study

may not yield any fruit now, it will be easier to acquire it in

another birth." In a future life, being born as a human being, there

will be opportunity to gain knowledge. If mental impressions of the

past learning are there the mind will instantaneously grasp what is

now taught. Based on this theory, scriptural texts say that efforts

made in previous births to acquire knowledge play a vital role in

determining the ease with which we assimilate it now.

 

This we can infer from seeing the intellectual attainment of a sage.

Such a saintly luminary will first tell us about the need to have

faith in our scriptural injunctions and in the words of advice

tendered by them. The Sastras have declared that we should not lead a

life devoid of purificatory rites (Samskaras) which when performed

according to rules and with faith, will surely fetch good results.

The prescribed procedures ought to be followed. "What if they are not

strictly adhered to so long as I do them somehow", one may ask. Take

for example the case of an applicant for a job, who is required to

give details only in a particular form; he should abide by them,

otherwise his name will not be considered. Likewise if specifications

for a rite, laid down in the Vedas are transgressed no merit will

accrue. If we carry out all the Vedic instructions with a spiritual

attitude, our actions are bound to purify us and fetch fruits and

widen our outlook

 

On the occasion of the Jayanthi of Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Swami,

previous head of the Sringeri Math, some of his sayings were outlined

by the present pontiff, Sri Bharathi Theertha Swami, in his lecture.

Lack of peace constantly torments us like a flame, but the very sight

of such saints will totally eradicate discomposure and generate great

mental tranquillity and if an opportunity arises to converse with

Godly souls it will result in immense benefit. The former used to

urge disciples to know about our religious traditions and conduct our

lives accordingly.

 

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