Chapter 3 - 2 – Bhashyam – Acharya
Mahathmya/The magnanimity of the preceptor
Sage Sanathkumara speaks “Oh! Bharatha, I
have described the fortunate Jeeva achieves the Acharyayoni/considered as the
son of the preceptor, when he completely surrender at the lotus feet of the
preceptor, leaving material matters and bondage, and with the practice of
observance of austerities, vow, celibacy, and a promise to serve the preceptor
relentlessly, and the Acharya becomes the real Janayitha/parent of the
disciple. Even though, the Jeeva has
achieved the body from his parents, later considered as the son of the
preceptor, the moment he was permitted as the disciple to serve the preceptor, in
this way his life becomes fruitful and achieves Amrithaththva/immortality. The body is created by the parents, but they do not create the ‘Athman’ in it, therefore
birth is mere ‘Mithya’/illusion, as I have narrated the Body/Dheha and
Dhehi/Athman are two different concepts,
Athman/Paramathma Parambhramam has no birth or death, it is pure,
unblemished, free from afflictions. The
moment Jeeva take shelter at the lotus feet of the preceptor/Acharya, begins with the practice of constant meditation, austerities, the vow of silence, celibacy,
learning of scriptures, Veda, Upanishad, etc. achieve the knowledge of
all-pervasive supreme Bhramam/Paramathma, which is Anandha, Adhvatheeya, Sath,
Chith, envisions the all-pervasive Bhramam/oneness – in - All, in this way, the Jeeva makes his life
fruitful, with the Paramarththabhootha/knowledge of Paramathma, Amritha/immortality
and becomes Vinasharahitha/indestructible. Hence, the Acharya/preceptor is the
true Janayitha/parent of a Jeeva, not that parents who have given the body. The
Prashnopanishadh says “Oh! Preceptor, you are my parent/Janayitha, you have
given birth to me, you have removed the darkness of ignorance in me, you have
protected me from the vicious cycles of rebirth, and you have guided me to
cross the unfathomable ocean of worldly ocean with the knowledge of Paramathma.”
The Apasthambha says “Acharya/preceptor creates the Jeeva/disciple from the
Vidhya, it is the fortunate birth, and the body only is created by the parents.”
The complete surrender at the lotus feet of Acharya/preceptor is the only way
to achieve Parama Purusharththa Siddhi. The Acharya feed his disciple with the
nectar-like knowledge of Paramarththa and re-shape him flawlessly, therefore, the
disciple should not cause any harm/Aparadha/sin to the preceptor. The Acharya, should be revered highly, served
sincerely, and offer salutation on a regular basis, and disciple should perform
Swadhyaya/learning scriptures, Veda, Vedanta sincerely and follow the command
of the preceptor. Acharya is the source of nectar-like Athmavidhya, introduces
the Poornanandha, Paramathma Parambhramam to the disciple, hence Acharya must
be highly honored and should not be troubled at any cause. Shruthi says “Whoever has faith and belief in
deities and Acharya, would shine with the supreme intellect.” Apasthambha says “
Acharya must be revered highly, should not create any harm to him, because he
is the Janayitha of the Jeeva. Acharya
is the one who feeds the ignorant Jeeva with the knowledge of Paramarththa.” The
disciple should be always grateful to Acharya, the Shruthi says Preceptor must
be revered highly and offer humble obeisance by the disciple on a regular
basis. There is no difference between
Acharya and the deity; therefore the Acharya must be worshiped as a deity. The
disciple should strictly follow Swadhyaya with the utmost care and practice Shravanam, Mananam, Nidhidhyasana, etc. at the instruction of the Acharya.”
Acharya Mahathmyam
Bhashyam –
Acharyonimiha Ithyathra Acharasya
Yonithvam Dharshitham| Thath Katham Matha Pithru Vyathirekena Acharasya Yonithyamithyashankya Sa Yeva
Sakshajjanayitha Ithyaha –
Shareeramethau Karutha: Pitha Matha Cha Bharatha | Acharyathasthu Yajjanma Thath
Sathyam Vai Thadhamritham ||
Hey Bharatha, Yethau Pitha Matha Cha
Shareeram Kurutha: | Acharyathasthu Yadh Janma Thath Sathyam | Thadhamritham
Cha Bhavathi ||
Bhashyam –
Shareeram Iha Asya Yethau Mathapitharau
Kurutha: Nathmanam Swaroopena Janayatha: | Yadhidham Dhehadhvayathmana Janma
Thadhasathyam | Acharyatha: Thu Yath Idham Chith Sadhanandha Adhvatheeya Bhramathmana Janma| Thath Sasyam
Paramarththabhootham Thadha Yeva Amritham Vinashavarjitham | Thasmath Sa Yeva
Janayithethyarththa: | Shruyathe Cha
Prashnopanishadhi “Thvam Hi Na: Pitha Yoasmakavidhyaya: Param Param
Tharayasi” Ithi Thadha Chahapasthambha; “Sa Hi Vidhyathastham Janayathi
Thacchreshtam Janma Shreerameva
Mathapitharau Janayatha:” Ithi ||
Bhashyam –
Yasmath Acharyadheena Parama
Purushararththasidhdhi: Thasmath –
Sa
Avrunothyamritham Samprayacchamsthasmai Na Dhruhyeth Krithamasya Janan |
Gurum Shishyo Nithyamabhivadhayeetha | Swadhyayamicchecha Sadhapramaththa: ||
Sa Amritham Samprayacchan Avrunothi |
Asyakritham Janan Thasmai Na Dhruhyeth Gurum Shishyo Nithyam Abhivadhayeetha |
Sadha Apramaththa; Swadhyayam Iccheth Cha ||
Bhashyam –
Sa Avrunothi Apoorayathi Amritham
Poornanandham Bhrama Athmathvena Samprayacchan Thasmai Acharyaya Na Dhruhyeth Dhroham Nachareth | Thadha Cha Shruthi:
“Yasya Dheve Para Bhakthiryadha
Dheve Thadha Gurau Thasyaithe Kadhitha Hyarththa:Prakashanthe Mahathmana”|
Thadha Chapasthambha: “Thasmai Na Dhruhyeth Kadhachana| Sa Hi Vidhyathastham
Janayathi” Ithi | Krithamasya Janan Asyethi Thritheeyarththe Shashti Anena
Athmana: Krithamupakaram Vijanan | Kimtharhi Karthavyamithyaha Gurum Shishyo
Nithyam Abhivadhayeetha Devamivacharyam Upaseetha | Thadha Cha Shruthi: “Yasya
Deve Para Bhakthiryadha Deve Thadha
Gurau” Ithi | Thadha
Swadhvayamicchecha
Shravanadhiparo Bhaveth Sadha
Apramaththa: Apramadhi San ||
