Shankaracharya's Question And Answers Here
Posted 31st May 2008 at 10:37 AM by sunkan
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).
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).
Total Comments 4
Comments
 |  Dear Sunkan, That was really very wonderful to read. I must say that Prasnottara ratna malika is truly a gem. Love, Devika |
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| |  sunkan, thanks for bringing these one-liners to our notice... It enriches our mind....and soul.... sriniketan |
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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 |
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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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