|
Chapter 17
Here the term 'Prajna' (the wise), stands for liberated souls. Their worship, consists in carrying out their orders, following their principles and treating them, with reverence from the heart.
In fact, Brahmanas and preceptors are venerable, from a worldly - point of view. But a liberated soul, is adorable and venerable, from a spiritual point of view. We should respect them from the core of our heart, rather than externally. Respect which comes from one's heart, is real respect.
Saucam:- Here the term 'Saucam' (purity) stands for external purity i.e., purity of the body, with water and earth. External purity, causes internal purity. Through purity, a man realizes that filth in the form of excrement, urine, perspiration, phlegm and spit etc., continuously comes out of the body, though it is purified again and again. Moreover, this body consists of impure bones, flesh and marrow etc. This body is nothing but a factory to produce filth and urine. Being conscious of the impurity and filthness of the body, a man rises above me body. Having done so, he has no sense of superiority in him, in respect of social order, stage of life, status and position etc. In order to, inculcate these feelings, purity is observed.
These days, some people complain mat those who maintain purity, hate others. It is wrong. Maintenance of purity, does not mean bate for others. It merely means, that this body can never remain pure, though it may be made pure again and again, with water and earth etc.
Learned people regard the body as impure, because it is born of the parent's semen and menstrual discharge, it is nourished by the food eaten, it is full of excrement, urine, spit, saliva and sweat etc., it is mortal, and it is made clean, with water and earth.
|
|