Practical Tips for a Cultured Being

The first chapter of Taittiriya Upanishad is about the knowledge pertaining to the manifested universe. The concluding section of this chapter provides some practical tips for the application of knowledge for productive involvement in this world. Knowledge bears fruit when it is applied. Education becomes meaningful only when the educated is able to apply the principles learned to practical life.

Vedam anuchya acharyo antevasin anushasti

The study of Vedas is the comprehensive study of the principles that govern the transactions in this world in all planes of existence. After acquiring this knowledge the student is looking forward to get involved in this world as a grihasta. So the teacher instructs the student on the application of the worldly knowledge to the business of practical living.

Satyam vada

Ensure that whatever you say is truth. Truth contains the light of knowledge. Telling untruths shuts off this light and compromises the direct connection with the intellect.

Dharmam chara

Dharma is the thread that attaches one to the divine essence of the universe. When one discards this connection life will become meaningless. Then one’s thoughts, words and actions will alienate him from the world around. The path of dharma is different for different persons depending on one’s nature, background and position. One should maintain the relationship with divinity by meticulously pursuing the path of dharma appropriate for him.

Svadhyayan ma pramadah

The complacence that one has learnt everything arrests the process of evolution. If the goal is to know the essence of the universe by becoming one with it learning has to be a process that goes on and on till one totally dissolves oneself in the ocean of knowledge. One should go after inputs in such a way so that they keep enhancing one’s level of awareness.

Acharyan priyam dhanam ahrutya

What is the type of wealth that is dear for the teacher? The greatest aspiration of a true teacher is that his students gain recognition and relevance in this world. Fulfilling this aspiration is the biggest reward which a student can give to his teacher. So one should strive to enhance one’s recognition and relevance in such a manner that it enriches the world around.

Prajatantum ma vyachelsi

There is a network of causal relationships that maintains the rationality of this world that makes it suitable for healthy co-habitation. This network of causal relationships makes creative processes possible. Never meddle with this rationality for the satisfaction of shallow sensual pleasures.

Satyat na pramaditavyam

Compromising on truth for temporary advantages obstructs true perceptions and lands one in endless confusions. When truth is compromised thoughts, words and actions will not contain any meaning. The temporary advantage gained by compromising truth is at the cost of one’s own virility. One should not deviate from the vow to abide by truth at any time.

Dharmat na pramaditavyam

Dharma is the ray that emanate from the fourth state at any plane. One has to go upwards to higher planes holding on to this ray. This is the narrow path that maintains one’s relationship with divinity. Deviating from the path of dharma will destroy one’s connection with inner divinity. Even if the dharma assigned to one appears to be not attractive one should not deviate from it. One should recognize the dharma assigned to him by nature and should never deviate from it, even in the presence of enticing temptations to do otherwise.

Kushalan na pramaditavyam

Freedom from the concerns of this world is necessary to go upwards to the higher worlds. This freedom is to be sought by achieving true prosperity in this world. One should recognize the course that brings true prosperity and should never deviate from that course.

Bhootyai na pramaditavyam

Acceptance of one’s own position is necessary for making evolutionary strides. This acceptance implies respecting the process of sustaining one’s own being. This being is a composite of one’s identity, the field of interactions and relevance. One should not default in doing whatever is necessary to maintain one’s position in this world.

Svadhyayapravachanabhyam na pramaditavyam

The process of acquisition of knowledge and sharing the knowledge acquired with others is the best form of austerity that one can practice in this world. Every transaction here is to be seen as an opportunity to gain and share experience. Then the transactions enhance the openness of a person. This is very unlike the closed feeling that develops when one try to take advantage of others. One should not default from the attitude of ‘study and teach’ at any time.

Devapitrukaryabhyam na pramaditavyam

Devas are the ideals that make legitimate passions possible. Pitrus are the resources of memories that position one for the effective pursuit of ideals. These ideals and resources are in the plane of mind and they have to be nurtured and refreshed meticulously. Do not default in this function because without ideals and the means to pursue the ideals one may find life meaningless.

Matru devo bhava

Let divinity be thy mother. Mother sets the field for the play of the child. As the child grows up the biological mother withdraws and the divine mother takes her place. Let the field that you set for yourself be inspired by idealism.

Pitru devo bhava

Let divinity be thy father. Father represents the accumulated resources that make one potent. Let the resources you acquire be pure and untainted, conforming to your innate ideals, so that they do not hold you back in the evolutionary path.

Acharya devo bhava

Let the ideal of inner divinity be thy guide. Acharya guides one through the rituals of life. These rituals are the meaningful movements one makes during the course of life. The acharya while providing guidance should not misguide the follower by his prejudices and vested interests. This is possible only when the ideal of inner divinity itself is the guide.

Atithi devo bhava

Let divinity be the guest that visits your home to connect it to the universe around. The home for a worldly being is constituted of the field for action, resources that makes the actions possible and the guiding forces that enables one to make meaningful movements. The existence of this home becomes meaningful when it is properly connected to the universe around. The visitations from the universe that make demands on the home, when they are appropriate, make its existence meaningful. Let these visitations be inspired by the ideal of the inner divinity of the universe.

Yanyanavadyani kamani thani sevitavyaani noitarani

Engage yourself in consummating the desires that divinity has ordained for you. Do not waste your time in any actions other than these.

Yanyasmakam sucharitani tani tani tvayopasanani noitarani

Be inspired only by those who are having better credentials than you. An ideal is an energizer when it is true and relevant. Simply the proclamation by somebody that something is a worthy ideal should not drag you along. If that ideal is not a true ideal or if it is not relevant to your context it may lead to a dissipation of energy rather than productive use of it. If the ideal is true and relevant it would have been radiating its manifestations through its preacher. So watch out for the credentials of the persons trying to preach to you before deciding on being their follower.

Yeke chasma chreyam so brahmana:
Tesham tvaya asanena prashvasitavyam

Brahmins are those who recognize their ideals by establishing their connection with Brahman, the essence of the universe, and have attained recognition and relevance by living in accordance with those ideals. They should be honored by giving them the position they deserve.

Shraddhaya deyam ashraddhaya adeyam

When you give something it is a contribution made by you to the universe. It is an offering to the essence of the universe. So be very careful that the process of your giving is not a whim on your part but is something that enriches the universe in a real sense. Never be careless about what you give.

Hriya deyam

Never imagine that the process of giving makes you great. You are giving to the universe of which you are only a small part. So give with humility.

Bhiya deyam

Be properly afraid of improprieties while giving. Unless all the proprieties are observed well the process of giving can not yield productive results.

Samvida deyam

Give with proper attitude. Your mind should be fully in the process of giving.

atha yadite karmavichikilsa va vruthachikilsa va syat
ye tatra brahmana: summarshina: yukta: ayukta: alushadharmakama: syu:
yathete tatra varteran

It is quite possible that even with all these explicit instructions you still get doubts about what to do and how to do things at times. In those times observe the qualified unbiased persons who are capable of thinking and acting with integrity in accordance with the themes of harmony and dharma. Take cues from them to get over their confusions.

Esha adesha: esha upadesha: esha vedopanishad
Eshadanushasanam evamupasitavyam evachaitadupasyam

This is the command as well as advice from me. This is what the Vedas and Upanishads preach. This is also what the nature ordains. You should bear these things in mind always.

The seeker is initiated into this world with these essential tips on productive transactions in the manifested universe. He has to make further progress in the spiritual path by living productively in this universe. He acknowledges the core of instructions about the nature of manifested universe and the practical tips on his own involvement in the manifested universe. He launches himself in this world chanting the shantimantra.

Sham no mitra: sham no varuna: sham no bhavat aryama
Sham na indro bruhaspati: sham no vishnururukrama:
Namo brahmane namaste vayo
Tvameva pratyaksham brahma vadishyami
Rutam vadishyami
Satyam vadishyami
Tanmamavatu tadvaktaramavatu
Avatu mama vatu vaktaram
Om shanti: shanti: shanti:
(The purport of this shantimantra had already been described in the first article in this series)