SIKSHAVALLI NINTH ANUVAKA

                                                               

Mantra: Ritancha swadhyaya pravachanecha Sathyancha swadhyaya pravachnecha……….

It is only through the help of upasana all our karmas lead us to independence or Swarajya. This anuvaka establishes this truth.

Meaning:  Vihitha karmas ( rita) that are ordained by the shasthras like “Darsapurnamasa” activities reading of the Vedas and teaching students should be practiced regularly. In the same way

1 speak the Truth. 2 perform tapas like “ kruchcha” and “Chandrayana” 3 Practise “ Dama”  or control over the external organs 4 Practise “ sama” or control over the internal organs. 5 Practise “srouthagnyadhana.” 6 Cultivate “ agnihothra.” 7 worship the guest. 8 Revere relatives and friends during marriage and other auspicious functions by offering gifts 9 attempt  performing  “puthrakameshti yaga.” for the birth of a son. 10 Satisfy your wife during her fertile period. 11 perform the marriage of the son.

Comment: All the above activities should necessarily be done. Besides these, one should read avidly and teach the students with gusto. The phrase “ swadhyayapravachanecha” is repeated several times to emphasize this point. It is only through one’s own intensive reading that he can understand the subject properly, remember it, and follow the path of Dharma. Comprehending what is read will lead to renown or fame. That is why Sri Adi Sankara in his Bhashya recommends to the students intense interest  in  swadhyayana and pravachana.

 A  teacher, Satyavacha of Ratitara gothra  stresses that Truth alone should be spoken. ( called so as his nature is to speak the Truth)  Taponithya, son of Purusishti, a teacher, stressed on the performance of penance like Kruchcha and chandrayana ( called so as he performed tapas always) A teacher, son of Mudgala, Naku by name stressed on the performance of swadhyayana and pravachana. These two are the real penance or tapas.

“ Thadditapaha” is repeated for the sake of emphasis.

“ Satyavavachaha”—satyam vachatiti satyavachaha—one who speaks only the truth.

“ Thaponithyaha”---tapasi nityam varthte iti  taponithyaha—one always immersed in tapas

“ Pourushishtihi”---puru bahuvelam mathru pithra charyaihi sishtaha purusishtaha tasyapatyam pourusishtihi---one many times trained in good character and conduct by parents and the teacher is purusishtaha. His son is pourushishti.

“ Moudgalyaha”—mudam shastatra nirnaya roopangalati sravateeti mudgalaha mudgalasyapatyam Modgalyaha—one who enjoys the bliss out of the meaning of sasthras is Mudgalya. His son is Moudgalya.

 Though all these are names, they describe the qualities that the sages possess. That is why the names are analyzed and explained. These explanations are taken from ‘Shankarananda Deepika’