Mundakopanishad : [Criticism of rituals -- devoid of knowledge ( Upasana ) ]. Mantram-7.

Mundaka-Upanishad


Chapter-1.


Section-2. ( Rituals )



Mantram-7. [Criticism  of  rituals --  devoid  of  knowledge  ( Upasana ) ].



Plava  hyete  adrdha  yajna-rupa


astadasoktam - avaram  yesu  karma


atac - chreyo  ye  bhinandanti  mudha


jara - mrtyum  te  punare - vapi  yanti.



plavah  =  boats;

hi  =  verily;

ete  =  these;

adrdha  =  undependable,  frail;

yajna-rupa  =  form  ( or boat )  of  yajnam;

astadasa  uktam  =  is  sais  to  be  manned  by  eighteen  ( supporters )  in  number;

avaram  =  the  inferior,  lower;

yah  =  he;

esu  =  on  whom;

karma  =  ceremonial;

etat  =  this;

sreyah  =  ( as )  the  highest;

ye  =  these;

abhinandanti  =  acclaim;

mudhah  =  the  ignorant  persons;

jara  =  old  age;

mrtyum  =  death;

te  =  they;

punah  =  again  and  again;

eva  =  alone;

api  =  even;

yanti  =  go ( are  subject  to ).



"Undependable  ( frail )  is  that  boat  of  Yajnam,  is  said  to  be  manned  by  eighteen  supporters  on  whom  depend  the  lower  ceremonials.  Those  ignorant  persons  who  accaim  this  as  the  highest,  are  subject,  again  and  again,  to  old  age  and  death."


Next : Discussion-1. " We  Hindus,  the  Bharatheeya  confuse  and  ignorant  about  rituals ...."


To be continued  ....