TAITTIRIYA UPANISHAD – 37. Rishi Yajnavalkya.
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Tuesday, 19 Sep 2023. 10:30.
“PANKTI” UPASANAS
Part-1.
Chapter-1.11.
SHISHYA-ANUSHAASANAM
The Convocation Addres
Post-37.
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Mantram - 1.11.2: On Relationships with Others
"Maatru devah bhava; = May the Mother be to thee a god;
pitru devah bhava; = May the Father be to thee a god;
aachaaryah devah bhava; = May the Preceptor be to thee a god;
atithih devah bhava = May the Guest be to thee a god."
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The first instructions that will help the students to re-adjust to family and social life
are given in the above mantram.
The parents, last seen at a very tender age when playfulness was in their blood, are
now going to be seen as ‘gods’ in their eyes. This should not be difficult for them; twelve
years have been spent learning how close God really is to us in daily life. Indeed, they have
the knowledge that God pervades everything in creation. So these lines are not too difficult
for them to grasp.
The fabric of Vedic society thrived on the feeling of love and respect felt by people
for their seniors, especially their parents. In Indian society, to this day, seniority is respected
for its own sake, no other reason being needed. In addition, knowledge and wisdom are
honoured wherever they may be found. Knowledge is held in the highest esteem by Indian
society. This explains the respect accorded to men of knowledge, such as one’s teachers. It
is hard in today’s world of commercialized education to understand the depth of feeling in a
student for his Acharyaji. It exceeds even the love one may have for his father.
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To be continued
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