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## Dharma's Essence, Deciding Between Human and Non-Human Words
**Chapter Two, Light of Yoga, Verses 10-12**
Due to the aforementioned major flaws, they are declared as **abrahmachari** (one who delights in external pudgalas, **pudgalanandi**). Finally, an extraordinary reason for **agurutva** (lack of authority) is given: **"mithyopadesha"**. The teachings of an **aguru** (unworthy teacher) are not imbued with pure dharma; they are filled with words that promote violence, desire, falsehood, consumption of alcohol or intoxicants, etc. Such teachings lack the guidance of **aptpurushas** (worthy individuals), and therefore cannot be called **dharmopadeśa** (teachings of dharma). || 9 ||
Here arises the question: if their authority is established by giving **dharmopadeśa**, then what is the need to search for qualities like **niṣparigrahatva** (non-attachment) in them? In response to this, it is said:
**Verse 10:**
**"Parigrahaaram bhamagnastaryeyuḥ katham parān? | Svayam daridro na parameshwarikartumiśhwaraḥ ||"**
**Meaning:** How can one who is drowned in attachment and its beginnings save others? One who is poor himself, how can he make another wealthy? || 10 ||
**Explanation:** One who is immersed in the beginnings of attachment, like attachment to wife, children, wealth, grain, land, property, etc., leading to violence and other actions, who desires to possess all things and is an omnivore, is himself drowned in the ocean of samsara. How can he then be capable of rescuing others from the ocean of existence? This is explained through a simple analogy: "How can a poor man make another rich?" || 10 ||
Now, the characteristics of dharma are explained:
**Verse 11:**
**"Durgatiprapatpraanidharanaad dharmo uchyate | Samyamaadirdasavidhaḥ, sarvajnoktō vimuktaye ||"**
**Meaning:** Dharma is called so because it sustains and protects beings who are falling into **durgati** (hellish realms). It is of ten types, beginning with **samyama** (self-control), and is spoken by **sarvajnas** (omniscient beings) for the sake of liberation. || 11 ||
**Explanation:** **Naraka** (hell) and **tiryanch** (animal realms) are both **durgati**. Dharma is that which sustains and protects beings who are falling into **durgati**, i.e., it saves them from these realms. This is the meaning of the word **dharma** (etymologically), and this is its characteristic. Or, in another way, **dharma** is that which sustains and establishes beings in **sadgati** (good realms), **devagati** (heavenly realms), **manushya** (human realms), or **moksha** (liberation). The ancient teachers have also said: "This sustains beings who are falling into **durgati** and establishes them in auspicious realms, hence it is called **dharma**." This tenfold dharma, beginning with **samyama**, being spoken by **sarvajnas**, fulfills the purpose of liberation. We will discuss this further. Since other gods are not **sarvajnas**, their words cannot be considered authoritative.
Here, the opponent may raise this doubt: there are no words spoken by **sarvajnas**; because the **Vedas** are eternal and **apौरुषेय** (not created by humans), therefore their words are not spoken by any human. So, the truth should be decided based on the **Vedas** alone, or the essence of dharma should be known from them. What is the need for **sarvajnokt** (words of omniscient beings) or **tattvanirnaya** (determination of truth)? It is also said: "Through **nodana** (inspiration of the Vedas), every individual will be able to know the past, future, and present, the gross and subtle, the distant and near. The senses alone cannot know anything." (Shabara Bhashya 1.1-2) Since the **Vedas** are **apौरुषेय**, there is no possibility of any human-related flaw entering their inspiration (**nodana**). Therefore, they should be considered authoritative. In **Nyaya Shastra** (Logic) it is also said: "Words are subject to the speaker; the speaker is prone to flaws." When even a virtuous speaker can lack flawlessness at times, then there is certainly a possibility of flaws entering the words of a speaker who is devoid of virtues. Or, the doubt about whether a statement is flawed or not can only arise in the case of human words. Where the speaker is not a human, in the absence of a speaker, flaws cannot exist without a basis. (Mimamsa Sloka Varttika 1.1-2-62/63) Therefore, since the words of the **apौरुषेय** **Vedas** lack a creator, there is no possibility of any flaw whatsoever. || 11 ||
Addressing this doubt, it is said:
**Verse 12:**
**"Apौरुषेयं vachanam sambhavi bhaved yadi | Na pramanam bhaved vaachaam hyaptaadheenā pramanata ||"**
**Meaning:** If non-human words were possible, then they would not be authoritative. For the authority of words lies in the **aptas** (worthy individuals). || 12 ||