________________
508
PHILOSOPHY OF SOUL
standard would not grasp courses of studies meant for a matriculation boy. Gradual study only would secure proper progress in the study of holy scriptures.
Time is also an important factor for accomplishing any object. We mean, a particular mission is accomplished only when efforts are made at the proper time. This rule is equally applicable even for ‘self-study' which should be carried out only at scheduled times. This is first rule for self-study.
Morning, noon-time, evening and it hours before and after
idnight are the prohibited periods for spiritual studies. The scriptures lay down : "One who studies at dawn, twilight, noon and midnight violates the rules for self-studies".
Popular texts also state :
"Eating, copulation, sleep and self-study must be avoided at dawn and twilight”. Eating in this period brings about diseases, copulation produces defective child, sleep destroys wealth and spiritual study brings about death.
May be any amount of truth in this quotation, still it is true that one can get ample time for self-studies when morning and evening times are to be avoided for self-studies.
Maintenance of respect for the attribute which bestows knowledge, for the learned person, for one who received knowledge, for knowledge and for means of knowledge constitute the second rule of conduct to be observed for spread of right knowledge.
In ten manners teacher bestowing knowledge is to be respected.
1. One should honour the 'Guru' (teacher). 2. One should stand up on arrival of 'Guru'. 3. One should respect 'Guru'.
One should offer seats to 'Guru'.
One should spread seat for 'Guru'. 6. One should bow down to 'Guru'. 7. One should stand with hands folded before the 'Guru' and
ask for his commands. 8. One should not transgress 'Guru's' desire.
One should press 'Guru's' legs. o. One should follow the footsteps of 'Guru'.