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**Shri Margadhyayanam**
Do not state that there is merit in this. There is no merit in these acts of charity - when such a prohibitive statement is made, it creates an obstacle or hindrance for those who benefit from the charity. Therefore, seekers aspiring for liberation do not say that there is merit, nor do they say that there is sin. When asked by anyone, they take refuge in silence. If someone insists excessively, the sage should only say, "For us, forty-two faults are considered forbidden food." We, the seekers of liberation, have no right to speak on such matters.
It is said that creatures quench their thirst by freely drinking the cool, pure water of lakes, like the rays of the moon. They are happy in their minds. This is true. But when the water of the lake dries up due to the rays of the sun, countless creatures perish. Therefore, the monks remain indifferent and neutral in matters of wells, lakes, etc. Knowing that speaking in both ways creates karmic bondage, the sage avoids karmic bondage by remaining silent in this regard or by speaking without fault, without sin, and thus attains liberation.
**Nirvana is the supreme, like the moon among the stars. Therefore, the sage, always restrained, should strive for Nirvana.**
**Commentary:**
Nirvana, the state of liberation, is the supreme, the most important for those who are seeking liberation, the Buddhas. They are the Buddhas, the ones who are primarily focused on Nirvana. This is illustrated by the example of the moon: just as the moon is the most prominent among the stars, like Ashwini, due to its auspiciousness, its ability to measure, and its illumination, so too, among those who seek liberation, the Buddhas, those who have renounced the desire for heavenly realms and the position of a universal monarch, and who are engaged in the practice of Nirvana, the complete destruction of karma, are the most prominent, not others. Or, just as the moon is the most prominent among the stars, so too, the Buddhas, who have realized the truth, declare that Nirvana is the supreme, the most important in the world. Since Nirvana is the most important, therefore, the sage, always, at all times, with effort, with restraint of the senses, should strive for Nirvana.
**Commentary on the Commentary:**
Nirvana is called liberation, the state of peace. Those who seek liberation, the Buddhas, who are knowledgeable about the truth, are the most prominent, the best, or the most excellent, because they consider Nirvana to be the most important, the most excellent, and because they are advocates of Nirvana. The author of the sutra presents this by way of an example: just as the moon is the most prominent among the stars, like Ashwini, due to its auspiciousness, its ability to measure, and its illumination, so too, among those who seek liberation, the enlightened ones, those who have renounced the desire for heavenly realms and the position of a universal monarch, and who are engaged in the practice of liberation, the complete destruction of karma, are the most excellent, not others. Or, just as the moon is the most prominent among the stars, so too, the Buddhas, who have realized the truth, declare that liberation is the supreme, the most important in the world.