________________
DR. SUNANDA Y. SHASTRI
SAMBODHI
Thus, the first and basic principle of Dharma, as seen by Srimad is compassion. Śrimad later tells about other principles as chastity, renunciation etc. as well. Srimad has priased and explained the importance of celibacy in 'ब्रह्मचर्य विषे दोहरा' 22 as
निरखीने नवयौवना, लेश न विषय निदान ।
गणे काष्ठनी पूतळी, ते भगवान समान ।।23 i.e. "who disregards a beautiful woman after seeing her as wooden statue, is, indeed, equal to the Lord.” Then he says -
आ सघळां संसारनी रमणी नायकरूप ।
ए त्यागी, त्याग्युं बधुं, केवल शोकस्वरूप ॥24. i.e. “the main thing to conquer in this world is temptation of woman, once it is conquered then everything else is conquered.” - Then finally he says -
पात्रविना वस्तु न रहे, पात्रे आत्मिकज्ञान,
पात्र थवा सेवो सदा, ब्रह्मचर्य मतिमान. i.e. "to attain the Supreme Knowledge, one should be competent, and this competancy can be achieved through celibacy."25 $rimad explains faults of 'craving' or तृष्णा in his famous poem 'तृष्णानी विचित्रता.'26 Here, the principle of renunciation or an is propounded by criticizing the craving.
हती दीनताइ त्यारे ताकी पटेलाइ; अने मळी पहेलाइ त्यारे ताकी छे शेठाइने, सांपडी शेठाइ त्यारे ताकी मंत्रीताइने,
अने आवी मंत्रीताइ त्यारे ताकी नृपताईने ... thus, human being is not happy with what he has but always looks forward and upward to gain more. Then, Srimad further says
अहो राजचंद्र मानो मानो शंकराइ मळी, वधे तृष्णाइ तोय जाय न मराइने.
