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Foreword
The supreme place of Dharma in life
No businessman exhausts his capital in running his business. Similarly, in the olden days, however testing the times were, the farmer would never consume the seeds. So is dharma for all of us (verse 21). Talking about the unparallel greatness of dharma, he cites two noble examples of legendary kalpavrkṣa and cintāmaņi or the gem of wish. These two bring comforts only after seeking their help but dharma springs forth all greatness to the devotee on its own!(verse 22). Live animals are exported for slaughtering! Cruelty and adharma at its nadir!(verse 29). How can an aspirant progress in the spiritual path? Verse 68 gives out the secret - releasing oneself from sins, always guided by the reading of sacred texts, compassion, deep meditation to isolate the Self, and equipping oneself with requisite conduct of penance as per the Scripture!
विरतिरतुला शास्त्रे चिन्ता तथा करुणा परा मतिरपि सदैकान्तध्वान्तप्रपञ्चविभेदिनी । अनशनतपश्चर्या चान्ते यथोक्तविधानतो भवति महतां नाल्पस्येदं फलं तपसो विधेः ॥६८॥
When one breaks free from the shackles of the karmic Law, then one becomes liberated! The logic is provided in verse 163:
जीविताशा धनाशा च येषां तेषां विधिर्विधिः । किं करोति विधिस्तेषां येषामाशा निराशता ॥१६३॥
Don't get into the webs of the Fate, viz., longing for wealth and longevity of mundane life. Then what will that Fate do? This talisman is worth practicing in our life, be it in service or business. One would see the rays of the Radiance. We are blinded by the veil of Moha but guided by the sun of pure knowledge (verse 175). The seed of Moha breeds the tree bearing the poison-fruits of desire and hate. Uproot and burn this tree and all its seeds by the flame of knowledge (verse 182):
मोहबीजाद्रतिद्वेषौ बीजान्मूलाङ्कुराविव । तस्माज्ज्ञानाग्निना दाह्यं तदेतौ निर्दिधिक्षुणा ॥१८२॥
(XV)
