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Preface
Acarya Gunabhadra's Atmānusāsana contains 270 (some editions have 269, leaving out the last one) verses, without any division into chapters or sections. It deals with the nature of the soul and the conduct that must be followed to realize it; the name Atmānusāsana, or 'Precept on the Soul' is, therefore, appropriate. It employs fifteen kinds of poetic metres (chandarhythmic patterns) typical to Sanskrit prosody. The most widely used metre in the book is anusthubh (it has a total of 32 syllable with four parts of 8-syllable each); verse 4 is an example of this metre.
The Essence of Ātmānuśāsana - Precept on the Soul
At the outset, Acārya Guṇabhadra declares the purpose of composing this text: to expound that cherished reality which results in happiness after destroying misery. He cautions the readers that as the sick man does not get upset by the bitter pill, they also should not get frightened by what has been expounded in the text. Kind-hearted men who benefit the world are rare. (verses 2-4)
The Acarya goes on to answer the vexed question in the minds of most householders as to the identity of the worthy preceptor or guru, and of the worthy disciple. Importantly, the worthy disciple should have the intellect to deliberate over the desirable life-course, be fearful of misery and a seeker of real happiness. (verses 5-7)
All accept that demerit (papa) begets suffering and merit (dharma, punya) begets happiness. Therefore, the real source of happiness lies in following the conduct that leads to merit (dharma). (verse 8)
The seeker of real happiness must take refuge in the Omniscient Lord (Āpta), rid of (the eighteen) imperfections and the source of all that is beneficial. (verse 9)
Right faith (samyagdarśana) is a prerequisite for right knowledge and right conduct. Having belief in the true nature of substances is right faith. It is the first of the four adorations (aradhana). It is of two, three or ten kinds, as detailed. (verses 10-14).
Without right faith (samyagdarśana), calmness (sama), knowledge (jñāna), conduct (căritra) and austerity (tapa) do not have much value. (verse 15)
(XXI)
