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NandiSootra
An old pitcher is of two types. One that is old but has not been used for storing water. Such pitcher does not lose all its properties. When used, it still keeps the water clean and cool. A listener having similar nature, who although old yet free of prejudices and misconceptions, is a worthy recipient of scriptural knowledge,
An old and used pitcher is also of two types. One that has been used for storing pure and fragrant water. Listeners having similar nature, who have, through learning, absorbed virtues and not vices are the worthy ones.
The second type of used pitcher is that in which wines and other foul smelling liquids have been stored. If the stink of such pitcher is automatically removed after some time, it can be used. However, if it stinks permanently it cannot be used. In the same way a listener, who has acquired vices but can be free of them with perseverance, is a worthy recipient of knowledge. A listener who is so wrapped up in vices that their neither is an effort nor a chance of being free from vices is absolutely inappropriate and unworthy recipient of knowledge.
3. Sieve - No matter how much liquid is poured into a sieve it is never full. The bigger the holes the sooner it becomes empty. As long as it remains submerged in water it appears filled but the moment it is brought out, it is empty. The purpose of a sieve is to allow the useful part to pass through and retain what is useless and is to be thrown. A listener with similar nature forgets whatever he listens. Also, while listening he is attentive of vices and not virtues. He is unworthy.
4. Filter - The property of a filter is to retain the dirt and allow the clean liquid to pass through. A person with such nature while listening retains vices and allows the virtues to pass through. He is an unworthy recipient of scriptural knowledge. In the Bhashya (a style of commentary) Paripurnak is interpreted as the nest of Baya (weaver bird) which when used as a filter retains dirt and allows pure Ghee to pass through.
5. Swan - It is believed to be the best among birds in terms of beauty and disposition. It is used as a metaphor for discriminating between good and bad. In Hindi there is a proverb based on this supposed attitude of swan -
a swan either eats pearls or remains hungry. A listener with a swan-like selective attitude absorbs virtue sand rejects vices while listening. Such a listener is a worthy recipient of scriptural knowledge.
6. Buffalo - By nature a buffalo is adverse to cleanliness. It generally sits in slime. Even if it enters clean water it makes the water slimy. A listener having such attitude avoids places where knowledge is given. If at all he goes there, he spoils the atmosphere, creates disturbance for others, and utters incoherently and acts irrationally. Such a listener is an unworthy recipient of scriptural knowledge.
7. Ram - A ram, as other animals of that species, drinks water by going on its front knees and sipping water from the surface of a water-body. This way it ensures that it gets clean water to drink and at the same time the water body is also not soiled. A listener having such attitude listens to the guru with apt attention and absorbs the essence. Such a listener is a worthy recipient of scriptural knowledge.
8. Mosquito - A mosquito and other such insects sting and suck blood from the body they sit on. A listener having such attitude inflicts pain and discomfort on his guru even while he learns something. Such impolite listeners are unworthy.
9. Leech - A leech also sucks blood from the body on which it sticks. It is used for sucking out contaminated blood from a wound. A listener having such attitude acquires vices instead of knowledge from a guru. He also becomes Aagam- 44 -NandiSootra
22 Compiled by- Deepratnasagar
