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Rays of Dharma
people are well-cultured, their children also are likely to be cultured.
When Shankarächärya embarked upon the journey of literary conquest, he had to contest with the scholar Kumäril Bhatt. On reaching the latter's village, Shankarächärya asked the girls at the well about the address of the scholar. The girls replied that the place where he could see even the parrots talking philosophically, is the home of Kumäril. What should be the calibre of the person, who could induce even the birds to talk of philosophy? The right environment can thus have its impact not only on children, but also on the birds and beasts.
One woman had tamed a calf that would eat only after the woman ate. The woman once observed fast for three days. Thereupon the calf also gave up eating. At the end of three days both of them terminated the fast together. Another example relates to the dog seen on the record of His Master's Voice. It is said that when the owner played music, the dog used to sit there and listen to it. At the time of meal also it used to sit by his side and eat what the master gave. When the owner died, the dog was deprived of the music. It gave up eating, drinking, etc. and stayed sad. The efforts made to feed it were of no avail.
Someone remembered that the voice of the owner was recorded and it was decided to play it to the dog. As soon as the dog heard its master's voice, it became enlivened and started moving its tail in pleasure. It ate after hearing that voice. That was the impact of music on a dog. The picture on the gramophone record therefore shows how interestingly the dog listens to His Master's Voice.
One should therefore invariably resort to virtuous talks; that would put a stop to other talks. The minds of the persons indulging in stray talks get blighted. As the light of a lamp is blighted when the chimney gets smoky, so does the light of discernment remain withdrawn from those, who indulge in stray talks. How is it possible to perceive the truth in the absence of discernment? Discernment is essential for distinguishing the truth from falsehood. One imbibed with it would not do anything that is harmful in this life or in the life beyond. Religion thus mainly consists of discernment. Its absence 108
