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VIVEKACŪDAMAŅI
śrutisukhaih: which give delight to the ear. Being pure, being cool, being of the nature of sattva-guna, issuing out of the jar of the mouth, being ambrosial are all spoken of as features of the guru's words. When the words themselves delight the ear when they are heard, how much more delightful will they be when their meaning is understood!
42
The nature of the fear that has overtaken the pupil referred to earlier is explained in the next śloka for the speedy bestowal of the guru's grace on him.
कथं तरेयं भवसिन्धुमेतं का वा गतिर्मे कतमोऽस्त्युपायः। जाने न किंचित्कृपयाऽव मां प्रभो संसारदुःखक्षतिमातनुष्व ॥४२॥ katham tareyam bhavasindhumetam
kā vā gatirme katamo'styupāyaḥ 1 jāne na kiñcit krpayā'va mām prabho
samsāraduḥkhakṣatimātanușva 11
How shall I cross this ocean of samsāra? What is to be my fate? What are the means? I know nothing. O! great One! Save me by your grace. Vouchsafe to me the liquidation of the sorrow of samsāra.
How shall I cross this ocean of samsāra beset with diverse insurmountable afflictions? If it is to be like this for ever, what is to be my fate? What is it then that is to be attained by me? The idea is : If I am not saved from this, I shall be subject to endless misery. Therefore, for crossing this ocean of samsāra, what are the means to be adopted?' I do not know anything myself. I am terribly afraid. Pray, save me. Completely uproot the grief of samsāra that afflicts me. Thus saying 'samsāraduḥkhaksatimātanusva,' the śişya clearly prays for protection.
43, 44 Now is explained in the next two ślokas what the guru should do when he is approached thus.
तथा वदन्तं शरणागतं स्वं संसारदावानलतापतप्तम् । निरीक्ष्य कारुण्यरसादृष्टया दद्यादभीति सहसा महात्मा ॥४३॥ विद्वान् स तस्मा उपसत्तिमीयुषे मुमुक्षवे साधु यथोक्तकारिणे । प्रशान्तचित्ताय शमान्विताय तत्त्वोपदेशं कृपयैव कुर्यात् ॥४४ ॥
