Book Title: World of Philosophy
Author(s): Christopher Key Chapple, Intaj Malek, Dilip Charan, Sunanda Shastri, Prashant Dave
Publisher: Shanti Prakashan
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of betraying the god; similarly, one should not betray these all. Mother and father are the sacred you into a worthy human being, thus teacher's value is equivalent to god. A guest one receives and a guest one becomes at the times and needs shelter, food and love from the host and not the hostility. Therefore, the guest is equally respected in the tradition. It instructs not to break the lineage. Here, concern is shown about the continuty of the society. It again stresses about 'never deterring from the truth'. The repeated use of the word "truth' conveys the mandate of an expectant society. “Never deter from your dyty', this duty, though expressed one in one small statement reaches to every part of society connected with the individual. One should not deter from the welfare'. Whose welfare is this? Again, one individual is connected to his family, society, nation and finally with the whole mankind and further with the whole creation. One wrong doing affects one's own self, family,society,nation and the creation. Therefore, it becomes necessary that, one knows one's Dharma(duty) towards every other being and thing for the good. This is holistic approach and not individualistic (Taittirīya Upanişad -I. 1.2.).
Smrtis being the legal texts, ordain the code of conduct in very clear terms. Smrtis tell about the behaviour of every member in the society, they also tell about how the balance of environment should be preserved. Smrtis do not stop at instructing, but there is definite punishment for the wrong committed. The ways Smrtis have adopted to implement their message, is amazing. Smritis are divided into three parts. The first part deals with the instructions about behaviour. The second pert ordains punishments for the obvious crimes. There are many breaches of conduct where law cannot catch you, like, breaking the branch of a tree, killing small animals or insects, insulting elders and gurus in the angry mood etc. The list could be endless. The smrtis erect a barrier within an individual. On the exterior it ordains riztuals of atonements and within it imbibes the fear of sin. The reward of good conduct is merit, which brings happiness in this life, helps one to attain good life hereafter and liberation. Sin incurred brings you birth in lower plane like insects and animals and may one be punished rigorously in the hell.
The simple sayings like, 'one's behaviour speak about his family, style of language tells about one's region, haste in receiving the guests shows affection and respect', show how one should behave in the society (Ācārah kulamākhyāti, deśamākhyāti bhāsanam. Sambhramah snehamākhyāti,vapurākhyāti bhojanam.- Sanskrit for Beginners, p.129). Another statement tells that,'a person is tested by his selflessness, character, virtues and actions (Yathā caturbhih kananam pariksyate nigharsanacchedanatāpatāh.Tathā caturbhih purusah parīksyate tyāgena śīlena gunena karmanā-Ibi.p.129).Such statements tell about the kind of behaviour expected in the society.
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