Vidyāsukta
By Swami Harshananda
Meaning of Vidyāsukta[edit]
The Vedas are considered a great treasure of knowledge and spiritual wisdom. They should be imparted only by a qualified teacher to a qualified student. This is described in details in the Nirukta[1] and is called Vidyāsukta.
Content of Vidyāsukta[edit]
The following is a brief summary of the same:
The goddess of Vedic learning approached a learned brāhmaṇa and addressed him thus:
‘Protect me, because I am your wealth. Do not give me[2] to anyone who is jealous, who is not guileless and who has no self-control. Then only I will become very powerful. What you teach to your disciple must be pleasant to his ears. The disciple should consider his guru[3] as superior even to his own father and mother; and, should never hate him. One who dishonors his guru can never reap the benefits of knowledge. Teach me to the one who is pure, not careless and is endowed with brahmacarya[4] and is intelligent; and never to one who dislikes you.’
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore