Day-192 - Sādhana Pañcakam :Verse 4 - Introduction

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Verse 4 (Sanskrit) क्षुद्व्याधिश्च चिकित्स्यतां प्रतिदिनं भिक्षौषधं भुज्यताम्। स्वाद्वन्नं न तु याच्यतां विधिवशात्प्राप्तेन सन्तुष्यताम्॥ शीतोष्णादि विषह्यतां न तु वृथा वाक्यं समुच्चार्यताम्। औदासीन्यमभीप्स्यतां जनकृपा नैष्ठुर्यमुत्सृज्यताम्॥ Essence of Verse 4 Śaṅkarācārya now teaches the seeker how to live. A spiritual aspirant should live with simplicity, contentment and inner strength. * Eat to nourish the body, not to satisfy cravings. * Be content with what comes through honest means. * Cheerfully endure the pairs of opposites—heat and cold, pleasure and pain. * Speak only what is necessary and beneficial. * Develop inner independence. * Neither seek the approval of others nor become harsh towards anyone. This verse shifts our attention from purifying the mind to mastering our daily lifestyle. A disciplined way of living protects the knowledge gained through study and meditation. Hari aum!