Favorite verses from scripture

[निताइ dasa]

Nitai Gaur Haribol! My dandavat pranam to everyone on this forum. Recently this directory has turned quite argumentative, and so to sorta lead people away from that conflict to mutual understanding and respect I would like to ask you all; what is your favorite verse from scripture? Perhaps a reason why you like it so much. Even if you don't have a scripture verse maybe a quote from your favorite Guru or Acharya? I am interested to know what stood out to you all.

 

[Terese]

Truly this is my favourite I've discovered. Krishna really is God.
Sri Krishna: Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be.

 

[Aupmanyav]

The Nasadiya Suktam. Mahavakyas.

 

[Stormcry]

"You should meditate like this ~ I'm Brahman, I'm all pervading Supreme Brahman. In this way, you should fix your self in the everlasting and endless Atman"> Bhagavatam 12.5.11

I like this verse. Because it explicitly mentions the nature of Jeeva as supreme Brahman.

 

[निताइ dasa]

I actually have two favourite verses, both from Srimad Bhagavatam. First one is"

"vadanti tat tattva-vidas
tattvam yaj jnanam advayam
brahmeti paramatmeti
bhagavan iti sabdyate" (SB 1.2.11)

"Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth call this nondual substance Brahman, Paramatma or Bhagavan."

This forms the basis of our acintya bhedabheda philosphy, clarifiying the distinction and also oneness between the three forms of the absolute truth, as Brahman, Paramatma or Bhagavan.

My other favourite verse is much more devotional, as it comes from the Gopi Gita of the Bhagavatam, spoken by the Gopis (highest devotees of the Lord) in a mood of intense separation from Sri Krsna. I mean all verses from Gopi Geeta are amazing, but this one is very dear to my heart:

"tava kathāmṛtaḿ tapta-jīvanaḿ
kavibhir īḍitaḿ kalmaṣāpaham
śravaṇa-mańgalaḿ śrīmad ātataḿ
bhuvi gṛṇanti ye bhūri-dā janāḥ" (SB 10.31.11)

"(The Gopis said) The nectar of Your words and the descriptions of Your activities are the life and soul of those suffering in this material world. These narrations, transmitted by learned sages, eradicate one's sinful reactions and bestow good fortune upon whoever hears them. These narrations are broadcast all over the world and are filled with spiritual power. Certainly those who spread the message of Godhead are most munificent and true benefactors of the world"

The poetic meter of the Gopi Gita is wonderful, because for the most part, in each line the first and seventh syllables begin with the same consonant, as do the second syllables of all four lines.

 

[Stormcry]

(SB 1.2.11)

"Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth call this nondual substance Brahman, Paramatma or Bhagavan."

Distinction is NOT Intended here. Here it is just said that the Supreme truth is addressed by many many names. Some call it as paramAtma, some call it as Brahman and some call it as Bhagavan. But essentially these all names are addressing to the same entity/nondual tattva.

 

[निताइ dasa]

Distinction is NOT Intended here. Here it is just said that the Supreme truth is addressed by many many names. Some call it as paramAtma, some call it as Brahman and some call it as Bhagavan. But essentially these all names are addressing to the same entity/nondual tattva.

Pranam prabhu. I agree with you. In terms of ultimate reality they are one. However these three features of Godhead have 3 different functions (as narrated later in the Bhagavatam), so distinction (in manifestation to the sadhaka) must exist. Still they are non-different, worthy of being known as the absolute truth (advayam). That is our humble view at least. The karmis see it as Paramatma, the jnanis see it as Brahman, and the bhaktas see it as Bhagavan (hence sabdyate word).

 

[Shantanu]

I

Nitai Gaur Haribol! My dandavat pranam to everyone on this forum. Recently this directory has turned quite argumentative, and so to sorta lead people away from that conflict to mutual understanding and respect I would like to ask you all; what is your favorite verse from scripture? Perhaps a reason why you like it so much. Even if you don't have a scripture verse maybe a quote from your favorite Guru or Acharya? I am interested to know what stood out to you all.

(a) Satyamev Jayate Nan rtam,
Satyena pantah vitato devayan
Yena ackramanatasya hyaptakama
Yatra tat satasya parman nidhanam

(b) Ab jananti ma mudha manushi tanumashritam
Param bhavam jananto mama bhuta maheswaram

(c) Yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata
Abhyuthanam dharmasya tadamanam srjamahyam
Paritranaya sadhunam vinashaya cha drstakatam
dharma sansathapnarthaya,.sambhawami juge juge

The reason I like them are:
(a) I like this because truth is the most beautiful and the most important thing in the world, for it is the path to realisation. When the search for truth is intense and unrelenting even God (Sri Krishna) may get stirred to make Himself known to the individual. Refer to Gita where it says out of million only one knows Him for sure.

(b) This is a highly critical statement by God to all those atheists who smirk at those others who wish to acknowledge the existence of a Higher Power from whom to derive guidance on how to live to the reality that exists.

(c) This is God saying that He will come to our aid when adharma becomes so unbearable that good people with good intentions who wish to live soberly to do good in His world are oppressed. He is giving hope to the good as well as warning evil doers that He will not sit by idle while inhuman people go about their evil ways.

Note that in all three above there is no mention that humans should be worshipping God. Humans should do dharma (duties and righteous actions): if this is done God will definitely come to his assistance to enable him to complete his mission.

How does that relate to your own knowledge and experiences?

 

[Yogi1054]

One of my favourite verses we chant before we perform Ashtanga Yoga - from Sage Shankara


vande gurunam charanaravinde
sandar****a svatma sukhava bodhe |
वन्दे गुरूणां चरणारविन्दे
सन्दर्शित स्वात्म सुखाव बोधे ।

vande gurūṇāṁ caraṇāravinde
sandarśita svātma sukhāva bodhe |

I bow to the lotus feet of our great teachers,
who uncovers our true self and awakens happiness


nih shreyase jangali kayamane
sansara halahala mohashantyai ||
निःश्रेयसे जङ्गलिकायमाने
संसार हालाहल मोहशांत्यै ॥

niḥ-śreyase jaṅgali-kāyamāne
saṁsāra hālāhala mohaśāṁtyai ||

Like a Shaman in the Jungle he brings total complete well-beeing.
He can even heal the most awful poision of conditioning and illusion.

 

[StarryNightshade]

Like I had mentioned in another thread, this has to be one of my absolute favorites:

“I am the source of all. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who know this serve Me with all their hearts. With minds absorbed in Me and lives surrendered to Me, they enlighten one another and find deep satisfaction in speaking of Me always, tasting transcendental bliss. To those always absorbed in serving Me with love, I give the understanding that leads to Me. Out of compassion for them, dwelling in their hearts, I destroy with the shining lamp of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance.”

- Bhagavad Gita; Chapter 10, verses 8-11

 

[Satyamavejayanti]

Nitai Gaur Haribol! My dandavat pranam to everyone on this forum. Recently this directory has turned quite argumentative, and so to sorta lead people away from that conflict to mutual understanding and respect I would like to ask you all; what is your favorite verse from scripture? Perhaps a reason why you like it so much. Even if you don't have a scripture verse maybe a quote from your favorite Guru or Acharya? I am interested to know what stood out to you all.

Namaste,

I have always been fond of the Tirukkural, here is why.

Truthfulness

Truthfulness is attained if one’s speech is such that it harms no being in the world.

If one could speak an untruth, which brought good without the least blemish of evil, it might be classed with truth.

Of all things confirmed in our experience, the rule of truthfulness stands out most firmly established. There is nothing more precious than truth.

If you are truthful in thought and word you are superior to one who undergoes penances and gives gifts.

Truthfulness earns the esteem of the world besides bringing in its train the merit of every other virtue without the physical privations of penance.

Water makes external cleanliness. Truthfulness is the detergent internally.

Lamps do not give the light that holy men desire. It is the light of truth that illuminates their path.

Also this from the Nasadya Sukta has always stuck with me:

Who really knows, who can declare it? When it started or where from? And where will the this end? The Devtas entered later,
And so who knows when all this manifested? That one, out of which the this came, May hold the reins or not, Perceiving all from above, That one alone Knows the beginning – or maybe it knows not.

 

[Aupmanyav]

"Water makes external cleanliness. Truthfulness is the detergent internally.
Lamps do not give the light that holy men desire. It is the light of truth that illuminates their path." Very nice.

Reminds me of what Lord Rama says in Valmiki's Ramayana:

"Satyam eva ishwāro loke, satyam dharmah sadāshritā;
satya mūlāni sarvāni, satyen nāsti param padam."

(Truth is God in the universe, in truth 'dharma' finds good refuge;
all have their base in truth, there is no station higher than truth.)

 

[Stormcry]

Bhagavan Krishna says~

"Even though there is no reality in the worldly life, it cannot be negated easily. Just as one is afraid of disasters in the dream, there is great fear of dangers if there is attention paid to objects in this (though unreal) world."

 

[ShivaFan]

Nitai Gaur Haribol! My dandavat pranam to everyone on this forum. Recently this directory has turned quite argumentative, and so to sorta lead people away from that conflict to mutual understanding and respect I would like to ask you all; what is your favorite verse from scripture? Perhaps a reason why you like it so much. Even if you don't have a scripture verse maybe a quote from your favorite Guru or Acharya? I am interested to know what stood out to you all.

Mitraya namah The friend of all
Ravaye namah Praised by all
Suryaya namah The guide of all
Bhanave namah The bestower of beauty
Khagaya namah Stimulator of the senses
Pushne namah The nourisher of all
Hiranyagarbhaya namah The creator
Marichaye namah Destroyer of disease
Adityaya namah The inspirer
Savitre namah The purifier
Arkaya namah The radiant
Bhaskaraya namah The illuminator
Srisavitrusuryanarayanaya Namah! The Beautiful Surya the Sun!

 

[ratikala]

Namaskaram Prabhu ji's

probably the first and most influential verse which has stayed with me allways , ...

vita-raga-bhaya-krodha
man-maya mam upasritah
bahavo jnana-tapasa
puta mad-bhavam agatah
​

Being freed from attachment, fear and anger, being fully absorbed in Me and taking refuge in Me, many, many persons in the past became purifled by knowledge of Me-and thus they all attained transcendental love for Me. ...Bhagavad Gita , ...Ch ..4 V ..10​

 

[Aupmanyav]

Ratiben, there is only one 'many' ('bahavo', modern Hindu/Urdu - bahut, bahudha - many times, many ways, 'bahutere' - many - Hindi/Urdu/Awadhi), not two. The second 'many' added by Prabhupada.
Goswami Sri Tulsi Das in Sri Ramacharit Manas:
Par upadesha kushal bahutere - Many are proficient in giving advice to others,
Je āchrahi te nar na ghanere - men who act accordingly (to their own sayings) are not many.

 

[Stormcry]

puta mad-bhavam agatah​

"Mad-bhavam" - (attained to) "My existence"?

This is how Advaitians interpret it.

 

[ratikala]

Namaskaram Aupmanyav ji

Ratiben, there is only one 'many' ('bahavo', modern Hindu/Urdu - bahut, bahudha - many times, many ways, 'bahutere' - many - Hindi/Urdu/Awadhi), not two. The second 'many' added by Prabhupada.

yes agreed one many is quite sufficient , ...I guess he was being enthusiastic , ..... , ....and ''in the past'' ...refers to a very , very long time so prehaps Many , many is not so wrong afterall , .....

Goswami Sri Tulsi Das in Sri Ramacharit Manas:
Par upadesha kushal bahutere - Many are proficient in giving advice to others,
Je āchrahi te nar na ghanere - men who act accordingly (to their own sayings) are not many.

No no prabhu j, .....there canot be two 'manys' , ... ......many ...and ....not very much , .....

prehaps you mean , .....Those who preach to others are many , .....but those who practice what they preach are few ...or something like that , ....

 

[ratikala]

"Mad-bhavam" - (attained to) "My existence"?

This is how Advaitians interpret it.

inconceivable oneness and difference

 

[ratikala]

Namaskaram Prabhu ji's

may l share a beautiful poem , .....by the Tamil Poet Laureate Kannadhasan

to me this paints such a beautifull picture of the one supreme purushottma that Vaisnava love

Pullaankuzhal kodutha moongilgaLe


Oh bamboos that give flutes, please sing about our Lord.

The garden near ganges where bees thrive, please sing about our Lord.

The clouds that help flowers blossom, please sing about our Lord's grace.

The ragas that offer soothing breeze, please sing about our Lord.



He is the One who crawls in Guruvayoor,

He is the One who rules Mathura.

He is the One who blesses us in Thiruvengadam.

And the One who takes rest in Sri Rangam.



He helped save Paanjaali's modesty, took up the conch to end the Bharatha war.

He gave a fair share to the Pandavas and gave lessons for mankind in the form of Geethai.



Pullaankuzhal kodutha moongilgaLe, engaL purushoththaman pugazh paadungaLe (2)
Vandaadum gangai malar thoattangaLe, engaL madhusoothanan pugazh paadungaLe (2)
Pullaankuzhal kodutha moongilgaLe, engaL purushoththaman pugazh paadungaLe

Panneer malarsoriyum megangaLe, engaL parandhaaman mei azhagai paadungaLe (2)
Thenkodi thendral tharum raagangaLe,
engaL Sri Krishnamurthi pugazh paadungaLe (2)


Pullaankuzhal kodutha moongilgaLe, engaL purushoththaman pugazh paadungaLe

Guruvaayoor thannil avan thavazhgindravan, oru kodiyodu mathuraavai aaLgindravan (2)
Thiruvengadathil avan aruLgindravan
Antha Sri Rangathil paLLi koLgindravan (2)

Pullaankuzhal kodutha moongilgaLe, engaL purushoththaman pugazh paadungaLe

Paanjaali pugazh kaakka than kai koduthaan, andru bharatha poar mudikka sangai eduthaan (2)
Paandavarkku urimai uLLa pangai koduthaan
Naam padippatharku Geethai enum paadam koduthaan (2)

Pullaankuzhal kodutha moongilgaLe, engaL purushoththaman pugazh paadungaLe
Vandaadum gangai malar thoattangaLe, engaL madhusoothanan pugazh paadungaLe

Pullaankuzhal kodutha moongilgaLe, engaL purushoththaman pugazh paaaaadungaLe.........