e., Emancipation or complete identification with the Supreme Soul.
1853. The object of this verse, the commentator says, is to explain the
meaning of the word Hrishikesa. Agni is the digestive fire, and Shoma is
food. Uniting together, Agni and Shoma, therefore uphold the universe. In
the form of digestive fire and food, Agni and Shoma are two gladdeners of
the universe. They are called on this account Hrishi (in the dual
number). And since they are, as it were, the kesa or hair of Narayana,
therefore is he called Hrishikesa. All these etymologies are very
fanciful. Elsewhere the word Hrishikesa is explained as the Isa or lord
of Hrishika or the senses.
1854. Sat is existent or aught. Asat is naught or non-existent. Very
generally, these two words are used to imply Effects and Causes, the
former being gross or manifest, and the latter, subtile or unmanifest.
Tamas here does not mean one of the three primal attributes but primeval
darkness. Compare Manu, asitidam tamobhutam etc.
1855. I do not know whether I have understood correctly the last part of
this sentence. I think what is stated is that by honouring Hari and
Mantra, one honours the deities and men and the Rishis. By men, I think,
dead men or the Pitris are referred to.
1856. The reading vagamritam is an error. The correct reading is
gavamritam.
1857. In former times kings and chiefs always used to assign rent-free
lands to learned Brahmanas for their support. Those countries where
Brahmanas had not such lands assigned to them, were, as it were, under a
ban.
Pages:
3006
3007
3008
3009
3010
3011
3012
3013
3014
3015
3016
3017
3018
3019
3020
3021
3022
3023
3024
3025
3026
3027
3028
3029
3030