Verses from Scripture on Ways of Wisdom

May the Goddess of culture, associated with the models of other cultures, may the Goddess of wisdom in company with men, ordinary and intellectual, may the fire divine, and may the Goddess of divine speech with masters of language come to bless us and enshrine our hearts.

Rig Veda 7.2.8. RVP, 2355

In vain the foolish man accumulates food. I tell you, truly, it will be his downfall! He gathers to himself neither friend nor comrade. Alone he eats; alone he sits in sin. The ploughshare cleaving the soil helps satisfy hunger. The traveler, using his legs, achieves his goal. The priest who speaks surpasses the one who is silent. The friend who gives is better than the miser.

Rig Veda 10.117. 6-7. VE, 851

Shilpani, works of art of man, are an imitation of divine forms. By employing their rhythms, a metrical reconstitution is effected of the limited human personality.

Rig Veda, Aitareya Brahmana 6.5.27. EI, 60

There are five great sacrifices, namely, the great ritual services: the sacrifice to all beings, sacrifice to men, sacrifice to the ancestors, sacrifice to the Gods, sacrifice to Brahman.

Shukla Yajur Veda, Shatapatha Brahmana 11.5.6.1. VE, 394

Find a quiet retreat for the practice of yoga, sheltered from the wind, level and clean, free from rubbish, smoldering fires and ugliness, and where the sound of waters and the beauty of the place help thought and contemplation.

Krishna Yajur Veda, Shvetashvatara Upanishad 2.10. UPM, 88

Lightness, healthiness, steadiness, clearness of complexion, pleasantness of voice, sweetness of odor, and slight excretions -- these, they say, are the first results of the progress of yoga.

Krishna Yajur Veda, Shvetashvatara Upanishad 2.13. UPR, 723

Vasana is divided into two, the pure and the impure. If thou art led by the pure vasanas, thou shalt thereby soon reach by degrees My Seat. But should the old, impure vasanas land thee in danger, they should be overcome through efforts.

Shukla Yajur Veda, Mukti Upanishad 2. UPA, 7

Gracious be the constellations struck by the meteor, gracious incantations and all magic! Gracious to us be buried charms, the meteors and plagues that afflict us. Gracious to us be the stars and the moon, gracious the sun and Rahu, gracious be Death with his banner of smoke, gracious the powerful Rudras.

Atharva Veda 19,9.9-10. VE, 305-306

Works of sacrifice, gift and self-harmony should not be abandoned, but should indeed be performed, for these are works of purification. But even these works, Arjuna, should be done in the freedom of a pure offering, and without expectation of a reward. This is My final word.

Bhagavad Gita 18.5-6. BGM, 115

Easy for all to offer in worship a green leaf to the Lord. Easy for all to give a mouthful to the cow. Easy for all to give a handful when sitting down to eat. Easy for all to speak pleasant words to others.

Tirumantiram 252. TM

So let my star be the sun or the moon, Mars or Mercury or Jupiter; let it be Venus or Saturn or the two snakes! All the planets and stars are good stars for us, all bring good luck to Siva's devotees!

Tirumurai 2.221.1. PS, 109

Plough with truth. Plant the seed of desire for knowledge. Weed out falsehood. Irrigate the mind with the water of patience. Supervise your work by introspection and self-analysis. Build the fence of yama and niyama, or right conduct and right rules. You will soon attain Sivananda, or eternal bliss of Siva.

Tirumurai (Appar). SW, 191

Moderately, moderately eat for your sustenance. Take pains at all times to assimilate knowledge. In your youth, learn the arts and the sciences. To the mean and the miserly be not attached. Foster, foster the friendship of well-nurtured people. Live in happiness, saying you are lacking in nothing. Look after, look after your brothers and kinfolk. Inwardly and outwardly let your life be the same.

Natchintanai "Our Duty." NT, 178