CHAPTER 8 The Determination of Prescribed Karmas 1. The determination of the duties of a Prapanna from among those prescribed [by the Dharma Śāstras] is dealt with now. 2. The obligatory duties prescribed in Śruti 1 , Smriti 2 und other Śāstras ought to be performed. For the lord of Lakshmi says: “Śruti and Smriti are my injunctions.” 3 3.

CHAPTER 9. On the Works that ought to be Renounced: 1. The worldly and Vedic activities which ought to be renounced by the Prapannas are now described. One should always shun what is incongruent with one's own status, place and time. 2. What is particularly mentioned by Manu and others as contrary to varṇa-āśrama Dharma and what is said in

CHAPTER 10. On The Dawn of Fruition 1. Overcome with intense love, Vishnu Himself pursues those that have taken refuge in His feet and are like His life-breath (Prāṇa). 2. In the Gītā the Lord declares: — “That the wise one is my very self — is my opinion.” “The high-minded one who at the end of many deaths and

*/ Śrīvacana Bhūṣa ṇa The Ornament of Auspicious Teachings 1. Scriptural Authority. 1. The meaning of the Vedas is revealed by means of the Smṛti, Itihāsas and Purāṇas. Smṛti are the law books and texts dealing with regulations. Itihāsas are the two epics Rāmāyaṇa and the Mahābhārata. Purāṇas are the 18 books which deal with mythology, legends, history and the

*/ 6. Prapatti — Taking Refuge 51. When devotion reaches a certain stage, it [Prapatti] may become redundant. 52. And it may also induce one to attempt to nourish and sustain oneself. Out of extreme devotion, one may like the Āḻvārs, do things which are not compatible, with Prapatti such as striving to obtain the Lord or turning away from

*/ 11. Selfless service. 83. When Rama set out for the forest to fulfil the conditions of his exile, the Younger Lord (Lakṣmana), being unable to bear separation chose to accompany him and to serve him in every possible way applying himself selflessly without thought for his own needs. With none to compete with him for service, Lakshmana developed an

*/ 16. Servitude 111. Servitude occasioned by [the realisation of one's] quintessence is better than servitude arising from [perception of divine] beauty. Service to the Lord by virtue of the realisation of one's quintessence, not conditioned by extraneous considerations or inducements, is of greater value than service which is motivated by divine aesthetics. 112. Let us recall the words which

*/ 21. The Lord & the defects of the jīva 143. When He [the Lord] decides to reclaim this [jīva], the defects [of the jīva] are not an impediment. The Lord loves the jīva and will reclaim it despite any superficial imperfections that there may be in the form of moral imperfection, sin and demerit. The Lord is the one

*/ 26. Self-reliance. 178. Indeed, trying to ensure one's personal welfare without Him, [the Lord], is like wrenching a suckling child from its parents and handing it over to a murdering butcher. 179. Thereby [the jīva] destroys itself. Seeking to achieve personal wellbeing by self-effort without reliance upon the Lord leads to self- destruction. 27. Self-destruction through conceit, arrogance and