Code of conduct to be followed by the Santsangis (initiated ones).
Code of conduct to be followed by the Santsangis (initiated ones).
Narayan Muni said -
Those who have taken initiation in Uddhav sect, may it be common or special (for sages etc) should all perform the worship of Lord Krishna every day. 1.
All those who are initiated by preceptor of Uddhav sect should adore the idol of their choice, of Lord Krishna, everyday. 2.
All those men and women of the three castes, being in any of the four stages (Ashrams), and also Shudra of good behavior and the ascetics, who are thus initiated, should worship idol of Lord Krishna and not others (Asat-Shudras). 3.
The image given and installed by the preceptor (with proper rituals) may it be made of metal or in picture form, etc., should only be worshiped, and not any other. 4.
Every day after performing worship the sacred water offered at the feet of the lord (Teertha,) should be taken in the centre of the right palm and should be sipped with chanting the following Mantra,
‘I take in my stomach, this holy water coming from the sacred feet of Lord Vishnu, which prevents untimely death and destroys all the diseases’.
Drinking the holy water of the feet of Lord Vishnu destroys the sins of crores of births, but it brings eight times sin, if and even a single drop of it is fallen on the earth. 5-7.
Avoiding all possible negligence and faults, all initiated ones should, with decisive mind, perform nine-fold devotion of Lord Vishnu (Ramapati). 8.
Places at which such an offence is likely to be committed. Those in this following who devotedly worship the Lord, should always behave in such a way that they do not offend-break the rules made by Lord Shri Hari. 9.
(These are the faults) going to the temple in a vehicle; entering in the temple with footwear; not performing rituals of the festivals like Janmashtami celebration of the Lord etc.; not offering prostrations before the Lord. 10.
Sitting on a high seat in the temple, being oneself singly even for a moment with a lonely woman in the temple. 11.
Touching the idol without cleaning oneself properly (after taking food, etc) or touching the idol during defilement period (Ashauch). Saluting with one hand and speaking indecent words. 12.
Sitting in the temple before Shri Hari with legs spread, or sleeping on cot (Paryank Bandhan)?; sleeping, eating or speaking lies in the temple. 13.
Talking loudly, crying, quarrelling, punishing (biting), looking at or touching women lustfully, speaking harsh words to them. 14.
To eat fruits or other food, when it is advised to observe complete fast and being capable doing so, thus mitigating its significance; eating food without offering the Lord, Passing air through anus and sitting in the temple with cross legs. 15.
Taking interest in rustic chats, self praise, sitting with back before the Lord - these are considered the offences on the part of a devotee who is practicing nine fold devotion to Hari . 16.
So all offences or misbehavior should always be avoided (in the temple) in normal situation, by the devotee, who wishes to win love of the Lord; and especially who is the worshiper (Archaka) of the Lord. 17.
If at all a devotee commits any one of these wrongs (in temple) by negligence, he should observe a fast for a day. 18.
So also, he should please the Lord by prostrations, praise and should leniently ask Him, to excuse and forgive with the following Mantra. 19.
(He should say), ‘I commit thousands of offences every day, O Supreme Lord, please forgive me considering me as your obedient servant’. 20.
The initiated ones should accept only the holy water offered at feet of their preceptor and the food (left over) by him, as Prasad, and not given by anyone else. 21.
But if this practice brings about the censure or cause intermixture of the caste, stage and family tradition, then it should be abandoned. 22.
Even if a fruit or any other eatable pre-tested and given by the preceptor should not be accepted, it is the strict rule set by Uddhava sect. 23.
In this way the inititated ones who are firm in their own religious duties and are endowed with knowledge and detachment, are said to be single minded devotees. 24.
At the end of their life, they get divine body and sitting in the airplanes, shining like the Son, attain the celestial abode known as ‘Golok’ of Lord Vishnu. 25.
There in that Goloka, they rich in the vicinity of Radha and Krishna, served by their associates like Shridama, Nanda and others; and enjoy their desired happiness. 26.
The preceptor should give the above mentioned initiation of two types, only to male devotees and never to the women. Initiation to women should be given through the women only. 27.
If a preceptor, initiate women and becoming prey to unhealthy contact with them, that sinner will be fallen from his duty and will lose his position as a preceptor. 28.
He will bring sin to (spoil the name of) to the great grand Guru the promoter of the path and his own Guru and will be considered traitor to the Guru, hence this should never be done. 29.
O Sons, I have told you this ritual of initiation, in brief; all kinds of desires could be attained by following it. 30.
This ritual as I have told you both, was instructed to me by Shri Ramanand Guru Himself, who was Uddhava incarnate.
O Sons, I have told you this ritual completely so that you may understand it correctly with its details. Do remember and follow it and initiate those who come under your shelter, according to their eligibility. 31-32.
Thus ends the fifty-second chapter entitled, ‘‘Description of the duties and rituals to be followed by the initiates’ in the fourth Prakarana of Satsangi jivan, the life story of Lord Narayan, also titled as Dharmashastra. (the rules of the code of conduct). 52
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