Sri Gurubhyo Namaha

It is essential to have faith in the Shastras to progress in spiritual life. Today, many have the habit of questioning what is
stated in the scriptures. While questioning and enquiry are recommended, they must be used to arrive logically at the
conclusion established in the Shastras. That is why Sri Shankaracharya said - JeekeeeLe&Me efJeeee&leeb egefleefMej:He#e: meceeeereleeced
ogmlekee&led megefJejceleeb egeflecelemlekeexvegmevOeereleeced - Enquire into the meaning of the Shastras, hold on to the stand expounded by
the Upanishads, refrain from faulty logic.
We will do well to remember that questioning of the Shastras should never end up in Nastikyam - complete lack of faith
in the Shastras. Such questioning will amount to dustarka - faulty logic - and must never be resorted to.
There was a once a young lad who began to skip school and remained at home. On being questioned by his father, the
boy asked, What must I do after studying? The father responded, You must find a good job and work. The boy
asked Why must I do that? You will get a good pay. What after that? You must marry, have children, and
progress in your career. You will earn good name and fame. Everyone will respect you. What after that?, asked the
boy. You can retire and spend your days happily., responded the father. At this, the boy exclaimed, Am I not doing
that even now? Father, why must I exert myself so much when I am already doing what you finally arrived at?
This is an example of dustarka, for there is a mountain of difference between being so at such a young age and being
so at the twilight of ones life.
So one must understand why Bhagavatpada has said - ogmlekee&led megefJejceleeced. It is acceptable to question why the Shastras
have come in place and what the purpose of the instructions in the Shastras are. However, if the intent is only to
repeatedly question, it becomes dustarka. Many people today engage in this and feel happy and even victorious,
when the person they question regarding Shastric instructions is unable to answer them. In truth, such repeated
questioning and ending up in Nastikya leads to ones own doom. That is why the Shastras say that we will not falter if
we traverse the path taken by our ancestors -
esveeme efHelejes eelee: esve eelee: efHeleecene:~
lesve eeeelmeleeb Jelce& lesve ievve og<eefle ~~
May everyone realize this fact, follow the path of Dharma as enunciated in the Shastras and attain Shreyas.