A collection of Sanatsujata Teachings from the Mahabharata.
That which neither speech nor thought can comprehend is true silence. That from which the Vedas and the (world) arose is self-resplendent.
The Rig Veda nor the Yajur Veda nor the Sama Veda will save a person from the result of his sinful acts. I am telling you the truth. The Vedas do not absolve from sins the hypocrite, who commits sinful acts. The Vedas abandon him just as nestlings desert their nests when they grow wings.
This world truly consists of special names and forms of That (i.e. Brahman). After reaching this conclusion the Vedas hasten to explain that, nevertheless, It is entirely different from the world. It is for realizing That, that austerities, sacrifices, etc., have been prescribed. By these a wise man acquires merit. After expiating his sins by his merits he becomes enlightened through knowledge. The wise man realizes the Self through Knowledge. When he adopts other means it shows that he desires to enjoy the fruits of his actions. Carrying with him the reward of every act done by him in this world, he goes to the next world and enjoys it there. Afterwards he comes back to this world.
When austerities are not tainted by selfish motives they become perfect. They also become very effective.
Anger, lust, greed, desire for worldly knowledge, cruelty, envy, pride, grief, longing for sense enjoyments, jealousy and contempt for others — these twelve obstacles to spiritual progress should always be avoided by a virtuous person. Each of these circles round a man waiting for an opportunity to assail him like a hunter stalking game.
One who always thinks of sense enjoyments, one who rises by pulling down others, one who regrets a gift made by him, one who is mean, one who has little understanding, one who glories in sense enjoyments, one who hates his wife — these are the persons in whom one finds the seven inglorious qualities.
Wisdom, truthfulness, sense-control, scriptural learning, absence of malice, modesty, fortitude, absence of envy, observance of religious ceremonies, gifts, steadfastness, mind control — these are the twelve great beneficial qualities to be cultivated by a person desiring self realization. He who never abandons these twelve good qualities can control the whole world. Those who possess three, two or even one of these will be gradually liberated and attain the state of Silence.
Self-control lies in opposing the eighteen bad qualities, namely, falsehood, malignity, hankering after senseenjoyments, ill-will towards everybody, ignorance, discontent, hatred of the world, excessive pride, quarrelsomeness, cruelty, false accusation, talkativeness, vain regret, impatience, fickleness, lack of learning , doing sinful acts and violence. He who is free from these bad qualities is regarded by the wise as a man of self- control. Egotism is composed of these eighteen bad qualities which are opposed to self-control.
The bad qualities mentioned in connection with self-control should be abandoned. The abandonment of bad qualities is brought about by mindfulness which has eight characteristics, namely truthfulness, contemplation (dhyana), samadhi, investigation, dispassion, non-stealing, celibacy (brahmacharya) and non-acceptance (of gifts).