Achara for those following the path of Jnana
Acharana given below is a free translation of the chapter on Achara in Devikalottara Agama.
Siva Parameswara says
1. Mukti cannot be attained by sadhanas like bath, japam, puja, homam, etc.
2. To attain this (mukti) there are no sadhanas or niyamas. Visiting kshetras, peethas, puja to deities, sraddha karmas, etc are not sadhanas to attain it (mukti).
3. The result of dharma karyas does not lead to mukti, similar is the case with karmas initiated by looking at tithi, vara, and nakshatra. All karmas, including the kuladharma, and the sankalpa - vikalpas that are related to these, are all bandhas... hence fit to be sacrificed.
4. The seeker should not get inquisitive about kshetras and peethas... they cannot lead him to mukti.
5. Having established himself in the belief that Paramatman is present in all living beings, a seeker should not harm them.
6. Do not harm trees by plucking leaves, uprooting them etc. Do not harm/threaten any living creature. Do not pluck flowers.
7. Only flowers that fall down naturally may be used for Siva puja. Do not hate others. Do not make others fall victims to moha. Do not worship images of deities made of wood or stone.
8. Leave all the practices of japa, worship of deities etc. Meditate on the all-pervading Atman.
9. Do not get elated by profit, do not be let down by loss. Do not be attached to anything. Do not let happiness or sorrow perturb you. Do not differentiate between friends and enemies. Treat wealth and poverty as two sides of the same coin.
10. Do not tend to be attracted by things perceived by indriyas like good-looking forms, nice-to-hear music etc. Do not entertain any desires. Take ananda in your own swarupa. Be fearless.
11. Do not be perturbed by praise or condemnation. Treat all living beings with equanimity. Treat others' happiness / sorrow as you would treat your own.
12. Avoid controversy, discussions on worldly matters or shastras, and fights. Do not speak bad, do not speak good.
13. Do not envy others. Do not speak ill of others. Do not pretend to be more intelligent or wealthy or pious than you actually are. When someone is more intelligent or wealthy or pious than yourself, do not try to insult or pull him down. Do not be interested in money, or anything for that matter. Sacrifice anger, desire, fear, and sorrow - do not even treat them as your enemies - just do not think of them and do not let them overwhelm you at any time.
14. One who is not perturbed by happiness or sorrow caused by dualities like raga-dvesha, kama-krodha, mada-matsarya, one who keeps oneself away from the activities and pre-occupations of worldly men - shines as a Jivan mukta.
15. This body is made of the five elements. Siva dwells in this body. This whole phenomenal world is Sankaratmaka.
16. Those who worhip a Jnani attain mukti.
17. O Parvati! That is all there to tell.
- Offered at the lotus feet of Arunachala Siva Ramana -
Source: Telugu "Devikalottara Agamam" published by Sri Ramanasramam, Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Acharana given below is a free translation of the chapter on Achara in Devikalottara Agama.
Siva Parameswara says
1. Mukti cannot be attained by sadhanas like bath, japam, puja, homam, etc.
2. To attain this (mukti) there are no sadhanas or niyamas. Visiting kshetras, peethas, puja to deities, sraddha karmas, etc are not sadhanas to attain it (mukti).
3. The result of dharma karyas does not lead to mukti, similar is the case with karmas initiated by looking at tithi, vara, and nakshatra. All karmas, including the kuladharma, and the sankalpa - vikalpas that are related to these, are all bandhas... hence fit to be sacrificed.
4. The seeker should not get inquisitive about kshetras and peethas... they cannot lead him to mukti.
5. Having established himself in the belief that Paramatman is present in all living beings, a seeker should not harm them.
6. Do not harm trees by plucking leaves, uprooting them etc. Do not harm/threaten any living creature. Do not pluck flowers.
7. Only flowers that fall down naturally may be used for Siva puja. Do not hate others. Do not make others fall victims to moha. Do not worship images of deities made of wood or stone.
8. Leave all the practices of japa, worship of deities etc. Meditate on the all-pervading Atman.
9. Do not get elated by profit, do not be let down by loss. Do not be attached to anything. Do not let happiness or sorrow perturb you. Do not differentiate between friends and enemies. Treat wealth and poverty as two sides of the same coin.
10. Do not tend to be attracted by things perceived by indriyas like good-looking forms, nice-to-hear music etc. Do not entertain any desires. Take ananda in your own swarupa. Be fearless.
11. Do not be perturbed by praise or condemnation. Treat all living beings with equanimity. Treat others' happiness / sorrow as you would treat your own.
12. Avoid controversy, discussions on worldly matters or shastras, and fights. Do not speak bad, do not speak good.
13. Do not envy others. Do not speak ill of others. Do not pretend to be more intelligent or wealthy or pious than you actually are. When someone is more intelligent or wealthy or pious than yourself, do not try to insult or pull him down. Do not be interested in money, or anything for that matter. Sacrifice anger, desire, fear, and sorrow - do not even treat them as your enemies - just do not think of them and do not let them overwhelm you at any time.
14. One who is not perturbed by happiness or sorrow caused by dualities like raga-dvesha, kama-krodha, mada-matsarya, one who keeps oneself away from the activities and pre-occupations of worldly men - shines as a Jivan mukta.
15. This body is made of the five elements. Siva dwells in this body. This whole phenomenal world is Sankaratmaka.
16. Those who worhip a Jnani attain mukti.
17. O Parvati! That is all there to tell.
- Offered at the lotus feet of Arunachala Siva Ramana -
Source: Telugu "Devikalottara Agamam" published by Sri Ramanasramam, Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, India.
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