Collected Works of Nolini Kanta Gupta - Vol. 5

[1]

Better than a thousand phrases built with meaningless words is one single meaningful word which brings tranquillity to the hearer.

[2]

Better than a thousand verses built with meaningless words is one single verse that brings tranquillity to the hearer.

[3]

Better than a hundred verses built with meaningless words on the lips is one single word of the Law that tranquilises you when you hear it.

[4]

One may conquer thousands and thousands of men in a battle, but he is the best among conquerors who has conquered himself.

[5 & 6]

Better to have conquered one's own self than to have conquered all these peoples.

And if one has conquered the self and moves always self-­controlled, neither gods nor angels nor Mara nor even Brahma can change that victory of his into defeat.

[7]

If month after month one offers sacrifices by thousands for one hundred years and if one worships an accomplished soul even for a single moment, then this worship is greater than the other hundred-year sacrifice.

[8]

If for hundred years one tended the fire in a forest, and if one worshipped an accomplished soul even for a single moment, then that worship is worth more than the sacrifice done through hundred years.

[9]

Whatever sacrifice or offering is made in this world for a whole

Page 212

year, in expectation of merit, is not worth even a fourth part of that greater thing, the homage done to the Righteous.

[10]

In him who is always full of respect for the aged, these four attributes increase; life, beauty, happiness and strength.

[11]

Better than one who lives a hundred years in immorality and dissipation is one who lives a single day in righteousness and contemplation.

[12]

Better than one who lives a hundred years in ignorance and dissipation is the one who lives one single day in wisdom and meditation.

[13]

Better than one who lives a hundred years in indolence and inertia is the one who lives a single day in strength and energy.

[14]

Better than one who lives a hundred years seeing neither the beginning nor the end is the one who lives a single day seeing both the beginning and the end.

[15]

Better than one who lives a hundred years and does not see the seat of immortality is one who lives a single day but sees the seat of immortality.

[16]

Better than one who lives a hundred years not seeing the Supreme Law is the one who lives a single day but sees the Supreme Law.

Page 213