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·शंकर भगवत्पाद कृता
प्रश्नोत्तररत्नमालिका
Preisnoiicia kaina Mulika
Ey Sankara Bhagavarpadah
8
TIRUL
T. T. Devastiraulants
Tirupati
भावासा विजय

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·DEVASTHANA
371
श्री रामजयम्
Prasnottara Ratna Malika
of Sri Sankara Bhagavatpada
TIRUPATI
TIRUMALA
Issued at the behest of
JAGADGURU SANKARACHARYA OF
KANCHI KAMAKOTI PEETHAM
KANCHEEPURAM
1992

·Prasnottara Ratna Malika
by
Sankara Bhagavatpada
Released by Dharma Prachara Parishad
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams
First Edition: 1992
Copies: 5000
Published by:
Sri M.V.S. Prasad, I.A.S.,
Executive Officer,
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams,
Tirupati.
Printed at:
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Press,
Tirupati - 517 507.

·Prasnottara Ratna Malika
Prasnottara Ratna Malika is one among the many
works by SANKARA BHAGAVATPADA. In this work, in
the form of questions and answers, various issues on which
doubts that may arise to ardent devotees, are sought to be
cleared. English translation is given alongside the original
Sanskrit text to facilitate understanding by those who are
not well versed in Sanskrit language. This translation is
in simple words.
This book should serve as a guide to those who seek
to lead a Dharmic life.
This is being issued at the behest of JAGAD
GURU PUJYA SRI SANKARACHARYA of KANCHI
KAMAKOTI PEETAM, 1, Salai Road, Kancheepuram,
Pin: 631 502, Tamilnadu, and is brought out by
TIRUMALA TIRUPATI DEVASTHANAMS, TIRUPATI,
ANDHRA PRADESH.

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·ओं
श्री रामजयम्
श्री शंकर भगवत्पाद कृत प्रश्नोत्तर रत्नमालिका
Prasnottara Ratna Malika
of Sankara Bhagavatpada
The Gem Garland
of Questions and Answers
1. कः खलु नालंक्रियते दृष्ट-अदृष्ट-अर्थ-साधन पटीयान् ।
असुया कण्ठस्थितया प्रश्न - उत्तर - रत्नमालिकया॥
Whoever is indeed not adorned by this
Question-Answer-Gem- Necklace, memorised
for ready reference and which is the foremost
means to obtain the seen and the unseen goals
(of life)!
2. भगवन् ! किं उपादेयम् ?
OLord! Which is to be taken ?
गुरुवचनम्।
The utterances of the Preceptor.
हेयमपि किम् ?
And Which is to be given up ?
अकार्यम्।
The forbidden act.
?
को
गुरुः
Who is a Preceptor ?

·अधिगत तत्त्वः । शिष्यहिताय उद्यतः सततम्।
One who has realized the truth and is ever
striving for the good of the disciple.
3. त्वरितं किं कर्तव्यं विदुषाम् ?
What is to be quickly done on the part of the
wise?
संसार-सन्ततिच्छेदः।
The cessation of the cycle of birth and death.
किं मोक्षतरोः बीजम् ?
What is the seed of the tree of release ?
सम्यग्ज्ञानं क्रियासिद्धम् ।
It is the right knowledge, shown in practice.
4. कः पथ्यतरः?
What is more beneficial than anythingelse?
धर्मः।
Righteousness.
कः शुचिः इह?
Who is the pure (person) here?
यस्य मानसं शुद्धम्।
One whose mind is pure.
कः पण्डितः?
Who is the wise (man) ?

·विवेकी।
One who discriminates.
किं विषम्?
What is poison ?
अवधीरणा गुरुषु।
Transgression of Preceptors' orders.
5. किं संसारे सारम् ?
What is the essence of life?
बहुशोऽपि चिन्त्यमा इदमेव ।
This alone is to be reflected on repeatedly.
किं मनुजेषु इष्टतमम् ?
What is the most desirable for human beings?
स्व-पर-हिताय उद्यतं जन्म।
Life dedicated for one's and others' welfare.
6. मदिरेव मोहजनकः कः?
What is it that generates delusion like liquor ?
स्नेहः ।
Attachment.
के च दस्यवः?
Who are thieves ?
विषयाः।
Objects of sense.

·का भववल्ली?
What is the creeper of birth ?
तृष्णा।
Thirst for enjoyment.
को वैरी?
Who is the foe?
यस्तु अनुद्योगः।
It is but idleness.
7. कस्मात् भयं इह?
What is here the fear from ?
मरणात्।
From death.
अन्धात् इह को विशिष्यते?
Who is worse than the blind man ?
रागी।
One with attachments.
कः शूरः?
Who is brave?
यः ललना-लोलन-बाणैः न च व्यधितः ।
One who is not shaken by the shafts of amorous
glances of women.
8. पातुं कर्णाझलिभिः किं अमृतं इह युज्यते ?
What is fit to be heard like nectar by the ears?

·सदुपदेशः।
Teachings of the good.
किं गुरुतायां मूलम्
What is the cause of greatness ?
?
यत् एतत् अप्रार्थनं नाम।
That which is known as not asking favours.
9. किं गहनम्?
What is inscrutable ?
स्त्रीचरितम्।
The conduct of woman.
कः चतुरः?
Who is clever ?
यो न खण्डितः तेन।
One who is not won over by that.
किं दुःखम् ?
What is unhappiness?
असंतोषः।
Cheerlessness.
किं लाघवम्?
What is easy?
अधमतो याचा।
Asking the lowly for help..

·10. किं जीवितम् ? What is livelihood ? अनवद्यम्। That which is blemishless. किं जाड्यम्? What is unintelligence ? पाठतो पि अनभ्यासः। Not repeating what is learnt. को जागर्ति? Who is wakeful ? विवेकी। One who discriminates. का निद्रा? What is sleep? मूढता जन्तोः। The stupidity of the living being. 11. नलिनी-दल-गत-जलवत् तरलं किम् ? What is transient like the water on the lotusleaf? यौवनं धनं च आयुः Youth, wealth and life. कथय पुनः के शशिनः किरणसमाः? Again, tell me who is equal to the rays of the moon ?

·सजना एव।
Only good people.
12. को नरकः?
What is hell ?
परवशता।
Being in another's control.
किं सौख्यम?
What is comfort ?
सर्वसंग-विरतिः या।
That disgust towards every kind of attachment.
किं साध्यम् ?
What is to be done ?
भूतहितम्।
The good of the creatures.
प्रियं च किम् प्राणिनां?
And what is dear for creatures ?
असवः।
Life.
13. को अनर्थफलः?
What results in evil ?
मानः
Conceit.

·का सुखदा?
What bestowes happiness?
साधुजन-मैत्री।
Friendship with good people.
सर्वव्यसन-विनाशे को दक्षः?
Who is clever in destroying all unhappiness?
सर्वदा त्यागी।
One who always renounces.
14. किंमरणम् ?
What is death ?
मूर्खत्वम्।
Unintelligence.
किं च अनर्घम्?
What is priceless ?
यदवसरे दत्तम्।
That which is given at the right moment.
आमरणात् किं शाल्यम् ?
What pains like a shaft till death?
प्रच्छन्नं यत् कृतं पापम्।
The sin committed in secrecy.
15. कुत्र विधेयो यत्नः?
Where is effort ordained ?
8

·विधाभ्यासे, सदौषधे, दाने।
In learning, good medicine, charity.
अवधीरणा क कार्या?
Where is in difference to be shown ?
खलु, परयोषितु, परधनेषु।
Towards bad people, another's wife, another's
property.
16. को अहर्निशं अनुचिन्त्या ?
What is to be reflected on day and night?
संसार-असारता, न तु प्रमदा।
The futility of life; not certainly woman.
का प्रेयसी विधेया?
What is to be cultivated with affection ?
करुणा दीनेषु। सञ्जने मैत्री।
Compassion towards the helpless; friendship
with the good.
17. कण्ठगतैरपि. असुभिः कस्य हि आत्मा न शक्यते
जेतुम्?
Whose self can indeed never be chastened even
at the cost of life ?
मूर्खस्य शङ्कितस्य च विषादिनो वा कृतघ्नस्य।
The unintelligent, the doubting, the cheerless
and the ungrateful.
9

·18. कः साधुः? Who is good ? सद्वत्तः? One of good conduct. कं अधमं आचक्षते? Who is said to be the lowly ? तु असद्वत्तम्। Certainly the man of bad conduct. केन जितं जगदेतत् ? By whom is this world conquered ? सत्य-तितिक्षावता पुंसा। By the person who has truthfulness and endurance. 19. कस्मै नमांसि देवाः कुर्वन्ति ? To whom do Gods offer obleisance ? दया-प्रदानाया One who extends pity. कस्मात् उद्वेगः स्यात् ? Which is to be shuddered at:? संसार-अरण्यतः सुधियः। The noble-minded shudder at the jungle of life. 10 ·20. कस्य वशे प्राणिगणः? At whose control lies the community of creatures? सत्य-प्रियभाषिणो विनीतस्य। One who speaks the truth, kindly and is humble. क स्थातव्यम्? Where should one stick ? न्याय्ये पथि दृष्ट-अदृष्ट-लाभादये। To the right path wherein the seen and the unseen profits abound. 21. को अन्धः? Who is blind ? यो अकार्यरतः। One who enjoys wrongdoing. को बधिरः? Who is deaf? यो हितानि न श्रृणोति। One who does not heed the good advice. को मूकः? Who is dumb ? यः काले प्रियाणि वक्तुं न जानाति। One who does not know how to speek the kind words at the right moment. 22. किं दानम् ? What is charity? 11 ·अनाकांक्षम्। Expecting no return. किं मित्रम्? Who is a friend ? यो निवारयति पापात्। One who saves from sin. को अलंकारः? What is decoration ? शीलम्। Character. किं वाचां मण्डनम्? What is embellishment for speech ? सत्यम्। Truthfulness. 23. विद्युद्विलसित-चपलं किम् ? What is momentary like lightning? दुर्जनसङ्गतिः युवतयश्च । Bad and young women. कुलशील-निष्प्रकम्पाः के कलिकाले अपि? Who are they unshaken from their noble lineage and good conduct even in the Kaliyuga ? सजनाः एव। Only good people. company and 12 ·24. चिंतामणिरिव दुर्लभं इह किम् ? What is that which is rare like the Cintamani? कथयामिः तत् । चतुर्भद्रम्। I will tell; that is the four-fold good. किं तद्वदन्ति भूयो विधूत-तमसो विशेषण ? What do those who have destroyed dark ignorance specially urge repeatedly? 25. दानं प्रियवाक् सहितं, ज्ञानं अगवं, क्षमान्वितं शौर्यम्, वित्तंत्यागसमेतं दुर्लभमेतत् चतुर्भद्रम् ॥ Charity along with sweet words, knowledge with humility, courage with patience, wealth with renunciation. These four auspicious things are hard to attain. 26. किं शोच्यम्। What is to be grieved over ? कार्पण्यम्। Miserliness. सति विभवे किं प्रशस्तम् ? What is praiseworthy when there is affluence? औदार्यम्। Consideration for others. 13 ·कः पूज्यः विद्वभिः? Who is to be revered by the learned ? स्वभावतः सर्वदा विनीतो यः। One who by nature is always humble. 27. कः कुलकमल-दिनेशः? Who is the sun making the lotus of family blossom ? सति गुणविभवेऽपि यो नमः। One who though possessed of great qualities is yet unconceited. कस्य वशे जगदेतत् ? In whose control is this world? प्रियहित वचनस्य धर्मनिरतस्य। In his, whose speech is sweet and soothing, and who is wedded to righteousness. 28. विद्वन्मनोहरा का? What is that which fascinates the hearts of the wise ? सत्कविता बोधवनिता च। Ennobling poetry and the lady called knowledge.

·कं न स्पृशति विपत्तिः? Whom does disaster not overtake ? प्रवृद्धवचनानुवर्तिनं दान्तम्। One who follows the advice of the elders and has controlled his senses. 29. कस्मै स्पृहयति कमला ? Whom does the Goddess of Wealth love? तु अनलसचित्ताय नीतिवृत्ताय । One who is industrious without lethargy and is just in conduct. त्यजति च कं सहसा? And whom does she (Goddess of Wealth) desert all at once ? द्विज-गुरु-सुर-निन्दाकरं च सालस्यम् । One who slanders the Brahmana, the Preceptor, and the Gods and is lazy besides. 30. कुत्र विधेयो वासः? Where is one to live ? सजन-निकटे अथवा काश्याम्। In the nearness to good people or in Kasi. 15

·कः परिहार्यों देशः?
Which place is to be shunned ?
पिशुनयुतो लुब्धभूपश्च।
One abounding in wicked people and ruled by
a greedy king
31. केन अशोच्यः पुरुषः?
By what means can a person be griefless?
प्रणतकलत्रेण धीरविभवेन।
By obedient wife and undiminishing wealth.
इह भुवने को शोच्यः?
Who is to be grieved over in this world?
सत्यपि विभवे न यो दाता।
One who is not a giver even when there is
wealth.
32. किं लघुताया मूलम् ?
What is the cause of ignominy ?
प्राकृतपुरुषेषु याच्जा।
Currying the favour of unregenerate people.
रामादपि कः शूरः?
Who is braver than even Rama ?
16

·स्मरशरनिहतो न यः चलति।
One who does not waver even when hit by the
arrows of Cupid.
33. किं अहर्निशं अनुचिन्त्यम् ?
What is to be contemplated day and night.
भगवचरणम्, न संसारः।
The Feet of the Lord; not the worldly life.
चक्षुष्मन्तोऽपि अन्धाः के स्युः?
Who are blind even when possessed of eyes ?
ये नास्तिकाः मनुजाः।
Those people who are unbelievers.
34. कः पङ्गः इह प्रथितः ?
Who is the well known lame person here (in
this world)?
व्रजति च यो वार्द्धके तीर्थम्।
One who takes up pilgrimage in old age.
किं तीर्थमपि च मुख्यम् ?
What is the foremost place of pilgrimage?
चित्तमलं यन्निवर्तयति.
That which removes the impurities of mind.
17

·35. किं स्मर्तव्यं पुरुषैः?
What is to be remembered by people ?
हरिनाम सदा; न यावनी भाषा।
Always the Name of Hari; not the jargon of the
unregenerate.
को हि न वाच्यः सुधिया?
What should not be spoken by the good-minded
(person)?
परदोषश्च, अनृतं तद्वत्।
The faults of others; and, similarly, falsehood.
36. किं संपाद्यं मनुजैः?
What is to be earned by people ?
विद्या, वित्तं, बलं, यशः, पुण्यम्।
Knowledge, wealth, strength, fame, merit.
कः सर्वगुणविनाशी?
Which is the destroyer of all good qualities?
लोभः।
Greed.
शत्रुश्व कः?
A
Who is the enemy?
18

·कामः। Lust. 37. का च सभा परिहार्या? And what assembly is to be shunned? हीना या वृद्धसचिवेन। That which is devoid of elder councillor. इह कुत्र अवहितः स्यात् मनुजः? Here in what should a man be cautious ? किल, राजसेवायाम्। Verily, in the service of the King. 38. प्रणादपि को रम्यः? What is dearer even than life? कुलधर्मः साधुसङ्गश। One's duties followed hereditarily and the company of virtuous. का सुरक्ष्या? What is to be well protected ? कीतिः पतिव्रता नैजबुद्धिश्च। Good name, devoted wife and discernment. 19 ·39. का कल्पलता लोके? What is the Kalpa-creeper in the world ? सच्छिष्याय अर्पिता विद्या। Knowledge imparted to the earnest student. को अक्षयवटवृक्षस्स्यात् ? What is the imperishable banyan tree? विधिवत् सत्पात्रदत्त-दानं यत्। The gift offered to the deserving recipient according to rules. 40. किं शस्त्रं सर्वेषाम् ? What is weapon for all ? युक्तिः। Teason. माता च का? And who is the mother? धेनुः। Cow. किं नु बलम्? What indeed is strength ? 20

·यद्धैर्यम्।
That which is courage.
को मृत्युः?
What is death ?
यत् अवदानरहितत्वम्।
That which is absence of care.
41. कुत्र विषम् ?
Where is poison?
दुष्टजने।
In wicked people.
किमिह आशौचं भवेत् ?
What is defilement here?
ऋणं नृणाम्।
Indebtedness of men.
किं अभयं इह?
What is fearlessness here ?
वैराग्यम्।
Non-attachment.
21

·भयमपि किम्?
What too is fear?
वित्तमेव सर्वेषाम्।
For everyone it is wealth only.
42. का दुर्लभा नराणाम् ?
What is rare for people to get?
हरिभक्तिः।
Devotion to Hari.
पातकं च किम्?
What, too, is heinous ?
हिंसा।
Cruelty.
को हि भगवत्प्रियः स्यात् ?
Who, verily, is dear to the Lord?
योऽन्यं न उद्वेजयेत् अनुद्धिग्नः ।
One who causes no pain to others and is not
lost in worries.
43. कस्मात् सिद्धिः?
Whence is divine power?
22

·तपसः।
From penance.
बुद्धिः क नु?
Where is intelligence found?
भूसुरे।
In the Brahmana.
कुतो बुद्धिः?
Whence intelligence ?
वृद्धोपसेवया।
By serving intimately the elders.
?
के
वृद्धाः
Who are the elderly ?
ये धर्मतत्त्वज्ञाः।
Those who know the duty and the truth.
44. संभावितस्य मरणात् अधिकं किम् ?
What is more painful than death to a respected
person?
दुर्यशो भवति।
Infamy.
23

·लोके सुखी भवेत् कः?
Who will be happy in the world?
धनवान्।
The rich person.
धनमपि च किम्?
And what, indeed, is richness?
यतश्रेष्टम्।
By which there is fulfilment of wants.
45. सर्वसुखानां बीजं किम्?
What is the source of all pleasures?
पुण्यम्।
Merit.
दुःखमपि कुतः?
And whence pain?
पापात्।
From sin.
कस्य ऐश्वर्यम्?
Whose is the lordship?
24

·यः किल शंकरं आराधयेत् भक्त्या। One, verily, who worships Sankara with devotion. 46. को वर्धते? Who grows? विनीतः। The humble. को वा हीयते? Who degenerates? यो दृप्तः। The conceited person. को न प्रत्येतव्यः? Who is not to be trusted? ब्रूते यश्च अनृतं शश्वत्। One who as a rule utters lies. 47. कुत्र अनृतेऽपि अपापम्? On what occasions, is even a lie sinless? यचोक्तं धर्मरक्षार्थम्। That which is uttered for the sake of protecting righteousness 25

·को धर्मः?
What is rigteousness?
अभिमतो यः शिष्टानां निजकुलीनानाम् ।
That which has been practised by the virtuous
elders of the family.
48. साधुबलं किम्?
What is the strength of the good?
दैवम्।
God.
कः साधुः?
Who is good?
सर्वदा तुष्टः।
One who is always contented.
दैवं किम्?
What is divine?
यत्सुकृतम्।
The good deeds.
कः सुकृती?
Who is the doer of good deeds?
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·श्लाध्यते च यः सद्भिः।
One who is praised by the virtuous.
49. गृहमेधिनश्च मित्रं किम् ?
Who is the friend of a householder?
भार्या।
His wife.
को गृही च?
And who is a householder?
यो यजते।
One who performs sacrifices.
को यज्ञः?
What is sacrifice?
यः श्रुत्या विहितः श्रेयस्करो नृणाम् ।
That which is ordained by the scripture and is
for the welfare of people.
50. कस्य क्रिया राफला?
Whose action is fruitful ?
यः पुनः आचारवान् शिष्टः।
Of one who is of good conduct and refined.
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·कः शिष्टः?
Who is the refined?
यो वेदप्रमाणवान्।
One who has accepted the Vedas as authority.
को हतः?
Who is the one that gets killed?
क्रियाभ्रष्टः।
One who has fallen from his religious duties.
51. को धन्यः?
Who is the blessed?
सन्यासी।
One who i as renounced.
को मान्यः?
Who is esteemed ?
पण्डितः साधुः।
One who is wise and good.
कस्सेव्यः?
Who is to be worshipped?
यो दाता।
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·One who gives freely.
को दाता?
Who is the giver freely ?
यो अर्थितृप्तिं आतनुते।
One who gives satisfaction to the needy.
52. किं भाग्यं देहवताम् ?
What is good fortune for those who have body?
आरोग्यम्।
Health.
कः फली?
Who is the one that realizes the result ?
कृषिकृत् ।
The tiller.
कस्य न पापम्?
For whom is there no sin ?
जपतः।
For one who recites holy syllables.
कः पूर्ण?
Who is the complete person?
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·यः प्रजावान् स्यात्।
One who has progeny.
53. किं दुष्करं नराणाम् ?
What is difficult for human beings?
यन्मनसो निग्रहः सततम्।
The constant control of the mind.
को ब्रह्मचर्यवान् स्यात् ?
Who is a Brahmacarin?
यश्च अस्कलित ऊध्वरेतस्कः।
One who has sublimated his life-energy instead
of wasting it.
54. का च परदेवता उक्ता?
Who is said to be Supreme Goddess?
चिच्छक्तिः।
The consciousness - power (Amba).
को जगद्गर्ता?
Who is the protector of the world?
सूर्यः।
The Sun.
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·सर्वेषां को जीवनहेतुः?
Who is the cause of livelihood for everyone?
स पर्जन्यः।
That is rain,
55. को शूरः?
Who is brave?
यो भीतत्राता।
One who protects those in fright.
त्राता च कः?
And who is the protector?
स गुरुः।
It is the preceptor.
को हि जगद्गुरुरुक्तः?
Indeed, who is said to be the World-preceptor?
शंभुः।
Siva.
ज्ञानं कुतः?
Whence knowledge ?
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·शिवादेव।
Only from Siva.
56. मुक्तिं लभेत कस्मात् ?
How can one get release ?
मुकुन्दभक्तेः ।
By devotion to Mukunda (Vishnu).
मुकुन्दः कः?
Who is Mukunda ?
यस्तारयेत् अविद्याम् ।
One who takes us across ignorance.
का च अविद्या?
And what is ignorance ?
यत् आत्मनो अस्फूतिः ।
The non-manifestation of the Self.
57. कस्य न शोकः?
For whom there is no sorrow ?
यः स्यात् अक्रोधः।
For one who has no anger.
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·किं सुखम् ?
What is happiness ?
तुष्टिः।
Contentment.
को राजा?
Who is king ?
रंजनकृत्।
One who makes others happy.
कश्च श्वा?
Who is a dog ?
नीचसेवको यः स्यात् ।
One who serves the lowly.
58. को मायी?
Who wields Maya ?
परमेशः।
The Supreme Lord.
कः इन्द्रजालायते?
What is the divine Magic ?
प्रपंचोऽयम्।
This world.
।
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·कः स्वप्ननिभः? What resembles a dream ? जाग्रत् व्यवहारः। The activities of our waking life. सत्यमपि च किम्? And what is real ? ब्रह्म। Brahman. 59. किं मिथ्या? What is illusory? यद्विद्यानाश्यम्। That which is destroyed by knowledge. तुच्छंतु? (What is) total non-entity ? शशविषाणादि। Hare's horn etc. का च अनिर्वचनीया? What is indeterminable as either real or unreal? 34

·माया।
Maya.
किं कल्पितम्?
What is it that is superimposed (imagined) ?
द्वैतम्।
Duality.
60. किं पारमार्थिकं स्यात् ?
What is ultimately real ?
अद्वैतम्।
Non-duality.
च अज्ञता कुतः?
Whence this unknowingness ?
अनादिः।
It is beginningless.
वपुषश्च
पोषकं किम् ?
And what is the sustainer of the body ?
प्रारब्धम्।
The actions that have started yielding results.
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·च अन्नदायि किम्?
What bestows food ?
च आयुः।
And that is life-span.
61. को ब्राह्मणैः उपास्यः?
Who is to be contemplated by the Brahmanas?
गायत्रि - अर्क- अग्नि - गोचरः शंभुः ।
Siva who is seen in the Gayatri, Sun and fire.
गायत्र्यां आदित्ये च अग्नौ शंभौ च किं नु ?
What is there in the Gayatri, Sun, fire and Siva?
तत् तत्वम्।
That is the Reality.
62. प्रत्यक्षदेवता का?
Who is the perceptible Goddess ?
माता।
Mother.
पूज्यो गुरुश्च कः?
And who is the Preceptor to be honoured ?
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·तातः। Father. कः सर्वदेवतात्मा? Who is the self of all deities? विद्या - कान्वितो विप्रः। The Brahmana who is endowed with knowledge and action. 63. कच कुलक्षयहेतुः? What is the cause of the decadence of a family? संतापः सञ्जनेषु यो अकारिं। That which one does to produce heartburn in good people. केषां अमोघवचनम् ? Whose words never fail ? ये च पुनः सत्य-मौन-शम-शीलाः । Those, of course, who observe truthfulness, silence and control of the mind. 64. किं जन्म? What is birth ? विषयसंगः। Attachment to sense-objects. 37

·किं उत्तरं जन्म?
What is one's subsequent birth?
पुत्रः स्यात्।
It is the son.
को अपरिहार्य
What is unavoidable ?
मृत्युः।
Death.
कुत्र पदं विनसेच?
Where is the foot to be placed ?
दृक्पूते।
Where purity is perceived.
65. पात्रं किं अत्रदाने?
Who is the fit recipient of the gift of food ?
क्षुधितम् ।
The hungry.
को अच्यौं हि?
Indeed who is to be worshipped ?
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·भगवदवतारः।
Incarnation of God.
कश्च भगवान् ?
Who is the Lord ?
महेशः शंकरनारायणात्मकः ।
The Supreme Lord who is both Narayana and
Sankara.
66. फलमपि च भगवद्भक्तेः किम् ?
And what is the result of devotion to the Lord?
तल्लोक-स्वरूप - साक्षात्वम्।
The immediate realization of His Abode and
one's own Nature.
मोक्षश्च कः?
And what is release ?
हि अविद्या? अस्तमयः।
Indeed, it is the setting of ignorance.
कः सर्ववेदभूः?
What is the origin of the Vedas ?
अथ च ओम्।
And then, Om.
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·ते 67. इत्येषा कण्ठस्था प्रश्नोत्तर - रत्न-मालिका येषाम् । मुक्ताभरणा इव विमलाश्वाभान्ति सत्समाजेषु ॥ 'hose for whom the Question-Answer-Gem necklace is ready to quote from memory shine in the assembly of noble people like the necklace of pearls by dint of their purity. इति श्रीमत्परमहंस - परिव्राजकाचार्य- श्रीमच्छंकर - भगवत्पूज्यपादकृता प्रश्नोत्तररत्नमालिका समाप्ता॥ Thus ends the Prasnottara Ratna Malika - the Question - Answer - Gem - Necklace by Srimad Paramahamsa Parivrajakacharya Srimad Sankara Bhagavatpada. 40