बहुश्रुत कौन

Summary

The text discusses the concept of a "bahushrut" (one who has heard much, a learned person). It contrasts individuals who possess either height (elevation) or depth (gravity) but not both, using the mountain and the sea as examples. A truly learned person, or manasvi, possesses both qualities: the depth of knowledge and the height of conduct. The text defines a bahushrut as someone with deep knowledge who understands the essence of things and the context of statements, and whose conduct is elevated. Three types of bahushrut are described based on their scriptural knowledge: the lowest, middle, and highest, with the highest being one who knows the fourteen Purvas. The purpose of acquiring knowledge is for one's own liberation and for helping others achieve liberation. The Dashavaikalika Sutra lists four objectives of study: to gain knowledge, to achieve concentration, to establish oneself in dharma, and to establish others in dharma. The text also describes the characteristics of an "abahushrut" (unlearned person), which includes those who are ignorant, proud despite knowledge, greedy, or undisciplined. Sixteen qualities of a bahushrut monk are detailed using analogies: he is pure like milk in a conch, alert like a horse from Kamboja, invincible like a warrior on a horse, powerful like a sixty-year-old elephant, a leader like a bull, formidable like a lion, powerful like Vasudeva, influential like a chakravartin, possessing many eyes like Indra, radiant like the sun, complete like the full moon, a storehouse like a granary, ideal like the Jambu tree, pure like the Sita river, steady like Mount Meru, and filled with inexhaustible knowledge like the ocean. The text emphasizes that a true bahushrut not only imparts knowledge but also embodies it in his life, making his conduct as important as his learning.