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- Exhortation to the Graduating Students, Delivered by the Acharya at the Time of Convocation (Taittiriya Upanishad 1.11)
At the time of completion of the study (that is, at the time of the convocation), the Acharya exhorts the student as follows:
Speak the truth. Practise dharma. Do not neglect study [for the rest of your life]. After offering to the teacher whatever gifts he might like [as an expression of your gratefulness to him, see that] the line of progeny [or the line of discipleship] remains unbroken. Do not swerve from truth. Do not swerve from dharma. Do not neglect welfare. Do not neglect prosperity [that is, development]. Do not neglect study and teaching [for the rest of your life].
Do not neglect your duties to the gods and the Manes [that is, forefathers]. Look upon your mother as God, [the veritable embodiment of Divinity]. Look upon your father as God. Look upon your teacher as God. Look upon your guest as God. You should perform actions which are faultless, not others. You should follow [and perform] only those of our actions which are virtuous and good, not others.
Those teachers who are superior to us—you should comfort [and honour] them by offering them seats. Whatever [gifts] you give away, should be given with faith [that is, with joy and the courage of conviction], and not without faith. Give according to your plenty. Give with modesty. Give with fear [lest ‘your left hand should know what your right hand gives’]. Give with a feeling of friendliness and harmony.
Now, if there arises in your mind any doubt concerning any act, or any doubt concerning your conduct, you should conduct yourself in such matters as wise men [who are venerated in society for their impeccable character] would conduct themselves—wise men who are capable of [impartial] judgment, who [of their own accord] are devoted [to virtuous deeds] and not urged [for their performance] by others, who are not too severe, but are lovers of dharma.
Now, with regard to persons who are spoken against [that is, those who are accused for some lapse]—you should conduct yourself in such matters as wise men [who are venerated in society for their impeccable character] would conduct themselves—wise men who are capable of [impartial] judgment, who [of their own accord] are devoted [to virtuous deeds] and not urged [for their performance] by others, who are not too severe, but are lovers of dharma.
This is the rule [or law regarding conduct etc]. This is the teaching [or instruction]. This is the Upanishadic wisdom. This is the commandment.
You should rule yourself in this manner [as stated above]. Indeed, you should conduct yourself in this manner [continuously till the very last].
Om Peace, Peace, Peace.
