15.7 Study of the Scriptures Since most scriptures are available in translation, it would be a pointless exercise to apply the dictionary and Dhatu-Patha to merely confirm the translation; in fact, all translations are significantly flawed by two factors: the first is the translator's level of understanding of the subject (in respect of the scriptures that means spiritual understanding) and his ability to express that understanding in another language; secondly, the student (the reader of the translation) has his own limited associations with the words in his native tongue. These sources of error and misunderstanding are minimized by studying the scriptures in the original language, and, through tracing the etymology of each word to its finest, most universal source, thereby overcoming the limitations that the individual has with particular words and ideas. The translations are helpful in selecting a passage for study, and to confirm that the correct word is being traced through the dictionary. After this preparatory work with the dictionary and Dhatu-Patha, the passage is considered in relation to the section of scripture in which it occurs, in relation to the scripture as a whole, in relation to the entire Veda: the mind is thus turned towards the spiritual world, and slowly trained to view all of life in terms of that spiritual world. It does take practice before realising that the scriptural texts can only be understood through contemplation and meditation. As an illustration of this method of study, let us examine a verse from the Bhagavad GTta: Chapter 10 Verse 33 is selected simply because it has some words and concepts introduced in this course. It is an extract from SrT Krsna's response to Arjuna's asking for details of His Glory and powers; the first line of the verse is: Of letters I am the letter A; I am the copulative of compound words. At first glance, this statement does not appear to be at all profound or have any spiritual associations whatsoever, but nonetheless we pursue it through the dictionary and Dhatu-Patha to see what may be discovered. Removing the sandhi from this line, we have: 3T$KI u l I JH sasthl bahu-vacana of 3TSTC. ""N • • • Mv3b 3f$R a-kshara mfn. imperishable ... n. a syllable, letter, vowel, sound, word. MWla 3T 3. a a prefix having a negative or privative or contrary sense.
