Sastra - scripture

Expressions researched:
"sastra (scripture)" |"scripture sastra" |"sastra or scriptures" |"sastra or scripture"

Bhagavad-gita As It Is

BG Chapters 1 - 6

Lord Caitanya said that a teacher should behave properly before he begins teaching. One who teaches in that way is called ācārya, or the ideal teacher. Therefore, a teacher must follow the principles of śāstra (scripture) to teach the common man. The teacher cannot manufacture rules against the principles of revealed scriptures.

BG 3.21, Translation and Purport: Whatever action a great man performs, common men follow. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.

People in general always require a leader who can teach the public by practical behavior. A leader cannot teach the public to stop smoking if he himself smokes. Lord Caitanya said that a teacher should behave properly before he begins teaching. One who teaches in that way is called ācārya, or the ideal teacher. Therefore, a teacher must follow the principles of śāstra (scripture) to teach the common man. The teacher cannot manufacture rules against the principles of revealed scriptures. The revealed scriptures, like Manu-saṁhitā and similar others, are considered the standard books to be followed by human society. Thus the leader's teaching should be based on the principles of such standard śāstras.