A shrewd man would scrupulously avoid evil deeds and refrain from doing acts, which men of learning and the sastras did not approve of, stubborn in his decision to do only virtuous deeds, he would brook no delay in executing them.
Avarice, anger and greed are among the qualities that should be renounced, if one is to live in peace and happiness. Even under the most adverse conditions , one should not give up courage, truth, patience rectitude and charitableness. To the strong, endurance adds prestige, and to the week, it is a source of strength.
In a discource Sri Sengalipuram Anantarama Dikshitar dwelt at length on what is known as “Vidhura Neethi” the advice given by the chief counsellor, to the agitated king dhritharashtra on Dharmam, with the hope of making him release his obligation to return to the pandavas their share of the kingdom.
Vidhura told the king that anger was the starting point for other passions, which obstructed the path to salvation. The adage “tine is a great healer” was more true in respect of anger than others. Anger would run itself out in course of time and the desire to wreak vengeance on the opponent would vanish.
The Atharva Veda contained , inter alia, certain acts., which, if done without a flew, would cause evil to others.These karmas had been Purposely made rigorous, complicated and elongated the idea being to allow same time to bring down the heat of one’s anger. A person performing the karma would, in all most all cases, get vexed and impatient half way through , and ultimately give up the idea of revenge Vidhura said it would be a grave folly to try to achieve stupendous tasks , if one did not have the strength of dharma on his side. The ruler of country should be careful in choosing his adviser and allies. To be friend opportunists and antagonise true friend would result in self – annihilation.
Procrastination, lethargy and after should be discarded. Knowledge unless combined with association with the virtuous(sat sangham) would lead to ahankara. A king should not indulge without limit in karma, drinking and gambling or hunting . He should avoid lavish expenditure. One who does not rejoice over other men’s suffering and one who does not live for his own well-being are truly great. Any amount of teaching of dharmam or virtue would have no effect on a lunatic, a person whose concentration was engaged on something else, and on one who was under the influence oh anger, kama, hunger, fear or liquor.
To impress on Dhritharashtra the need to stick to fair play and justice, Vidhura narrated a story relating to Prahlada. Even when his own son’s life was at stake, Prahlada did not deviate from the path of Satyam and upheld the contention of his son’s opponent. But all the advice of Vidhura provide a waste.
Happy ravidas jayanti