SHREEVISHNUSHARMAPRANEETAM
PANCHATANTRAM
श्रीविष्णुशर्मप्रणीतं
पञ्चतन्त्रं
SANSKRIT TEXT
WITH
ENGLISH COMMENTARY
by
TEJASVINI
FIVE COURSES OF ACTION
PRESCRIBED IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE SCIENCE
{ANCIENT WISDOM}
INTRODUCTION
In this section, Sri Vishnu Sharma introduces the three
princes to the dark world of politics.
After knowing the worth of friendship, it is necessary to
know that there are also enemies in this world. Even if you do not want any one
to be opposed to you, even if you are friendly with every one, even if you are
ready to lay down your lives for another person, you will have enemies. Some
one or other will dislike you, just for what you are, for no reason. There is
no way you can change them, reform them or bring sense into them. They will try
to harm you, just for the pleasure of harming a person whom they like to hate.
In such a circumstance, what should the man of principles do? That too if you
are a king who is responsible for the happiness and safety of your citizens, what
should you do? This question is answered in this section.
Most of the birds are night-blind; the owls are day-blind.
When the crow opposes the leadership of a stupid owl, the owl instantly becomes
the enemy of the crows and with vengeance in heart it kills the crows at night.
It is now the question of survival. If such a situation arises, it is better
that a good king destroys his enemies and saves his people from danger. To
accomplish it, he can take recourse to any one of the five policies of battle or
simply cheat the enemy and destroy him. Saving the people who depend on you is
the prime concern of the king here.
This section explains the duties of a king and the
war-strategies.
The enmity between crows and owls and the destruction of the
owls through the method of deceit is narrated here. As usual there are many
small interesting anecdotes and stories entertaining as well as enlightening
the reader’s mind.
पञ्चतन्त्रं
तृतीयं तन्त्रं
{THIRD SECTION}
काकोलुकीयं
{NATURAL ENMITY BETWEEN CROWS AND OWLS}
Here then begins the third section named KAAKOLUKEEYAM (NATURAL ENMITY BETWEEN CROWS AND OWLS)
for which the first verse is like this-
न विश्वसेत्पूर्वविरोधितस्य
शत्रोश्च मित्रत्वमुपागतस्य
दग्धां गुहां पश्य
उलूकपूर्णां काकप्रणीतेन हुताशनेन [1]
One should not trust a person
who had been an enemy before and offers a
hand of friendship now.
Look at the cave which was once the
residing place of all owls,
now burnt by the fire kindled by the crow.
Now the story begins:
There is a city named Mahilaaropya in the Southern region of
the country. There is a fig tree on its outskirts. The tree had numerous
branches and was covered densely with leaves. The king of the crows named
MeghaVarna (hue like a dark cloud) lived with a huge number of his families on
that fig tree. He had constructed a fort on that tree for the protection of his
people and lived happily with his people inside that fort.
A king of the owls named AriMardana (Vanquisher of enemies)
lived with countless owls in the cave of a hill secure inside a fort. When
night fell, he always came to the fig tree and kept flying around it.
The king of owls maintained enmity against the crows from a
long time. If he met any crow by accident, then he killed it instantly and flew
away. By a daily routine of killing followed by the owl-king, the entire
fortress of crows became empty of crows in course of time.
Or it is quite appropriate!
It is said -
य उपेक्षेत
शत्रुं स्वं
प्रसरन्तं यदृच्छया
रोगं चालस्यसंयुक्तः
स शनैस्तेन
हन्यते [2]
He who because of sheer laziness
disregards the enemy and a disease
which
slowly and willfully encroaches inside,
gets slowly killed by them.
And also-
जातमात्रं न यः शत्रुं व्याधिञ्च प्रशमं नयेत्
अति पुष्टाङ्गयुक्तोsपि स पश्चात्तेन हन्यते [3]
He who does not subdue the enemy and the
disease as soon as they appear
gets killed by them even if he is endowed
with a strong body.
The king of crows called for a meeting with his ministers.
He said, “Ho! Our enemy is very powerful, sincere in his
efforts and times his attacks very well. He comes regularly at night times and
kills our people. How can we counter-attack him? We do not have night-vision,
nor do we do know the location of his fort so that we can attack him at day
time. So what do you people suggest? Which one to choose among the methods of –
alliance; battle; march and attack (or escape); stay secure in our place; seek
shelter from another king; duplicity? Discuss among yourselves well and give me
a solution quickly.”
{Six principle policies (six
expedients/ modes) according to Manusmriti are as follows:
1.Sandhi – peace or
alliance/league/friendship/treaty of peace
2.Vigraha –
war/hostility/fighting/battle
3.Yaana – march or
expedition/attacking or escape
4.Sthaana or Aasana –Halt/firm attitude or bearing of troops/standing
firm so as to repel a charge
5.Samshraya –shelter/ seeking
protection or shelter with/fleeing for refuge/forming or seeking
alliance/leaguing together for mutual protection
6.Dvaidha or DvaidheeBhaava-
Duplicity/double dealing/keeping apparently friendly relations with the enemy}
The ministers said -
“You have spoken rightly O king, by asking this question. It
is said -
अपृष्टेनापि वक्तव्यं सचिवेनात्र किञ्चन
पृष्टेन तु विशेषेण वाच्यं पथ्यं महीपतेः [4]
A minister should offer some advice even if
he is not consulted.
When consulted especially,
he should advise the right course to be
followed
that
is conducive to the welfare of the king.
यो न पृष्टो हितं ब्रूते परिणामे सुखावहं
मन्त्री च प्रियवक्ता च केवलं स रिपुः स्मृतः [5]
The minister even when consulted,
if
he does not advise the right course conducive to the welfare of the king
leading towards a happy ending,
then he should be considered as an enemy
for sure.
तस्मादेकान्तमासाद्य कार्यो मन्त्रो महीपते
येन तस्य वयं कुर्मो निर्णयं वारणं तथा [6]
Therefore consultation should be done in
solitude, O king.
Then we will be able to decide some right
course to be followed
and
thus block the enemy.
MeghaVarna chose among them five ministers named Ujjeevee, Sanjeevee,
Anujeevee, Prajeevee, and Chiranjeevee whose families had worked for
generations in that post and questioned each of them privately.
First he asked Ujjeevee, “Good one! I have explained to you
the present crisis. What do you suggest?”
{UJJEEVEE SUGGESTS ‘SANDHI’ (ALLIANCE
Ujjeevee said, “King! We should not fight with a strong foe;
our enemy is stronger than us and knows when to attack us. So it is better that
we seek alliance with him.
It is said -
बलीयसे प्रणमतां काले प्रहरतामपि
संपदो नापगच्छन्ति प्रतीपमिव निम्नगाः [7]
The rivers never flow towards the opposite
direction.
Similarly prosperities never leave the king
who acts humble towards a mighty enemy
but attacks him at a suitable time.
And also-
सन्न्यायो धार्मिकश्चाढ,यो भ्रातृसंङ्गातवान्वली
अनेकविजयी चैव संधेयः स रिपुर्भवेत् [8]
An enemy who strictly
follows the laid out rules;
who is righteous; who
is rich;
who is supported by
his brothers and other family members;
who has won many a
battles;
should always be approached with the treaty of
peace.
संधि: कार्योsप्यनार्येण विज्ञाय प्राणसंशयं
प्राणैः सुरक्षितैः सर्वं राज्यं भवति रक्षितं [9]
If it proves danger to
one’s life,
the king should make
alliance with even a wicked enemy.
If the lives are
safeguarded,
the whole of the kingdom remains safe.
Our enemy has always had a winning hand in all the battles.
So we should try our best to seek alliance with him.
It is said -
अनेकयुद्धविजयी संधानं यस्य गच्छति
तत्प्रभावेण तस्याशु वशं गच्छन्त्यरातयः [10]
If one seek alliance
with the enemy
who has been
victorious in many battles,
the other enemies
quickly come under control
by his supportive
gestures.
सन्धिमिच्छेत्समेनापि संदिग्धो विजयो
युधि
न हि सांशयिकं कुर्यादित्युवाच बृहस्पतिः
[11]
Brhaspati, the
preceptor of Gods has advised that
one should without any
hesitation seek alliance with the enemy
even if he is equally
powerful,
if the result of the
war seems unpredictable.
संदिग्धो विजयो युद्धे समेनापि हि युध्यतां
उपायत्रितयादूर्ध्वं तस्माद्युद्धं
समाचरेत् [12]
When the result of the
war is unpredictable,
one should fight with the equally powerful
enemy
only if all the three
strategies (negotiation; bribery; treason) fail.
असन्दधानो मानान्धः समेनापि हतो भृशं
आमकुम्भ इवान्येन करोत्युभयसंक्षयं
[13]
A king who does not
seek alliance with an enemy blinded by false prestige
will be killed by the
equally powerful enemy
and will cause destruction to both the sides
like two unbaked pots thrown over each other.
समं शक्तिमता युद्धमशक्तस्य हि मृत्यवे
दृषत्कुम्भमिवाभित्वा नावतिष्ठेत शक्तिमान् [14]
If a weak one battles
a strong one,
the strong enemy will
not rest till the weaker one is dead
like the stone thrown at a clay pot.
And again-
भूमिमित्रं हिरण्यं वा विग्रहस्य
फलत्रयं
नास्त्येकमपि यद्येषां विग्रहं न
समाचरेत् [15]
Land, friend, or gold
should be the resultant gain through hostility.
If not even one of
them can be gained,
then one should not
maintain hostility towards another.
खनन्नाखु बिलं सिंहः पाषाणशकलाकुलं
प्राप्नोति नखभङ्गं वा फलं वा मूषको
भवेत् [16]
If a lion digs a rat’s
hole filled with stone pieces
it will get its nails
broken; or get a rat as a reward for all its efforts.
तस्मान्न स्यात्फलं यत्र पुष्टं युद्धं
तु केवलं
तत्र स्वयं तदुत्पाद्य कर्तव्यं न
कथञ्चन [17]
Therefore one should
never find a reason for hostility and fight with full resources,
when there is nothing
to be gained.
बलीयसा समाक्रान्तो वैतसीं वृत्तिमाचरेत्
वान्च्छन्नभ्रंशिनीं लक्ष्मीं न भौजङ्गीम् कदाचन [18]
When attacked by a
stronger foe,
one should behave
reed-like (bowing down when strong wind blows)
and not snake-like
(attack with raised hood),
if he wants stable
prosperity.
कुर्वन् हि
वैतसीं वृत्तिं प्राप्नोति महतीं श्रियं
भुजङ्गवृत्तिमापन्नो वधमर्हति केवलं
[19]
By behaving reed-like
one obtains great riches.
A person who acts
snake-like deserves only death.
कौर्मं संकोचमास्थाय प्रहारानपि मर्षयेत्
प्राप्ते काले च मतिमानुत्तिष्टेत् कृष्णसर्पवत् [20]
Withdrawing oneself
like the tortoise,
one should patiently
bear even the beatings (attack of the enemy).
When proper time
arrives,
the wise man should
rise up
and strike like a
black snake.
आगतं विग्रहं मत्वा सुसाम्ना प्रशमं नयेत्
विजयस्य ह्यनित्यत्वाद्रभसं च समुत्सृजेत् [21]
Accepting the war that
is inevitable
one should bring its
cessation through conciliatory measures.
As the victory is not sure,
one should refrain from rashness.
And also-
बलिना सह योद्धव्यमिति नास्ति निदर्शनं
प्रतिवातं न हि घनः कदाचिदुपसर्पति [22]
It is not always proved right
that one should always fight a strong enemy.
The cloud does not willfully
approach the strong wind blowing against it.”
In this manner Ujjeevee advised the king to seek alliance
with the enemy king.
The king heard what Ujjeevee said and asked Sanjeevee –
“O good one! I want to know what your opinion is too.”
{SANJEEVEE SUGGESTS ‘VIGRAHA’ (BATTLE
Sanjeevee said -“Lord! I do not think that seeking alliance
with the enemy is such a good idea.
For, it is said -
शत्रुणा नहि संदध्यात्सुश्लिष्टेनापि
संधिना
सुतप्तमपि पानीयं शमयत्येव पावकं [23]
One should not seek
friendship with an enemy even if an alliance is sought for by him.
Even if the water is
heated well, (fire and water meet as friends)
the water always quenches it.
Another thing is, that owl-king is cruel, extremely greedy and has no
ethics. He should not be sought for alliance at any cost.
For it is said -
सत्यधर्मविहीनेन न संदध्यात्कथञ्चन
सुसंधितोsप्यसाधुत्वादचिराद्याति विक्रियां [24]
One should never seek
alliance with a person
who is not honest and
righteous in his dealings.
Though bonded by the
vow of alliance
he will soon act differently
(harmful)
because of his wicked nature.
Therefore I suggest that
we fight with the enemy.
It is said -
क्रूरो लुब्धोsलसोsसत्यः प्रमादी भीरुरस्थिरः
मूढो युद्धावमन्ता च सुखोच्छेद्यो
भवेद्रिपुः [25]
An enemy who is
greedy, lazy, dishonest, careless, afraid,
who does not stick up
to his words,
who is foolish, who
slights war-fare is easy to defeat.
Another thing is that we
are already defeated by him. If we now offer him a hand of friendship he will
again get highly enraged.
It is said -
चतुर्थोपायसाध्ये तु रिपौ सान्त्वमपक्रिया
स्वेद्यमामज्वरं प्राज्ञः कोsम्भसा परिषिञ्चति [26]
When it is feasible to
fight back an enemy,
seeking alliance is a
wrong action.
Which wise man will
sprinkle cold water on a person afflicted with fever
where sweating acts as
a cure.
सामवादाः सकोपस्य शत्रोः प्रत्युत
दीपकाः
प्रतप्तस्येव सहसा सर्पिषस्तोयबिन्दवः [27]
Conciliatory talks have the opposite
effect of kindling the anger of the enemy
like the water drops falling on the
hot ghee.
And what Ujjeevee said
about the enemy being very strong is not sensible.
For it is said -
सोत्साहशक्तिसम्पन्नो हन्याच्छत्रुं
लघुर्गुरुं
यथा कण्ठीरवो नागे सुसाम्राज्यं प्रपद्यते [28]
A king who is endowed with
enthusiasm and strength
should kill all enemies, be they
mighty or weak.
The lion establishes its kingdom by
killing even the elephants.
मायया शत्रवो वध्या अवध्याः स्युर्बलेन
ये
यथा स्त्रीरूपमास्थाय हतो भीमेन कीचकः [29]
Those enemies who cannot be killed
through sheer strength
should be killed through deceit,
like how Bheema killed Keechaka in
the disguise of a woman.
And also-
मृत्योरिवोग्रदण्डस्य राज्ञो
यान्ति वशं द्विषः
शष्पतुल्यं हि मन्यन्ते दयालुं रिपवो
नृपं [30]
The enemies easily come under the
control of a king
who orders severe punishments.
They disregard a kind king by
equaling him to a piece of grass.
प्रयात्युपशमं यस्य तेजस्तेजस्वितेजसा
वृथा जातेन किं तेन मातुर्योवनहारिणा [31]
What use is the birth of a person
whose face loses luster in the
presence of a powerful enemy?
He has just wasted away his mother’s youthful
years.
या लक्ष्मीर्नानुलिप्ताङ्गी वैरिशोणितकुङ्कुमैः
कान्तापि मनसः प्रीतिं न सा धत्ते
मनस्विनां [32]
If the Goddess of prosperity is not
anointed
by the vermillion namely the
red-blood of the enemies,
she does not love the persons who
are attracted by her.
रिपुरक्तेन संसिक्ता वैरिस्त्रीनेत्रवारिणा
न भूमिर्यस्य भूपस्य का श्लाघा तस्य
जीवने [33]
What worth is a king’s life
if his land is not drenched by the blood of
his enemies
mixed with
the stream of tears flowing from
eyes of the wives of his enemies?”
In this manner, Sanjeevee
suggested that fight alone was the best policy to be adopted.
The king then asked
Anujeevee,
“O good one! Please let me know your opinion
also.”
{ANUJEEVEE SUGGESTS –‘YAANA’ (ESCAPE)}
Anujeevee said, “Lord!
That wicked enemy of ours is very strong and has no decorum. Therefore neither
alliance nor battle is suited here; escape is the only strategy to be adopted.
It is said -
बलोत्कटेन दुष्टेन मर्यादारहितेन च
न संधिर्विग्रहो नैव विना यानं प्रशस्यते [34]
Neither alliance, nor fight is advisable
if the enemy is powerful, has a mighty army,
is wicked and has no decorum.
Escape is the best strategy that
needs to be followed.
द्विधाकारं भवेद्यानं भये प्राणप्ररक्षणं
एकमन्यज्जिगीषोश्च यात्रालक्षणमुच्यते [35]
The strategy of travel is of two
types.
One is when you escape in fright to
save your lives;
the other is when you march to attack
an enemy desirous of conquering him.
कार्तिके वाथ चैत्रे वा विजिगीषोः
प्रशस्यते
यानमुत्कृष्टवीर्यस्य शत्रुदेशे न चान्यदा [36]
The valorous king who wants to
conquer the enemy
should time his attack in the months
of Kaarthika (winter) or Chaitra (summer)
not in other months.
अवस्कन्दप्रदानस्य सर्वे कालाः प्रकीर्तिताः
व्यसने वर्तमानस्य शत्रोश्च्छिद्रान्वितस्य
च [37]
If the attack is to be secretly
done,
then all times are favorable,
if the enemy is facing problems and
is vulnerable with many faults.
स्वस्थानं सुदृढं कृत्वा शूरैश्चाप्तैर्महाबलै:
परदेशं ततो गच्छेत्प्रणिधिव्याप्तमग्रतः [38]
After strengthening the safety of
one’s own place,
one should enter the ‘enemy
territory which is already been invaded by one’s spies’,
accompanied by valorous men, friends
and mighty warriors.
अज्ञातवीवधासारतोयसस्यो व्रजेत्तु
यः
परराष्ट्रं स नो भूयः स्वराष्ट्रमधिगच्छति [39]
He who starts for his enemy country,
without planning the routes, the strength of
his friends, water supply, and grains (food),
never returns home.
Therefore it is best that we withdraw into hiding.
Another thing is-
न विग्रहो न संधानं बलिना तेन पापिना
कार्यलाभमपेक्ष्यापसरणं क्रियते बुधैः [40]
Wise ones do not seek either
hostility or alliance with the strong wicked enemy.
Seeing only the practical side of
it, they just withdraw into hiding.
It is also said -
यदपसरति मेषः कारणं तत्प्रहर्तुं
मृगपतिरापि कोपात्सङ्कुचत्युपतिष्णु:
हृदयनिहितवैराः गूढमन्त्रप्रचाराः
किमपि विगणयन्तो बुद्धिमन्तः सहन्ते [41]
If the goat moves back, it is only
to attack with more force.
The lion also contracts itself in
anger, to pounce on the enemy.
Holding the enmity in the heart,
engaged in secret plans to attack the enemy,
the wise ones somehow patiently bear
with everything
disregarding every suffering that faces
them.
And also-
बलवन्तं रिपुं दृष्ट्वा देशत्यागं
करोति यः
युधिष्टिर इवाप्नोति पुनर्जीवन्स
मेदिनीं [42]
Observing the enemy as powerful,
if any person moves away from the
country and remains alive somehow,
he will regain his kingdom like Yudhishtira.
युद्ध्यतेsहम्कृतिम् कृत्वा दुर्बलो यो बलीयसा
स तस्य वाञ्छितं कुर्यादात्मनश्च कुलक्षयम् [43]
If any weak king, feeling
extremely egoistic fights with a stronger enemy,
he will only be fulfilling the wishes of the enemy and
cause the destruction of his family.
Therefore, when facing
the danger of attack from the enemy, alliance or battle will not help. This is
the time to escape and go into hiding.”
In this manner Anujeevee
suggested ‘Escape’ as the best strategy.
The king heard his words
and then asked Prajeevee,
“O Good one! Tell me your opinion also.”
{PRAJEEVEE SUGGESTS –‘STHAANA’ (STAYING AT ONE’S PLACE
FIRMLY)}
Prajeevee said – “Lord! I
am not in favor of all these three policies- alliance, battle or escape.
Especially ‘Remaining stationary’
(The firm attitude or bearing of troops, standing firm so as to repel a charge)
is the best course to follow now.
For, it is said -
नक्रः स्वस्थानमासाद्य गजेन्द्रमपि कर्षति
स एव प्रच्युतः स्थानाच्छुनापि परिभूयते [44]
The crocodile remaining in its den can pull even an elephant.
When away from his den,
he can be humiliated even by a dog.
And also-
अभियुक्तो बलवता दुर्गे तिष्ठेत् प्रयत्नवान्
तत्रस्थः सुहृदाह्वानं प्रकुर्वीतात्ममुक्तये [45]
When attacked by a mightier enemy,
the king should make efforts to stay inside his own fort.
Staying there secure and safe, he must send word to his friends outside
to help him get out of the
crisis.
यो रिपोरागमनं श्रुत्वा भयसंत्रस्तमानसः
स्वस्थानं संत्यजेत्तत्र न स भूयो विशेन्नरः [46]
If a king who hears of the enemy’s forthcoming attack,
gets into a panicky state of the mind; leaves
his place; and escapes,
he can never enter it again.
दंष्ट्राविरहितः सर्पो मदहीनो यथा गजः
स्थानहीनस्तथा राजा गम्यः स्यात्सर्वजन्तुषु [47]
A serpent removed of its fangs, an elephant which is not in musth,
a king who has lost his fort,
easily get defeated by all.
निजस्थानस्थितोsप्येकः शतं योद्धुं सहेन्नरः
शक्तानामपि शत्रूणां तस्मात्स्थानम् न संत्यजेत् [48]
A person even if alone
can face hundreds of strong enemy soldiers
if he remains in his own place.
Therefore one should not leave his place.
तस्मात् दुर्गं दृढं कृत्वा वीवधासारसम्युतं
प्राकारपरिखायुक्तं शस्त्रादिभिरलन्कृतं [49]
तिष्ट मध्यगतो नित्यं युद्धाय कृतनिश्चय:
जीवन् संप्राप्स्यसि क्ष्मान्तं मृतः स्वर्गमवाप्स्यसि [50]
Therefore strengthen your fort; store enough food and necessities;
build a trench around the fort; decorate the army with weapons;
make the firm decision of fighting the enemy;
and remain stationed at the center.
If you live you will own the entire earth.
If you die you will attain the heaven.
Another thing is-
बलिनामपि न बाध्यन्ते लघवोप्येकसंश्रयाः
विपक्षेणापि मरुता यथैकस्थानवीरुधः [51]
Even if weak, if all stay together,
they won’t be harassed by the stronger ones.
The creepers which stay entwined at one place do not get affected by
the wind
which blows from the opposite direction.
महानप्येकको वृक्षो बलवान् सुप्रतिष्ठितः
प्रसह्यैव हि वातेन शक्यो धर्षयितुं यतः [52]
Because, a strong tree standing alone,
though huge, though well-rooted,
can be uprooted violently by the wind in no time.
अथ ये संहता वृक्षाः सर्वतः सुप्रतिष्ठिताः
न ते शीघ्रेण वातेन हन्यन्ते ह्येकसंश्रयात् [53]
Whereas the well-rooted trees closely clustered together
cannot be destroyed by the winds
because they are all placed
together at one place.
एवं मनुष्यमप्येकं शौर्येणापि समन्वितं
शक्यं द्विषन्तो मन्यन्ते हिंसन्ति च ततः परम् [54]
So also, the enemies think of a man standing alone as an easy target
and kill him
even if he is strong and valorous.”
In this manner Prajeevee suggested ‘Staying firmly in one’s
place’ as the best course to be adopted.
The king heard his words and asked Chiranjeevee-
“O Good one! Please word your opinion too.”
{CHIRANJEEVEE SUGGESTS –‘SAMSHRAYA’ (SEEKING HELP FROM
OTHERS)}
Chiranjeevee said -“O Lord! Among the six strategies I
believe ‘Taking shelter with others’ is the best of all. So we should try that
strategy only.
It is said -
असहायः समर्थोsपि तेजस्वी किं करिष्यति
निर्वाते ज्वलिते वह्निः स्वयमेव प्रशाम्यति [55]
What can a man without any support do,
even if he is efficient, even
if he is valorous?
The fire burning in a windless place will die out by itself.
सङ्गतिः श्रेयसी पुंसां स्वपक्षे च विशेषतः
तुषैरपि परिभ्रष्टा न
प्ररोहन्ति तण्डुलाः [56]
Company is good for men; that too if they belong to his own group.
The paddy crop does not grow, if the rice grains have lost even their
husk.
Therefore staying safely inside this fortress itself, some
other capable person has to be approached for support; he will do the needful
in this crisis. If you leave this residence of yours and go elsewhere, then
nobody will offer help even in words.
It is said -
वनानि दहतो वह्नेः सखा भवति मारुतः
स एव दीपनाशाय कृशे कस्यास्ति सौहृदम् [57]
The wind is a friend of the fire when it is fiercely burning forests.
The same wind blows away the tiny lamp light.
Who acts as a friend to the weak ever?
Or, it is not necessary
that we have to seek shelter in a strong ally only. Even seeking help from
ordinary groups of people also helps.
It is said -
संघातवान्यथा वेणुर्निबिड़ो वेणुभिर्वृतः
न शक्यः स समुच्छेत्तुं दुर्बलोsपि तथा नृपः [58]
A bamboo tree surrounded by thick bamboo clusters,
cannot be uprooted even if it is not strong.
Similar is the situation of a king.
If we by chance get the
support of excellent, then what more to say; that is the best thing that can
happen!
It is said -
महाजनस्य संपर्कः कस्य नोन्नतिकारकः
पद्मपत्रस्थितं तोयं धत्ते मुक्ताफलश्रियं [59]
Who does not shine by the company of the great?
The water drop staying on the lotus leaf gets
the beauty of the pearls.
Therefore, there is no
other course to be followed now except taking shelter with others. So I am of
the opinion that ‘Taking shelter’ is the best policy.”
This was the suggestion
of Chiranjeevee.
{KING CONSULTS STHIRAJEEVEE, AN
OLD MINISTER}
When this was said, king
MeghaVarna approached a minister named SthiraJeevee who was far-seeing, who was
extremely old, who had served his father well, and who was well versed in all
the sciences of administration.
The king saluted him with
reverence and said -
“Grand-Sire! Even as you
were seated here, I questioned these ministers only to test them so that you
could hear their opinions and advise me the right course. So command me what
course I should follow!”
{STHIRAJEEVEE SUGGESTS ‘DVAIDHEE-BHAAVA’
(DUPLICITY)}
SthiraJeevee said -
“Son! All these ministers
have given their advice based on the administrative sciences only. They are
useful sometime or other, no doubt! But now is the time to take recourse to ‘Duplicity’
(double-dealing).
It is said -
अविश्वासं सदा तिष्टेत्सन्धिना विग्रहेण च
द्वैधीभावं समाश्रित्य पापे शत्रौ
बलीयसि [60]
If the enemy is wicked and powerful,
one should completely distrust him at all times;
take recourse to the policy of duplicity;
make a pretence of friendship and plan his
destruction secretly.
Not trusting anyone
yourself, but making the enemy trust you by pleasing him in many ways, you can
destroy him easily.
It is said -
उच्छेद्यमपि
विद्वांसो वर्धयन्त्यरिमेकदा
गुडेन वर्धितः श्लेष्मा सुखं वृद्ध्या
निपात्यते [61]
Though the need is there to destroy,
the wise man should build up the enmity at first.
The phlegm which increases by the molasses can be easily destroyed
once it has reached a particular level.
स्त्रीणां शत्रोः कुमित्रस्य पण्यस्त्रीणां विशेषतः
यो भवेदेकभावेन न स जीवति मानवः [62]
A man who trusts women, enemies, a wicked friend,
and especially the prostitutes, does not live for long.
कृत्यं देवद्विजातीनामात्मनश्च गुरोस्तथा
एकभावेन कर्तव्यं शेषं भावद्वयाश्रितैः [63]
One should perform whole heartedly (honestly),
only the actions related to gods, Brahmins, Self and the Guru.
Rest of the actions can be performed with duplicity.
एको भावः सदा शस्तो यतीनां भावितात्मनां
श्रीलुब्धानां न लोकानां विशेषेण
महीभृतां [64]
Recluses and realized persons have to remain always honest.
Those greedy after wealth especially kings need not be like that.
Taking recourse to the policy of duplicity, you can live at
your own residence. Moreover, by taking advantage of the greed of the enemy,
you can also drive him away. Another thing is that you can find out his weak
points and destroy him also.”
MeghaVarna said -
“Sire! I do not know where he resides! So how can I find his
weak points?”
SthiraJeevee said -“Son! Not only his place of residence,
but I will let you know of his weak points also through the spies!”
It is said -
गावो गन्धेन पश्यन्ति वेदैः पश्यन्ति वै द्विजाः
चारैः पश्यन्ति राजानः चक्षुभ्यामितरे जनाः [65]
The cows see by smelling.
The Brahmins see with Vedas (Knowledge).
The kings see with their spies.
Others see only with their eyes.
{TEERTHAAS (AUXILIARIES)}
It is also mentioned about this
topic -
यस्तीर्थानि निजे पक्षे परपक्षे विशेषतः
आप्तैश्चारैर्नृपो वेत्ति न स दुर्गतिमाप्नुयात् [66]
The king who knows about the auxiliaries (Teerthaas) in his group
through his close friends,
and in the enemy circle through spies
will never get into a bad situation.
{Teertha:
An auxiliary, a help; a
person or official connected with the king and being in close attendance on
him;
(the number being 15 on one’s
side and 18 on the enemy’s side)}
MeghaVarna said -
“Sire! What are these auxiliaries? How many are there? How
will the spies be like? Explain to me everything.”
SthiraJeevee said
-
“Yudhishtira was advised on this matter by Lord Naarada. In
the enemy’s camp there should be eighteen auxiliaries (agents); fifteen in
one’s own country.
Secrets should be found out by three three spies at every
point. If the secrets are known, both our side and the enemy’s side will be
under our control.
Naarada said to Yudhishtira-
रिपोरष्टादशैतानि स्वपक्षे दश पञ्च च
त्रिभिस्त्रिभिरविज्ञातैर्वेत्सि तीर्थानि चारकैः [67]
You can find out about the ‘Teerthaas’
through disguised spies grouped as three in number
at eighteen auxiliaries in the enemy camp
and fifteen auxiliaries in one’s own place.
The word ‘Teertha’ here means, work done by an agent (or
Deputy). If that work is disregarded, then it will lead to the destruction of
one’s master. If it is given serious attention, that will help the master to
attain success in his enterprises.
They are-
‘Minister, priest, commander of the army, prince,
door-keeper, the superintend of the women’s apartment, the governor, the collector
of taxes, the one who receives in charge, the collector
of money, the person who announces the king’s orders, the commander of cavalry ,
the superintend of elephants, the superintend of the assembly, the superintend
of the troops, treasurer, the governor of the castle, the guardian of the
frontier, personal servants of the king-men’ - through these various employees,
the enemy gets conquered.
On our side- the queen, mother, armed door-keeper,
garland-maker, superintendent of the king’s bed-chamber, commander of the
spy-force, the almanac-maker, physician, water-bearer, the servant who carries
the betel-box to make Taamboola (mouth freshener), the preceptor, body-guard,
the superintendent of the place, the bearer of the umbrella as a royal authority,
a woman who entertains’- through these members, our side can be harmed. It is said
-
वैद्यसांवत्सराचार्याः स्वपक्षेsधिकृताश्चरा:
तथाहितुण्डिकोन्मत्ता: सर्वं जानन्ति शत्रुषु [68]
More number of spies disguised as men of medical profession,
astrologers, teachers, snake-charmers,
and insane persons
employed from one’s side will
find out everything about the enemy.
कृत्वा कृत्यविदस्तीर्थेष्वन्तः प्रणिधयः
पदं
विदाङ्कुर्वन्तु
महतस्तलं विद्विषदंभसः [69]
The efficient spies entering most important points of the enemy
country,
will gather the secrets
by entering the ‘enemy-ocean’ to fathom its secrets.”
After listening to the advice of the minister, MeghaVarna said
-
“Sire! What is the reason that the enmity has risen between
the crows and the owls that they are ready to kill each other?”
SthiraJeevee said -
काकोलूकवैरकथा
{THE
STORY OF THE ENMITY BETWEEN CROWS AND OWLS}
“Once all the birds namely, swans, parrots, cranes, cuckoos,
chaataka birds, owls, doves, pigeons got together and started discussing
excitedly.
“Aha! Our king is the great son of Vinutaa (Garuda). He is
the devotee of Lord Vishnu. He does not bother about us at all. Then what use
is such a master? He does not even protect us who are getting harassed by the
hunters with their snares.”
यो न रक्षन्ति वित्रस्तान् पीड्यमानान्परैः
जन्तून् पार्थिवरूपेण
स कृतान्तो न संशयः [70]
He who does not protect the people tormented by enemies is the Death-god
in person. There is no doubt about this.
यदि न स्यान्नरपतिः संयङ्नेता ततः प्रजाः
अकर्णधारा जलधौ विप्लवेतेह नौरिव [71]
If the king does not prove himself as a good leader,
the people will perish
like the boat sailing in the
ocean without a boat-man.
षडिमान् पुरुषो
जह्याद्भिन्नां नावमिवार्णवे
अप्रवक्तारमाचार्यमनधीयानमृत्विजं [72]
अरक्षितारं राजानं भार्यां चाप्रियवादिनीं
ग्रामकामञ्च गोपालं वनकामं च नापितं
[73]
Six persons mentioned here should be discarded
like the boat with a hole sailing in the ocean;
a teacher who does not teach well,
a priest who does not know his
chants,
a king who does not protect,
a wife who speaks in a hurting way,
a cow-herd who is attached to his village,
a barber who is attached to the forest.
So let us all have a discussion and appoint some other bird
as our king.”
They then observed the owl with its auspicious features;
they all recommended that the owl was the best bird suited to be their ruler.
They decided to bring all the necessary items for consecrating him as the king
immediately.
Waters from various sacred rivers were brought; hundred and
eight types of medicinal roots were collected; the throne was arranged in a
proper place; a wonderful picture of seven islands and oceans and mountains was
painted on the ground; the tiger skin was spread on the floor ; the golden pots
were filled up; rows of lighted lamps were placed all around; music of the orchestra
filled all the quarters; and other all
auspicious things were arranged; the young girls sang melodies songs; the
Krikaalikaa bird (heron) was brought there to perform the consecration
ceremony; the owl sat on the throne with all the grandeur!
And lo! The crow arrived there from somewhere!
He thought- “Aha! What is this going on here? Why are the birds
gathered together? What is the occasion
for the festivities?”
The birds saw him and whispered among themselves-
“Among the birds, crow is the cleverest of all!
It is said -
नराणां नापितो धूर्तः पक्षिणान्चैव वायसः
दंष्ट्रिनाञ्च शृगालस्तु श्वेतभिक्षुस्तपस्विनां [74]
Among men, a barber is deceitful; among birds, the crow;
among wild animals, the jackal;
among recluses, the one who dons the white cloth.
Therefore, he also should
be consulted.
It is said -
बहुधा बहुभिः सार्धम् चिन्तिताः सुनिरूपिताः
कथन्चिन्न विलीयन्ते विद्वद्भिश्चिन्तिता
नयाः [75]
The theories (strategies) invented by wise men
after discussions with many others, many times, and proved in real
life-situations,
do not ever lead to failures.”
The crow approached them and questioned - “Oho! What is the
occasion of so much crowd and great festivities?”
They all said - “Ho! There is no proper ruler for us
birds. So all of us decided that this
owl should become our king and we are now making preparations for his
consecration ceremony. Please express your opinion too, as you have arrived at
the right time.”
Then the crow laughed aloud and said -“Ha Ha! This is not at
all proper! When such wonderful birds like peacocks, swans, cuckoos, ruddy
geese, parrots, ducks, pigeons, cranes are all there, you people have chosen
the ugly faced owl who is blind at day-time to be your ruler and are getting
ready for his consecration ceremony. I do not approve of it!
Because-
वक्रनासं सुजिह्माक्षं क्रूरमप्रियदर्शनं
अक्रुद्धस्येदृशं वक्त्रं भवेत्कृद्धस्य
कीदृशं [76]
If a person who is not angry looks so unpleasant and cruel
with his crooked nose and squinted eyes,
how will he appear when angry?
And also-
स्वभावरौद्रमत्युग्रम् क्रूरमप्रियवादिनं
उलूकं नृपतिं कृत्वा का नः सिद्धिर्भविष्यति
[77]
What great achievement is going to be there for us
by making the owl a king?
He is naturally ferocious; violent; cruel and rude in his talks.
Moreover, when Vainateya is already our king, why this
day-blind owl is chosen to be our king? Our king Garuda does not lack virtues;
and when already he is our king, it is not proper to appoint another ruler.
एक एव हितार्थाय तेजस्वी पार्थिवो
भुवः
युगान्त इव भास्वन्तो बहवोsत्र विपत्तये [78]
One valorous king will take good care of his people.
Too many leaders will bring about disasters
like too many suns at the dissolution times.
By just taking the name of our king Vainateya, you become
unapproachable to all others.
It is said -
गुरूणां नाममात्रेsपि गृहीते स्वामिसंभवे
दुष्टानां पुरतः क्षेमं तत्क्षणादेव
जायते [79]
By taking merely the name of the great person who rules,
instantly one is saved when caught by enemies.
And also-
व्यपदेशेन महतां सिद्धि: संजायते
परा
शशिनो व्यपदेशेन वसन्ति शशकाः सुखं [80]
By taking the name of the great, great good happens.
By getting connected to the moon, the rabbits live care-free.”
The birds said -“How is that so?”
He said -
शशकगजयूथपकथा
{THE STORY OF THE RABBIT AND THE HERD OF ELEPHANTS}
“Once there lived in some forest, a huge elephant named ‘ChaturDanta’
(elephant with four tusks) as the leader of his herd. It so happened that there
were no rains for many years and famine stuck that area. Then all the pools,
lakes, tanks and water-holes in that area became completely dry.
Then all the elephants approached their leader and said -“Lord!
The elephant-cubs are all dying because of thirst; many are dead already. So search
for some lake so that they can drink water and regain their health.”
ChaturDanta thought for a while and said -“There is a huge
lake situated in a deserted place on an even-ground, filled always with the
waters of River Ganges flowing below the earth. Let us all go there.”
It was done so.
They walked for five nights and reached that huge lake. They
swam in its cool waters all through the day to their hearts’ fill and came out
of it at the end of the day.
Countless rabbit holes were situated in the soft ground
surrounding that lake. As the elephants moved all over the grounds near that
lake joyously, the rabbits got trampled under their feet; some had their feet
broken, some their heads, some their necks. Many died; many were left wounded
and half-alive.
After the herd of elephants left, the rabbits all got
together at one place with apprehension and anxiety. The holes they lived had
all crumbled; some rabbits had lost their legs; some were hurt all over and
bled profusely; some had lost their cubs and were shedding tears continuously
and weeping aloud. They all said -“Alas! We are ruined! Daily the elephant herd
will come here to quench their thirst as there is no water to be found anywhere
else. We will be completely destroyed.
It is said -
स्पृशन्नपि गजो हन्ति जिघ्रन्नपि
भुजङ्गमः
हसन्नपि नृपो हन्ति मानयन्नपि दुर्जनः [81]
The elephant kills by mere touching.
The serpent kills by smelling.
The king kills with his laughter.
The wicked person kills through respect.
Therefore think of some plan.”
One of them said -“Let us all leave this place and go! What
else can we do? It has been stated by Manu and Vyaasa-
त्यजेदेकं कुलस्यार्थे ग्रामस्यार्थे
कुलं त्यजेत्
ग्रामं जनपदस्यार्थे आत्मार्थे पृथिवीं
त्यजेत् [82]
For the sake of the family, a single person can be sacrificed.
For the sake of the village, a family can be sacrificed.
A village can be sacrificed for the sake of the country.
The whole of the earth can be sacrificed to save oneself.
क्षेम्यां सस्यप्रदां नित्यं पशुवृद्धिकरीमपि
परित्यजेन्नृपो भूमिमात्मार्थमविचारयन् [83]
To save himself,
a king should give up his land without any hesitation,
even if the land is prosperous, fertile, and filled with useful
animals.
आपदर्थे धनं रक्षेद् दारान्रक्षेद्धनैरपि
आत्मानं सततं रक्षेद्दारैरपि धनैरपि [84]
One should save money to use in emergencies.
One should save one’s wife even by losing the money.
One should save oneself even at the price of losing the wife or wealth.
Then others said -“Ho! We
cannot immediately discard the place lived by our grandfathers and fore-fathers
and move away. Think of something to frighten them and hope that destiny favors
us and they never ever come here again.”
निर्विषेणापि सर्पेण कर्तव्या महती
फटा
विषं भवतु मा वास्तु फटाटोपो भयङ्करः [85]
Even if there is no poison, the snake should raise its hood with a
grand show.
Whether poison is there or not,
the raising of the hood should appear ferocious.
Then others said -“If that is what is required, then there
is one trick to frighten them away so that they do not come here again; that is
the fear induced by sending a clever messenger. Our rabbit king VijayaDatta
(Victorious One) lives in the sphere of the moon. We will arrange for a
false-messenger and send him to the herd of elephants as coming from our king.
Let him say that the moon is ordering them not to come here, as the beings
under his care live all over this place. After hearing this message, the
elephants may believe it to be true and go away.”
Others said -“It is a good idea. We have a rabbit among us
named LambaKarna (One with hanging ears) who suits this purpose. He is clever
in delivering speeches and knows how a messenger should act.
Let him go there as planned.
It is said -
साकारो निस्पृहो वाग्मी
नानाशास्त्रविचक्षणः
परचित्तावगन्ता च
राज्ञो दूतः
स इष्यते [86]
A king’s messenger should be handsome, desire-less, a good orator,
an expert in all the sciences,
and capable of reading others’ minds.
And also-
यो मूर्खं
लौल्यसम्पन्नम् राजा दूतं समाचरेत्
मिथ्यावादं विशेषेण
तस्य कार्यं
न सिद्ध्यति [87]
If the king employs a person who is foolish, greedy and tells lies,
he will never succeed in his enterprise.
Then others said -“Aha! It is the right thing to do! There
is no other course open for us if we want to save our lives. Let us do this
definitely.”
Then LambaKarna was briefed about his mission and sent to
the herd of elephants as the messenger of the moon. LambaKarna reached the path
where the elephants traversed; climbed a rock unreachable by them; and shouted
in a majestic voice.
“Ho Ho! Wicked elephant! How dare you pollute the lake of
the moon without any fear? You are not to go there. Go away.”
The elephant was surprised and asked - “Ho! Who are you?”
He said - “I am the rabbit named LambaKarna. I live in the
sphere of the moon. Now I have been sent by the Moon-God to you carrying a
message from him. You people must not blame a messenger for what he says.
Everywhere messengers act as the mouth-pieces of the kings.
It is said -
उद्यतेष्वपि शस्त्रेषु बन्धुवर्गवधेष्वपि
परुषाण्यपि जल्पन्तो वध्या दूता न भूभुजा [88]
A king should not kill a messenger
even if he raises his weapons, kills his own people, or talks rudely.”
Hearing these words, the elephant said - “Ho rabbit! Tell us
what the moon commands, so we can do whatever he says immediately.”
The rabbit said - “Yesterday, you came along with your herd
and killed many rabbits. Don’t you know that they are under my care? If you
value your life, never ever try to go near the lake.” - this is the message.”
The elephant said - “Where does your Moon-God stay?”
The rabbit said - “At present, he has arrived at the lake
and consoling all the wounded rabbits trampled by your herd. I was sent here to
you to convey his message.”
The elephant said - “If it is true, then show me your king.
I will offer my salutation to him and go away from this place.”
The rabbit said, “Ho! You alone must come with me, and then
I will show him to you.”
It was done so.
The rabbit took the elephant to the bank of the lake at
night-time and showed him the reflection of the moon on the lake waters.
He said - “Ho! Our king is now meditating seated on the
waters at the center of the lake. Humbly salute him and go off quickly.
Otherwise if he wakes up from his meditation getting disturbed by you, he will
again feel very much angry towards you.”
The elephant was extremely frightened and filled with
apprehension quickly saluted the Moon-god and left that place deciding to never
return there again.
From that day onwards, the rabbits lived in their abodes
with their wives and children without any fear.
That is why I say - व्यपदेशेन महतां (By taking the name of the great)
Therefore one who wants to preserve his life should not
appoint a mean, lazy, worthless, senseless, ungrateful, back-biting,
characterless wretch as a king.
It is said -
क्षुद्रमर्थपतिं
प्राप्य न्यायान्वेषणतत्परौ
उभावपि क्षयं प्राप्तौ पुरा शशकपिञ्जलौ [89]
Intent on getting justice and seeking a worthless leader
both the rabbit and the sparrow named Kapinjala were destroyed.”
They asked - “How
is that so?”
He said -
शशकपिञ्जलकथा
{THE STORYOF THE RABBIT AND KAPINJALA}
“I once lived in on some tree. In a hollow at the bottom of
the trunk, there lived a sparrow named Kapinjalaka. We both used to meet at
evening times and engage ourselves in discussing a variety of interesting
topics taken from epics and scriptures authored by divine Sages and realized
Sages of the yore; and various amazing things we had seen in our daily
wanderings and so on; and used to feel extremely happy. Kapinjala along with
other sparrows had gone once to some area abounding in ripened crops, when in
search of food.
Night arrived and still there was no sign of him. I felt
worried about his safety and thought - “Aha! Why did not Kapinjala return yet?
Would he have been trapped in some snare? Or, would he have been killed by
someone? If he has not met any problem, surely he would have come here to meet me. ” I kept worrying and
days passed one by one.
At that time, a rabbit named Sheeghraga (one who runs fast)
came there one evening and entered that hollow where Kapinjala used to live. I
had no hope of Kapinjala ever returning; so I did not stop him.
Next day, Kapinjala who had become slightly plump by eating
abundant grains, came back home suddenly reminded of his home. Or it is well-said,
न तादृग्जायते सौख्यमपि स्वर्गे शरीरिणां
दारिद्र्येsपि हि यादृक् स्यात्स्वदेशे स्वपुरे गृहे [90]
For the embodied beings,
the pleasure of living in the heaven does not ever equal
the joy felt in the comfort of
one’s own home in one’ own city
even in utter poverty.
He saw his hollow occupied by the rabbit and was enraged. He
said - “Hey rabbit! You have not done the right thing by entering my house. Get
out of there this instant!”
The rabbit said - “This is not your house. This is mine. Why
are you acting rude like this falsely claiming this house?
It is said -
वापीकूपतडागानां देवालयकुजन्मनां
उत्सर्गात्परतः स्वाम्यमपि कर्तुं
न शक्यते [91]
Those unfortunate ones who live in the lakes, wells, and temples
can never ever claim ownership
of those places, once they leave them.
And also -
प्रत्यक्षं यस्य यद्भुक्तं क्षेत्राद्यं दशवत्सरान्
तत्र भुक्तिः प्रमाणं स्यान्न साक्षी नाक्षराणि वा
[92]
If a person spends ten years enjoying the yield of his fields
as seen by all.
his experiencing the yield
itself acts as the proof of his ownership.
Witness or documents are not needed as proofs.
मानुषाणामयं न्यायो मुनिभि परिकीर्तितः
तिरश्चां च विहङ्गानां यावदेव समाश्रयः [93]
These rules were written for men by the Sages.
But for the animals and birds,
one claims ownership only as long as he lives.
So this is my house, not yours!”
Kapinjala said - “Ho! If you believe in the words of the
scriptures, then come with me. Let us question a person who is well-versed in
scriptures. Whomever he suggests as the owner of the house lives there from now
on.”
It was agreed.
I also thought - “What will happen now? I should see how the
judgment is done!”
Feeling curious I followed them both.
{ANY ONE WHO QUOTES PHILOSOPHY IS NOT A MAHAATMAA}
Meanwhile a wild cat named TeekshnaDamshtra (One with sharp
teeth) heard their dispute; quickly ran to a river bank on their path; kept
some Darbha grass in his hand; closed his eyes; lifted his arms up in the air;
stood with half foot on the ground; kept his face towards the sun; started
saying philosophical statements -
“Alas! This world has no true essence. Life is ephemeral. A
wife’s company is equal to a dream. The family is just an illusory appearance.
There is no other course for me except Dharma. It is said -
अनित्यानि शरीराणि
विभो नैव
शाश्वतः
नित्यं संनिहितो
मृत्युः कर्तव्यो धर्मसंग्रहः [94]
The bodies do not remain forever. Wealth is not a permanent feature.
Death is always close-by. Merits should be gained without fail.
यस्य धर्मविहीनानि
दिनान्यायान्ति यान्ति च
स लोहकारभस्त्रेव
शवसन्नपि न जीवति [95]
He whose life ebbs away without doing righteous acts,
is equal to the bellow used by a blacksmith.
He breathes; but has no life.
नाच्छादयति कौपीनम्
न दम्शमशकापहम्
शुनः पुच्छमिव
व्यर्थं पाण्डित्यं
धर्मवर्जितं [96]
The scholarliness without the practice of righteous deeds
is worthless like the tail of a dog;
never covers the private parts; nor does it drive away the mosquitoes.
And also -
पुलाका इव
धान्येषु पुत्तिका
इव पक्षिषु
मशका इव
मर्त्येषु येषां धर्मो न कारणं [97]
Those without righteous deeds are worthless like
the shriveled grain inside the good grains; the tiny bee among birds;
and mosquitoes among men.
श्रेयः पुष्पफलं
वृक्षाद्दध्नः श्रेयो घृतं स्मृतं
श्रेयस्तैलञ्च पिण्याकाच्छ्रेयान्
धर्मस्तु मानुषात् [98]
Flowers and fruits are better than the tree.
Ghee is better than the curds.
Oil is better than the oil
cake.
Righteousness is better than a
man.
सृष्टा मूत्रपुरीषार्थमाहाराय च
केवलं
धर्महीनाः परार्थाय
पुरुषाः पशवो
यथा [99]
Men who do not do righteous acts are created only
to produce urine and feces;
to eat food; and slave for
others like the cows.
स्थैर्यं सर्वेषु कृत्येषु शंसन्ति
नयपण्डिताः
बह्वन्तराययुक्तस्य धर्मस्य त्वरिता
गतिः [100]
Those adept in political science commend stability and slowness in all
actions.
However, righteous deeds are to be performed fast,
as there are many impediments in
their completion.
संक्षेपात् कथ्यते धर्मो जनाः किं विस्तरेण वः
परोपकारः पुण्याय पापाय परपीडनं [101]
Hey people! What use is a detailed discourse?
I will say it with very few words.
Helping others gives merits!
Harassing others gives sins!
श्रूयतां धर्मसर्वस्वं श्रुत्वा चैवावधार्यतां
आत्मनः प्रतिकूलानि परेषां न समाचरेत् [102]
Listen to the essence of all texts on Dharma.
Do not do anything to others which you do not want for yourself.”
Hearing his words profound with philosophical meaning, the
rabbit said -
“O Kapinjala! See! There is a Sage here who knows Dharma and
performs penance on the river bank. Let us question him about our problem.”
Kapinjala said -
“This fellow is our natural enemy. So let us stand at a
distance and question him. What if he breaks his vow and reverts back to his
old ways?”
Then they both questioned him -
“O Sage! You knower of Dharma! We both are having a dispute.
Give us a solution according to the statements given in the scriptures. He who
is at fault should be eaten by you.”
The wild cat said -
“O Good ones! No No Never! Do not speak that way! I have
retired from actions that lead to hell. Non-violence is the best of all
righteous actions.
It is said -
अहिंसापूर्वको धर्मो यस्मात्सद्भिरुदाहृतः
यूकामत्कुणदंशादीन्स्तस्मात्तानपि
रक्षयेत् [103]
Since the noble have advised non-violence towards all beings,
you must protect even the louse, bed bugs and mosquitoes.
हिम्सकान्यपि भूतानि यो हिनस्ति स निर्घृणः
स याति नरकं घोरं किं पुनर्यः शुभानि च [104]
He who cruelly hurts even those beings that are harmful,
goes to horrible hells.
What to say of him who hurts
good ones?!
Even all those performers of sacrificial rites who kill
animals are fools; they do not know the real meaning of Vedas.
It is stated there - अजैर्यष्टव्यं - Sacrifice the Ajaas (Unborn /goat). The Ajaas are actually
grains kept for seven years, not the animals in any way.
It is said -
वृक्षान्श्च्छित्वा पशून् हत्वा कृत्वा
रुधिरकर्दमं
यद्येवं गम्यते स्वर्गे नरके केन गम्यते [105]
If one goes to heaven after cutting trees
and killing animals dampening the soil with blood,
who then is entitled to go to hell?
Therefore I will not eat any of you, but decide the victory
or defeat of your dispute.
But I am very old. I cannot hear very well, if you both
stand so far from me.
So please stand closer to me, and tell me what your problem
is. Then I will understand exactly what your dispute is about and solve it in a
just way. That way my after-life will not be affected. It is said -
मानाद्वा यदि वा लोभात्क्रोधात्वा यदि वा भयात्
यो न्यायमन्यथा ब्रूते स याति नरकं
नरः [106]
That man goes to hell who gives unfair judgment
for the sake of prestige, or greed or anger or fear.
पञ्च पश्वनृते हन्ति दश हन्ति गवानृते
शतं कन्यानृते हन्ति सहस्रं पुरुषानृते [107]
If unfair judgment is given in the case of animal-disputes,
the man gets the sin of killing five cows;
in the case cow disputes, the sin of killing ten cows;
in the case of unmarried girls, the sin of killing ten girls;
in the case of men, the sin of
killing thousand men.
उपविष्टः सभामध्ये यो न वक्ति स्फुटं
वचः
तस्माद्दूरेण सा त्याज्या न्यायं
वा कीर्तयेदृतं [108]
If the one seated in the center of the court
does not speak the right words,
one should leave the court immediately;
or fight for the correct judgment.
Therefore without apprehension, speak directly into my ears
and clearly state your problem.”
What more! That wicked wretch made them both trust him so
much that they both even sat on his lap.
The wild cat was only waiting for that moment.
Simultaneously he held one of them by his foot, and the other was caught by his
saw-like teeth. In this manner, both of them lost their lives and were eaten by
that wild cat.
That is why I say - क्षुद्रमर्थपतिं
प्राप्य (seeking a worthless leader)
All of you birds also have selected this day-blind wretched
bird as your ruler; and being night-blind, you will all go the way of the
rabbit and Kapinjala. Try to understand what I am saying and do whatever suits
you after all this.”
After hearing his words, all the birds commended his speech
saying, “He said the right thing” and decided “We will again have another
meeting to select a king” and flew away.
(The whole place was left empty within a few seconds.)
Only the owl waiting for the consecration waters to fall on
its head was left sitting on the throne with the Krikaalikaa (heron) by his
side. The owl was blind at day-time and said - “Ho! Who is there? Why are you
not continuing with the consecration ceremony?”
Krikaalikaa heard him and said -
“O Good one! The crow has created an obstacle in your
consecration ceremony. All the birds flew away in whichever direction they
wished. Only that crow is here, I don’t know for what purpose! So get up quickly.
I will guide you to your home.”
Hearing her words, the sad owl said to the crow -
“O Wicked crow! What harm have I done to you that you have
stopped me from getting consecrated as the king? From today onwards our enmity
has risen as a natural event. It is said -
रोहति सायकैर्विद्धं च्छिन्नं रोहति चासिना
वाचा दुरुक्तं बीभत्सं न प्ररोहति
वाक्क्षतं [109]
Wounds caused by arrows will heal.
Cuts formed by swords will heal.
The wounds caused by words used rudely and in a horrifying way
never ever heal.”
Having said this, the owl went home with Krikaalikaa. Then
the crow became apprehensive and thought -
“Aha I have created an enmity for no reason. What have I
spoken? It is said -
अदेशकालज्ञमनायतिक्षमं यदप्रियं लाघवकारि
चात्मनः
यच्चाब्रवीत् कारणवर्जितं वचो न तद्वचः स्याद्विषमेव तद्वचः [110]
Words spoken at a wrong place at the wrong time; leading to disaster;
unpleasant; humiliating; without any reason;
are not words but those words indeed are poison.
बलोपपन्नोsपि हि बुद्धिमान्नरः परम् नयेन्न स्वयमेव वैरितां
भिषन्ङ्ग्ममास्तीति विचिन्त्य भक्षयेदकारणाsत्को हि विचक्षणो विषं [111]
A wise man should not lead the other person towards enmity with effort.
Which clever man is going to consume poison with the trust that his
doctor will save him?
परपरिवादः परिषदि न कथन्चित्पण्डितेन वक्तव्यः
सत्यमपि तन्न वाच्यं यदुक्तमसुखावहं
भवति [112]
A wise man should never blame another person in a full court.
Even if it is true he should not say it.
If he speaks such words, the situation will be unpleasant for all.
सुहृद्भिराप्तैरसकृद्विचारितं
स्वयं च बुद्ध्या प्रविचारिताश्रयं
करोति कार्यं खलु यः स बुद्धिमान्
स एव लक्ष्म्या यशसां च भाजनं [113]
After discussing with his friends and well-wishers,
after analyzing everything through one’s own intellect,
a wise man should perform an action.
He alone becomes a befitting receptacle
for the goddess of prosperity
and fame.”
Having thought thus, the crow also flew away. From then
onwards, from generations past, there is an enmity between us and the owls.”
MeghaVarna said - “Sire! If that is the case, then what is
to be done now?”
SthiraJeevee said - “Son! Even if it is like this, still
there is one strategy which is better than all the other six strategies; and
that is ‘deceit’. I will prove it to you for sure! I will myself go and conquer
him. I will cheat and kill the enemies. It is said -
बहुबुद्धिसमायुक्ताः सुविज्ञानष्च्छलोत्कटा:
शक्ता वञ्चयितुं धूर्ता ब्राह्मणम् च्छगलादिव [114]
The wicked who are very intelligent,
who are experts in deceitful methods,
are capable of cheating
like they cheated a Brahmin with
a goat.”
MeghaVarna said - “How is it so?”
धूर्तब्राह्मणछागकथा
{THE STORY OF THE CHEAT,
THE BRAHMIN AND THE GOAT}
“In some village there lived a Brahmin named MitraSharma. He
dutifully performed his fire rites as ordained. Once it was the month of Maagha
(lunar month /January-February); the
winds were soft; the clouds covered the sky; there was a light drizzle from the
clouds. The Brahmin went to some nearby village to beg for a sacrificial animal
(goat) and requested a rich man who conducted sacrificial rites to give him an
animal.
“Ho! Yajamaana (a man who
performs regular sacrifice and pays for the expenses)!
I will preside over the sacrificial rite to be conducted in
the forthcoming new moon day. So give me an animal now.”
That rich man gave the Brahmin a fat goat as prescribed in
the scriptures. The fat animal was running here and there unable to walk
properly; so the Brahmin put it on his shoulder and started to walk towards his
home. As he was walking on the road,
three cheats who were hungry and thirsty passed him. They saw the fat animal
carried by the Brahmin and said to each other - “Aha! If we somehow take away
the animal from that Brahmin, we could eat it to our fill and bear the icy cold
winds. We will cheat him; take away that animal and get rid of the cold.”
Then one of them disguised himself as a stranger and coming
from another road came across the ‘Brahmin who performed his fire-rites
regularly’, and said -
“Hey young Brahmin of fire-rites! Why are you making
yourself a comic character and doing something disapproved by people? Why are
you carrying the unholy dog on your shoulder?
It is said -
शयानकुक्कुटचाण्डालाः समस्पर्शा: प्रकीर्तिताः
रासभोष्ट्रऔ विशेषेण तस्मत्तान्नैव संस्पृशेत्[ [115]
Dog, cock and chaandaalas (low caste) are equally treated as
untouchables.
Donkey and camel are more so.
Therefore one should never touch them.
The Brahmin got angry and said -
“Aha! Are you blind? Are you trying to prove the goat to be a dog?”
He said -
“Brahmin! You should not get angry like this. Do whatever you like.”
As the Brahmin walked a little further, another cheat met him on the way
and said -
“Ho Brahmin! Ah the cruel fate! Your dead calf might be dear to you; yet
carrying it on the shoulder is not proper.
It is said -
तिर्यञ्चं मानुषं वापि यो मृतं संस्पृशेत्कुधीः
पञ्चगव्येन शुद्धिः स्यात्तस्य चान्द्रायणेन वा [116]
An idiot who touches a dead animal or a dead man
has to purify himself with the five produces of a cow
or through the vow of chaandraayana.
{CHAANDRAAYANA
VRATA: A religious observance regulated by the period
of waxing and waning of the moon; 15 mouthfuls of the food at the full moon;
diminished by one mouthful daily during the dark fortnight till it is reduced
to Zero at the new moon and is increased in like manner during the bright
fortnight.}
Then the Brahmin
got angry and said -
“Ho! Are you blind?
You are calling the goat, a dead calf.”
He said -
“Lord! Do not get
angry with me. I was foolish and talked like that. Do whatever you like.”
The Brahmin walked
a little further in the forest road. Then the third cheat disguised as someone
else came towards him and said -
“Ho! This is not
proper! You are carrying a donkey on your shoulder! Throw it away.
It is said -
यः स्पृशेद्रासभं मर्त्यो ज्ञानादज्ञानतोsपि वा
सतैलं स्नानमुद्धिष्टं तस्य पापप्रशान्तये [117]
The man who touches a donkey knowingly or unknowingly,
has to take an oil bath to purify himself of the sin.
Quickly get rid of
it before anyone sees.”
The Brahmin was
frightened. He believed the goat to be a donkey; threw it on the ground and ran
away. Then all the three cheats came together; took away the goat and ate it to
their heart’s fill.
That is why I say -
बहुबुद्धिसमायुक्ताः (the
wicked who are very intelligent).
Or it is well said
-
अभिनवसेवकविनयैः प्राघुणिकोक्तैर्विलासिनीरुदितैः
धूर्तजनवचननिकरैरिह कश्चिदवञ्चितो नास्ति [118]
There is no one here who has not been cheated
by the politeness of a newly
employed servant,
by the words uttered by visitors,
by the crying of pretty maidens,
by the lengthy speeches of the wicked.
And moreover one
should not develop enmity with weaker section of the people if they are more in
number.
It is said -
बहवो न विरोद्धव्या दुर्जयो हि महाजनः
स्फुरन्तमपि नागेन्द्रं भक्षयन्ति
पिपीलिकाः [119]
A single person should not fight many.
A group cannot be conquered.
Ants ate off the snake even as he was getting ready to pounce.”
MeghaVarna said -“How is that so?”
Sthirajeevi said -
पिपीलिकाभुजङ्गमकथा
{THE
STORY OF THE ANT AND THE SERPENT}
“Once there lived a huge black serpent named AtiDarpa (very
arrogant) in some anthill. Once instead of following the regular route out of his
hole, he started to come out through a smaller hole. As he came out, because of
his huge body squeezing through the small hole, he was wounded a little.
The smell of the bleeding wound brought all the ants towards him and they
surrounded him all over and started biting him.
How many can he kill, how many can he strike? Because of their huge
number, AtiDarpa was wounded all over by their bites. He bled profusely and
died.
That is why I say- बहवो न विरोद्धव्या (A single person should not fight many).
Therefore there is something I want to say. Listen attentively and do as
what I suggest.”
MeghaVarna said -
“Sire! Command me! I will never go against your words.”
SthiraJeevee said -
“Son! Listen about the fifth strategy mentioned by me as above all other
four policies.
This is the plan! You make it appear as if I belong to the side of the
enemies; chide me with very harsh words so as to convince the enemy spies;
apply blood all over my body; throw me at the base of the fig tree and go off
to RishyaMooka Mountain
It is said -
अपसारसमायुक्तं नयज्ञैर्दुर्गमुच्यते
अपसारपरित्यक्तं दुर्गव्याजेन बन्धनं [120]
The men adept in political science say that
a fort should have secret
passages through which one can escape.
The fort which has no such
escape routes is actually a prison built like a fort.
Do not feel worried about me.
It is said -
अपि प्राणसमानिष्टान् पालितान्ल्लालितानापि
भृत्यान् युद्धे समुत्पन्ने पश्येच्छुष्कमिवेन्धनं [121]
When the battle is ready to be fought,
one should look upon
all those dear to oneself; protected and caressed by oneself;
as equal to dry grass fit to be
burnt as fuel.
And also-
प्राणवद्रक्षयेद्भृत्यान् स्वकायमिव पोषयेत्
सदैकदिवसस्यार्थे यत्र स्याद्रिपुसङ्गम: [122]
One should protect the servants like one’s own lives;
take care of them like one’s own
body;
waiting for that one day where the meeting with the enemy is scheduled.
So do not in any
way object to what I am going to do.”
Having said this, SthiraJeevee
started to fight with the king for no reason making a big scene of shouting and
arguing.
Meanwhile his
servants seeing SthiraJeevee speaking insulting words against the king got
ready to kill him. MeghaVarna stopped them and said - “Ho! Move away! I will
personally punish him as he has proved himself a sympathizer for the enemy’s
cause.”
Having said this,
he climbed on Sthirajeevi; pecked him softly here and there as if hurting him; got
some blood applied on him; left him there; and flew away to RishyaMooka
Mountain with his people.
Meanwhile
Krikaalikaa acting as the spy for the owls, went and reported to the owl-king
about the fight that occurred between the old minister and the king.
She also said -
“Your enemy at
present is afraid of you and has moved away from that place along with all his
people.”
The owl king heard
about this and came there in the evening along with his minister and people to
kill the crow.
He said - “Hurry
Hurry! An enemy running away with fright is attained only by good fortune. It
is said -
शत्रोः प्रचलने च्छिद्रमेकमन्यच्च सश्रयं
कुर्वाणो जायते वश्यो व्यग्रत्वे राजसेविनां [123]
When the enemy escapes,
his fort becomes open for all
and he has to seek shelter somewhere else.
He is easily conquered pressurized by these two weak points.”
Having said these
words, he placed all his people all around the base of the fig tree.
But when there were
no crows found anywhere, he happily climbed the edge of the top most branch;
got saluted by all his people; and said -
“Aha! Find out
where they went! Which route did those damned crows take? Before they enter any
other fort, I will chase them and kill them.
It is said -
वृत्तिमप्याश्रितः शत्रुरवध्यः स्याज्जिगीषुणा
किं पुनः सश्रितो दुर्गं सामग्र्या
परया युतं [124]
An enemy remains undefeated by the one who attacks, even if he has
proper support.
What is there to say, if he gets shelter in a fort filled with all
necessities?”
In such a situation, SthiraJeevee started thinking like this-
“If these enemies do not find out any news about us, then they will return
just like that. Nothing would be achievable by me then.
It is said -
अनारम्भो हि कार्याणां प्रथमं बुद्धिलक्षणं
आरब्धस्यान्तगमनं द्वितीयं बुद्धिलक्षणम्
[125]
The first sign of intelligence is never to begin an enterprise.
The second sign of intelligence is finishing the enterprise which has
been started.
It is better if
nothing has been started; if started it should not be left incomplete. So I
will make some sounds and get myself seen by them.”
Thinking thus he
moaned softly. Hearing the noise, all the owls rushed there immediately ready
to kill him.
He said -“Ho! I am
MeghaVarna’s minister SthiraJeevee. MeghaVarna alone has brought this horrible
condition on me. Please report this to your king. I have to confide in him many
important things.”
They went and
reported to the king about the wounded crow. The owl king was surprised and
came near the crow and said -
“Ho! Why have you
attained such a state? Tell me!”
SthiraJeevee said -
“Lord! Listen as to
how I got into such a condition! Yesterday that wicked MeghaVarna saw all the
crows killed by you and felt very sad. He was extremely angry at you. He
immediately got ready to battle you. Then I told him -
‘Lord! You should
not go and fight him. They are very strong; we are very weak.
It is said -
बलीयसा हीनबलो विरोधं न भूतिकामो मनसापि वान्च्छेत्
न बध्यते अत्यन्तबलो हि यस्माद्व्यक्तं
प्रणाशोsस्ति पतङ्गवृत्तेः [126]
A weak person coveting wealth should not entertain even the thought
of having enmity with a stronger foe.
The stronger one never can be defeated for sure;
but there is no doubt at all
about one’s destruction
like the moth flying towards the fire.
So we should seek alliance with him by offering him many valuable gifts.
It is said -
बलवन्तं रिपुं दृष्ट्वा सर्वस्वमपि
बुद्धिमान्
दत्त्वा हि रक्षयेद्प्राणान् रक्षितैस्तैर्धनं पुनः [127]
If the enemy is found to be powerful,
a wise man should protect one’s lives by offering everything.
He can regain his wealth if he remains alive somehow.’
Hearing my words,
he acting on the advice of the wicked counselors, believed me to be your
sympathizer, and has brought me to this condition.
What is the use of
wasting time in details?
As soon as I am
able to move, I will take you to the place where he is hiding and get him
killed by you.”
AriMardana heard
his words; discussed the matter with his ministers who had been working there
from his grandfather’s times.
{ARIMARDANA AND HIS
MINISTERS}
AriMardana had five
ministers.
They were -
Raktaaksha (having
blood-red eyes),
Krooraaksha (having
cruel eyes),
Deeptaaksha (having
blazing eyes),
Vakranaasa (having
crooked nose), and
PraakaaraKarna (having
rampart like ears)
{THE KING CONSULTS HIS
MINISTERS}
He first questioned
Raktaaksha-
“O Good one! The
enemy’s minister is now under my control. What is to be done now?”
{RAKTAAKSHA SPEAKS – “KILL
THE ENEMY”}
Raktaaksha said -
“Lord! What is
there to think? He should be killed regardless.
Because –
हीनः शत्रुर्निहन्तव्यो यावन्न बलवान् भवेत्
प्राप्तस्वपौरुषबलः पश्चाद्भवति दुर्जयः [128]
If the enemy is ill-equipped and has not become powerful yet,
he should be killed immediately.
If he collects men and strengthens his army,
he will become unconquerable
again.
कालो हि सकृदभ्येति यन्नरं कालकान्क्षिणं
दुर्लभः स पुनस्तेन कालः कर्माचिकीर्षता [129]
If one waits for the correct time (to attack),
time will surely arrive.
If one does not make use of that opportunity and act,
then the right time will never
make its appearance again.
It is also heard -
चितिकां दीपितां पश्य फटाम् भग्नां ममैव च
भिन्नश्लिष्टा तु या प्रीतिर्न सा
स्नेहेन वर्धते [130]
Look at the blazing funeral fire.
Look at my broken hood.
Broken and joined love cannot grow
through friendship (Sneha).
(A broken wick cannot burn if oil (Sneha) is added).”
{If a friend once deceives another friend who
trusts him, the hurt is very deep. The unpleasant event remains in a corner of
the heart for long. If the wick is broken, however much oil you pour, the light
cannot be lit again. The friend who cheated never ever can be trusted as a
friend again, in whatever way he may try to patch up the relation.}
AriMardana
said - “How is that so?”
Raktaaksha
said -
ब्राह्मणसर्पकथा
{THE STORY OF THE BRAHMIN AND THE SERPENT}
“Once
there lived a Brahmin named HariDattaa in a village. He lived by agriculture.
But however hard he worked, his crops always failed.
At
the end of the summer, one day he felt very hot and slept under the shadow of a
tree in the middle of his field. Not far, he saw a terrifying serpent with its
raised hood.
He
thought-“This must be the Goddess of the field never ever worshipped by me till
now. That is why my crops fail. I will worship her today.”
Thinking
like this, he borrowed some milk from someone and put it in a shallow bowl;
went near the ant-hill and said -
“O
Protector of the field! I did not know till now that you lived here. That is
why I did not worship you. Please forgive me now.”
Having
said this, he offered the milk and went home. When he came back in the morning,
he saw a gold coin in the bowl. Daily he offered milk to the serpent and daily
he got a gold coin.
One
day he had to go to the village on some urgent work; he gave the milk-offering
work to his son and went away. The son took the milk and left it there and went
home. Next day he found a gold coin and thought-“Surely this ant-hill must be
filled with gold coins. I will kill this serpent and take away all the coins at
once.”
Deciding
thus, next day he took the milk again to the serpent. As the serpent came out
to drink the milk, he hit on its head with a club.
Fortunately
for the snake, it did not die; it got angry and struck at him with his
poisonous fangs. He died instantly. Relatives found his dead body and cremated
him with wooden logs near the field itself.
Next
day the father returned home.
He
heard from his people the reason for his son’s death and thought that it was
quite the right thing that had happened.
He
said -
भूतान् यो नानुगृह्णाति ह्यात्मनः शरणागतान्
भूतार्थास्तस्य नश्यन्ति हंसाः पद्मवने यथा [131]
If one who does not help those who have taken shelter with him,
then his prosperities perish like the swans in the lotus grove.”
The people there
asked-“How is that so?”
The Brahmin said -“
हैमहम्सकथा
{THE STORY OF THE GOLDEN SWAN}
“Once there lived a
king named ChitraRatha. He owned a lake named PadmaSara which was always
guarded by sentries. The lake abounded with golden (made of gold) swans. Every
six months they shed one feather each.
A huge golden-hued
bird (gold-colored) bird arrived at that lake.
They all said -
“Please do not live
with us. We have taken over this lake by each giving a golden feather every six
months.”
What is to say
more; a dispute arose!
That bird went to
the king and said -
“Lord! Those birds
are saying - ‘What can that king do? We will not allow anyone else to live
here.’ I told them - ‘You have not said the proper thing. I will report this to
the king.’
This is what
happened. Rest is in the hands of the Lord!”
Then the king
ordered his servants-
“Ho! Go and kill
all those birds and bring them here.”
The soldiers
immediately went to the lake as ordered by the king.
One old swan in the
lake saw the king’s men holding the clubs and said -
“Hey people! We are
in for trouble. All of you at once fly off from here.”
They all did so.
That is why I say- भूतान् यो नानुगृह्णाति (If one who does not help those).”
The Brahmin said so
much and remained silent.
Next day, early
morning he took some milk and went to the snake-hole where the serpent lived.
He loudly praised it with hymns.
The serpent did not
come out of its hole. It just peeped out enough to show its head and said to
the Brahmin-
“You have come here
out of greed only; you don’t even feel for the death of your son. It is better
that we do not have friendship any more. Your son was an arrogant youth and he
hit me; so I bit him. How can I forget the blow dealt to me, how can you forget
the pain of your son’s death?”
Having said this,
the serpent gave him a very valuable diamond and said -
“Please do not come
here again to meet me.”
It went off inside
its hole.
The Brahmin took
the diamond and went home, blaming his son’s action.
That is why I say- चितिकां दीपितां पश्य (Look at the blazing funeral
fire)
Therefore if this
crow is killed, your kingdom will become free of troubles without any effort.”
{KROORAAKSHA SPEAKS –“GIVE
SHELTER TO THE ENEMY”}
The king now asked
Krooraaksha for his opinion. He said -
“Lord! What that minister says, is indeed cruel;
because, a person who has sought shelter should not be killed.
It is well said -
श्रूयते हि कपोतेन शत्रुः शरणमागतः
पूजितश्च यथान्यायं स्वैश्च मांसैर्निमन्त्रितः [132]
It is heard that the pigeon
worshipped in due manner
the enemy who sought shelter with him
and offered his own flesh as food.
AriMardana said -“How is
that so?”
कपोतलुब्धककथा
{THE STORY
OF THE PIGEON AND THE HUNTER}
{THE
WICKED HUNTER}
कश्चिद्क्षुद्रसमाचारः प्राणिनां
कालसन्निभः
विचचार महारण्ये घोरः शकुनिलुब्धकः [133]
“Once there lived a hunter of birds of a
very mean character
in a huge forest.
He
was like death personified to the animals of the forest.
नैव कश्चिद्सुवृत्तस्य न संबन्धी
न बान्धवः
स तैः सर्वैः परित्यक्तस्तेन रौद्रेण कर्मणा [134]
He was of such a loathsome character
that
he had no friends or relatives to call his own.
Because of his cruel nature,
all the people kept away from him.
Or-
ये नृशंसा दुरात्मानः प्राणिनां प्राणनाशकाः
उद्वेजनीया भूतानां व्याला इव भवन्ति
ते [135]
Those cruel men of wicked nature,
who ruthlessly kill animals
and create fear in the hearts of every
living being
are like wild animals only.
{THE
FEMALE PIGEON IS CAUGHT BY THE HUNTER}
स पञ्जरकमादाय पाशञ्च लगुडं तथा
नित्यमेव वनं याति सर्वप्राणिविहिंसकः [136]
That cruel man who killed animals
ruthlessly
daily equipped himself with a cage, a snare
and a club
and wandered in the forest.
अन्येद्युर्भ्रमतस्तस्य वने काsपि कपोतिका
जाता हस्तगता तां स प्राक्षिपत्पञ्जरान्तरे [137]
Someday in one of his wanderings in the
forest
he caught hold of a young female pigeon
and threw her inside the cage.
{DARK SKIES AND HEAVY
RAINS}
Or-
अथ कृष्णा दिशः सर्वा वनस्थस्याभवन् घनैः
वातवृष्टिश्च महती क्षयकाल इवाभवत् [138]
Soon clouds filled the skies.
Heavy rains poured as if dissolution time
had arrived.
The quarters turned dark even as he stayed
in the forest.
ततः स त्रस्तहृदयः कम्पमानो मुहुर्मुहुः
अन्वेषयन्परित्राणमाससाद वनस्पतिं [139]
The hunter was frightened.
He shivered in the cold rains.
He searched for some shelter
and at last reached a huge tree.
मुहूर्तं पश्यते यावद्वियद्विमलतारकं
प्राप्य वृक्षं वदत्येवं योsत्र तिष्टति कश्चन [140]
तस्याहं शरणं प्राप्तः स परित्रातु
मामिति
शीतेन भिद्यमानं च क्षुधया गतचेतसं [141]
Soon the skies cleared and the stars
twinkled.
He prayed to the tree-
“Whoever stays in this tree, I have taken
shelter in him.
Let him protect me. I am suffering from
cold and am fainting with hunger.”
अथ तस्य तरोः स्कन्धे कपोतः सुचिरोषितः
भार्याविरहितस्तिष्टन् विललाप सुदुःखितः [142]
A pigeon had been living on the branch of
that tree from a long time.
He was crying for his lost wife.
{THE
MALE PIGEON LAMENTS FOR HIS MISSING WIFE}
वातवर्षो महानासीन्न चागच्छति मे
प्रिया
तया विरहितं ह्येतच्छून्यमद्य
गृहं मम [143]
“The rains are heavy; and my wife is still
not back home.
Without her this house looks empty and
desolate.
पतिव्रता पतिप्राणा पत्युः प्रियहिते
रता
यस्य स्यादीदृशी भार्या धन्यः स पुरुषो भुवि [144]
She was such a devoted wife.
She considered me as equal to her life. She
was always interested in my welfare.
He who has such a wife is blessed in this
world.
न गृहं गृहमित्याहुर्गृहिणी गृहमुच्यते
गृहं हि गृहिणीहीनमरण्यसदृशं मतं [145]
House is not a house; the wife is the
house.
Without the wife, the house is equal to a
forest.”
{THE
FEMALE PIGEON FEELS HAPPY BY HER HUSBAND’S LOVE}
पञ्जरस्था ततः श्रुत्वा भर्तुर्दुःखान्वितं
वचः
कपोतिका सुसंतुष्टा वाक्यन्चेदमथाह
सा [146]
The female pigeon who was imprisoned in the
cage
heard the sad words of her husband; felt happy
and said -
न सा स्त्रीत्यभिमन्तव्या यस्या भार्या
न तुष्यति
तुष्टे भर्तरि नारीणां तुष्टाः स्यु:
सर्वदेवताः [147]
‘She is not a woman by whom the husband
does not get happiness.
If the husband is kept happy by the women,
then
all the gods become happy.
दावाग्निना दग्धेव सपुष्पस्तबका लता
भस्मीभवतु सा नारी यस्या भर्ता न
तुष्यति [148]
Let the woman turn into ashes
like a creeper filled with clusters of
flowers getting burnt in the dissolution fires,
if her husband has not been made happy by
her.
मितं ददाति हि पिता मितं भ्राता मितं
सुतः
अमितस्य हि दातारं भर्तारं का न पूजयेत् [149]
The father gives only a little.
The brother gives only a little.
The son gives only a little.
Who will not worship a husband who gives
unlimited joy!’
{THE
FEMALE PIGEON ADVISES HER HUSBAND}
Again she said -
श्रुणुश्वावहितः कान्त यत्ते वक्ष्याम्यहम् हितं
प्राणैरपि त्वया नित्यं संरक्ष्य: शरणागतः [150]
“O my lover! Listen attentively.
I
will tell you something which is good for us all.
The person who has taken shelter with you,
should be protected by you even by
sacrificing your own lives.
एष शाकुनिकः शेते तवावासं समाश्रितः
शीतार्तश्च क्षुधार्थश्च पूजामस्मै
समाचर [151]
This bird-hunter has taken shelter under
this tree where you live; and is sleeping.
He
is tormented by cold and is fainting with hunger.
Worship him in the due manner.
यः सायमतिथिं प्राप्तं यथाशक्ति न
पूजयेत्
तस्यासौ दुष्कृतं दत्त्वा सुकृतं
चापकर्षति [152]
If a man does not worship the guest who has
arrived at his door in the evening-time,
then the guest leaves with all the
accumulated merit of the host
and burdens him with all the sins he
himself has committed.
मा चास्मै त्वं कृथा द्वेषं बद्धानेनेति
मत्प्रिया
स्वकृतैरेव बद्धाहं प्राक्तनैः कर्मबन्धनैः [153]
Do not maintain the feeling of hatred
towards him
thinking that ‘my beloved has been
imprisoned by him’.
I am bound by the results of my own actions
of the past.
Because-
दारिद्र्यरोगदुःखानि बन्धनव्यसनानि
च
आत्मापराधवृक्षस्य फलान्येतानि देहिनां [154]
Poverty, illness, sufferings, imprisonment,
difficulties are all the fruits
which grow on the tree of the sins
committed by the embodied ones.
तस्मात्त्वं द्वेषमुत्सृज्य मद्बन्धनसमुद्भवं
धर्मे मनः समाधाय पूजयैनं यथाविधि [155]
Therefore you discard the feeling of hatred
arising out of my imprisonment;
turn your mind towards righteousness;
and
worship him as ordained by the scriptures.”
{THE
MALE PIGEON WELCOMES THE GUEST}
तस्यास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा धर्मयुक्तिसमन्वितं
उपगम्य ततोsधृष्ट: कपोतः प्राह लुब्धकं [156]
Hearing her words filled with righteous
essence,
the pigeon approached the hunter without
any hesitation
and said -
भद्र सुस्वागतं तेस्तु ब्रूहि किन्करवाणि ते
संतापश्च न कर्तव्यः स्वगृहे वर्तते
भवान् [157]
“O good one! Welcome!
Tell me what should I do for you?
Do not feel distressed. You are at your own
home now.”
{THE
HUNTER BEGS FOR WARMTH AND FOOD}
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा प्रत्युवाच
विहङ्गहा
कपोत खलु शीतं मे हिमत्राणं विधीयतां [158]
Hearing his words, the bird-catcher said -
“Hey pigeon! It is very cold.
Do something to remove this cold.”
{THE
PIGEON LIGHTS A FIRE}
स गत्वाsङ्गारकं नीत्वा पातयामास पावकं
ततः शुष्केषु पर्णेषु तमाशु समदीपयत् [159]
सुसन्दीप्तं ततः कृत्वा तमाह शरणागतं
The pigeon brought some embers
and lighted a fire using some dried leaves.
After making the fire blaze high,
he said to the person who had taken shelter
with him-
{THE
PIGEON ACTS HUMBLE AND FULL OF AFFECTION TOWARDS THE HUNTER}
प्रतापयस्व विश्रब्धं स्वगात्राण्यत्र निर्भयः [160]
“Be
fearless and warm yourself as much as you like without any hesitation.
न चास्ति विभवः कश्चिन्नाशये येन ते क्षुधं
सहस्रं भरते कश्चिच्छतमन्यो दशापरः
मम त्वकृतपुण्यस्य क्षुद्रस्यात्मापि दुर्भरः [161]
I do not have anything to satiate your
hunger.
Some can feed thousand, some a hundred,
some just ten.
But for persons like me who have no merits
of the past,
it
is difficult to maintain oneself even.
एकस्याप्यतिथेरन्नं यः प्रदातुं न
शक्तिमान्
तस्यानेकपरिक्लेशे गृहे किं वसतः फलं [162]
If a person is not able to feed even one
guest,
what use is there for a guest to live in
that house filled with various afflictions?
तत्तथा साधयाम्येतच्छरीरं दुःखजीवितं
यथा भूयो न वक्ष्यामि नास्तीत्यर्थिसमागमे
[163]
Today I will do some such action with this
body which has lived through pains only,
so that I will never be able to say any
more-
“Nothing is there”
to a
guest who comes at the door.”
स निनिन्द किलात्मानं
न तु तं लुब्धकं पुनः
उवाच तर्पयिष्ये त्वां मुहूर्तं प्रतिपालय [164]
He blamed himself only but not the hunter.
He again said -“I will offer you food. Wait
for a few minutes.”
{THE MALE PIGEON ENTERS
THE FIRE TO FEED THE HUNTER}
एवमुक्त्वा स धर्मात्मा प्रहृष्टेनान्तरात्मना
तमग्निं संपरिक्रम्य प्रविवेश स्ववेश्मवत् [165]
Having said this,
that
righteous soul, feeling extremely happy,
went round the fire once and entered it as
if it was his house.
{HUNTER
IS SHOCKED}
तस्तम् लुब्धको दृष्ट्वा कृपया पीडितो भृशं
कपोतमग्नौ पतितं वाक्यमेतदभाषत [166]
The bird-catcher saw that pigeon fallen
into the fire
and was filled with compassion.
He said -
{THE
HUNTER REPENTS HIS EVIL DEEDS}
यः करोति नरः पापं न तस्यात्मा ध्रुवं
प्रियः
आत्मना हि कृतं पापमात्मनैव हि भुज्यते [167]
सोsहं पापमतिश्चैव पापकर्मरतः सदा
पतिष्यामि महाघोरे नरके नात्र संशयः [168]
नूनं मम नृशंसस्य प्रत्यादर्श: प्रदर्शितः
प्रयच्छता स्वमांसानि कपोतेन महात्मना [169]
अद्यप्रभृति देहं स्वं सर्वभोगविवर्जितं
तोयं स्वल्पं यथा ग्रीष्मे शोषयिष्याम्यहं पुनः [170]
शीतवातातपसह: कृशाङ्गो मलिनस्तथा
उपवासैर्बहुविधैर्चरिष्ये धर्ममुत्तमम् [171]
“He who commits sins surely dislikes his
own self for sure.
The result of a sin committed by one
has
to be experienced by the same person.
I am of a wicked mind.
I have been always engaged in doing sinful
acts.
I am going to end up in terrifying hells;
there is no doubt about this.
This great pigeon has offered his own flesh
and proved to me
what sort of a life one should lead.
From today onwards, I will control the
needs of the body
and
keep away from all the pleasures
and
dry it up like the shallow water in the summer heat.
I will bear the cold winds, heat etc.
and will emaciate this body and stop
bothering about it.
I will take to many vows starving the body
and live the righteous way.”
{THE
HUNTER DECIDES NEVER TO HUNT ANYMORE}
ततो यष्टिं शलाकां च जालकं पञ्जरं
तथा
बभञ्ज लुब्धको दीनां कपोतीञ्च मुमोच
तां [172]
The bird-catcher immediately broke the
stick, spear, net and the cage into pieces;
and released the poor female pigeon from
the cage.
{THE
FEMALE PIGEON LAMENTS HER HUSBAND’S DEATH}
लुब्धकेन ततो मुक्ता दृष्ट्वाsग्नौ पतितं पतिं
कपोती विललापार्ता शोकसन्तापमानसा [173]
न कार्यमद्य मे नाथ जीवितेन त्वया
विना
दीनायाः पतिहीनायाः किं नार्या जीविते
फलं [174]
मानो दर्पस्त्वहंकारः कुलपूजा च बन्धुषु
दासभृत्यजनेष्वाज्ञा वैधव्येन प्रणश्यति [175]
The female pigeon came out of the cage,
saw her husband burnt in the fire and cried
pitiably unable to bear the grief.
“Hey my lord!
I
should not be alive any more without you.
What use is the life for a woman
who is helpless and has lost her husband?
Pride, arrogance, ego, worship of the
family, respect among relatives,
control of the servants-
all
is lost when a woman becomes a widow.
{THE
FEMALE PIGEON ALSO ENTERS THE FIRE}
एवं विलप्य बहुशः कृपणं भृशदुःखिता
पतिव्रता सुसन्दीप्तं तमेवाग्निं
विवेश सा [176]
After crying for a long time and feeling
wretched;
suffering extreme pain,
that
devoted wife of the pigeon entered the very same fire
where her husband had got burnt.
{THE TWO
PIGEONS ATTAIN DIVINE STATES}
ततो दिव्यांबरधरा दिव्याभरणभूषिता
भर्तारं सा विमानस्थं ददर्श स्वं
कपोतिका [177]
सोsपि दिव्यतनुर्भूत्वा यथार्थमिदमब्रवीत्
अहो ममानुगच्छन्त्या कृतं साधु शुभे
त्वया [178]
तिस्रः कोट्योsर्धकोटी च यानि रोमाणि मानुषे
तावत्कालं वसेत्स्वर्गे भर्तारं यानुगछति
[179]
Then that female pigeon saw herself wearing
divine garments
and decorated with divine ornaments.
She also saw her husband seated on an
air-ship.
He who was now endowed with a divine body
addressed her and said -
“Aha! You have done the right thing
following me like this.
She who follows her husband lives in the
heaven
for three and a half million years as equal
to the number of hairs on a human body.”
कपोतदेहः सूर्यास्ते प्रत्यहं सुखमन्वभूत्
कपोतदेहत्वामासीत् प्राक्पुण्यप्रभवं हि तत् [180]
The pigeon bodied male,
daily enjoyed the pleasures of the heaven
after the sun-set.
His
wife also enjoyed the pleasures with him in a pigeon body.
Their union was the result of the past
merits that belonged to them.
{THE HUNTER
BURNS HIS SINS THROUGH GOOD DEEDS}
शोकाविष्टः ततो व्याधो विवेश च वनं
घनं
प्राणिहिम्साम् परित्यज्य बहुनिर्वेदवान् भृशं [181]
तत्र दावानलं दृष्ट्वा विवेश विरताशयः
निर्दग्धकल्मषो भूत्वा स्वर्गसौख्यमवाप्तवान् [182]
The hunter meanwhile entered the forest
with a heavy heart.
He stopped tormenting animals from then
onwards
and repented his past actions a lot.
Once he saw the forest fire and entered it
free of all desires.
His sins were burnt away; he attained the
heaven; and lived happily there.
That is why I said - श्रूयते हि कपोतेन (It is heard that the
pigeon)”
{DEEPTAAKSHA SPEAKS –“DO NOT KILL THE CROW”}
After his speech was
over, the king asked Deeptaaksha -
“So what is your opinion
about all this?”
He said -
“Lord! This crow should
not be killed, because -
या ममोद्विजते नित्यं सा मामद्यावगूहते
प्रियकारक भद्रं ते यन्ममास्ति हरस्व
तत् [183]
हर्तव्यं ते न पश्यामि हर्तव्यं चेद्भविष्यति
पुनरप्यागमिष्यामि यदीयं नावगूहते [184]
“She who always resents me is
embracing me today.
You do-gooder! May auspiciousness
befall you.
Steal away all that is mine.”
The thief also said -
“I do not see anything here that can
be stolen.
If anything is there to be stolen, I
will come again, if she does not embrace you.”
Arimardana asked-“How is
that so?”
Deeptaaksha said -
चौरवृद्धवणिक्कथा
{THE
STORY OF THE THIEF AND THE OLD MERCHANT}
“Once there lived an old
merchant named Kaamaatura (Restless in Passion) in a village. His wife died.
Highly lustful in mind, he married the daughter of a penniless merchant by
offering him a lot of money in exchange. The girl was highly distressed. She
was not able to even glimpse at that old man.
It is indeed a proven
fact that-
श्वेतं पदं शिरसि यत्तु शिरोरुहाणां
स्थानं परम् परिभवस्य तदेव पुंसां
आरोपितास्थिशकलं परिहृत्य यान्ति
चाण्डालकूपमिव दूरतरं तरुण्यः [185]
The very moment white hairs step on
to a man’s head,
he gets into a most humiliating
state.
Young girls move away from such a
person
like the people avoiding a ‘Chaandala well’
which has been strew about by white
colored bones.
And also-
गात्रं संङ्कुचितं
गतिविगलिता दन्ताश्च नाशङ्गताः
दृष्टिर्भ्राम्यति रूपमप्युपहतं वक्त्रञ्च
लालायते
वाक्यं नैव करोति बान्धवजनः पत्नी
न शुश्रूषते
धिक्कष्टं जरयाभिभूतपुरुषं
पुत्रोप्यवज्ञायते [186]
The physical structure gets
contracted; they stumble when they walk;
teeth are lost; vision is blurred
beauty is gone; the mouth drools;
the relatives do not talk; the wife
does not serve.
Alas! What a pity! Even the son
ignores a man stuck by old age.
One day she was sitting
with her averted face in the bed shared by her husband along with him. Suddenly
a thief entered inside that room. Seeing that thief she was frightened and
immediately embraced her husband. The old merchant had horripilations all over
his body and was surprised by her action. He thought - “Aha! Why is she
embracing me?”
He passed his eyes all
over the room. He saw the thief hiding in the corner of the room. He thought - “This
girl is afraid of the thief and so is embracing me.”
He said to the thief-
या ममोद्विजते नित्यं सा मामद्यावगूहते
प्रियकारक भद्रं ते यन्ममास्ति हरस्व
तत् [187]
हर्तव्यं ते न पश्यामि हर्तव्यं चेद्भविष्यति
पुनरप्यागमिष्यामि यदीयं नावगूहते [188]
“She who always resents me is
embracing me today.
You do-gooder! May auspiciousness
befall you.
Steal away all that is mine.”
The thief also said -
“I do not see anything here that can
be stolen.
If anything is there to be stolen, I
will come again, if she does not embrace you.”
Even the welfare of the
thief is wished for, if he does some help. So why not help the person who has
taken shelter with us? Because his people are angry with him he will be for our
advantage only. He will disclose their secrets. Because of all these reasons,
he should not be killed.”
{VAKRANAASA SPEAKS-“DO NOT KILL
THE CROW”}
After his speech was
over, AriMardana asked Vakranaasa -
“O Good one! So what do
you think we should do in this situation?”
He said -
“Lord! He should not be
killed. Because -
शत्रवोsपि हितायैव विवन्दतः परस्परं
चौरेण जीवितं दत्तं राक्षसेन तु गोयुगं [189]
Even enemies who argue, bring about
good only.
The thief gave life and the demon
gave a pair of calves.”
AriMardana said - “How is
that so?”
VakraNaasa said -
ब्राह्मणचौरपिशाचकथा
{THE STORY OF THE BRAHMIN, THE THIEF, AND THE DEMON}
“Once there lived a poor Brahmin named Drona (Leaf-cup) in a
village. He made a living by accepting charity and begging on streets. As he
had no chance of owning good clothes, fragrant pastes, garlands and ornaments
for decoration, betel leaf and other luxuries, his body looked all dried up
suffering the cold, heat, winds and rains by staying in the open. His hair had
grown like a large bush. He had a huge beard. His nails were long. Hair covered
the whole of his body.
Some man, who conducted some Sacrifices, felt pity for him
and gave him a pair of calves in charity. The Brahmin begged and borrowed and
somehow fed them ghee, oil, and fodder, from their childhood, and took care of
them. Soon they grew fat and strong.
Observing all this, a thief thought-
“I will steal the two calves that belong to this Brahmin.”
So in the night he equipped himself with rope and other
accessories and started for the Brahmin’s place.
On the way he saw someone with sharp row of teeth; highly
protruding nose; glaring red eyes; swelled nerves; dry cheeks; hair filling the
body and the face like the yellow blazing fire.
The thief was terrified. He asked-“Who are you?”
He said - “I am the Brahma Raakshasa who speaks the truth.
Tell me who you are!”
He said - “I am the thief who does cruel actions. I am at
present going towards the Brahmin’s abode to steal his pair of calves.”
That Raakshasa believed his words and said - “O Good one! I
eat at the sixth division of the day too. I will eat off that Brahmin today. It
is a good thing that we both met. We both have the same purpose and have to
reach the same place.”
They both left together towards the Brahmin’s place and
stood there in a solitary place waiting for the correct moment.
The Brahmin was asleep. The Raakshasa got ready to pounce on
him and eat him.
The thief said to him -
“O Good one! This is not right! I will first steal the
calves; afterwards you eat off the Brahmin.”
The demon said -
“If the Brahmin wakes up by chance by the noise made by the calves,
I will not be able to finish my job.”
The thief said -
“If any obstacle arises as you try to eat that Brahmin, then
I cannot steal the calves. Therefore first I will take the calves away; later
you eat the Brahmin.”
In this manner, both started fighting and the Brahmin woke
up by the noise.
The thief said to him -
“Brahmin! This demon wants to eat you.”
The demon said -
“Brahmin! This thief wants to steal your calves.”
The Brahmin heard their words.
Without panicking he uttered a hymn addressing his favorite
deity and saved himself from the demon; raised his stick high and beat up the
thief and saved the calves.
That is why I say- शत्रवोsपि हितायैव (even enemies bring
about good only)”
{PRAAKAARAKARNA SPEAKS-“DO NOT
KILL THE CROW”}
After his speech was over, AriMardana asked PraakaaraKarna -
“What is your opinion here?”
He said -
“Lord! This crow is not to be killed. If he is protected, we
can develop friendship with him and time will pass away happily.
It is said -
परस्परस्य मर्माणि ये न रक्षन्ति
जन्तवः
त एव निधनं यान्ति वल्मीकोदरसर्पवत् [190]
Those creatures who do not protect the secrets of each other die
like the snakes living in the stomach and the ant-hill.”
AriMardana said - “How is that so?”
Praakaarakarna said -
वल्मीकोदरस्थसर्पकथा
{THE STORY OF THE SNAKES
IN THE ANT-HILL AND THE STOMACH}
“Once there lived a king named DevaShakti in a city. He had
a son whose body emaciated day by day because of a snake which lived inside his
stomach. He did not get well even after various treatments were tried as given
in the medical books.
The prince was depressed and went away to some other country.
He just lived by begging here and there and slept in the temple premises.
That city was ruled by a king named Bali .
He had two young daughters. Every morning as soon as they both got up, the two
daughters went to their father and saluted him.
One of the daughters said -
“May you be victorious, O King! By your grace all the joys
are attained.”
The second one said -
“O King! Enjoy whatever is destined for you as per the
result of your actions.”
The king got angry by her words and said -
“Hey, you ministers! Take this rude-mouthed girl and give
her off in marriage to some foreigner. Let her alone enjoy the result of her
action.”
The ministers said - “Yes Sir” and took her away accompanied
by a few maids and offered her in marriage to the prince who lived in the
temple premises.
The princess was happy and adoring her husband as equal to god,
went off to another country taking him along with her.
They entered a far away city; she made him comfortably settled
on the lake bank; went away with her maids to bring ghee, oil, salt and rice.
She bought whatever she needed and returned to the lake bank. She saw her
husband sleeping with his head resting on an ant-hill. A snake came out of his
mouth and breathed the outside air. Another snake came out of that ant-hill and
did the same thing. Both the snakes saw each other and were immediately filled with
anger towards each other.
The serpent of the ant-hill said -
“Hey wicked one! Why are you tormenting this handsome prince?”
The snake from the mouth said -
“Ho! You are not less wicked! How is it that you are hiding
two pots filled with gold inside your hole?”
In this manner they both disclosed each other’s secrets.
The snake in the hole said again-
“Hey you wicked one! Does no one know that the cure for the
problem created by you is to drink some old gruel kept overnight mixed with the
paste of black mustard seeds so that you die?”
The stomach snake said -
“Does no one know that you will die if very hot oil or boiling
water is poured into your hole?”
The princess who was hiding behind a tree heard the secrets
revealed by the two snakes. She did whatever was needed. She made her husband
cured of his prolonged illness; got the treasure also; returned to her country
with her husband. She was received with affection by her parents and lived
happily there enjoying all the pleasures destined for her as a result of her
past actions.
That is why I say- परस्परस्य मर्माणि (the secrets of each other)”
{ARIMARDANA GIVES SHELTER TO THE CROW}
AriMardana heard his speech and agreed to follow his
suggestion. It was done so.
{RAKTAAKSHA WARNS OTHER MINISTERS}
Raktaaksha observed this; laughed inside his own mind at
their foolishness; and said -“Alas! You have wrought destruction for our king
by your action.
It is said -
अपूज्या यत्र पूज्यन्ते पूज्यानां तु विमानना
त्रीणि तत्र प्रवर्तन्ते दुर्भिक्षं मरणं भयं [191]
Famine, death, and fear fill those places
where the unworthy are respected
and worship-worthy are disrespected.
प्रत्यक्षेsपि कृते पापे मूर्खः साम्ना प्रशाम्यति
रथकारः स्वकं भार्यां सजारां शिरसाsवहत् [192]
Even if a sin is committed in direct vision,
a fool is pacified by words of
trickery.
The coach-maker carried his promiscuous wife on his head.”
The other ministers
said -“How is that so?”
Raktaaksha said -
रथकारवधूकथा
{THE
STORY OF THE COACH-MAKER AND HIS WIFE}
“Once there lived a coach-builder named VeeraVara. His wife was named
KaamaDamanee. She was of a loose character and was always censured by all the
people.
Veeravara wanted to test her and thought - “I should test her character.
It is said -
यदिस्यात्पावकः शीतः प्रोष्णो वा शशलान्चनः
स्त्रीणां तदा सतीत्वं स्याद्यदि स्याद्दुर्जनो हितः [193]
If the fire feels cold, if the moon feels hot,
if the wicked man does any good,
the women will be faithful to
their husbands.
I know that all
the people talk of her as being unfaithful to me, her husband.
It is said -
यच्च वेदेषु शास्त्रेषु न दृष्टं न च संश्रुतं
तत्सर्वं वेत्ति लोकोयं यद्स्याद्ब्रह्माण्डमध्यगं [194]
What is not seen or heard in the Vedas, Scriptures,
the worldly people know all that
including that which happens in the center of the universe.”
Having thought
like this, he said to his wife -
“Beloved! I have
to go to the next village early in the morning. I will have to stay there for a
few days. Please prepare something for me to eat in the morning.”
She was very happy
by hearing his words; she left all the other house-jobs undone; and prepared a
dish of sweet rice with ghee, full of enthusiasm.
Or it is well-said
-
दुदिवसे घनतिमिरे दुःसन्चारेषु नगरमार्गेषु
पत्युर्विदेशगमने परमसुखं जघनचपलायाः [195]
When the husband has gone off to another city,
when the weather is bad, when darkness is dense,
when no one moves on the city-roads,
the joy felt by the promiscuous lady with attractive hips
has no bounds.
Veeravara got up early in the morning and went out of the house. She
saw him going away; her face lighted up with a smile; decorated herself nicely;
somehow passed the day. In the evening she went to her paramour with whom she
had an affair already from the past; and said -
“That wicked husband of mine has left for the next village. So come and
meet me when all the people in my house are sleeping.”
It was done so.
The coach-builder spent the day in a forest; returned home in the
evening; entered the house through another door; hid himself under the bed. Meanwhile
that DevaDatta came there and sat on the bed. Seeing him the coach-builder was
angry.
He thought-
“Why not I get out of this hiding place and kill him? Or shall I kill
them the instant they meet in the bed?
But I will wait first and see what she does and what she talks to him.”
Meanwhile the lady locked the house securely; and sat on the bed. As she climbed on the bed, her foot touched
the body of the coach-builder who was hiding under the cot.
Then she thought-
“This surely must be my wicked husband who is hiding under the bed to
test me. I will show him a taste of female intelligence.”
As she was thinking like this, Devadatta wanted to embrace her. She immediately
folded her hands and said -
“Hey gentle man! You should not touch me. I am a devoted wife and powerful
because of my chastity. If you dare touch me, I will curse you and burn you to ashes.”
He said -
“If that is the case, why did you invite me to come here?”
She said -
“Ho! Listen attentively. Today in the early morning I went to the temple of Goddess Chandika
Then I heard a voice from the sky-
“Daughter! What shall I do? You are my devotee. Yet after six months you
are destined to become a widow.”
Then I said -
“Goddess! You know the calamity that is going to occur; then you must
know the cure for it also. Tell me how I can make my husband live for hundred
years?”
The Goddess said -
“Daughter! The cure is there yet not there. It is all in your hands
only.”
I heard her words and said -
“Goddess! Tell me even if I have to offer my lives. I will do it.”
The Goddess said -
“If you embrace another man in your bed today, then the untimely death destined
for your husband will get transferred to that man. Your husband will live for hundred
years. That is why I invited you. Do whatever you want to do with me. I am sure
that nothing other than what the goddess said is going to happen.”
That man smiled in his own mind and enjoyed her company.
That foolish coach-builder had horripilations all over his body hearing
her words; came out of under the bed and said -
“Well-done my wife! Well-done ‘O Joy of the family’! I was misled by
some wicked people and wanted to test you; so made the excuse of going to
another village and hid under the bed. Come! Embrace me! You are the greatest
of all devoted wives, for you were completely in control of yourself even in
the company of another man. To remove my untimely death and increase my life-span
you did this.”
Saying these words he embraced her with love.
He put her on his shoulder and said to DevaDatta-
“Hey, great man! It is my good fortune that you also came here. Because
of your grace, I now have a life-span of hundred years. You also embrace me and
climb my other shoulder.”
As he talked, he embraced Devadatta who resisted him and forcefully put
him on his shoulder. Then he danced with both of them seated on his shoulders.
Then he said -
“Hey ‘the greatest among those who keep vows of Brahma’! You also have
helped me. ”
Blabbering such mad words, he placed him on the ground; went from house to
house and sang the praises of both his wife and her paramour.
That is why I say-
प्रत्यक्षेsपि कृते पापे (a
sin is committed in direct vision)
We are utterly ruined now with the roots cut off.
It is well said -
मित्ररूपा हि रिपवः संभाव्यन्ते विचक्षणः
ये हितं वाक्यमुत्सृज्य विपरीतोपसेविनः [196]
The wise call
‘those who give harmful suggestions instead of words leading towards
one’s welfare’
as enemies disguised as friends.
And also-
संतोप्यर्था विनश्यन्ति देशकालविरोधिनः
अप्राज्नान्
मन्त्रिणः प्राप्य तमः सूर्योदये यथा [197]
The prosperities of the king perish
like the darkness perishing at sunrise.
if he has foolish ministers who have no proper knowledge of what is to
be done when.”
{RAKTAAKSHA’S WORDS GO UNHEEDED}
Not heeding to his
words, all of them lifted SthiraJeevee and started to carry him towards their
fort. As he was getting carried away, SthiraJeevee said - “Lord! I am worthless
and not capable of any work. I am already in a bad state. Why do you want to
take me with you? I want to enter the fire. Please help me by arranging for a
fire.”
{STHIRAJEEVEE CONTINUES HIS DRAMA}
Raktaaksha
understood what his intention was and said -
“Why do you want
to enter the fire?”
SthiraJeevee said
- “I was thrown into this difficult situation because of MeghaVarna because I
supported you. I want my enemies destroyed; so I want to be reborn as an owl.”
{RAKTAAKSHA SEES THROUGH
HIS DECEIT}
Hearing his words,
Raktaaksha who was adept in the political science said -
“O good one! You
are a cheat and expert in making pretentious dialogues. Even if you enter an
owl’s womb, you will only appreciate this crow’s body. Listen to this story.
सूर्यं भर्तारमुत्सृज्य पर्जन्यं मारुतं गिरिं
स्वजातिं मूषिका प्राप्ता स्वजातिर्दुरतिक्रमा [198]
Rejecting the Sun, the cloud, the wind and mountain as unfit to be her
husband,
the female rat married the rat which belonged to her species.
One cannot cross over the attachment towards one’s own caste.”
The ministers
asked - “How is that so?”
Raktaaksha said -
मूषिकाविवाहकथा
{THE
STORY OF THE MARRIAGE OF THE FEMALE RAT}
अस्ति विषम-शिलातल-स्खलिताम्बु-निर्घोष-श्रवण-संत्रस्त-मत्स्य-परिवर्तन-संजनित-
शेवेत-फेन-शबल-तरगङ्गायास्तटे जप-नियम-तपः-स्वाध्यायोपवास-योग-
क्रियानुष्टान-परायणैः परिपूत-परिमित-जल-जिघृक्षुभिः कन्द-मूल-फल-शैवालाभ्यवहार-कदर्थित-शरीरैर्वल्कल-कृत-
कौपीनमात्राच्छादनैस्तपस्विभिराकीर्णमाश्रमपदं |
यत्र याज्ञवल्क्यो नाम कुलपतिरासीत् |
कौपीनमात्राच्छादनैस्तपस्विभिराकीर्णमाश्रमपदं |
यत्र याज्ञवल्क्यो नाम कुलपतिरासीत् |
“River Ganges !
Huge rocks filled
the course of the river wherever it flowed.
Violent waves
dashed against those rocks making a huge noise frightening the fish all over.
As the fish swam helter skelter inside those white wavy foams, beautiful
variegated lines appeared on those waves.
On the bank of
such a river Ganges , there were many
hermitages spread out far and near.
Many Sages lived
there.
Only ‘Koupeenas’
(loin-cloths) made of bark covered their bodies.
Their bodies were
emaciated as they consumed only bulbous roots and aquatic plants.
They drank only
limited amount of sacred waters daily.
They were always
engaged in the performance of recitation of hymns, vows, penance, study of
scriptures, fasting and Yoga.
There lived a ‘Kula-Pati’
named Yaajnavalkya.
(कुलपति - a Sage
who feeds and teaches 10,000 pupils)
Once he was
bathing in the River Ganges. Later he stood up to offer oblations to the Sun
God. At the very same moment a vulture was flying in the sky with a female rat
held in its beak and the rat luckily slipped from its beak and fell into the
open hands of the Sage. The kind Sage placed her on a fig leaf; took bath
again; again offered oblation to the Sun God; performed purificatory rites;
turned that female rat into a human child and took her to his hermitage. He
told his wife who had not yet been fortunate to have her own child-“Good lady!
Accept this child as your daughter. Take care of her well and bring her up.”
His wife was very happy and brought up the child with lots of affection and
care. The girl became twelve years old.
As the girl had
now attained the age fit to be married off, the wife of the Sage told her
husband -
“O Husband! Do you
not know the fact that the marriageable age of your daughter is passing away?”
He said -
“You said the
right thing. It is said -
स्त्रियः पुरा सुरैर्भुक्ता सोमगन्धर्ववह्निभिः
भुञ्जते मानुषाः पश्चात्तस्माद्दोषो न विद्यते [199]
The women are enjoyed at first by gods like moon, Gandharvas and Fire.
Afterwards the humans enjoy them. There is nothing wrong with that.
{The
word ‘Moon’ refers to the mind; the word ‘Gandharvas’ to imaginations, dreams,
desires etc.; the word ‘Fire’ refers to passion.
A female child is usually gullible by nature and
also not physically stronger than a male member. Before the child wakes up to
the fact that she is a female, before she develops dreams about her future
lover and gets cheated by any uncouth character, before the fire of passion
starts burning to make her lose her chastity, she is to be married off to a
suitable groom of good character and family. A female child should be taught
good things to keep her mind pure. She should be taught to behave in a charming
way.
She should like a fire preserve her chastity ready
for the Sacrifice of marriage. This is the idea that is presented in these
verses.
One important point to note here is that the story
of ‘a rat marrying a rat’ is not presented here as a kindergarten nap-tale.
This story gets connected to Sage Yaajnavalkya who was one of the foremost
Knowers of the yore. The story of a rat might be fictitious but the ideas about
the marriage system prevalent at those times are important. The system of
child-marriage which was prevailing at those times might have been there for
maintaining the safety of female children, where any king or powerful
demon-like personality could carry away a virgin girl. It was necessary at
those times to get the girl married off early so she is safe in her husband’s
house. May be times are different now and that system has no value at present
times, where even a parent acts as a devil and every young man acts only as a
gene mechanism.
And another thing to note is that the Sage, though
many kings were at his behest, does not marry off the girl to any one he deems
fit. Here the magnanimous Sage allows the girl to choose her life-partner and
does not object to her wishes when she discards Gods like Sun to marry a puny
rat. It is her wish and he respects her.}
सोमस्तासां ददौ शौचं गन्धर्वाः शिक्षितां गिरं
पावकः सर्वमेध्यत्वं तस्मान्निष्कल्मषाः स्त्रियः [200]
The moon gave them purity.
The Gandharvas gave them
cultured sweet talk.
The fire gave them purity all over their body.
Therefore the women are taintless.
असंप्राप्तरजा गौरी प्राप्ते रजसि रोहिणी
अव्यञ्जना भवेत्कन्या कुचहीना च नग्निका [201]
The girl who has not attained puberty is called Gouree.
If she attains puberty, she is called Rohinee.
As long as she is hairless on her body, she is called Kanyaa.
If she has not developed breasts, she is called Nagnikaa.
व्यञ्जनैस्तु सौत्पन्नः सोमो भुङ्के हि कन्यकां
पयोधराभ्यां गन्धर्वा रजस्यग्निः प्रतिष्टितः [202]
When she has hair on her body, moon enjoys the girl.
When she grows breasts, gandharvas enjoy her.
When she attains puberty, fire enjoys her.
तस्माद्विवाहयेत्कन्यां यावन्नर्तुमती भवेत्
विवाहश्चाष्टवर्षायाः कन्यायास्तु प्रशस्यते [203]
Therefore it is better that a girl is married off
before she attains puberty.
It is commendable if the girl’s marriage is conducted
when she is eight years old.
व्यञ्जनं हन्ति वै पूर्वं परम् चैव पयोधरौ
रतिरिष्टान्स्तथा लोकान् हन्याच्च पितरं
रजः [204]
If the hairs on her body appear before marriage,
her father’s past merits get
destroyed.
If she grows breasts, his future merits get destroyed.
If she gets a desire to meet a man,
then he loses the meritorious
worlds after-life.
If she attains puberty, then he is completely ruined.
ऋतुमत्यां तु तिष्टाभ्यां स्वेच्छादानं विधीयते
तस्मादुद्दाहयेन्नग्नां मनुः स्वायंभुवोsब्रवीत् [205]
If the girl has attained puberty,
then she should be married off
to anyone who is available.
That is why Svayambhoo Manu has stated that
a ‘nagnaa’ (a girl who has not even
developed breasts)
should be given off in marriage.
पितृवेश्मनि या कन्या रजः पश्यत्यसंस्कृता
अविवाहाया तु सा कन्या जघन्या वृषली मता [206]
If the girl attains puberty at her father’s house
before maarriage,
she should be considered as a person of low-caste
and and is in a position to be
ridiculed.
श्रेष्टेभ्यः सदृशेभ्यश्च जघन्येभ्यो रजस्वला
पित्रा देया विनिश्चित्य यतो दोषो न विद्यते [207]
A girl who has attained puberty in her father’s house
should be offered in marriage
to persons of better status, or
equal status,
or even those of lower status, as soon as possible
so no fault arises.
Therefore I will
offer her to a person of equal status and not to any other.
It is said -
ययोरेव समं वित्तं ययोरेव समं कुलं
तयोर्विवाहः सख्यश्च न तु पुष्टविपुष्टयोः [208]
Marriage and friendship should happen
between persons of equal
wealth,equal status, and
not between people who are not equal in all these.
And also -
कुलञ्च शीलञ्च सनाथता च विद्या च वित्तञ्च वपुर्वयश्च
एतान् गुणान् सप्त विचिन्त्य देया कन्या बुधैः शेषमचिन्तनीयं [209]
The wise should only consider seven points when offering the girl in
marriage;
family status; character; support; education; wealth; physical looks;
and age.
{THE SAGE WANTS THE GIRL TO
CHOOSE HER HUSBAND}
Therefore I will
invite Lord Sun and offer our daughter to him; and find out if she likes him.”
She said -
“What is wrong in
that? Do whatever you feel like.”
The Sage called for
the Sun God to be present in front of him.
By of the power of
the Veda-chants inviting him to the Sage’s presence, he immediately appeared in
front of the Sage and said -
“Lord! Why was I called?
The Sage said -
“This is my
daughter. If she wishes to marry you, then you accept her.”
He turned towards
his daughter and said -
“Daughter! Do you
like this Sun who lights up the three worlds?”
The daughter said -
“Father! He is of a
fiercely burning nature. I do not like him. Therefore call another person
better than this one.”
The Sage heard her
words and said to the Sun-
“Lord! Is there any
one better than you?”
Bhaaskara said -
“Yes! There is a
better person than me indeed. It is the Cloud which can cover me and completely
block my light.”
Then the Sage called
for the Cloud. He asked his daughter-
“Daughter? Shall I
marry you off to this one?”
She said -
“This person is
inert and black in color. Therefore offer me to someone better than him.”
Then the Sage asked
the Cloud-
“Hey Cloud! Is
there anyone better than you?”
The Cloud said -
“Wind is better
than me. When hit by the wWind I shatter into thousand pieces.”
Hearing his words,
the Sage called for the Wind. He asked his daughter again-
“Daughter! Do you
think this Wind suits you as a life-partner?”
She said -
“Father! This
person is always moving. Bring another one better than him.”
The Sage asked-
“Wind! Is there
anyone better than you?”
Wind said -
“Mountain is better
than me. He can block me; though I am strong he controls me.”
The Sage called for
the Mountain and asked his daughter-
“Daughter! Shall I
offer you to him?”
She said -
“Father! This
person is very hard and stony. He cannot move at all. Give me to some other
one.”
The Sage asked the Mountain-
“Hey Mountain-King!
Is there anyone better than you?”
The Mountain said -
“Better than me are
the rats who can forcefully make holes in my body.”
Then the Sage
called for the rat and showed her.
He said -“Daughter!
Shall I give you to him? Does this king of rats appear suitable to be your
life-partner?”
She saw the rat and
felt that he belonged to her own class; had horripilations all over her body
and said -
“Father! Turn me into
a rat and offer me to him. Then I will be able to perform the duties of a wife
properly according to the class I belong to.”
The Sage turned her
back into a rat by the power of his penance and offered her in marriage to the
rat.
That is why I say- सूर्यं भर्तारमुत्सृज्य (Rejecting the Sun as unfit to be her husband)”
{STHIRAJEEVEE ADMIRES
RAKTAAKSHA’S WISDOM}
Disregarding the
words of Raktaaksha they carried SthiraJeevee to their fort destined for their
own destruction by that act. As he was getting carried away, Sthirajeevee
laughed in his mind and thought-
हन्यतामिति येनोक्तं स्वामिनो हितवादिना
स एवेकोsत्र सर्वेषां नीतिशास्त्रार्थ तत्त्ववित् [210]
“He who advised that I should be killed
was really concerned about the wefare of his master.
Among all the others,
he alone had understood the
science of politics.
If they had followed
his advice, even the least of harm would not befall them.”
{STHIRAJEEVEE GETS SHELTER
IN THE OWL-FORT}
They all reached
the door of the fortress; and Arimardana said -
“Ho! This
SthiraJeevee is a wellwisher of mine. Arrange an accommodation for him as per
his needs.”
Hearing his words
SthiraJeevee thought-
“I should now think
of a plan to kill them all. But if I live inside the fort I cannot accomplish
my purpose as they will be watching over me all the time and will become alert.
So I will stay at the gate itself and fulfill my task.”
Having made a
decision like this, he said to the owl-king-
“Lord! What you said befits your magnanimous
personality; but I also know the science of politics and belong to your enemy
class. Though I admire you and have no ill-feelings towards you, I do not
deserve to live inside the fortress. Therefore I will stay here at the door of
the fort and daily purify my body with the dust of your lotus-feet and serve
you.”
“Let it be so!”
said the owl-king.
Daily the servants
of the owl-king prepared food liked by the crow and gave SthiraJeevee abundant
meat as ordered by their king.
{RAKTAAKSHA AGAIN WARNS
OTHER MINISTERS}
Within a few days,
SthiraJeevee grew fat and strong like a peacock. Then Raktaaksha observed
SthiraJeevee getting cared for so much and was surprised. He met the other
ministers and the king and said -
“Aha! I am of the
opinion that you and your ministers are fools.
It is said -
पूर्वन्तावदहं मूर्खो
द्वितीयः पाशबन्धकः
ततो राजा मन्त्री च सर्वं वै मूर्खमण्डलं [211]
First of all I am a fool!
The fellow with the snare is another fool!
So also, the king and the minister are also fools!
It is an assembly of fools here!”
The ministers asked him - “How is that so?”
स्वर्णपुरीषपक्षिकथा
{THE
STORY OF THE BIRD WITH GOLD DROPPINGS}
“There was a huge
tree in a mountainous region. A bird named Sindhuka lived on that tree. Its
droppings produced gold. Once some hunter came off to that region. The bird put
its droppings in front of his eyes. The hunter observed that the moment the
droppings fell, they turned into gold and was extremely surprised.
He said - “Aha! I
have passed eighty years of my life catching various birds starting from my
childhood. But I have never seen gold in the bird’s droppings.”
He tied the bird-catching
snare to that tree and waited.
That foolish bird
unaware of all this, sat as usual on that tree and was caught in the snare. The
hunter removed the snare; placed the bird inside a cage and left for his home
along with the bird.
Then he thought-
“What shall I do
with this bird which is wrought with danger? If someone finds about this bird
they will report to the king and I would not be left alive later. So it is
better that I give off this bird to the king.” So he thought; and did likewise.
The king‘s eyes and
lotus-face bloomed seeing that rare bird.
He said - “Ho! You
servants! Protect this bird with utmost care. Give him food and water as much
as he likes.”
Then the minister said
-
“Why should you
trust the words of a hunter and preserve him in a cage? When has the bird
droppings ever turned into gold? Release this bird from the cage.”
The bird was
released out of the cage as advised by the minister. The bird instantly flew to
the decorative garland hanging on top of the door and sat there and put its
droppings; and recited the verse “पूर्वन्तावदहं मूर्खो …” and flew away in the sky.
That is why I say- पूर्वन्तावदहं मूर्खो (First
of all I am a fool).”
{RAKTAAKSHA’S WARNING GOES
UNHEEDED/
RAKTAAKSHA ESCAPES AND
SAVES HIS LIFE}
However the other
ministers moving under the control of destiny again disregarded the wise
counsel of Raktaaksha and kept feeding meat and other delicacies to the crow.
Then Raktaaksha
called his own followers and secretly told them-
“Aho! Till now our
king was safe and his fort was also safe. I, who am from the family working as
ministers for generations, have done my duty as a minister and have given
counseling enough to save him. Now we should save our lives and take shelter in
some other fort in some other mountain.
It is said -
अनागतं यः कुरुते स शोभते
स शोच्यते यो न करोत्यनागतं
वनेsत्र संस्थस्य समागता जरा
बिलस्य वाणी न कदापि मे श्रुता [212]
He who performs actions with the
future in the mind alone shines.
He who does not prepare for the
future is in for sad endings.
I have lived in this forest all
these days.
Now I have become old too; but never have I
heard a cave talking.
They asked - “How is that
so?”
Raktaaksha said -
सिंहजम्बुकगुहाकथा
{THE
STORY OF THE LION AND THE JACKAL}
“There lived a lion named
KharaNakhara (one with sharp nails) in a forest.
Once as he wandered here
and there hungry and thirsty, he did not get any animal to kill. As evening
approached, he entered a huge cave in the mountain and thought-
“Some animal is sure to
enter this cave at night. I will hide and wait.”
Meanwhile a jackal named
DadhiPuccha (curd white-Tailed) who was the actual owner of the cave came
there. He observed the foot prints of the lion going inside the cave but not
the foot prints coming out of it.
He thought-“Aha! I am ruined.
Surely a lion must be hiding inside. What shall I do? How will I find out?”
Having thought like this,
he went near the door and shouted-
“Ho Cave! Ho Cave!”
He remained silent for some time and again
shouted-
“Ho! Don’t you remember
that I and you have agreed to some contract, that I should call you out when I
come here to the entrance of the cave and you have to invite me. If you do not
invite me then I will go to some other cave.”
Hearing the words of the
jackal the lion thought-
“Definitely this cave
must have been inviting him always. Today afraid of me, it is not speaking out.
Or it is well said -
भयसंत्रस्तमनसां हस्तपादादिकाः क्रियाः
प्रवर्तन्ते न वाणी च वेपतुश्चाधिको
भवेत् [213]
For those gripped by fear,
hands and legs remain frozen; words do not
come out;
the body trembles a lot.
So I will invite him
inside; he will enter inside then, and I can make a meal out of him.”
Having planned like this,
the lion invited the jackal to come inside.
The lion’s voice
resounded all over the walls of the cave and was heard far into the forest
frightening all the animals there.
The jackal immediately
ran away as he read this verse.
अनागतं यः कुरुते स शोभते
स शोच्यते यो न करोत्यनागतं
वनेsत्र संस्थस्य समागता जरा
बिलस्य वाणी न कदापि मे श्रुता [214]
He who performs actions with the
future in the mind alone shines.
He who does not prepare for the
future is in for sad endings.
I have lived in this forest all
these days.
Now I have become old too; but never have I
heard a cave talking.
So believe my words and
let us all go away to a safer place.”
Raktakshaa and his
followers immediately flew away to a distant land and escaped.
{STHIRAJEEVEE PREPARES FOR
THE DESTRUCTION OF THE ENEMIES}
After Raktaaksha was
gone, SthiraJeevee thought-
“Aha! It is my good
fortune that Raktaaksha went away. He was a far-seer. All these are idiots and
can be easily killed by me.
It is said -
न दीर्घदर्शिनो यस्य मन्त्रिणः स्युर्महीपतेः
क्रमायाता ध्रुवं तस्य न चिरात्स्यात्परिक्षयः [215]
The king whose ministers are not
far-seeing
and who do not belong to the
families not working from generations,
is sure to get destroyed.
Or
it is well said -
मन्त्रिरूपा हि रिपवः संभाव्यन्ते
विचक्षणैः
ये हितं वाक्यमुत्सृज्य विपरीतोपसेविनः [216]
The wise state that,
those who do not give correct advice but
suggest things harmful to the king,
are enemies in the guise of ministers.”
Having
thought like this, SthiraJeevee daily collected one one stick from the forest
with the pretext of wanting to build a nest outside the fort, with the plan of
setting fire to the cave where the owls lived. The foolish owls were not aware
of the fact that the nest kept on increasing in size only to burn them in the
end.
Or
it is well said -
अमित्रं कुरुते मित्रं मित्रं द्वेष्टि
हिनस्ति च
शुभं वेत्यशुभं पापं भद्रं दैवहतो
नरः [217]
A man who is destined to perish alone will
consider an enemy as a friend
and hate a friend and try to kill
him.
He sees the good as evil and evil as
good.
There
was a good collection of dry sticks now at the door of the fortress. In the
early morning the owls which were blind in the day remained inside their
fortress.
SthiraJeevee
quickly flew to MeghaVarna and said -
“Lord!
The enemy’s cave is now ready to get burnt. Come with your followers, each
carrying a burning stick and throw it on my nest made of dry sticks at the door
of the enemy fortress. All our enemies will die as if they have entered the
KumbheePaaka hell.”
(KUMBHEE-PAAKA NARAKA -The
hell where the wicked are baked like a potter’s vessel)
MeghaVarna
became very happy and said -
“Sire!
Tell me your story. I am seeing you after a long time.”
SthiraJeevee
said -
“Son!
This is not the time to talk and waste time. If any spy of that enemy king
reports my meeting you, then getting alert, the blind one will fly off elsewhere.
Hurry hurry!
It
is said -
शीघ्रकृत्येषु विलंबयति यो नरः
तत्कृत्यं देवतास्तस्य कोपाद्विघ्नन्त्यसंशयं [218]
If a man makes delay in finishing
tasks which can be done fast,
even gods will become angry and create
obstacles to his work.
And
also-
यस्य यस्य हि कार्यस्य फलितस्य विशेषतः
क्षिप्रमक्रियमाणस्य कालः पिबति तद्रसं [219]
He who does not finish his work
fast,
for him time sucks away the essence
the fruit,
especially if the end is very near.”
{THE
OWLS ALL DIE}
MeghaVarna
agreed to his words. He and his servants each held a burning dry stick at
the
tip of their beak; reached the entrance of their enemy’s fort and threw them at
the pile of the dry sticks collected by SthiraJeevee at the entrance. Then all
those day-blind owls remembered the words of Raktaaksha; and unable to come out
of the cave with the entrance getting blocked by the fire, they died as if
experiencing the hell of Kumbhee Paaka.
{MEGHAVARNA
RETURNS HOME}
In
this manner, after killing all the enemies, MeghaVarna returned to the fig tree
where he lived earlier. He sat on the throne and feeling extremely happy asked
SthiraJeevee-“Sire! How did you spend your days with the enemies all this time?
I am very curious to know about all that happened there. Tell me.
Because-
वरमग्नौ प्रदीप्ते तु प्रपातः पुण्यकर्मणां
न चारिजनसंसर्गो मुहूर्तमपि सेवितः [220]
It is better for the performers of
meritorious actions to enter the blazing fire;
but not the contact of enemies even for a
second.”
{TO
ACHIEVE THE GOAL, ANYTHING CAN BE DONE}
Hearing his words, SthiraJeevee said -
“O Good one! A servant does not care about the pains of his labour, being
intent only on the goal to be achieved. It is said -
{THE
SUFFERINGS UNDERWENT BY PAANDAVAAS}
उपनतभयैर्यो यो मार्गो हितार्थकरो
भवेत्
स स निपुणतया बुद्ध्या सेव्यो महान्कृपणोsपि वा
करिकरनिभौ ज्याघातान्कौ महास्त्रविशारदौ
वलयरणितौ स्त्रीवद्बाहू कृतौ न किरीटिना [221]
Those who are apprehensive,
should try all the methods possible
to reach their ends
and should not leave any stone unturned.
Did Arjuna mind wearing tinkling
bangles on his hands like a lady,
even though his arms were equal to the trunks
of an elephant;
bore the mark of the string of the
bow pulled back;
were highly adept in wielding mighty weapons?
शक्तेनापि सदा जनेन विदुषा कालान्तरापेक्षिणा
वस्तव्यं खलु वक्रवाक्यविषमे क्षुद्रेsपि पाते जने
दर्वीव्यग्रकरेण धूम्रमलिनेनायासमुक्तेन
च
भीमेनातिबलेन मत्स्यभवने किं नोषितं
सूदवत् [222]
A wise man though capable should pass the time patiently
and live among people
who are lowly and who utter
indecent and rude words.
Did not the mighty Bheema live as a cook in the palace
of Viraata
and work hard
holding the ladle, in the kitchen filled with dark smoke?
यद्वा तद्वा विषमपतितः साधु वा गर्हितं
वा
कालापेक्षी पिहितनयनो बुद्धिमान् कर्म कुर्यात्
गाण्डीवस्फुरदुरुगुणास्फालनक्रूरपाणि-
र्नासेल्लीलानटनविलसन्मेखली सव्यसाची [223]
When trapped in difficult
circumstances by chance,
an intelligent man should go on
doing actions fit for his status or not,
with closed eyes and waiting for the
time to change.
Did not Arjuna dance gracefully
moving the waist-cloth
though his arms were hardened by
pulling the string of the great Gaandeeva bow?
सिद्धिं प्रार्थयता जनेन विदुषा तेजो
निगृह्य स्वकं
सत्वोत्साहवतापि दैवविधिषु स्थैर्यं
प्रकार्यं क्रमात्
देवेन्द्रद्रविणेश्वरान्तकसमैरप्यन्वितो भ्रातृभिः
किं क्लिष्टः सुचिरं त्रिदण्डमवहच्छ्रीमान्न
धर्मात्मजः [224]
A wise man who wants success should
hide his own strength,
though endowed with courage and enthusiasm;
should remain stable in the events brought
about by destiny.
Though followed by brothers equal to
Indra, Kubera and Yama,
did not the great DharmaRaaja wield
the three sticks for such a long time
suppressing the pain in his heart?
{Tridandin- A man who has no worldly attachments
carries three long staves tied as one in his right hand to show his control
over thought, word, and deed}
रूपाभिजनसम्पन्नौ कुन्तीपुत्रौ बलान्वितौ
गोकर्मरक्षाव्यापारे विराटप्रेष्यतां
गतौ [225]
The two sons of Kuntee,
though endowed with beauty and
strength, were engaged in taking care of the cows
and worked as servants under king Viraata.
रूपेणाप्रतिमेन यौवनगुणै: श्रेष्टे कुले जन्मना
कान्त्या श्रीरिव याsत्र सापि विदशां कालक्रमादागता
सैरन्ध्रीति सगर्वितं युवतिभिः साक्षेपमाज्ञप्तया
द्रौपद्या ननु मत्स्यराजभवने घृष्टं
चिरं चन्दनं [226]
Though endowed with excellent
beauty,
though best among all the young maidens,
though born in the best dynasty,
though she shone like the goddess of
wealth,
Draupadi, the wife of Paandavaas
also attained a wretched state, in course of time.
Did not Draupadi spend her time
making the paste of sandal wood in the palace of Viraata
ordered about by arrogant young ladies
being addressed derogatorily as
‘Sairandhree’?”
{Sairandhree-Maid servant}
{STHIRAJEEVEE
SPEAKS OUT HIS EXPERIENCES AT THE ENEMY-CAMP}
MeghaVarna
said -
“Sire!
I think that living with the enemy is like staying on the sharp razor of the
sword.”
SthiraJeevee
said -
“Lord!
It is indeed so! But I have never ever seen such fools in my life! And I have
never seen a person equal to the intelligent Raktaaksha who was extremely wise,
and an expert in all sciences. That is why he could understand my mind as soon
as he saw me.
The
other ministers were all great fools; they were ministers for namesake; had no
knowledge of anything. They did not even know-
अरितोsभ्यागतो भृत्यो दुष्टस्तत्सन्गतत्परः
अपसर्पसधर्मत्वान्नियोद्वेगी च दूषितः [227]
The servant who has come from the
enemy side
will be wicked because of his
belonging to their side.
As he is a messenger he cannot be trusted and
causes anxiety.
आसने शयने याने पानभोजनवस्तुषु
दृष्टान्तरं प्रमत्तेषु प्रहरन्त्यरयोsरिषु [228]
The enemies attack their enemies
waiting for the time when they will be unalert
as when they are seated, or sleeping, or
traveling, or drinking or eating.
तस्मात्सर्वं प्रयत्नेन त्रिवर्गनिलयं
बुधः
आत्मानमादृतो रक्षेत्प्रमादाद्दि
विनश्यति [229]
Therefore a wise man should make
effort and protect the body
which is a means for attaining the
three types of human goals.
It will get destroyed even by the
slightest mistake.
It
is well-said -
संतापयन्ति कमपथ्यभुजं न रोगाः
दुर्मन्त्रिणं कमुपयान्ति न नीतिदोषाः
कं श्रीर्न दर्पयति कं न निहन्ति
मृत्युः
कं स्वीकृता न विषयाः परिपीडयन्ति [230]
Which man without diet-control is
not tormented by diseases?
Which king advised by a wicked
minister does not take wrong decisions?
Whom does not wealth make arrogant?
Whom does not the death kill?
Whom does not the lust for women
torture?
लुब्धस्य नश्यति यशः पिशुनस्य मैत्री
नष्टक्रियस्य कुलमर्थपरस्य धर्मः
विद्या बलं व्यसनिनः कृपणस्य सौख्यं
राज्यं प्रमत्तसचिवस्य नराधिपस्य [231]
The fame of a greedy man; the frirendship
of a miser;
the family of a loser; righteousness of the
wealth-seeker;
the knowledge and strength for the
pleasure-seeker;
the happiness for the mean-minded;
kingdom for the king with a wicked minister;
perish for sure.
Therefore
O king, when you mentioned that living with an enemy is like living on the
razor side of the blade, it is true and experienced by me too.
अपमानं पुरस्कृत्य मानं कृत्वा तु पृष्टतः
स्वार्थमप्युद्धरेत्प्राज्ञः स्वार्थभ्रंशो हि मूर्खता [232]
A wise man should keep the insult in
front and self-respect at the back
and save oneself.
It is foolishness to destroy oneself
following the opposite course.
स्कन्धेनापि वहेच्छत्रुः कालमासाद्य
बुद्धिमान्
वहता कृष्णसर्पेन मण्डूका विनिपातिताः [233]
The wise man should make use of the
opportunity
and even carry the enemy on his
shoulders if needed.
The frogs were destroyed when they
were carried by the black serpent.”
MeghaVarna
said -How is that so?”
He
said -
मण्डूकमन्दविषसर्पकथा
{THE STORY OF THE FROG AND THE SERPENT}
“There lived a black serpent named MandaVisha
(Slow-Poison) in some area near the Varunaadri
Mountain
He went to a lake filled with lots of frogs and
pretended to be afraid of them.
One frog asked him from inside the waters-
“Uncle! Why are you not hunting for food today?”
He said -
“O Good one! I am a person stuck by mis-fortune!
How can I think of food? Because, this night as I was searching for food, I
came across a frog. I got ready to catch it. But he saw me and was filled with
fear. He immediately jumped into the midst of some Brahmins who were absorbed
in studies and hid himself there out of my sight. Intent on catching him, I
entered the waters and accidently bit the thumb of a Brahmin’s son which was
dipped inside the waters of the lake. He immediately died.
Then his father cursed me - “You wicked snake!
You have bitten my innocent son. Because of this sin you will become the
vehicle of the frogs. You will live only by their grace.” That is why I have
come here to serve you all as a vehicle.”
That frog went and told everyone what the
serpent had said. All of them became very happy. They all reported this to
their king. He also thought that it was a great wonder and came there with his
followers. He jumped out of the waters of the lake and sat on the hood of
MandaVisha. All the other frogs also climbed the back of the serpent one behind
the other. What more! The frogs which could not get a place on the snake ran
behind him as he moved forward.
MandaVisha pointed out various things on the way
and kept them happy. Jalapaada felt
happy by the touch of the smooth skin of the snake.
He said -
न तथा करिणा यानं तुरगेन रथेन वा
नरयानेन नावा वा यथा मन्दविषेण मे [234]
I have not so been joyous riding
an elephant, or a horse, or a chariot,
or a man, or a boat,
as I feel now riding this
MandaVisha.
Next
day the serpent pretended to be very weak and moved very slowly. Observing
this, JalaPaada said - “O good MandaVisha! Why are you not carrying me properly
as before?’
MandaVisha
said -
“Lord!
I have not had any food today. I do not have the strength to carry you all.”
JalaPaada
said –
“O
good one! Eat of the lowly frogs.”
Hearing
his words, the serpent felt a shiver of joy all over its body and said with
excitement-
“This
is the curse of the Brahmin. I am happy by your words.”
Then
he kept on eating the frogs and became very strong within a few days. Feeling
very happy he laughed in his mind and said -
मण्डूका विविधास्वादाश्च्छलपूर्वोपसाधिताः
कियन्तं कालभक्षीणा भवेयुः खादतो मम [235]
“The frogs which are of different
tastes have been obtained by me through deceit.
They will prove to be enough food
for me for a long time!”
JalaPaada
who was fooled by the nice words of MandaVisha did not understand what was
happening.
Meanwhile
another huge snake came to that region. He saw MandaVisha carrying the frogs on
his back and was surprised. He said -
“Friend!
These frogs are our food. Why are you carrying them? It is not the right thing
to do!”
MandaVisha
said -
सर्वमेतद्विजानामि यथा वाह्योsस्मि दर्दुरैः
किञ्चित्कालं प्रतीक्ष्येsहम् घृतान्तो ब्राह्मणो यथा [236]
I know very well that I am a vehicle
for the frogs.
But I will wait for some more time
like the Brahmin who became blind by
eating ghee.”
He
asked - “How is that so?”
He
said -
घृतान्धब्राह्मणकथा
{THE STORY OF THE BRAHMIN WHO BECAME BLIND BY
EATING GHEE}
There lived a Brahmin by the name of YajnaDatta
in a village. His wife was of a loose character and interested in another man.
She daily prepared sweets made of ghee and gave it to her paramour without her
husband’s knowledge. Somehow this fact came to her husband’s notice and he
asked her-
“O good lady! What are you cooking? Where are
you taking them daily? Tell me the truth.”
That clever lady lied to him and said -
“There is temple of the Goddess nearby. I am
under vow and so daily offer the Goddess various dishes.”
In front of his very eyes, she took all the
delicacies and walked towards the temple. She thought that her husband would
see her offering the delicacies to the goddess and believe that she was
preparing the sweets only to offer them to the goddess.
She went to the temple and entered a river to
take bath before worshipping the goddess. Her husband took another road and hid
himself behind the statue of the goddess and was observing her actions.
The Brahmin lady bathed; came to the temple;
worshipped the goddess by offering flowers, incense sticks etc. She saluted the goddess and prayed-
“Goddess! How will my husband become blind?”
Hearing her words, the Brahmin answered from
behind the statue-
“If you offer him daily the ghee-made sweets, he
will become blind soon.”
That promiscuous lady believed those words as
told by the Goddess and daily fed him ghee-made sweets.
Another day the Brahmin said - “O Good lady! I
cannot see anything at all.” Hearing his
words, she thought, “This must be the grace of the goddess.”
Her paramour-friend thought - “What this blind
Brahmin can do to me?” and came there to meet her daily.
Another day the Brahmin saw him coming inside;
held him by his hair; hit him hard with his wrists and club. That man died.
Then the Brahmin punished his wife by cutting off her nose and threw her out of
the house.
That is why I say- सर्वमेतद्विजानामि (I know very well).”
Then MandaVisha laughed within his mind and said
-
मण्डूका विविधास्वादाश्च्छलपूर्वोपसाधिताः
कियन्तं कालभक्षीणा भवेयुः खादतो मम ||
“The frogs which are of different
tastes have been obtained by me through deceit.
They will prove to be enough food
for me for a long time!”
JalaPaada heard this and felt very much
distressed by what he had heard. He asked the serpent - “O Good one! What did
you say just now? I feel something is not right.”
The serpent hid his real feelings and said -“Nothing!”
JalaPaada trusted him again blindly and did not know
of his true intentions.
What more! All the frogs were eaten by the snake
without leaving a trace!
That is why I say- स्कन्धेनापि वहेच्छत्रुः (even carry the enemy
on his shoulders).
Therefore O king, the frogs were killed by MandaVisha
using his intelligence. Similarly I also killed the enemies through
intelligence. It is rightly said -
वने प्रज्वालितो वह्निर्दहन्मूलानि
रक्षति
समूलोन्मूलनम् कुर्याद्वायुर्यो मृदुशीतलः [237]
The blazing fire though burning
fiercely leaves out the roots of the trees.
The cold soft wind completely
uproots the trees and destroys them.
MeghaVarna
said -“Sire! It is true! The great ones have lot of mental power and do not
discard any work started by them.
It
is said -
महत्वमेतन्महतां नयालङ्कारधारिणां
न मुञ्चन्ति यथारब्धं कृच्छेsपि व्यसनोदये [238]
The greatness of the great men is
that-
being ornamented by the character of
perfection
they do not discard their enterprise
even if a worst type of difficulty arises.
And
also-
प्रारभ्यते न खलु विघ्नभयेन नीचैः
प्रारभ्य विघ्नविहिता विरमन्ति मध्याः
विघ्नैः पुनः पुनरपि प्रतिहन्यमानाः
प्रारभ्य चोत्तमजना न परित्यजन्ति [239]
The worst types of men do not begin
any enterprise for fear of obstacles.
The medium types start an enterprise
and stop it as soon as an obstacle is met with.
The best types of men do not stop
their efforts after starting an enterprise
even after getting hit by obstacles
again and again.
That
is why my kingdom is now free of all problems because of you destroying all my
enemies. It is correctly stated by those adept in the political science -
ऋणशेषं चाग्निशेषं शत्रुशेषं तथैव
च
व्याधिशेषञ्च निःशेषं कृत्वा प्राज्ञो
न सीदति [240]
The wise man does not grieve again
after removing without a trace
the residue of gratitude, fire,
enemy and the illness.”
SthiraJeevee
said -
“Lord!
You are the most fortunate person. Whatever you started ends in success. Only
valour does not lead to sucees; but the action done with wisdom leads to
victory.
Because
-
शत्रैर्हता न हि हता रिपवो भवन्ति
प्रज्ञाहतास्तु रिपवः सुहता भवन्ति
शस्त्रं निहन्ति पुरुषस्य शरीरमेकं
प्रज्ञा कुलञ्च विभवञ्च यशश्च हन्ति [241]
Hit by weapons, the enemies do not
die really.
But hit by intelligence the enemies
are completely wiped out.
The weapon kills only the body.
Intelligence destroys the family,
prosperity and fame all at once.
Therefore
wisdom and effort joined together lead towards success very easily.
प्रसरति मतिः कार्यारंभे दृढी भवति स्मृतिः
स्वयमुपनमन्त्यर्था मन्त्रो न गच्छति
विप्लवं
स्फुरति सफलतर्कश्चित्तं समुन्नतिमश्नुते
भवति च रतिः श्लाघ्ये कृत्ये नरस्य
भविष्यतः [242]
He whose future is good for him-
the mind moves towards doing proper
actions.
Memory becomes steady.
His wishes get fulfilled.
His advice does not go waste.
His reasoning becomes fruitful.
His mind attains higher levels.
Interest develops in praiseworthy
enterprises.
The
kingdom belongs to one who has knowledge of the political science, sacrifice
and valor.
It
is said -
त्यागिनि शूरे विदुषि च संसर्गरुचिर्जनो गुणो भवति
गुणवति धनं धनाच्छ्रीः श्रीमत्याज्ञा
ततो राज्यं [243]
A person develops virtues by the
contact of
dispassionate people, valorous
people and wise ones.
If endowed with virtues, wealth
becomes attained.
Through wealth, he attains
prosperity.
Prosperity gives him the authority.
Finally he gets the kingdom.”
MeghaVarna said -
तीक्ष्ण्योपायप्राप्तिगम्योsपि यो अर्थस्तस्याप्यादौ संश्रयः
साधु युक्तः
उत्तुङ्गाग्रः सारभूतो वनानां नानभ्यर्च्यन्च्छिद्यते पादपेन्द्रः [244]
“Though the goal is attainable
through violent means
one should first seek shelter only
at first.
The extremely tall and huge tree
which shines as the essence of the forest,
cannot be cut without worshipping it
first.
अनिश्चितैरध्यवसायभीरुभिः पदे पदे
दोषशतानुदर्शिभिः
फलैर्विसंवादमुपागता गिरः प्रयान्ति
लोके परिहासवस्तुतां [245]
Those who doubt,
those who are afraid of hard work,
those who complain at every step,
become the receptacle of ridicule,
when the fruit is attained contrary to their belief.
शक्ष्यामि कर्तुमिदमल्पमयत्नसाध्यमत्रादरः
क इति कृत्यमुपेक्षण:
केचित्प्रमत्तमनसः परितापदुःखमापत्प्रसङ्गसुलभं
पुरुषाः प्रयान्ति [246]
‘I can do it; it is just a small
job; it can be done without any effort.
What is there to waste so much time
on it?’
Those lazy men who disregard the
work with such words,
show no
interest in the work undertaken; easily get into problems;
and become regretful when the work remains
incomplete.
निःसर्पे हतसर्पे वा भवने सुप्यते
सुखं
दृष्टनष्टभुजङ्गे तु निद्रा दुःखेन लभ्यते [247]
One can sleep peacefully in a house
where there is no snake at all
or where the snake has been killed.
But one cannot sleep without anxiety
in a house
where the snake is seen and has
escaped.
विस्तीर्णव्यवसायसाध्यमहतां स्निग्धोपयुक्ताशिषां
कार्याणां नयसाहसोन्नतिमतामिच्छापदारोहिणां
मानोत्सेकपराक्रमव्यसनिनः पारं न
यावद्गतः
सामर्षे हृदयेsवकाशविषया तावत्कथं निर्वृतिः [248]
As long as the actions - which need
very hard work and prolonged attention;
-which need the encouragement and
good wishes of the affectionate ones;
-which need courage and proper endeavor for
completion;
-where there is a desire to complete
it;
-where there is no peace felt in the
restless mind till it is completed in a proper manner;
where is the time for rest for those
men with self-respect,enthusiasm and courage?
प्रजा
न रञ्जयेत्यस्तु राजा रक्षादिर्भिर्गुणै:
अजागलस्तनस्येव तस्य राज्यं निरर्थकं [249]
If the king does not please the people through qualities like
protection etc.
his kingdom is worthless
like the flesh pieces hanging
like breasts in the neck region of the goat.
गुणेषु रागो व्यसनेश्वनादरो
रतिः सुभृत्येषु च यस्य भूपतेः
चिरं स भुङ्क्तं चलचामरांशुकां
सितातपत्राभरणां नृपश्रियम् [250]
‘Interest in developing virtues; disinterest in pleasures;
affection towards good servants’
A king who has all these qualities enjoys for long
the company of the goddess of prosperity
who wears the ornament of white umbrella
and the garment of moving chowries.
यदैव राज्ये क्रियतेsभिषेकस्तदैव बुद्धिर्व्यसनेषु योज्या
घटा हि राज्ञामभिषेककाले सहाम्भसैवा पदमुद्गिरन्ति [251]
As soon as the king goes through the consecration ceremony,
he has to busy himself with various problems of the kimgdom.
The pots pour out problems also along with the sacred waters
on the head of the king at the consecration ceremony.
रामस्य व्रजनं बलेर्नियमनं पाण्डोः सुतानां वनं
वृष्णीनां निधनं नलस्य नृपते राज्यात्परिभ्रंशनं
नाट,याचार्यकमर्जुनस्य पतनं संचिन्त्य लङ्केश्वरे
सर्वं कालवशाज्जनोsत्र सहते कः कं परित्रायते [252]
Rama left the palace to live in a forest.
The sons of Paandu lived in the forest.
Vrishni clan in which Krishna was born
was destroyed.
King Nala was expelled from the kingdom.
Arjuna taught dance to the
palace maidens.
Raavana was defeated.
All this was borne by all of them being under the control of Kaala.
Who can save whom?
क्व स दशरथः स्वर्गे भूत्वा महेन्द्र सुहृद्गतः
क्व स जलनिधिर्वेलां बध्वा नृपः सगरस्तथा
क्व स करतलाज्जातो वैन्य: सूर्यतनुर्मनु
र्ननु बलवता कालेनैते प्रबोध्य निमीलिताः [253]
Where is that Dasharatha,
who went to the heaven and
became a friend of Indra?
Where is king Sagara,
who stopped the ocean from
overflowing?
Where is that Vainya,
who was born by rubbing the
hands?
Where is Manu the son of the Sun?
Were they not all woken up by the Kaala
and again made to close their eyes by the very Kaala?
मान्धाता क्व गतस्त्रिलोकविजयी राजा क्व सत्यव्रतो
देवानां नृपतिर्गतः क्व नहुषः सच्छास्त्रवित्केशवः
मन्ये ते सरथाः सकुञ्जवराः शक्रासनाध्यासिनः
कालेनैव महात्मना ननु कृताः कालेन निर्वासिताः [254]
Where did Maandhaataa who conquered the three worlds go?
Where is that Satyavrata?
Where did the ruler of gods Nahusha go?
Where is Keshava who was well
versed in all the scriptures?
I believe all those who occupied the throne of Indra,
along with their chariots, their excellent elephants,
were produced by Kaala alone and again destroyed by Kaala alone.
स च नृपतिस्ते सचिवास्ताः प्रमदास्तानि काननवनानि
स च ते च ताश्च तानि च कृतान्तदष्टानि नष्टानि [255]
That king, those ministers, those ladies, those forests;
he, those, and those and those perished bitten by the god of Death!”
{After all the wars, after
all the victories and defeats, what is left back?
Memories..?
Emptiness..?
A feeling of wonder why we
are here…?
What are we in the great
scheme of the Universe..?
What is the meaning of all
this..?
Think!}
END
इति महामहोपाध्याय श्री विष्णुशर्मविरचिते
पञ्चतन्त्रे
काकोलुकीयं नाम तृतीयं
तन्त्रं समाप्तं II
THUS ENDS THE THIRD TANTRA
KAAKOLUKEEYAM
IN THE TEXT
PANCHATANTRA
AUTHORED BY THE EXCELLENT TEACHER
SHREE VISHNUSHARMA
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