CHARUCHARYA Part XII

 

औचित्यप्रच्युताचारो युक्त्या स्वार्थं न साधयेत्‌ । व्याजवालिवधेनैव रामकीर्तिः कलङ्किता ॥५१॥

aucityāgrachyutācārye yuktyā svārthaṁ na sādhayet |
vyājavālīvadheneva rāmakīrtiḥ kalaṅkitā || 51 ||

Translation

One should not achieve one’s selfish goal by clever means that ignore propriety and righteousness.
Rāma’s fame was blemished because he killed Vāli by stratagem (from concealment).

Explanation

The verse teaches that intelligence without ethics becomes manipulation.
Even if the goal appears justified, the method must also be morally proper (aucitya – propriety).

Rāma, the embodiment of dharma, killed Vāli from behind a tree to help Sugrīva. Though done for justice, critics have debated the fairness of the method. Because of that act, a slight shadow fell upon his otherwise spotless reputation.

The deeper teaching is this:

Ends do not justify unethical means.
Reputation once stained is difficult to cleanse.

Thus, even righteous persons must guard the purity of their methods.

न तीव्रतपसां इयाद्‌ धैर्यविप्लवचापलम्‌ । नेत्राग्निशलभीभावं भवोऽनैषीन्मनोभवम्‌ ॥५३॥

na tīvra-tapasām īyād dhyeye viṣṇu-vacāpalam |
netrāgniśara-bhībhāvaṁ bhavo ’neṣīn manobhavam || 53 ||

(Corrected sense: One should not disturb the intense meditation of ascetics; Manmatha was reduced to ashes by Śiva’s fiery glance.)

Translation

One should not show restless interference toward the meditation of great ascetics.
Manmatha (the god of love) was reduced to ashes by Śiva’s fiery third eye.

Explanation

This verse warns against disturbing spiritual concentration.

When the gods wanted Śiva to marry Pārvatī, they sent Kāma (Manmatha) to disturb his meditation. Kāma shot his arrow of desire at Śiva. Enraged, Śiva opened his third eye and burnt Kāma to ashes.

The lesson:

Do not disrupt the spiritual discipline of the great.
Spiritual fire is more powerful than sensual force.

Tapas (austerity) creates tremendous inner energy. Interfering with it can lead to destruction.

Thematic Insight

These three verses revolve around self-restraint and ethical discipline:

Verse	Teaching	Example
51	Do not use unethical strategy	Rāma & Vāli
53	Do not disturb ascetics	Kāma & Śiva

Deeper Message:

• Reputation must be protected.
• Senses must be conquered.
• Spiritual discipline must be respected.

Human downfall often comes not from enemies, but from:

• Clever selfishness,
• Uncontrolled desire,
• Disrespect toward higher values.

न नित्यकलहाक्रान्ते सक्तिं कुर्वीत कैतवे । अन्यथा द्यूतविषयेऽभूद् धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः ॥ ५४ ॥

na nitya-kalahākārānte saktiṁ kuryāt ketave |
anyathā dyūta-viṣaye ’bhūd dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ || 54 ||

Translation

One should not develop attachment to gambling, which constantly leads to quarrels and destruction.  Otherwise, like King Yudhiṣṭhira, even a righteous man may lose everything through dice.

Explanation

This verse carries a powerful ethical warning.  It says that Gambling is not just a game. It is a seed of endless conflict.

Notice the phrase “nitya-kalaha” — constant quarrel. Where gambling enters, peace exits.

The verse does not criticize pleasure itself — it criticizes addictive attachment (saktiṁ kuryāt). The real danger is not playing once, but becoming attached.

To illustrate this, the poet reminds us of a striking example. Yudhiṣṭhira was not an ordinary man. He was Dharmarāja — the very embodiment of righteousness.

Yet:

• He accepted the dice game.
• He became bound by its rules.
• He lost his kingdom.
• He lost his brothers.
• He even staked Draupadī.
• Ultimately, he went into exile for 13 years.

All this because of attachment to a game.

The verse’s message is sharp and realistic:

If even the most righteous king could fall due to gambling,
what about ordinary people?

Deeper Ethical Insight

The structure of the verse teaches three things:

1. Cause – Attachment to gambling
2. Nature – It produces endless quarrels
3. Example – Yudhiṣṭhira’s downfall

This is classic Sanskrit moral pedagogy:
Principle → Danger → Epic Illustration.

The poet does not preach abstract morality.
He shows history as warning.

Core Moral

Gambling destroys not because it is a game, but because it awakens greed, ego, and rivalry.

Human greatness collapses not from external enemies - but from inner weakness.