CHARUCHARYA Part XV

 

यत्नेन शोषयेद्दोषान्न तु तीव्रव्रतैस्तनुम्‌ । तपसा कुम्भकर्णोऽभून्नित्यनिद्राविचेतनः ॥ ६१

Yatnena śoṣayed doṣān na tu tīvravratāis tanum |
Tapasā Kumbhakarṇo’bhūn nityanidrāviceṭanaḥ || 61 ||

English Translation

          One should make effort to remove inner faults, not dry up the body through extreme vows. By excessive austerity, Kumbhakarna became unconscious, remaining always in deep sleep.

Explanation

          This verse teaches balanced self-discipline. True spiritual effort should focus on correcting inner weaknesses like anger, greed, and ignorance.  Merely torturing the body with harsh penance is useless and even harmful. Kumbhakarna’s severe austerities resulted in continuous sleep, making his life unproductive.  The lesson is: wisdom is more important than extreme practices.

स्थिरताशां न बध्नीयाद्‌ भुवि भावेषु भाविषु । रामो रघुः शिबिः पाण्डुः क्व गतास्ते नराधिपाः ॥ ६२

Sthiratāśāṁ na badhnīyād bhuvi bhāveṣu bhāviṣu |
Rāmo Raghuḥ Śibiḥ Pāṇḍuḥ kva gatās te narādhipāḥ || 62 ||

Translation

          One should not tie one’s hopes to permanence in present or future things of this world. Where have kings like Rama, Raghu, Shibi, and Pandu gone?

Explanation

          Nothing in this world is permanent - not power, wealth, or life itself. Even the greatest and most virtuous kings have passed away. Therefore, one should not cling to the illusion of stability.  The verse encourages detachment, humility, and awareness of impermanence.

विडम्बयेन्न वृद्धानां वाक्यकर्मवपुःक्रियाः । श्रीसुतः प्राप वैरूप्यं विडम्बिततनुर्मुनेः ॥ ६३ ॥

Viḍambayen na vṛddhānāṁ vākyakarma-vapuḥkriyāḥ |
Śrīsutaḥ prāpa vairūpyaṁ viḍambita-tanur muneḥ || 63 ||

Translation

          One should never mock the words, actions, body, or conduct of elders.
By mocking the body of the sage, Śrīsuta became deformed.

Explanation

          This verse warns against disrespect and mockery, especially of elders and sages. Judging or ridiculing someone based on physical appearance is wrong. Śrīsuta insulted the physical form of Ashtavakra, and as a result, he himself became ugly.

The teaching is clear: respect wisdom, not external appearance.

Together, these verses remind us that - Inner purification is more important than harsh physical practices.  Worldly life is temporary and uncertain.  Respect for elders and sages is essential.  Pride, mockery, and extremes lead to downfall. They guide us toward a life of balance, humility, awareness, and wisdom.