CHARUCHARYA Part XXV

 

न कुर्यादभिचारोग्रवध्यादिकुहकाः क्रियाः । रक्ष्मणेनन्द्रजित्‌ कृत्याग्यभिचारमयो हतः ॥ ९१ ॥

na kuryād abhichārogravadhādikuḥakāḥ kriyāḥ |
rakṣmaṇenendrajit kṛtyādyabhichāramayo hataḥ || 91 ||

(Note: rakṣmaṇena = lakṣmaṇena in proper form; some texts read lakṣmaṇena indrajit)

Translation

One should never perform cruel tantric rituals such as black-magic meant for killing or harming others.  Indrajit (Meghanada), who practiced fierce occult rites like kṛtyā, was killed by Lakshmana.

Explanation

This verse warns against using destructive spiritual powers. In the Ramayana, Indrajit (also called Meghanada), the son of Ravana, performed powerful occult rituals to gain invincibility in battle. However, despite his mastery of dark rites, he was ultimately slain by Lakshmana.

Moral Insight:
          Unrighteous power, even if spiritually sophisticated, does not protect one from downfall. Dharma (righteousness) alone grants lasting victory. Harmful rituals bring destruction rather than success.

ब्रह्मचारी गृहस्थः स्याद्‌ वानप्रस्थो यतिः क्रमात्‌ ।आश्रमादाश्रमं याता ययातिप्रमुखा चृपाः॥ ९२ ॥

brahmacārī gṛhasthaḥ syād vānaprastho yatiḥ kramāt |
āśramād āśramaṁ yātā yayāti-pramukhā nṛpāḥ || 92 ||

Translation

          A person should pass through the four stages of life in order: Brahmacharya (student life), Grihastha (householder), Vanaprastha (retired forest-dweller), and finally Sannyasa (renunciate). Ancient kings like Yayati followed this proper sequence of āśramas.

Explanation

This verse describes the traditional four āśrama system of Hindu life:

1. Brahmacharya – student life, discipline and learning
2. Grihastha – family life and social responsibility
3. Vanaprastha – gradual withdrawal
4. Sannyasa (Yati) – renunciation and spiritual pursuit

          King Yayati, mentioned in the Mahabharata, is cited as an example of one who transitioned properly through life stages.

Moral Insight:
          Life should be lived in disciplined progression. Each stage has its purpose. Skipping duties or clinging to pleasures disturbs the natural spiritual evolution of a human being.

कुर्याद्‌ व्ययं स्वहस्तेन प्रभूतधनसंपदाम्‌ । अगस्त्यभुक्ते वातापौ कोषस्यान्यैः कृतो व्ययः ॥ ९३ ॥

kuryād vyayaṁ svahastena prabhūta-dhana-sampadām |
agastyabhukte vātāpi koṣasyānyaiḥ kṛto vyayaḥ || 93 ||

Translation

          One should spend excessive wealth by oneself for good purposes. Otherwise, just as when Agastya consumed the demon Vātāpi and others enjoyed his treasury, others will waste one's wealth.

Explanation

This verse gives a practical lesson about wealth management.

In the Ramayana and other Purāṇic stories, Sage Agastya destroyed the demon Vātāpi. After Vātāpi was killed, his stored wealth was used by others.

The idea is symbolic:

If a person hoards wealth excessively and does not use it wisely for charity, family, or dharmic works, eventually others will consume or misuse it.

Moral Insight:
          Wealth should be consciously and wisely spent. Charity, righteous enjoyment, and social welfare are better than blind accumulation.

Overall Teaching of the Three Verses

These three ślokas teach:

• Do not misuse spiritual or occult power.
• Follow the disciplined stages of life.
• Use wealth wisely before others misuse it.

They combine ethics, social order, and practical wisdom in a compact form.

CHARUCHARYA Part XXIV

 

बन्धूनां वारयेद्‌ वैरं नेकपक्षाश्रयो भवेत्‌ । कुरुपाण्डवसङ्गरामे युयुधे न हलायुधः ॥ ८८ ॥

Bandhūnāṁ vārayed vairaṁ naikapakṣāśrayo bhavet |
Kuru-Pāṇḍava-saṅgrāme yuyudhe na Halāyudhaḥ || 88 ||

Translation:

One should try to stop enmity that arises between relatives.
One should not take the side of only one party and increase the conflict.
In the war between the Kauravas and Pandavas, Balarama remained neutral.

Explanation:

When quarrels arise between family members, a wise person should try to reconcile them instead of supporting one side. Taking sides often worsens the conflict.

In the great war of the Mahabharata between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, Balarama (also known as Halāyudha, “the wielder of the plough”) did not participate. He remained neutral because both sides were dear to him. This teaches us the value of impartiality in family disputes.

परोपकारं संसारसारं कुर्वीत सत्ववान्‌ । निदधे भगवान्‌ बुद्धः सर्वसत्त्वोद्धृतौ धियम्‌॥८९॥

Paropakāraṁ saṁsāra-sāraṁ kurvīta sattvavān |
Nidadhe Bhagavān Buddhaḥ sarva-sattvoddhṛtau dhiyam || 89 ||

Translation:

Helping others is the essence of this world.
Understanding this, a noble person should always do good to all beings.
Lord Buddha dedicated his mind to the upliftment of all living beings.

Explanation:

The real meaning (essence) of life is paropakāra — doing good to others. A virtuous person lives not just for himself but for the welfare of all.

Gautama Buddha devoted his entire life to relieving suffering and guiding all beings toward liberation. His example shows that compassion and service are the highest ideals.

बिभृयाद्‌ बन्धुमधनं मीत्रं त्रायेत दुर्गतम्‌ । बन्धुमित्रोपजीव्योऽभूदर्थिकल्पदुमो बलिः॥९०॥ Bibhṛyād bandhu-madhanaṁ mitraṁ trāyeta durgatam |
Bandhu-mitropajīvyo ’bhūd arthikalpa-drumo Baliḥ || 90 ||

Translation:

One should support a poor relative.
One should protect a friend who is in distress.
By behaving this way, King Bali became like a wish-fulfilling tree for those who sought help.

Explanation:

It is our duty to:

• Take care of needy relatives.
• Help friends during times of difficulty.

Mahabali (King Bali) was famous for his generosity. He gave freely to those who asked, like a Kalpavṛkṣa (wish-fulfilling tree). Because of his kindness and charity, he became beloved and respected.

Overall Message of These Three Ślokas:

1. Promote peace among relatives and remain impartial in disputes.
2. Make helping others the main purpose of life.
3. Support family and friends in times of need.

These verses teach neutrality, compassion, and generosity as essential virtues for a noble life.

CHARUCHARYA Part XXIII

 

पदाग्निं गां गुरुं देवं न चोच्छिष्टः स्पृशेद्‌ घृतम्‌ ।

दानवानां विनष्टा श्रीरुच्छिष्टस्पृष्टसर्पिषाम्‌ ॥ ८५ ॥

Padāgniṁ gāṁ guruṁ devaṁ na cocchiṣṭaḥ spṛśed ghṛtam |
Dānavānāṁ vinaṣṭā śrīr ucchiṣṭa-spṛṣṭa-sarpiṣām || 85 ||

Translation:

One should not touch fire, a cow, a teacher, or a deity with the feet.
One should also not touch ghee with unclean (food-touched) hands.
It is said that the demons lost their prosperity because they touched ghee with impure hands.

Explanation:

This verse teaches respect and purity.

·         Fire (Agni) is sacred and used in rituals.

·         Cow (Gāy) is revered as holy.

·         Guru represents knowledge.

·         Deity (Deva) represents divinity.

Touching them with the feet shows disrespect.
Similarly, touching ghee (clarified butter used in rituals) with unclean hands shows impurity.

The story about the demons (Danavas) symbolically teaches that lack of purity and discipline leads to loss of prosperity.

The main lesson:
Maintain cleanliness, reverence, and discipline in life.

प्रतिलोमविवाहेषु न कुर्यादुन्नतिस्पृहाम्‌ । ययातिः शुक्रकन्यायां सस्पृहो म्लेच्छतां गतः ॥ ८६ ॥

Pratiloma-vivāheṣu na kuryād unnati-spṛhām |
Yayātiḥ Śukra-kanyāyāṁ saspṛho mlecchatāṁ gataḥ || 86 ||

Translation:

One should not expect elevation or prosperity from a pratiloma (socially improper) marriage.
King Yayati desired and married the daughter of Śukra and thereby fell into degradation.

Explanation:

This verse refers to the story of King Yayati, who married Devayani, the daughter of Shukracharya.

The verse reflects the ancient social rule about pratiloma marriage (a socially disapproved union according to old varna rules).

Because of his excessive desire and improper conduct, Yayati later suffered disgrace and curse.

The deeper moral meaning is:

Actions driven by desire and social impropriety may lead to downfall.
One should think about dharma (righteousness) before acting.

रूपार्थकुलविद्यादिहीनं नोपहसेन्नरम्‌ । हसन्तमशपन्नन्दी रावणं वानराननः ॥ ८७ ॥

Rūpārtha-kula-vidyādi-hīnaṁ nopahasen naram |
Hasantam aśapan Nandī Rāvaṇaṁ vānara-ānanaḥ || 87 ||

Translation:

One should never mock a person who lacks beauty, wealth, family status, or education.
Nandi, who had a monkey-like face, cursed Ravana when he was mocked.

Explanation:

Here the reference is to:

·         Nandi – the attendant of Lord Shiva.

·         Ravana – the king of Lanka in the Ramayana.

When Ravana laughed at Nandi’s appearance, Nandi cursed him. Later, Ravana’s destruction came through monkeys (Vanaras) in the Ramayana.

The lesson is clear:

Never insult or mock anyone for their appearance, poverty, birth, or lack of education.
Arrogance leads to downfall.
Respect for all is a sign of true wisdom.

 

Overall Teaching of These Three Verses

These verses together teach:

·         Respect sacred things and maintain purity.

·         Avoid actions driven by uncontrolled desire.

·         Never insult or mock others.

·         Arrogance and disrespect lead to downfall.

·         Discipline, humility, and righteousness bring prosperity.

They remind us that outer behavior reflects inner character, and character determines destiny.