HAPPY WOMEN'S DAY

 

In Sanskrit literature and philosophy, women are celebrated through verses and titles that elevate them to a divine status, often describing them as the foundation of society and the embodiment of creative energy (Shakti)

Divine Status and Social Respect

Ancient texts highlight the high moral and social standing of women:

• यत्र नार्यस्तु पूज्यन्ते रमन्ते तत्र देवताः (Yatra nāryastu pūjyante ramante tatra devatāḥ): A famous verse from the Manusmriti states that where women are honoured, the Gods rejoice; where they are not, all actions become fruitless.
• जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी (Jananī janmabhūmiśca svargādapi garīyasī): This saying equates one's mother and motherland, stating they are "greater than heaven itself".
• स्त्री मूलं हि धर्मः (Strī mūlaṃ hi dharmaḥ): This scriptural assertion declares that "Woman is the very root of Dharma (righteousness)" .

The Power of Femininity (Shakti)

The concept of feminine power is central to Sanskrit thought:

• शक्ति (Śakti): The Sanskrit word for power is a feminine noun, representing the cosmic energy that creates and sustains the universe.
• ब्रह्मवादिनी (Brahmavādinī): In the Vedic era, women like Gargi and Maitreyi were renowned scholars and "revealers of the highest truth," engaging in philosophical debates with male sages.
• महिला (Mahilā): The root of this word suggests one who possesses "greatness" or is "worthy of worship".

Symbolic Names and Their Meanings

Sanskrit terms for women often reflect noble qualities and roles:

• जाया (Jāyā): Implies a woman is the heart of the "home".
• सिंही (Siṃhī): Describes a woman as "courageous," like a lioness.
• सञ्जया (Sañjayā): Refers to a woman who is "victorious."
• विदुषी (Viduṣī): A term used for a "learned" or highly scholarly woman.
• सहचारिणी (Sahacāriṇī): A common synonym for a wife, meaning "one who walks together" as an equal partner.

Architects of the Future

Modern Sanskrit expressions continue to emphasize a woman’s leadership role in society:

• नारी राष्ट्रस्य अक्षि अस्ति (Nārī rāṣṭrasya akṣi asti): "Woman is the eye of the nation," acting as its visionary guide.
• नारी अस्य समाजस्य कुशलवास्तुकार अस्ति (Nārī asya samājasya kuśalavāstukāra asti): "Woman is the perfect architect of society," building its moral and social structure.

CHARUCHARYA Part XXVII

 परमात्मानमन्तेऽन्तर्ज्योतिः पश्येत्‌ सनातनम्‌ । तत्प्राप्त्या योगिनो जाताः शुकशान्तनवादयः॥ ९७ ॥

paramātmānam ante ’ntar-jyotiḥ paśyet sanātanam |
tat-prāptyā yogino jātāḥ śuka-śāntanavādayaḥ || 97 ||

Translation
At the time of death, one should behold within the heart the eternal inner light of the Supreme Self. By attaining that divine light, great souls like Śuka and Śāntanava (Bhīṣma) became true yogis.

Explanation:
The verse teaches that the final moment of life is spiritually decisive. Instead of fear or attachment, one should turn inward and perceive the sanātana antar-jyotiḥ — the eternal inner light of the Supreme Being.

Great sages such as Śuka (the enlightened son of Vyāsa) and Bhīṣma (son of Śāntanu) attained spiritual perfection by fixing their consciousness on this divine light. Their greatness did not arise from power or position, but from inner realization. The message is clear: liberation comes from inward vision of the Supreme at life’s final hour.

 

प्राप्नावधिरजीवेऽपि जीवेत्‌ सुकृतसंततिः । जीवन्त्यद्यापि मांधातृमुखाः कायैर्यशोमयैः ॥ ९८ ॥

prāpya avadhir ajīve ’pi jīvet sukṛta-santatiḥ |
jīvanti adyāpi māndhātṛ-mukhāḥ kāyair yaśomayaiḥ || 98 ||

Translation
Even after the body perishes at its destined time, a person continues to live through a lineage of good deeds. Noble souls like Māndhātṛ still live today through their bodies of fame and glory.

Explanation:
Human life has a fixed span. Death is inevitable. However, righteous actions (sukṛta) grant a different kind of immortality. A virtuous person lives on through reputation, inspiration, and noble legacy.

King Māndhātṛ, a legendary righteous ruler, is remembered even today. His physical body is gone, but his “body of fame” (yaśo-maya-kāya) survives. Thus, the verse advises: before death arrives, ensure that your actions create an enduring legacy of goodness.

अन्ते संतोषदं विष्णुं स्मरेद्धन्तारमापदाम्‌ । शरतल्पगतो भीष्मः सस्मार गरुडध्वजम्‌ ॥ ९९ ॥

ante santoṣadaṁ viṣṇuṁ smared dhantāram āpadām |
śara-talpa-gato bhīṣmaḥ sasmāra garuḍa-dhvajam || 99 ||

Translation
At the final moment, one should remember Viṣṇu, who gives peace and destroys misfortunes. Bhīṣma, lying on a bed of arrows, remembered the Lord whose banner bears Garuḍa.

Explanation:
The mind’s final thought shapes the soul’s destiny. Therefore, the verse instructs remembrance of Viṣṇu, the remover of calamities and giver of supreme peace.

When Bhīṣma lay on his bed of arrows in the Mahābhārata war, enduring intense pain, his mind did not waver. He meditated upon the Lord — Garuḍa-dhvaja, the one whose emblem is Garuḍa. His example demonstrates unwavering devotion even amidst suffering. True greatness lies in remembering the Divine despite life’s hardships.

श्रव्या श्रीव्यासदासेन समासेन सतां मता । क्षेमन्द्रेण विचार्येयं चारुचर्या प्रकाशिता ॥१००॥  

śravyā śrī-vyāsa-dāsena samāsena satāṁ matā |
kṣemendreṇa vicāryeyaṁ cāru-caryā prakāśitā || 100 ||

Translation
This “Cārucaryā,” approved by the virtuous and worthy of listening to, has been thoughtfully composed and briefly presented by Kṣemendra, known as Vyāsadāsa.

Explanation:
The author humbly concludes his work. The text, named Cārucaryā (“Beautiful Conduct”), is said to be approved by noble people (satām matā).

It was composed by Kṣemendra, who modestly calls himself Vyāsadāsa (servant of Vyāsa). He presents this teaching in concise form after careful reflection. The closing verse highlights humility, scholarship, and devotion.

इति श्रीप्रकाशेन्द्रात्मज व्यासदासापराख्यमहाकविश्रीक्षेमेन्द्रकृता चारुचर्या  समाप्ता ॥

Thus ends the “Cārucaryā,” composed by the great poet Śrī Kṣemendra, also known as Vyāsadāsa, son of Prakāśendra.

Overall Teaching of These Verses (97–100)

These concluding verses beautifully summarize three essential ideals:

1. Spiritual Realization at Death – See the inner divine light.
2. Moral Immortality – Live on through righteous deeds.
3. Devotional Remembrance – Remember the Lord at the final moment.

Thus, the work ends by uniting Yoga (inner realization), Dharma (righteous conduct), and Bhakti (devotion) into one harmonious vision of ideal life and death. 

CHARUCHARYA Part XXVI

 

जन्मावधि न तत्‌ कुयोदन्ते संतापकारि यत्‌ । सस्मारैकशिरश्शेषः सीताक्लेशं दशानलेन्ते संतापकारि यत्‌ । सस्मारैनः ॥ ९४ ॥

janmāvadhi na tat kuryād ante santāpakāri yat |
sasmāraika-śiraś-śeṣaḥ sītā-kleśaṃ daśānanaḥ || 94 ||

Translation

One should never do, throughout life, an action that will cause sorrow in the end. Even when only one head remained, Rāvaṇa remembered the suffering that came because of Sītā.

Explanation

This verse teaches a powerful moral lesson. A person must avoid actions that may appear pleasurable at first but bring regret and suffering later.

Ravana abducted Sita out of arrogance and desire. That single wrongful act destroyed his kingdom, family, and finally his own life. Even when he was defeated in battle and only one head remained, he remembered that all his suffering began because of the harm he caused to Sītā.

The message is clear:
          Short-term desire can lead to long-term destruction. Therefore, wise people think about the final consequences before acting.

जराशुभ्रेषु केशेषु तपोवनरुचिर्भवेत्‌ । अन्ते वनं ययुर्धीराः कुरुपूर्वा महीभुजः ॥ ९५ ॥

jarā-śubhreṣu keśeṣu tapovana-rucir bhavet |
ante vanaṃ yayur dhīrāḥ kuru-pūrvā mahī-bhujaḥ || 95 ||

Translation

When old age arrives and the hair turns white, one should develop interest in the forest of penance (spiritual life). In their final stage of life, the wise ancient kings like the Kurus went to the forest.

Explanation

This verse speaks about the proper stages of life. When youth fades and old age begins, one should gradually turn away from worldly pleasures and focus on spiritual growth.  In ancient times, many noble kings of the Kuru dynasty — such as Dhritarashtra and others described in the Mahabharata — renounced royal comforts in their final years and retired to the forest for meditation and penance.

The idea is not merely physical retirement, but inner detachment.
Old age should be a time for reflection, purification, and preparation for liberation.

पुनर्जन्मजराच्छेदकोविदः स्याद्‌ वयः क्षये । विदुरेण पुनर्जन्मबीजं ज्ञानानले हुतम् ॥ ९६ ॥

punar-janma-jarā-ccheda-kovidaḥ syād vayaḥ-kṣaye |
vidureṇa punar-janma-bījaṃ jñānānale hutam || 96 ||

Translation

When old age comes, one should become skilled in cutting off rebirth and old age. Vidura burnt the seed of rebirth in the fire of knowledge.

Explanation

The highest goal of life is not merely to grow old gracefully, but to attain freedom from the cycle of birth and death.  Vidura, the wise minister in the Mahabharata, represents supreme wisdom and righteousness. Through spiritual knowledge, he destroyed the “seed” of rebirth — meaning he freed himself from karmic bondage.

The verse teaches:

• Old age should awaken spiritual urgency.
• Knowledge (jñāna) is like fire.
• Karma (good and bad deeds) are seeds.
• When knowledge burns these seeds, rebirth does not occur.

Thus, the progression of these three verses is beautiful:

1. Avoid sinful actions (Rāvaṇa’s example).
2. Turn toward spirituality in old age (ancient kings’ example).
3. Seek liberation through knowledge (Vidura’s example).

Together, they guide a person from moral discipline → detachment → liberation.