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.

CHARUCHARYA Part XXII

 

न लब्धे प्रभुसम्माने फलक्लेशं समाश्रयेत् । ईश्वरेण धृतो मूर्ध्नि क्षीण एव क्षपापतिः ॥ ८२ ॥

Na labdhe prabhu-sammāne phala-kleśaṁ samāśrayet |
Īśvareṇa dhṛto mūrdhni kṣīṇa eva kṣapāpatiḥ || 82 ||

Translation:

One should not accept painful or harmful actions just to gain high honor from one’s master. Even though the moon is placed on the head of Lord Shiva, it still continues to wane.

Explanation:

The verse gives the example of the Moon (Kṣapāpati). The Moon is worn on the head of Shiva as an ornament. Even after receiving such a great honor, the moon still decreases in size during its phases.

The teaching is:

·         External honor does not remove inner weakness.

·         One should not undergo suffering or compromise principles merely to gain recognition.

·         True worth comes from inner strength, not from external praise.

 

श्रुतिस्मृत्युक्तमाचारं न त्यजेत्‌ साधुसेवितम्‌ । दैत्यानां श्रीवियोगोऽभूत्‌ सत्यधर्मच्युतात्मनाम् ॥ ८३ ॥

Śruti-smṛty-uktaṁ ācāraṁ na tyajet sādhu-sevitam |
Daityānāṁ śrī-viyogo’bhūt satya-dharma-cyutātmanām || 83 ||

Translation:

One should not abandon the conduct prescribed in the Śrutis and Smritis and practiced by noble people. The demons lost Goddess Lakshmi because they abandoned truth and righteousness.

Explanation:

This verse stresses the importance of:

·         Following sacred teachings (Śruti and Smriti).

·         Practicing moral conduct upheld by good and noble people.

When the demons (Daityas) gave up truth and dharma, they lost prosperity (Śrī, meaning Goddess Lakshmi).

The lesson:

·         Wealth and prosperity stay only where truth and righteousness are followed.

·         When one abandons dharma, prosperity leaves.

श्रियः कुर्यात्‌ पलायिन्या बन्धाय गुणसंग्रहम्‌ । देत्यांस्त्यक्त्वा श्रिता देवा निर्गुणान्सगुणाः श्रिया ॥ ८४ ॥

Śriyaḥ kuryāt palāyinyā bandhāya guṇa-saṅgraham |
Daityāṁs tyaktvā śritā devā nirguṇān saguṇāḥ śriyā || 84 ||

Translation:

To bind the ever-fleeing Goddess Lakshmi, one should cultivate good qualities. Leaving the quality-less demons, Lakshmi went to the virtuous gods.

Explanation:

Lakshmi (Śrī) is described as “palāyinī” — one who easily moves away (wealth is unstable).

The verse teaches:

·         Wealth cannot be held by force.

·         Only good qualities (virtues like truthfulness, discipline, humility) attract and retain prosperity.

Goddess Lakshmi left the demons because they lacked virtues and went to the gods who possessed good qualities.

Overall Teaching of These Three Slokas

These verses together teach:

·         Do not suffer or compromise values merely for honor.

·         Always follow righteous conduct taught by scriptures and noble people.

·         Prosperity stays only where virtue exists.

True honor and lasting wealth come from character, not external status.

CHARUCHARYA Part XXI

 

नोपदेशामृतं प्राप्तं भग्नकुम्भनिभस्त्यजेत्‌ । पार्थो विस्मृतगीतार्थः सासूयः कलहेऽभवत्‌ ॥ ७९ ॥

nopadeśāmṛtaṁ prāptaṁ bhagna-kumbha-nibhas tyajet |
pārtho vismṛta-gītārthaḥ sā sūyaḥ kalahe ’bhavat || 79 ||

Translation

One should not discard the nectar-like advice received from great souls like water flowing out of a broken pot.  Arjuna, forgetting the true meaning of the Gita, became engaged in conflict and began seeing faults in virtues.

Explanation

·         Upadeśāmṛtam means “nectar-like advice” — wise teachings given by noble persons.

·         The heart is compared to a pot (kumbha).

·         If the pot is broken, water cannot be stored in it. Similarly, if a person does not value good advice, it is lost.

The example given is of Arjuna, who received the sacred teachings of the Bhagavad Gita from Lord Krishna. When he forgot its deeper meaning, he became disturbed and argumentative.

Teaching:
          Always preserve and reflect upon the wisdom given by elders and saints. Knowledge must be protected in the heart through remembrance and practice.

न पुत्रायत्तमैश्वर्यं कार्यमार्यैः कदाचन । पुत्रार्पितप्रभुत्वोऽभूद्‌ धृतराष्ट्रस्तृणोपमः ॥ ८० ॥

na putrāyattam aiśvaryaṁ kāryam āryaiḥ kadācana |
putrārpita-prabhutvo ’bhūd dhṛtarāṣṭras tṛṇopamaḥ || 80 ||

Translation

          A wise person should never hand over all his wealth and authority entirely to his sons.  Dhritarashtra, after giving his power to his sons, became like a blade of grass (powerless).

Explanation

·         Aiśvarya means wealth, power, or authority.

·         A responsible person must maintain balance and control.

·         Blind attachment to children can lead to weakness.

          The example is Dhritarashtra, who gave complete authority to his sons (the Kauravas). Due to this attachment, he lost control and became insignificant like a straw.

Teaching:
          Affection should not cloud wisdom. Leadership requires responsibility and independent judgment.

न शत्रुशेषदूष्याणां स्कन्धे कार्यं समर्पयेत्‌ । निष्प्रतापोऽभवत्‌ कर्णः शल्तेजोवधार्दितः ॥ ८१ ॥

na śatru-śeṣa-dūṣyāṇāṁ skandhe kāryaṁ samarpayet |
niṣpratāpo ’bhavat karṇaḥ śalya-tejo-vadhārditaḥ || 81 ||

Translation

          One should not entrust important tasks to enemies or wicked people.
Karna lost his glory because his charioteer Shalya weakened his spirit.

Explanation

·         Śatru means enemy.

·         Skandhe samarpayet means “to place responsibility on someone’s shoulders.”

·         Wrong association weakens even a strong person.

          Here, the example is Karna, whose confidence was discouraged by Shalya, his charioteer. Due to this negative influence, he lost his brilliance and strength.

Teaching:
          Be careful in choosing whom you trust. Company and support greatly influence success.

Overall Moral of These Three Ślokas

1.   Preserve and practice the wisdom received from noble teachers.

2.   Do not let attachment weaken your judgment.

3.   Never depend on enemies or untrustworthy people.

          These verses related to the anecdotes of the Mahabharata teach practical life lessons about wisdom, responsibility, and right association.