CHARUCHARYA Part XVI

 

नोपदेशेऽप्यभव्यानां मिथ्या कुर्यात् प्रवादिताम् । शुक्रषाड्गुण्यगुप्तापि प्रक्षीणा दैत्यसंततिः ॥ ६४ ॥

Nopadeśe’py abhavyānāṁ mithyā kuryāt pravāditām |
Śukra-ṣāḍguṇya-guptāpi prakṣīṇā daitya-santatiḥ || 64 ||

Translation

One should not waste one’s speech by advising wicked people. Even though the demons were protected by Śukra’s sixfold political wisdom, their race was eventually destroyed.

Explanation

This verse teaches a practical ethical lesson: wisdom is valuable, but it cannot transform those who refuse to change.  Śukrācārya, the preceptor of the Asuras (demons), was a master of political science (ṣāḍguṇya – the six diplomatic strategies: peace, war, neutrality, alliance, double policy, and seeking protection). Yet, despite his brilliant counsel, the demon race declined because of their arrogance and immoral conduct.

The moral insight is sharp: advice given to the morally corrupt becomes fruitless. Ethical transformation requires receptivity. Teaching the unreceptive not only wastes words but diminishes their value.

न तीव्रदीर्घवैराणां मन्युं मनसि रोपयेत् । कोपेनापातयन्नन्दं चाणक्यः सप्तभिर्दिनैः ॥ ६५ ॥

Na tīvra-dīrgha-vairāṇāṁ manyuṁ manasi ropayet |
Kopenāpātayan Nandaṁ Cāṇakyaḥ saptabhir dinaiḥ || 65 ||

Translation

One should not provoke the anger of those who bear intense and long-standing enmity.  Chanakya, through his fierce anger, brought down the Nanda dynasty within seven days.

Explanation

This verse warns against provoking powerful and determined enemies.  Chanakya, the brilliant political thinker and author of Arthashastra, was insulted by the Nanda king. His anger was not impulsive—it was strategic and sustained. Within a short time, he engineered the fall of the powerful Nanda dynasty and established Chandragupta Maurya on the throne.

The ethical lesson is not about revenge but about prudence. Never provoke a wise and determined person whose resentment runs deep. Anger combined with intelligence can become unstoppable.

न सतीनां तपोदीप्तं कोपयेत् क्रोधपावकम् । वधाय दशकण्ठस्य वेदवत्यत्यजत्तनुम् ॥ ६६ ॥

Na satīnāṁ tapo-dīptaṁ kopayet krodha-pāvakam |
Vadhāya Daśakaṇṭhasya Vedavatī atyajat tanum || 66 ||

Translation

One should not provoke the fire of anger that blazes from the austerity of chaste women.  For the destruction of the ten-headed Ravana, Vedavati gave up her body.

Explanation

This verse speaks about the spiritual power of purity and austerity.  Vedavati, a devoted ascetic woman, was insulted by Ravana (the ten-headed king of Lanka, known as Daśakaṇṭha in the Ramayana). Unable to tolerate his misconduct, she immolated herself in yogic fire, vowing that she would be the cause of his destruction. She was later reborn as Sita, whose abduction ultimately led to Ravana’s downfall.

The moral message is profound: spiritual strength is more powerful than physical force. The anger of the virtuous, especially when born from injustice, carries tremendous karmic power.

Overall Ethical Insight

These three verses together teach practical wisdom:

Do not waste knowledge on the wicked.

Do not provoke intense and capable enemies.

Do not insult or harm the spiritually powerful and virtuous.

They combine political prudence, psychological insight, and moral sensitivity—hallmarks of classical Sanskrit ethical literature.

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.

CHARUCHARYA Part XIV

 

सन्धिं विधाय रिपुणा न निश्सङ्कः सुखी भवेत्‌ । सन्धिं  कृत्वावधीदिन्द्रो वृत्रं निःशङ्कमानसम्‌ ॥ ५८ ॥

Sandhiṁ vidhāya ripuṇā na niḥśaṅkaḥ sukhī bhavet |
Sandhiṁ kṛtvā’vadhīd Indro Vṛtraṁ niḥśaṅka-mānasam || 58 ||

Translation

One should not become careless and relaxed even after making peace with an enemy.  After making a treaty, when Vṛtrāsura became free from suspicion, Indra killed him.

Explanation

This verse teaches a lesson about caution and alertness.  Even when peace or agreement is made with an enemy, blind trust can be dangerous. Vṛtrāsura felt completely safe after the truce, but Indra took advantage of that moment and defeated him.

Moral:
Peace does not always mean safety. Wisdom lies in being alert, not careless.

हितोपदेशं श्रुत्वा तु कुर्वीत च यथोचितम्‌ । विदुरोक्तमकृत्वा तु शोच्योऽभूत्‌ कौरवेश्वरः ॥ ५९ ॥

Hitopadeśaṁ śrutvā tu kurvīta ca yathocitam |
Viduroktam akṛtvā tu śocyo’bhūt Kauraveśvaraḥ || 59 ||

Translation

After listening to good and beneficial advice, one should act accordingly.  Because Duryodhana did not follow Vidura’s counsel, he became worthy of sorrow.

Explanation

This verse highlights the importance of wise counsel. Vidura gave righteous and practical advice to Duryodhana. Ignoring it led to his destruction and suffering.

Moral:
          Good advice saves us from harm, but arrogance and stubbornness lead to downfall.

बह्वन्नाशनलोभेन रोगी मन्दरुचिर्भवेत्‌ । प्रभूताज्यभुजो जाड्यं दहनस्याप्यजायत ॥ ६० ॥

Bahv-annāśana-lobhena rogī manda-rucir bhavet |
Prabhūtājyabhujo jāḍyaṁ dahanasyāpy ajāyata || 60 ||

Translation

Because of greed for excessive food, a sick person’s digestive fire becomes weak, and he loses appetite.  Even fire became dull after consuming too much ghee.

Explanation

This verse uses a powerful metaphor. Just as overeating weakens digestion and causes illness, excess of anything - even something good like ghee - leads to imbalance.

Moral:
Moderation is essential. Excess destroys strength, health, and clarity.

 

Overall Teaching

These verses together teach:

·         Do not be careless, even in peace

·         Follow wise advice

·         Practice moderation in all aspects of life

They remind us that wisdom, restraint, and awareness are essential for a balanced and successful life.

CHARUCHARYA Part XIII

 

प्रभुप्रसादे सत्याशं न कुर्यात्‌ स्वप्नसंनिभे | नन्देन मन्त्री निहितः शकटालो हि बन्धने ॥ ५५ ॥ prabhu-prasāde satyāśaṁ na kuryāt svapna-sannibhe |
nandena mantrī nihitaḥ śakaṭālo hi bandhane || 55 ||

Translation:

One should not place firm trust in the favor of a ruler, for it is like a dream. King Nanda imprisoned his own minister Śakaṭāla.

Explanation:

Royal favor can be sweet — but it is unstable, like a dream that fades at dawn. Today there is praise, tomorrow punishment.

In the court of Mahapadma Nanda, his minister Śakaṭāla once enjoyed influence and proximity to power. Yet the same king later cast him into prison.

The lesson is sharp: - Power is unpredictable. Do not build your security upon the changing mood of authority. Stability must come from character, not from borrowed favor.

न लोकायतवादेन नास्तिकत्त्वेऽर्पयेद्‌ धियम्‌ । हरिर्हिरण्यकशिपुं जघान स्तम्भनिर्गतः ॥ ५६ ॥

na lokāyata-vādena nāstikatve 'rpayet dhiyam |
harir hiraṇyakaśipuṁ jaghāna stambha-nirgataḥ || 56 ||

Translation:

One should not surrender the mind to atheism influenced by materialistic doctrines. Lord Hari slew Hiraṇyakaśipu after emerging from a pillar.

Explanation:

The verse warns against extreme materialism — the belief that only what is seen exists. The ancient Lokāyata (Cārvāka) school rejected the unseen and the divine.

Hiraṇyakaśipu arrogantly declared that God did not exist. To shatter that pride, Narasimha emerged from a pillar and destroyed him.

The symbolism is powerful: - Reality is not limited to what our senses perceive. Arrogant denial of higher principles leads to downfall.

The deeper teaching: - Intellectual skepticism is healthy — but blind arrogance toward the unseen can destroy wisdom.

अत्युन्न्तपदारूढः पूज्यान्नैवावमानयेत् । नहुषः शक्रतामेत्य च्युतोऽगस्त्यावमननात् ॥ ५७ ॥

atyunnata-padārūḍhaḥ pūjyān naivāvamānayet |
nahuṣaḥ śakratām etya cyuto 'gastyāvamananāt || 57 ||

Translation:

One who rises to a high position must never insult the venerable.
Nahusha, after becoming Indra, fell because he insulted Sage Agastya.

Explanation:

Power often intoxicates. A person who climbs high may forget humility.  King Nahusha once attained the throne of Indra. But pride entered his heart. He disrespected the great sage Agastya, and as a result, he fell from heaven.

This is a timeless warning: - The higher the position, the greater the need for humility.

True greatness is not reaching the summit - it is remaining humble while standing there.

All three verses warn against false security born from arrogance:

Weakness	Example	Result
Trust in unstable power	Nanda & Śakaṭāla	Imprisonment
Arrogant denial of divinity	Hiraṇyakaśipu	Destruction
Pride after elevation	Nahusha	Fall from heaven

Deeper Message:
External elevation — royal favor, intellectual pride, or high office — is fragile.
Character, humility, and inner wisdom alone provide stability.

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.