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.