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.