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.