Deeper Elucidations of Vidura Neeti Part-4 | #mahabharata #sanatanadharma
- YaDu
- Sep 16
- 7 min read
Updated: Sep 17
The Mahabharata is considered the 'Panchama Veda' or the fifth Veda, indicating that it conveys the essence of the Vedas through its narratives in a concise form. This post explores Vidura Neeti in greater depth, a narrative filled with wisdom and timeless truths about human psychology and human nature, important tips for a king that enables better governance. Additionally, we delve into the deeper insights on Raja Dharma (King's Duties) in the light of Artha Shastra, Ramayana and Machiavelli principles.
Overview of the Last Post:
Vidura speaks to his brother, sharing insights about pandits, the truly wise individuals who transcend mere scholarship with deep understanding and spirituality. Pandits are revered for their ability to interpret life’s complexities and guide others with wisdom. Their journey is rigorous, involving sacred studies, meditation, and a deep connection to the divine, cultivating both intellect and spirit. Pandits serve as mentors and guides, offering insights during life's significant moments, and play a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage. Their wisdom is a living force, inspiring truth-seeking and understanding of the world.
Vidura compares a true pandit to a steady banyan tree, remaining calm amidst challenges, completing meaningful tasks, and maintaining discipline. Pandits derive pleasure from sincere labor and seek to enhance collective happiness. They remain humble despite acquiring wealth or knowledge, much like a laden rice plant. Vidura contrasts this with the folly of ignorance, where arrogance and deceit lead to downfall. A fool neglects responsibilities, creates discord, and pursues worthless desires, much like a traveler who drinks from a tainted stream. As Dhritarashtra listens, he absorbs these truths (at least temporarily), understanding the wisdom imparted by Vidura as the night progresses towards dawn.
The Story Continues...
The scent of night-blooming jasmine wafted through the open window as Vidura spoke once more. "Some people," he remarked, "share their plans with everyone, spreading their secrets like chaff in the wind. They squander time in constant suspicion, akin to a man who, afraid of thieves, remains awake but leaves his doors unlocked. Then there are those who turn a brief task into endless labor, like a weaver ensnared in his own thread. Such men, O King, are fools."
Vidura turned once more to his brother, his voice steady yet imbued with a weighty gravity that echoed the seriousness of his words. "Consider the lowest of men, those who force themselves into spaces where they are not welcome, intruding upon the sanctity of gatherings that should be reserved for those of honor and integrity. These individuals, driven by a compulsion to assert themselves, let their tongues run wild, spilling forth words that were never sought or desired by those around them. They are akin to uninvited guests at a lavish feast, their presence burdensome and unwelcome, much like a storm cloud that darkens a clear sky. Their words, instead of enriching the conversation, create an unwanted din that disrupts the harmony of the gathering, drowning out the voices of wisdom and reason. Moreover, what greater folly, O King, than placing trust in the wicked? It is like grasping a serpent, thinking it a rope, believing that it will offer support when, in truth, it harbors venom and deceit. To trust such deceitful souls is to invite chaos into one’s life, to court disaster that lurks just beneath the surface of their charm.
The wicked often wear masks of friendliness, concealing their true intentions behind a façade of amiability. They may speak sweetly, but their hearts are filled with malice, and their actions are driven by selfish desires. Thus, one must tread carefully, discerning the true nature of those who seek to enter one’s circle. In the realm of relationships, whether they be personal or political, it is imperative to recognize the danger of associating with those of questionable character. Their influence can lead to ruin, and their betrayal can cut deeper than any sword. Therefore, wise is the ruler who surrounds himself with loyal and virtuous companions, for they are the ones who will stand steadfast in times of trial. The bonds formed with the righteous are like a sturdy fortress, offering protection and strength against the storms of treachery that may arise. In the end, it is not merely the company we keep, but the choices we make regarding whom we trust that shape the destiny of our lives."
"Yet," Vidura spoke, his tone now gentler, "there are even greater fools. The guilty person who tries to blame the innocent, much like a hunter blaming the ground for a missed shot. And the weak individual who, unable to take action, lets anger control him, akin to a lamp burning too quickly and consuming itself. These, O King, are the greatest fools."
Dhritarashtra, despite his spiritual and physical blindness, appeared to understand more clearly than before as his brother continued with a calm and steady voice.
"O King," Vidura resumed, "think of a man unaware of his own capabilities, who neither follows the path of righteousness nor ensures his own success. He resembles a traveler who embarks on a journey without a goal, lacking both supplies and guidance, yet aspires to reach distant lands across the seas. Such a person, caught in the fog of his own delusions, lacks wisdom and endlessly pursues the unattainable."
"What, O King, can be said of those who squander their wisdom on the undeserving, who offer pearls to those who will only trample them? One who provides guidance where it will be ignored is like a man whispering prayers to the wind, hoping it will hear. Trusting misers, expecting generosity to flourish in barren ground, is like waiting for fruit on a tree that has long since withered."
"O King, fools attempt to damage the virtuous with slander and deceit, crafting lies like a spider spins its delicate web. However, in their ignorance, they fail to realize that their own words trap them, with their malice turning against them like a carelessly wielded blade. The wrongs they try to impose on the good come back to taint their own hands, while the innocent are vindicated, their virtues shining even more brightly for having withstood such challenges."
"Hear, O King, the words once spoken by the great Manu. Some men punch at the air, attempt to bend the rainbow, or try to grasp the sun's rays. These individuals are fools, trapped by their own illusions. Among them, seventeen pursue such folly that even time will not bestow wisdom upon them."
"The first, O King, is the one who tries to exert control over the uncontrollable, akin to a person attempting to leash the wind. The second is the one who is satisfied with small achievements, never aspiring for greater things, much like a merchant who, despite having gold within reach, opts to collect dust instead. The third is the one who yields to his foes without resistance, surrendering without reason, similar to a warrior who puts down his sword before the battle starts."
"The fourth is a man who tries to assert himself over women who owe him nothing, like someone knocking on doors that will remain closed. The fifth is a man who begs from those who will never fulfill his desires, throwing his hopes into a well that has dried up long ago. The sixth is a man who brags about his achievements, as if the sun needs to proclaim its own brightness."
"The seventh is one who, despite being born into a noble family, engages in deeds that dishonor his heritage, tarnishing his reputation like ink on holy texts. The eighth is one who, though lacking strength, provokes the mighty, akin to a solitary bird confronting a storm. The ninth is one who tries to educate someone unwilling to learn, as pointless as inscribing letters on moving water. And the tenth, O King, is one who longs for the unattainable, reaching out toward the horizon, convinced he can seize it."
Dhritarashtra listened in silence, his sightless eyes reflecting the weight of these words. "And then, there are those whose foolishness is intertwined with their everyday lives. The father-in-law who carelessly jokes with his daughter-in-law, oblivious to the dishonor his words may cause. The man who spends time alone with her, believing himself beyond reproach. The one who betrays his honor by indulging where he has no right, tarnishing not only his name but also the sanctity of his home. The man who speaks poorly of his own wife in front of others, like a fool scattering the jewels of his house into the streets."
"What about the person who, after receiving a gift, denies it, as if he could control his own memory? Or the one who gives to others just to boast about his generosity, turning charity into vanity? And lastly, O King, the greatest fool of all—the one who, defying all logic, tries to prove falsehoods as truths, like someone insisting the sun rises in the west, believing that sheer stubbornness can alter reality itself."
The room seemed to have become colder, or maybe it was the burden of truth that caused a shiver to run down Dhritarashtra's spine.
Deeper Insights on Raja Dharma or Duties of a King:
Niccolo Machiavelli, often referred to as the 'Chanakya of the West,' suggests that a leader should emulate two animals: the Lion and the Fox. A leader or ruler should embody the courage and demeanor of a lion, which should be evident in his conduct throughout his reign. While simplicity is acceptable at times, a ruler must never allow others to overstep their boundaries and should always remember his status. A king must also be as shrewd and cunning as a fox, never fully trusting anyone. Trust should be limited, as complete trust is unattainable. All these insights are provided by Machiavelli in his book - The Prince.
A king ought to utilize spies as his eyes and ears to consistently collect intelligence on both internal and external foes. For a king, ministers and advisors should serve as his intellect. Satya (truth), Nyaya (justice), Daya (compassion), and Dharma (duty) are his kin. The army represents his arms and limbs. The government is his body, and all citizens are his children. A king should not discriminate among his subjects and must treat them with equality.
It's intriguing that all these insights, along with many others, are found in the Ramayana and Chanakya's Artha Shastra. When Bharat visited Lord Rama during his time in the forest (Vanavasa), Lord Rama inquired about various aspects of governance, as Bharata was managing the affairs on Rama's behalf.
Soon we are going to start Artha Shastra series as well as Machiavelli's Book.
Stay tuned for the next episode of Vidura Neeti!
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Thank you so much!
YaDu,
On behalf of Get Inspired Spiritually.
श्रीमध्वेशकृष्णार्पणमस्तु