Bhishma talks about serving Parents and Gurus, the behaviour of a religious person, remedies for grief, tolerance for humiliation and the Importance of a power
Of course, we are constantly eager to read lesser-known facts of Mahabharata related to kings, sages, deities, and so on. This post is associated with none of them but with the extremely useful advice of the most powerful Bhishma who took the vow of lifelong celibacy for his father Shantanu’s happiness. Bhishma Pitamaha before his death advised King Yudhisthira, approximately the importance of serving parents and gurus, the truth and lie of a spiritual person, remedies to eliminate misery, forbearance to the insult carried out by evil human beings, the greatness of power, the sin of earning money unrighteously, ascertainment of religion and treating Brahmins as deities. No question Pitamaha himself grew to be the brilliant religious and courteous person who was devoted to his parents and gurus. We all need to learn from his saintly advice. let us know about it.
‘Yudhishthira asked, Bharat! this path of dharma is very big and has many branches. Which of these religions do you consider specifically worth of practice and is satisfactory amongst all? By performing the rituals of which, I can attain the fruits of Dharma in Ihaloka and Paraloka.
Bhishma said, King! “Worship of parents and gurus are the most crucial thing. In Ihaloka, by way of carrying out this virtuous work, man acquires great Loka. The work for which gurus and parents give orders, Be it favourable or in opposition to Dharma, should be followed. For one who is engaged in observance of their commands, there is no need to practice another religion. According to wise guys, for that they give orders, this is the religion. These parents and gurus are the three Lokas, three ashrams, three Vedas, and three Agni. Father is Garhapatyagni (house holder’s fire), a mother is considered as Dakshinagni(ancestor’s fire) and Guru is the form of Ahavaniyagni (sacred fire to be offered as an oblation). The dignity of Trividha Agni of parents is more than Laukika Agni (earthly fire).
By serving to Father, mother, and gurus one will cross the Manusya Loka, and Brahmaloka respectively. Never disobey these three people, do not eat the food yourself earlier than serving meals to them and do not put blame on them. Constantly be engaged in their duties through serving them, you will achieve fame, Sacred prosperity, and Uttam Loka. One who torments them, all his desirable deeds end up fruitless, and therefore for him neither this Loka is pleasant and not the Paraloka. His reputation neither shines in this world nor the next world. Yudhishthira! I did all the correct deeds and surrendered to these three gurus simplest. All my precise karmas and Virtues have increased a hundredfold and a thousandfold. through this, the three Lokas are now being illuminated before my sight.
Acharya is continually important than ten Kshatriyas. Upadhyaya (Vidhyaguru) is more significant than ten Acharyas, Father is greater than ten Upadhyayas and mother is extra than ten fathers. She alone through her dignity can despise the complete earth. So like mother there is no other guru. However, I accept as true that the significance of Guru is more than parents; due to the fact the parents only give birth to the one’s body but after receiving the advice of the Acharya, the second birth that he gets is divine and immortal. Even if the parents and guru commit any crime, they're not to be opposed. Because even after doing any crime their son or disciples aren't polluted within the eyes of parents and gurus. Parents and gurus in no way accuse their son or disciple out of affection, however constantly try to take him in the direction of Dharma. The importance of these teachers and parents are privy to the deity alongside Maharishis. One who protects his son or disciples by means of true deeds (via genuine teachings) as a shield, preaches true Vedas and prevents falsehood, consider that Guru as father and mother and knowing their benevolence don't ever betray them.
That person who does no longer serves his Guru thru thoughts,
speech, and action, incur greater sin than killing a baby of the womb.
There is no one greater sinner in the world than him. Like gurus, it is their
obligation to take their disciples at the course of self-advancement similarly,
the religion of the disciples is to worship their Guru. Therefore, those who
need to get the fruits of the Dharma, have to worship their gurus and
attempt to bring the essentials. The work by which human pleases his father additionally delights Prajapati Brahmaji. The conduct with the aid of which he
pleases his mother is also similar to the worship of the whole earth. The
movement by which the disciple pleases Upadhyaya (Vidya guru), through him the
worship of Parabrahma Parmatma is completed. Consequently, Guru is more revered
than the parents. Gods and sages including ancestors turn out to be glad while
the gurus are worshipped. Guru along with parents do not deserve disgrace.
Their actions must by no means be condemned.
The son who's raised by his parents if doesn't take care of his parents then it is regarded as sinful more than feticide. There's no one more sinner in the world than him. Atonement for those four sins such as The betrayer, the ungrateful, the woman-killer, and the Gurukiller, has not come to our hearing. There is no different responsibility than this among all religions.
Yudhishthira asked, Bharatanandan! How should a person behave who desires to stay in his religion? truth and false each of these is determined inside the whole world. Which of those two religions do people ought to comply with? what is truth and what is lie? which work is compatible with the Sanatan religion? At what time should the truth or lie be spoken?
Bhishma said, Bharat! It is right, to tell the truth. There may be a no different religion than truth. However, where only a lie does the work of truth (save a living being from danger) or the truth itself becomes a lie (put someone's life in trouble); truth must not be spoken there on such occasions. it's okay to lie there. Wherein the truth does not stand, such a foolish guy dies. the man who adheres to the truth by way of judging fact and falsehood is considered as a spiritual character. Low one, whose intellect isn't pure, and one who is extraordinary of harsh nature, even that guy sometimes gets awesome merit like animal killing blind individual named Balaka. What a wonder that a fool ascetic who desired righteousness even by way of speaking the truth got the result of unrighteousness and an owl who stayed at the banks of the Ganges, even by violence obtained advantage. (close to Ganga riverside a snake once gave birth to heaps of eggs that were destroyed by an owl within the nighttime. By which that owl got virtues on account that those thousands of poisonous snakelets upon getting birth should have killed many human beings) Read about the story of Balaka and Ascetic Kaushika mentioned by Lord Krishna to Arjuna in Karna Parva..
Yudhisthira! it's far very tough to interpret or recognize the nature of religion; that is why it is also difficult to render it. So how can one determine about religion? As in line with Shastravettas, one who has a purpose, ie by way of which Abhyudaya(growing to prosperity and happiness) and Nishreyas(maximum good) is ascertained, that is Dharma. Dharma is known as 'Dharma' because it holds every person. It Saves from going into corruption and protects lives. Consequently, that which proves to be held and maintained is Dharma. Non-violence, truth, peace, penance, Charity, control of mind and senses, pure intellect, not searching at One's faults, not having envy and jealousy with anyone and modesty are religion, Lord Brahma has described those as Sanatan Dharma. The man who is situated in this Sanatan Dharma has the vision of welfare. The Veda which has been propounded is religion. That is the opinion of scholars. But different people do not accept these. honestly all regulations aren't prescribed within the Vedas. One who does not tell the address to any robbers who unjustly desires to kidnap a person or desire to find out the wealth of the rich, that is Dharma. If not telling could save that rich man then he must stay silent. But if answering comes to be essential and by means of not saying it creates doubts in the minds of the robbers, then it's far useful to lie in preference to telling the truth. If even by taking an oath one can be relieved from the hands of sinners, then do the same. As far as it goes, anyhow do not let money move into the hands of sinners; due to the fact after being given to sinners that money makes the donor suffer. One who subjugates the debtor and wish to recover his money thru getting bodily served by way of him, If a few people have to testify his claims to be right and those witnesses do not tell the truth then all of them emerge as liars. But in instances of risk, at the event of a marriage, to protect wealth and to protect Dharma one may tell lie. Even a lowly guy with a desire for the accomplishment of others comes to beg for dharma, then one should provide it to him if already promised. If the person that earns money behaves fraudulently then he deserves punishment.
Whoever is corrupted by taking the route of sin, ought to be killed by punishment as in line with spiritual behaviour. A person who got corrupted by the course of depraved religion engaged in demonic inclinations makes a living from sin, that sinner who lives via deceit must be killed by all means due to the fact all sinners usually think of capturing wealth in anyways. Such people emerge as intolerable to others. Neither a person ought to devour their meals nor must give it to them. Because these sinners have fallen into the pit of deceit and deprived of each Devaloka and Manusaloka, has reached the demons stage. No longer only this, they may be low in Yajna and penance, so that you by no means unite with them. Destroying lives is more awful than ruining wealth; so you should simplest stay interested in religion. It is the sinner's belief that religion isn't always a thing. He who kills such people isn't called guilty. The sinner is dead by his actions, consequently, the person who kills him kills only the dead. These people who run their lives in frauds, once they die, they take birth in such animal yonis. A person ought to also behave the identical way someone treats him. That is dharma. It is proper to behave in an equal manner to someone who shows fraudulent behaviour and the virtuous ones must be treated with honesty.
Yudhishthira asked, Pitamaha! different people of the world face many forms of the problem. Therefore, please tell me the way by which he can get rid of these sorrows.
Bhishma said, King! the Dwij who preserve their minds confined and even as dwelling in the four ashrams of scriptures behaves as consistent with those, they transcend sorrows. A person who is not conceited, whose livelihood runs in keeping with the principles and stops the increasing desire for materials, cross over the sorrows. Who even after paying attention to the harsh words or condemning of others do not answer them, after beating do not beat them back, and give others however do not ask from them; they conquer the insurmountable disaster. Who welcomes the guests in his residence each day, in no way see anyone's faults and regularly preserve on analyzing the Vedas and scriptures, they triumph over the problems. The pious guys who're usually engaged within the service of their parents And do not sleep in the day, they're free of all sorrows. One who by no means dedicate sins via thoughts, speech, and action and do not damage any living being, additionally, they conquer the crisis. The king of raja guna who out of greediness does not abduct the wealth of his people and protect his country from all facets additionally they beat insurmountable sorrows The householder who performs Agnihotra daily and do religious intercourse with his spouse during her periods, They do not suffer from sorrows. The knights who leave the fear of death on the battlefield and religiously want to conquer, overcome all sorrows. people who do not stop speaking the truth even at the time of demise seems to be loyal to all beings and conquer all sorrows.
Whose good accomplishments aren't for show, who continually Speaks sweet words and whose wealth is tied for excellent deeds, they withstand hassle. Those excellent ascetic brahmins who do not do svadhyaya or self-study of the Vedas at the occasions of Anadhyaya(suspension of studies) and are engaged in penance, eliminate the worst calamity. People who do penance, within the observance of celibacy from a young age completed the study of Vedas and Vidyas and emerge as Snataka, they get relieved from the worst sorrows. Whose Rajoguna and Tamoguna have been pacified and are situated within the pure Sattva guna, they are save from the scarce crises. Those from whom no person is afraid, who himself do not believe in fear and in whose eyes the complete the world is like own soul, they get rid of the worst problems. One that isn't always jealous of others' wealth and has quit himself from the enjoyment of materials, he is the high-quality sage among humans, gets rid of the worst calamity. one that worships all gods and listens to all religions, in whom there is devotion and peace, they survive all unhappiness. One who does no longer want respect from others, who himself give respect to honourable men, wins overall miseries. One who keeps the desire of kids and with all his heart do shraddha for ancestors on every tithi, they cast off calamities. One who controls anger pacifies angry people and they are not irritated with any living being, they're indefatigable. One who gives up alcohol, honey and meat from birth, is also freed from horrific sorrows. One that does no longer eat for the taste, but for his survival, who's engaged in sexual intercourse for the desire of having a child no longer to satisfy his sexual cravings and people who speak only the truth, they're safe from all troubles.
One that has devotion towards the master of all beings, the origin of the world and cause of destruction; Lord Narayana, are exempted from sorrows. Yudhisthira! Lord Krishna whose eyes are red like a lotus flower, who is known as Mahabahu (has powerful arms), Pitambardhari (embellished with yellow shade) and who's your friend, brother, and relative, is the supreme Lord Narayana. Their form is incomprehensible. This Purushottam Lord Govinda has covered these worlds like leather-based as per his desires. He is the courageous heroic Purushottama Shri Krishna who himself is the Lord Vishnu residing inside the Vaikunth Dham, Shri Vishnu. Rajan! Now he is purely involved in the welfare of you and Arjuna. The devotee who takes refuge underneath Lord Srihari Narayana Deva gets rid of different troubles. Who gives dedicates all his deeds with devotion to Kamalnayana (lotus eyed) Shri Krishna conquers all troubles. One that prays to the creator of the universe; Lord Brahma who's revered through Yajnas, gets rid of all sorrows. Those who continually worship and praises via numerous hymns God Vishnu, Indra, Shiva and Loka pitamaha Brahma, they're saved from all difficulties.
Yudhishthira requested, Bharat! if any insolent within the midst of a meeting starts blaming a scholar full of foolish sweet or sharp words, then how should the scholar behave with him?
Bhishma said, Bhupal! a man who is of pure mind in this world always tolerates the harsh phrases of a foolish guy and accordingly gets his merit. The patient guy rinses all his sins on that angry man. Through doing this the sinner turns into the target of all hatred people and all his excellent deeds are in vain.
That fool continually praises his sinful act by way of pronouncing that he told such things to a reputable guy within the assembly that for which that good guy felt ashamed, his face dried up and he became half-dead. Through doing such offensive deeds he praises himself and feels no shame in any respect. The learned guy ought to bear regardless of what the idiot may say. A foolish guy also condemns for no motive. whether he praises or condemns, what good or bad will he do to anyone? That means nothing could be accomplished by him. If bitter phrases are told to that wicked man in return, then only via speech there might be conflict. Whoever desires to commit violence, abuses him in return, which will now not serve any purpose. When the peacock dances, at that time he shows his secret It additionally exposes organs, likewise the foolishness by that malice reveals all his hidden faults. In the world it isn't always impossible for anyone to say or do something, a good individual ought to not even communicate to this kind of wicked person that's considered pure by his appropriate deeds. The person who sings praises in front of a person and blasphemes indirectly that man is much like a dog within the world. Each his Loka and Paraloka are destroyed. After giving a few charity and doing homa, all of his terrible karmas are right away destroyed. That's why a wise guy needs to constantly abandon the sinner much like dog meat is usually discarded by saintly persons. One who desires to take revenge from the fools for blasphemy is absorbed in sorrow like donkeys rolling in ashes.
One who is always ready to criticize people, that guy is like a wolf living in the body of a human. He's always stressed, he screams like a mad elephant and runs to bite like a fierce dog. That idiot remains far from modesty and controlling senses. He took a vow of enmity and continually wishes the downfall of everyone. shame on that sinner! While this sort of depraved guy begins humiliating a good guy and that guy is about to reply to him back, then you definitely should forestall him via announcing not to worry about it. If a silly guy of cruel nature turns into angry can slap, throw dust, or husk on the mouth and frighten by pulling out a tooth. By him all efforts are possible. The person who constantly listens to this and he tolerates the wicked guy in a human assembly even after getting condemned by a very bad person. Consequently, he does not share even the slightest sorrow caused by that blasphemy.
Bhisma said, King! There should not be any disturbance in our duties by keeping the trouble of Dharma and Adharma. Because the fruit of dharma is not perceptible. Just like by seeing the footprint of the wolf, one can not be sure whether it belongs to the footprints of a tiger or a dog. Thus it is difficult to judge between Dharma and Adharma. In this world, a powerful man can get wealth, an army, a minister and everything. A poor is considered low for having little money. There is a lot of evil in a strong man, yet no one talks about him out of fear. If force and dharma are both established above truth, then they protect from great fear. I consider force to be superior to religion; because religion begins from Force. Just like every creature are situated on the earth, in the same way, Dharma is established on power. Religion remains constant at the base of Force. Nothing is impossible for a strong guy. All his objects are pure and virtuous. The one whose strength is destroyed is regarded as vicious. All the weak people get anxious about him. The weak are deprived of his wealth, becomes an object of humiliation and neglect and thus lives a miserable life which is equal to death. People start saving about the weak that, because of his sin only, his siblings abandoned him. Consequently, hurt by their words he turns out to be angry.
As per Acharyas, any person who commit sins by earning money unrighteously, to atone these, should do svadhyaya or study Vedas, serve Brahmins and please them by being polite and doing good deeds, be generous, marry in a high caste, introduce himself as a servant, explain other’s saintliness, chant Insta deity after taking bath daily, be of good nature, do not speak much, overlook people criticizing him to be very sinful and perform arduous and virtuous karmas to enter the society of Brahmins and Kshatriyas. By such conduct, he becomes sinless and is respected by all. He enjoys pleasures and saves himself by the good deeds done by him. Then he gets admired in all Lokas and gets fruits of his good karmas in Ihaloka and Paraloka. A wise and powerful Nishada bandit named Kayavya, who was born to a Kshatriya father and Nishada mother despite being a bandit achieved great accomplishment by following his Kshatriya religion, worshipping the Gurus and Brahmins and serving his blind and deaf parents wholeheartedly.
Religion and morality of good people arise only through one’s intellect and is regarded by the same. At some point in time, only one dharma or karma is considered as Dharma and at some point it is wrongdoing. Its two types of situation are known as Dvaidh or duality. That person who does not know this duality, on reaching the path, gets confused. Therefore first the sense of duality should be understood. When a wise man thinks of something, first of all, he should start it secretly and then announce it everywhere. Otherwise, people take his religion that is put into practice in another way. Men against religion depriving the authenticity of Scriptures, term them as admissible and invalid. They are weak regarding the knowledge of Artha and falsely propagate the inequality of Artha Shastra. Those who earn the education only by a desire of living, getting fame and desired things are all sinners and apostates. Those whose intellect has not matured, are retarded human beings who do not know the real essence. Without getting knowledge on Shastra, they rely on absurd arguments and find faults in Scriptures while neglecting these. Whose talent is in his sayings and if they are harsh in the same, they rebel against the philosophy of the fruits of learning. Such people praise their knowledge and blame others. These evil people treat their education as a business. Their excuses destroy the intellect Dharma determined by the good people. Indra told the opinion of Brihaspati that Religion is not ascertained by way of saying or intellects but by both Shastra and its logic. The wise man who without understanding the scriptures precisely, discourses related to the Shastra with great enthusiasm and bewilderment never influence the public. Shastra is praised or sits in the mind of all only by the statements given based on Vedic approval and rational intelligence. In the past, Shukracharya told the demons that, the existence and absence of doubtful knowledge are equal, therefore remove the doubts and take shelter of doubtless knowledge.
It is considered to be a pure act to accept the brahmins who are of good conduct, virtuous and endowed with knowledge of Shastra. Like the way you behave towards deities should remain the same towards the Brahmins also. Because Brahmins when in anger do terrific deeds. By their happiness, fame expands. From their unhappiness comes great fear. Pleased Brahmin being like nectar gives life but when enraged they become fierce as poison.
‘Yudhisthira! Look what I did. I slew many Kshatriya kings and sent them to heaven by letting them be free from their bondage of the world who wished to take over many kingdoms. Although others don't approve and condemn my work by calling me cruel and violent, without caring for anyone I did my duties. Therefore, being a Kshatriya you also keep yourself in your duties. This Kshatriya religion is painful. Creator has created you to do fierce deeds. Therefore you stay in your religion and rule the kingdom.”
Ref: Mahabharata book Shanti Parva