Written  by london swaminathan

swami_48@yahoo.com

Date: 1 March 2019

GMT Time uploaded in London – 14-57

Post No. 6138

Pictures shown here are taken  from different sources.

This is a non- commercial blog. ((posted by swamiindology.blogspot.com AND tamilandvedas.com))

Let us continue with Niti Sataka of Bhartruhari and compare it with Tamil poet Tiruvalluvar and others

Bhartruhari  52, 53, 54,55

52. Is it possible to take pleasure in the society of a

low man, dissolute, whose evil is all evident, whose wicked

acts are the result of former births, who hates virtue, and

who lives by chance ?

Tamil poet Tiru Valluvar, author of Tamil Veda Tirukkural says,

It is harmful even to dream of association with men,

Whose words and actions are disgracefully different – Kural 819

उद्भासिताखिलखलस्य विशृङ्खलस्य
प्राग्जातविस्तृतनिजाधमकर्मवृत्तेः ।
दैवादवाप्तविभवस्य गुणद्विषो‌உस्य
नीचस्य गोचरगतैः सुखम् आप्यते ॥ 1.52 ॥

xxxx

53. The friendships formed between good and evil men

differ. The friendship of the good, at first faint like the

morning light, continually increases ; the friendship of the

evil at the very beginning is great, like the light of mid-

day, and dies away like the light of evening. (some verses  compare it with the long and  short shadows at different times  oft the day)

Even the Greek philosopher Pythagoras held the friendship and modesty in high esteem. Of his five important principles, friendship is given an importance place.

Tiru valluvar uses the simile of  waxing and waning moon.,

The friendship of the worthy develops day by day like the waxing crescent moon,

But foolish alliances deteriorate as the waning thereof – Kural 782

आरम्भगुर्वी क्षयिणी क्रमेण
लघ्वी पुरा वृद्धिमती च पश्चात् ।
दिनस्य पूर्वार्धपरार्धभिन्ना
छायेव मैत्री खलसज्जनानाम् ॥ 1.53 ॥

xxxx

Why are there enemies for virtuous people?

54. Deer, fish, and virtuous men, who only require grass,

water, and peace in the world, are wantonly pursued by

huntsmen, fishermen, and envious people.

Using animal fables to teach morals has been in vogue in India from the days of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Later, Jataka tales, Panchatantra and Hitapodesa expanded on the theme. Bhartruhari approach this from a different angle.

मृगमीनसज्जनानां तृणजलसन्तोषविहितवृत्तीनाम् ।
लुब्धकधीवरपिशुना निष्कारणवैरिणो जगति ॥ 1.54 ॥

Xxxx

Companionship of the Good!

55. Desire for the companionship of the good, love for

the virtues of others, reverence for spiritual teachers, dili-

gence in acquiring wisdom, love for their own wives, fear

of the world’s blame, reverence for Siva, self-restraint,

freedom from the acquaintance with evil men wherever

men dwell endowed with virtues like these, they are

always reverenced.

वाञ्छा सज्जनसङ्गमे परगुणे प्रीतिर्गुरौ नम्रता
विद्यायां व्यसनं स्वयोषिति रतिर्लोकापवादाद्भयम् ।
भक्तिः शूलिनि शक्तिरात्मदमने संसर्गमुक्तिः खले
येष्वेते निवसन्ति निर्मलगुणास्तेभ्यो नरेभ्यो नमः ॥ 1.55 ॥

Bhartruhari says lot of things in one verse! Many of Adi Shankara’s verses can be compared with his sayings.  Greatness of satsangam (assosiation with  good people). But I will give some verses from Tirukkural:-

Cultivate amity and seek help from men who remove present ills and guard you from future ills – 442

To please great men and makes them one’s own is the rarest of the rare blessings -443

There is no help better than good company and no trouble worse than evil company -460

Reverence for the spiritual teachers is reflected in the mot famous verse Gurur Brahma, Gurur Vishnu………………. Which is repeated in all the Vedic schools and schools where tradition is respected. every day

Reverence for Lord Shiva is in over 18,000 verses classified as Panniru Tirumurai in Tamil and all the verses of Adi Shankara.

Fear of the world’s blame is reflected in Tirukkural and Sangam Tamil literature.

A Tamil verse in Purananuru  says if it will bring fame they will give even their life; but if it brings evil name, they wont accept it even if you them the entire world.  

Tiru Valluvar in his Tirukkural says

Though he sees his mother starving, let him not do those actions which are condemned by the wise- 656

To be continued……………….

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