Brahmaputra Sanatkumara Paramarshi with the intention to guide Shuka Paramarshi arrived at his hermitage. When Shuka Muni saw the radiant eternal Sage, he rose up and offered him his pranaams. Bhagawan Sanatkumara asked, "Mahabhaga! Vyāsaputra! What are you doing?" To which Shuka replied, "Brahmakumara! I am at this moment studying the Vedas. I... Continue Reading →
Sanandana Paramarshi narrates an incident to Narada Devarshi about the time when Shuka Paramarshi went to his venerable father, Veda Vyāsa Maharshi and asked him about moksha and dharma. "'Bhagawan! I offer my salutations to you. You are an exponent in the subject of moksha and dharma. Please give me such an upadesha (instruction) where my mind will... Continue Reading →
Raja Yudhishtira was deeply troubled about the arrangements for the customary feeding of the Brahmans who had accompanied them on their exile. He went to his family priest Dhaumya Maharshi to seek his advice. Dhaumya Maharshi contemplated over the matter for a little while and remembered the upadesha (instructions) that he had received from Narada Devarshi... Continue Reading →
Dhrutharashtra uvācha, “Sanjaya! I ask you in the midst of all these kings what message has been sent to us by the large-hearted generous/saintly Arjuna who has been at the helm of many battles and who brings about the ruin of miscreants?" Sanjaya uvācha, “Hey King! I will now convey what the saintly Arjuna... Continue Reading →
Vaishampayana uvācha, “Janamejaya! King Dhrutharashtra passed the whole night in conversation with Paramarshi Sanat Sujatha and the wise Vidura. After the night had passed and dawn arrived, all the kingsmen came to the royal court to see sutaputra (son of a charioteer) Sanjaya with great joy. Dhrutharashtra as well as all the Kauravas... Continue Reading →
Vidura uvācha, “Hey King! When one who receives veneration/respect from gentlemen engages in measures of artha as per his capability without attachment, then that exemplary man will attain fame quickly; because when a saintly person becomes pleased with one, then he always remains happy. One who forsakes immense sum of money acquired/earned through adharma even before he becomes interested in... Continue Reading →
Dhrutharashtra uvācha, “Vidura! This man is not independent in his acquisition of wealth and prosperity and in his ruin/doom. Like a puppet tied to a string/thread, Brahma has made him subservient to his prarabdha karma; hence, you keep speaking, I am sitting here listening to you patiently/with forbearance.” Vidura uvācha, “Bharata! If Brihaspati also speaks something contrary/opposed... Continue Reading →
Vidura uvācha, “Hey King! When any esteemed elderly man comes near, then the prana (life-force) of a youthful man moves upwards; when he stands up to receive the elderly man and offers pranaams, then the prana (life-force) returns to its true place. It is imperative for a resolute man that when a saintly person comes to his house as a... Continue Reading →
Vidura uvācha, “Rajendra! Vichitraveeryanandan! It has been said that Swayambhu Manu has these seventeen types of men in space – those who use their fists to deliver blows/knockout, those that cannot be made to yield/made to submit, those who attempt to subjugate the Indradhanush (bow of Indra) in the rainy season and those trying to capture the rays of... Continue Reading →
Vidura uvācha, “Hey King! People quote the ancient historical example of the conversation between Dattatreya and Sādhyadevathas in this matter; I have also heard about it. It is a matter of ancient times, Maharshi Dattatreya, the supremely intelligent and observer of superlative vows and pious austerities was wandering about in the form of a swan... Continue Reading →
Dhrutharashtra uvācha, “O Intelligent One! You speak again of matters of dharma and artha. I am not satisfied even now after hearing it. You are speaking about stupendous things with regard to this subject.” Vidura uvācha, “Hey King! These two namely taking a dip/bath in every teertha and behaving softly towards all animals and beings are considered to be equal but... Continue Reading →
Dhrutharashtra uvācha, “Hey Wise One! I am burning with anxiety and still awake at this late hour; please tell me what action/act you think is in my interest that I must do because only you are proficient in the knowledge of dharma and artha among us two. O magnanimous Vidura! Please think and contemplate with your intelligence and give... Continue Reading →
Vaishampayana uvācha, “Janamejaya! After the departure of Sanjaya, King Dhrutharashtra of great intelligence told the following to the dvārapalaka – “I wish to meet with Vidura. Bring him to me quickly.” The messenger sent by Dhrutharashtra said the following to Vidura – “Mahāmate! Our Lord, King Dhrutharashtra wishes to meet you.” After hearing the words of... Continue Reading →
sandeepa.in 