Vedic Wisdom Talks

The Power to lead with responsibility! Maharaj Yudhisthira asked Bhisma: Dear Grandfather, how is it that the king became known as nara-deva (earthly god)? In reply Bhima related the following conversation that took place long ago between Vasumän, the King of Kosala, and Brhaspati. After circumambulating Brhaspati and bowing down before him, Vasumãn inquired: O Preceptor of the demigods, by what means can human society become very prosperous and happy? Brhaspati replied: The root of the performance of all kinds of duties is the king. It is only due to fear of the king that the citizens do not devour one another. In the animal kingdom it is seen that the different species eat one another, according to their natural inclinations. They fight with each other over food and females simply on the basis of brute strength. Similarly, if it were not restrained by a king, human society would be dominated by the strong, because the more powerful would take by force whatever they liked from the...

An Acarya! Bhisma said to Yudhisthira: My dear King, when a Kshatriya strictly executes his duties, he is rewarded with the goals of life that are attainable by members of all other Varnas & ashramas. For example, the merit earned by a king who protects his subjects is equal to that obtained by performing as many sacrifices as persons he has protected. You should not hesitate to take responsibility for ruling the world. The merit that a king earns simply by protecting his subjects is 100 times more than which is attained by ascetics living in their forest asramas   In this regard Bhisma related an ancient history: Once, long ago, anarchy prevailed over the earth, so that the stronger devoured the weaker, just like fish in the ocean. The condition of life was so wretched that even thieves could not enjoy their stolen wealth, fearing that another band of plunderers might snatch it. Finally, a great number of men assembled & worked out a system whereby they hoped to atta...

The Social Order! Maharaj Yudhisthira asked Bhisma: Dear grandfather, pls describe me in detail the duties of a Kshatriya & also explain the activities of other three orders as well   Bhisma replied: There are 9 qualities to be cultivated by all four social orders–suppression of anger, truthfulness, justice, forgiveness, begetting children only with one’s wedded wife, cleanliness, avoiding quarrels, simplicity & maintenance of one’s dependents   The foremost duty of a brahmana is to control his senses. If he does that, even if he does nothing else but study the Vedas, he is to be considered qualified & the best friend of all living entities. But if, due to pride of learning, a brahmana tries to use his acquired knowledge to destroy the good reputation of another, he becomes fallen & cannot achieve a high destination after death   If a king simply protects his subjects, he is considered to have fulfilled his duties as a Kshatriya. The primary ...

Why is a King needed? Bhisma asked Yudhisthira if he wanted to enquire further. Yudhisthira asked: How is it that one man becomes the emperor of the world & rules innumerable other men? Actually, there is no difference between the ruler and the ruled, because both of them have the same kind of arms, legs, brain, hair, aspirations and so on Bhisma replied: Dear son, during initial Satya yuga there was no government, no king, no chastiser & no chastised. Everyone lived righteously & protected one another so that there was no need for institutionalized government. Then in the course of time, conditions deteriorated as man’s perceptions and understanding became clouded Virtue began to wane as people became greedier for material possessions. Due to an increase in the influence of the Rajo-guna (the mode of passion), people became very lusty & concomitantly, anger also became prominent. Due to anger people gradually lost all conception of what should be done & w...

A King’s duty! Bhisma further continued to lecture Yudhisthira: A King should be careful not to make the slightest distinction between his confidential servants & himself in terms of facilities, treatment, or objects of enjoyment, with the exception of the use of the royal umbrella and the possession of the power to order others A King should be so straightforward that he deals with his men in the same way behind their backs as when they are in his presence. A King that is always suspicious of others & who taxes his citizens too heavily, soon meets with destruction A Kind should not be overly proud & thus indulge in boasting. Once having started a project, he should diligently continue working on it until its completion. The best king is the one in whose kingdom the citizens live without fear & without need of hiding their wealth. The subjects of an ideal king know very well the distinction between right and wrong, and they are very attentive in the matter of ...

Softer than rose & harder than a thunderbolt! Bhisma said to Maharaja Yudhisthira: To follow the vow of truthfulness is the next great qualification of a king, for nothing else can inspire the citizens to have confidence in him. Indeed, simply by adhering to truthfulness of speech, one becomes very eloquent & achieves tangible fame A king should be humble & should exhibit good behaviour. His passions should be subdued & he should not be too meddlesome. A king should be very straightforward in his dealings, but he should be very careful to conceal his weaknesses. If a king is too mild, people will treat him very casually. On the other hand, if he is too fierce, the citizens will be put into unnecessary anxiety   The most valuable assets of a king are his properly selected servants & the respect and spontaneous service attitude of his subjects. Therefore, the citizens should always be dealt with fairly & compassionately, although if a king is too mil...

Balancing acceptance with responsibility! After Bhisma encouraged Yudhisthira to ask questions, he approached the Grandsire with great humility and caught hold of his feet. Bhisma became highly gratified & with great affection, smelled Yudhisthira’s head and made him sit close by. He then requested: My dear king, don’t be afraid & begin asking questions as much as your heart desires Yudhisthira first bowed down to offer his respects to Sri Krsna. Then after taking permission from all the senior personalities assembled there, he said: O Grandfather! Pls explain to me the duties of a righteous king. It is understood that everyone’s success in Dharma, Artha & Kama depends upon king’s proper execution of duties. In fact, the performance of kingly duties is what restrains the entire world, just as reins keeps horses under control. If King’s were to neglect their duties, the whole world would be thrown into confusion. Just as the Sun dispels darkness, virtuous kings rid the...

The all-merciful Supreme Lord! Bhisma said to Sri Krsna: Dear Lord, what I can say when He who is the origin of the Vedas is personally present before me? Besides due to severe pain caused by the wounds inflicted by arrows, my mind has become unsteady & my limbs are so weak that my life seems about to depart. Since my understanding has become clouded & my voice is indistinct, I request You to answer Yudhisthira’s questions. How could I dare speak in Your presence? To do so would be a foolish disciple impudently speaking in the presence of his spiritual master In response Sri Krsna awarded a benediction: Dear Bhisma, henceforth you will no longer feel the effects of pain, hunger, thirst or fatigue. Your memory will be unclouded & your understanding of everything will be perfectly clear, for your mind will remain fixed in the pure stage known as Sudhha-Satva, beyond any tinge of material influence. As your pure consciousness shines forth, like the moon after emerging behi...

Real Intelligence! Sri Krsna along with Satyaki mounted his chariot driven by Daruka. He was followed by Maharaj Yudhisthira & Arjun, Bhima, Nakula & Sahadev. When they arrived at Kurukshetra, they saw funeral pyres rising like small hills all over battlefield, which was also strewn with heaps of broken armour, smashed chariots & spent weapons. Sri Krsna pointed out to Yudhisthira the 5 lakes that had been made by Parasurama, saying: O King! This is where the great warrior incarnation of Godhead had offered Kshatriya’s blood as oblations to his forefathers after ridding the earth of them 21-times As Sri Krsna continued narrating the pastimes of Sri Parasurama, they arrived at Oghavati river, where Bhisma was lying upon bed of arrows. Sri Krsna & Pandavas got down from their chariots at some distance & approached Grandfather Bhisma on foot. After offering obeisances unto all great sages present, they took their seats surrounding Bhisma Sri Krsna praised Bhism...

Destroy darkness within the heart with shining lamp of knowledge! After being commanded by Sri Krsna to come out of his grief & execute the wishes of Vyāsdev, Yudhisthira finally threw off his lethargy & got up from his seat. First, he worshiped all the brāhmanās present & then mounted a new white chariot drawn by 16 white bullocks. Bhima took reins of his elder brother's chariot; Arjuna held a white umbrella over his head and Nakula & Sahadeva fanned him with camaras Yuyutsu followed Maharaja Yudhisthira on his own chariot, and behind him rode Sri Krsna & Satyaki. Dhritarashtra & Gāndhāri went in front, seated upon a palanquin. Behind the chariots were all the women, tended to by Vidura. In this way the procession proceeded toward Hastinapura. When the citizens learnt of this, they hastily decorated the city & then joyfully went out to greet the Pandavas. Thereafter, as the procession passed through the streets of Hastināpur, thousands upon thousa...