‘Vidur Neeti’ (in Hindi)
(Taken from the Mahabharata; explanations by Sri Hanuman Prasad Poddar)
Gita Press
ISBN: 81-293-0216-0
‘Vidur Neeti’ is part of the great epic Mahabharata in which the wise counsel Vidur explains many concepts and facts of great wisdom to King Dhritirashtra of Hastinapur. References are in eight chapters, 33rd to 40th, of Mahabharata. This book presents the Sanskrit shlokas with their concise translations in Hindi. The language is simple and it can be read and understood by the masses.
I am noting down some of the shlokas with their meanings:
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Ijyaaddhayanadaanani tapah satyam kshamaa ghrina |
Alobh iti margoyam dharmsyashtavidhah smritah ||56|| (adhyay-3)
Yagya, addhyayan, daan, tap, satya, kshamaa, dayaa, aur alobh - ye dharm ke aath prakar ke marg bataye gaye hain. ||56|| (adhyay. 3)
Yagya, learning/study, alms-giving, tapa (penance), truthfullness, forgiveness, compassion and non-greediness - these are said to be eight types of path towards Dharma. ||56|| (Chapter 3)
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Tatra purvachaturvargo dambharthmapi sevyate |
Uttarascha chaturvargo namahatmsu tishthati ||57|| (adhyay-3)
Inme se pahle charon ka to dambh ke liye bhi sevan kiya ja sakta hai, parantu antim char to jo mahatma nahi hain unme rah hi nahi sakte ||57|| (adhyay. 3)
Of these, the first four can even by practiced for ego or pride, but the later four can never be present in those who are not good souls. ||57|| (Chapter. 3)
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Avyahritam vyahritachchhreya ahuh,
Satyam vadet vyahritam tad dviteeyam |
Priyam vaded vyahritam tat tritiyam,
Dharmam vadet vyahritam tachchaturtham ||12|| (adhyay-4)
Bolne se na bolna achchha bataya gaya hai; kintu satya bolna vaani ki dusri visheshta hai, yani maun ki apeksha bhi duna labhprad hai. Satya bhi yadi priya bola jaye to teesri visheshta hai aur wah yadi dharm-sammat kaha jaye to wah vachan ki chauthi visheshta hai ||12|| (adhyay. 4)
It is said that not speaking is better than speaking, but speaking the truth is said to be second quality of speech meaning it is better than non-speech. If the truth is even nice/lovely, it becomes third quality of speech (better than only truthful speech), and if that (lovely and truthful) speech is also consistent with Dharma (it is righteous), then it becomes fourth quality of speech (it is even better than the previous three). ||12|| (ch. 4)
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Aakrushyamano nakroshenmanyurev titikshatah |
Akroshtaram nirdahati sukritam chasya vindati ||5|| (adhyay-4)
Dusron se gaali sun kar bhi swayam unhen gaali na den. Kshama karne wale ka roka hua krodh hi gaali dene wae ko jala deta hai aur uske punya ko bhi le lea hai. ||5|| (adhyay. 4)
Even after hearing abuses from others, don't say abuses to them. The restrained anger of those who pardon others itself burns/destroys the abusers and also destroys their punya. ||5|| (ch. 4)
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Krityani purvam parisankhyay sarvanyayvyaye chanurupaam cha vrittim |
Sangrahneeyaadnurupaan sahaayaan sahaayasaadhyaani hi dushkaraani ||24|| (adhyay 5)
Pahle kartavya, aay-vyay aur uchit vetan ka nishchay karke fir suyogya sahaayakon ka sangrah karen, kyonki kathin se kathin karya bhi sahayakon dwara sadhya hote hain ||24|| (adhyay 5)
One should first decide on the appropriate duties, income & expenses, and wages and then should collect right associates. Because even the most difficult jobs can be done with the help of associates. ||24|| (Ch. 5)
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Aarjaven naram yuktamaarjavaat savyapatram |
Ashaktam manyamaanaastu dharshayanti kubudhyah ||62|| (adhyay 7)
Dushta buddhi wale log saralta se yukt aur saralta ke hi karan lajjasheel manushya ko ashakta maankar uska tiraskaar karte hain. ||62|| (adhyay 7)
People with evil minds consider the simple and sober (because of simplicity) men as weak and they insult them. ||62|| (Ch. 7)
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PS: My apologies for any errors in typing or translation.
One can see the great intelligence reflected in the first two verses, where Vidhur clearly demarcates the gestures of Dharma which can be fabricated Vs which come to us naturally. Third and fourth contain great practical wisdom. I think the second last verse on selection of associates is a fitting one to be considered by people with interest in business. And the last one is such a timeless wisdom.
These are only a few of the very interesting and enlightening verses presented in this book. I recommend this to all.
- Rahul
