Bhishma Instructs Yudhisthira Maharaja, Part 11

BY: ISVARA DASA

Jan 16, 2014 — INDIA (SUN) —

Maharaja Yudhisthira said, “Bhishma, I feel very disturbed to hear how the morality that is traditionally understood can be contradicted. It appears to me that thieves, dog eaters, and all kinds of other sinful persons will try to justify their activities by referring to such stories as these.”

Bhishma replied, “The instructions on morality that I am delivering to you are not limited to the mere repetition of shastric injunctions. What I am describing is actually the fruit of wisdom that has been harvested after a great deal of experience.”

“One cannot ascertain his duty in all circumstances simply by referring to the rules and regulations of shastra. One has to be very intelligent, wise, and possess a mature understanding of the subtleties of virtue, for sometimes so-called morality becomes immorality, and vice-versa. Of course, persons who altogether disregard shastra or find fault with it are no better than Rakshasas. Still, above and beyond knowledge of shastra, one must understand how it is to be practically applied,”

Maharaja Yudhisthira asked, “Is there any rule that should never be violated under any condition?”

Bhishma replied, “My dear grandson, the worship of true brahm-anas and giving to them all kinds of respect must never be given up under any circumstance, for the brahmanas’ dissatisfaction is the most dangerous type of poison. There is also great merit earned by giving shelter to someone that asks for it. Even a killer of cows can be cleansed of his sins by engaging in this noble activity.”

Maharaja Yudhisthira asked, “Please tell me- what is the origin of sin?”

Bhishma replied, “Greed (covetousness), which is the hankering to possess more than one’s naturally ordained quota is the origin of sin. This covetousness is called trishna (thirst), for the desire to possess that which belongs to another is insatiable. Greed is the cause of all kinds of hypocrisy and cunning behavior. It is the force that drives men to commit sinful acts.”

“From greed comes anger, lust, loss of judgement, arrogance, miserliness, lack of compassion, enviousness, mistrust of others, insincerity, theft, adultery, habitual lying, gluttony, harsh speech, faultfinding, procrastination- as well as pride of birth, wealth, learning and beauty. Greed cannot easily be given up, and it does not diminish with the decay of the body. Like an ocean that cannot be filled by the influx of innumerable rivers, greed can never become gratified by any amount of acquisition.”

Maharaja Yudhisthira requested, “Grandsire, please explain to me about ignorance.”

Bhishma replied, “Ignorance is made up of the same substance as greed, and it is the cause of all kinds of suffering. Both greed and ignorance give the same result, although ultimately, it can be analyzed that ignorance originally sprang from greed. When greed increases, ignorance becomes more dense.”

Maharaja Yudhisthira asked, “Bhishma, what produces the highest merit (shreyas)?”

Bhishma replied, “Self-restraint surpasses all other acts in this regard, and it is therefore considered to be the highest virtue. Self-restraint comprises forgiveness, patience, nonviolence, impartiality, truthfulness, sincerity, control of the senses, mildness, steadiness, freedom from anger, contentment, freedom from envy and benevolence.”

“Because self-restraint purifies and controls every aspect of one’s existence, it is more important than merely giving in charity or studying the Vedas. By self-restraint alone one can attain liberation from this material world and thus not have to undergo repeated births and deaths. The essential quality of self-restraint is tapasya (austerity). No good result in any field can be achieved without it. Lord Brahma created this universe by the prowess gained from his austerities. Therefore, tapasya is considered to be the root cause of everything in existence.”


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