Thursday 30 July 2020

Vairagya Shathakam – Sri Bharthrihari Virachitham



Chapter -1 – Introduction

 

The renowned Sanskrit scholar and great poet Sri Bharthrihari was born in a royal family of Ujjain, as a brother to Vararuchi and Vikramadhithya, there is not much clear information about his earlier life, and some have the opinion that he was lived during the period of Mahakavi Kalidasa. The Maharaja Gandharvsen, of Ujjain, had two wives; the first wife gave birth to Bharthrihari, later he was crowned as the King, but he was not interested in the kingly duties, shortly he had attained Vairagya, leaving the Kingdom under the responsibilities of the younger brother Vikramaditya. He has written several Vyakarana Grantha, such as Shrungarashathakam, Neethishathakam, Vairagya Shathakam, and the Bhrihath Grantha ‘Vakyapadheeyam’.

 


Vairagyashathakam – Raga, and Dhwesha are the two sides of a coin, therefore whoever is relieved out of Raga/impurities, desires, lust, etc./ sudden impulses/emotions/anger/ will not have the sense of Dhwesha/‘hatred’, and it is the law of Prapancha, moreover without getting rid of the Raga and Dhwesha it is impossible to achieve the state of Mukthi.  Therefore ‘Vairagya’ has been defined as the absence of Raga and Dhwesha. Lord Krishna and Jagathguru Sri Adhishankaracharya proclaim that “Kasya Sukham Na Karothi Viraga:”. Vairagya Shathakam put the culpability on the ‘Thrishna’ which is the root cause for the miseries and sorrows of worldly existence.

 


Bogha Na Bhuktha Vayameva Bhuktha: Thapo Na Thaptham Vayameva  Thaptha: | Kalo Na Yatho Vayameva Yatha:  Thrishna Na Jeernna  Vayameva Jeernna: ||

 


The Jeeva constantly chases after the material as well as physical pleasure and get depressed before achieving the same. The Jeeva does not perform any Tapas but undergoes the afflictions and get distressed, thus live a life of death while living on Earth, the desires have no end, but the Jeeva is nearing the end of its journey. Finally, while chasing for the material comforts, wealth, happiness, possessions and fame, the Jeeva forgets its real purpose of birth and performs all those unwanted deeds undergo aging, illnesses, and eventually faces pathetic death. In this way the Jeeva persuaded by the ‘Thrishna’ soak in worldly matters and comforts, final moments of life  understands the truth that even though the body has already met its ruin, the pursuance for the desire has not ended, ultimately, gets anxious about how to get rid of that ‘Thrishna’ and achieve the serenity of the mind.


 

Asha Nama Nadhi Manorathajala Thrishna Tharangakula | Raga Grahavathi Vitharkka Vihaga Dhairyadhrumadhvamsini | Mohavarththa Sudhustharathi Gahana Proththunga  Chinthathati | Thasya: Paragatha Vishudhdha Manaso Nandhanthi Yogeeshwara: ||

 

The  Mahanadhi of Asha /river of desire has a realm of fancy/illusion like water, has Thrishna/desire/thirst like waves, and Anuraga/passion and love as alligators, adamant nature as birds, courage as tree on the river bank, the powerful water current as desires, redundant thoughts as the river banks which is extremely difficult to traverse. Whoever crosses the Mahanadhi of Asha, are Yogeendra who have won over desires and worldly attachments.

 

Avashyam YatharashchiratharaMushithvapi Vishaya | Viyoge Ko  Bhedhasthyajathi Na Jano  Yath Swayamamoon | Vrajantha: Swathanthryadhathula Parithapaya Manasa: | Swayam Thyaktha Hyethe Shamasukhamanantham Vidhadhathi ||

 

In the above verses, the poet describes the significance of ‘Vairagya’, and the ways to achieve permanent peace by abandoning interest in worldly matters and bondage which has impermanent nature, it has to meet ruin in the long run. Therefore it is better to practice the sense of abandonment in the interest in worldly matters, attachment to people, fame, wealth, possessions, and richness before it leaves you. In either way, it will cause the pain of separation, Alas! Even after knowing the ultimate truth of the Viyoga causes grief, the Jeeva is not making an effort to renounce them. If the attachment to worldly matters and people was discarded voluntarily like a Yogi, it would not cause grief, instead, it would multiply the bliss in Jeeva, if it was in the other way round,  it would definitely put the Jeeva into a miserable state of intense pain and grief.

 

Bhoge Rogabhyam Kule Chyuthibhayam  Viththe Nripaladh Bhayam | Mane Dhainyabhayam Bale Ripubhayam Roope Jaraya Bhayam | Shasthre Vadhibhyam Gune Khalabhayam Kaye Krithanthath Bhayam | Sarvam Vasthu Bhayanvitham Bhuvi Nrinam Vairagyam Yevabhayam ||

 

In the above verse, the poet describes the advantage of sense of ‘Vairagya’. The attachment to sensual pleasure causes fear of illnesses, possession of huge wealth causes the fear from the King,  the excessive pride causes fear of losing respect before others, the attachment on one’s own prowess causes fear of enemies, attachments on one’s own body causes fear of aging and illnesses, a person who is renowned in Shastras fears the debate with the intellectuals, a virtuous person fear of the immoral people, attachment to the body causes fear of death, hence attachment to each and object causes ‘Fear’ only.  Therefore, is there anything fearless in the Prapancha? Yes, it is the sense of ‘Vairagya’/sense of desirelessness is the only one that could protect the Jeeva from the fears. A Vairagin will not have fear of anything in this world and need not be feared of anything in the Universe.

 

Ashimahi Vayam Bhikshamashavaso Vasimahi | Shayimahi Mahiprishte  Kurvimahi Kimeeshwarai: ||

 

The poet describes the freedom of a Yogi who has achieved the sense of abandonment consumes the meal received by begging alms, clothed in directions, sleeps on the ground, has anything to fear of the wealthiest? The Yogi /Yathi who is Viraktha and Bhikshu has nothing to gain from the King or the wealthiest. The ignorant Jeeva consider the life on Earth is extremely suffering and sorrowful, there is only one ‘Royal Path’ to get rid of the miseries of the worldly existence, that’s the achievement of ‘Vairagya’.  Whoever wants to attain that Viveka and Vairagya, the recitation of ‘Vairagya Shathakam would provide an adequate boost to them.