Neethi Shathakam – Sri Bharthruhari
Virachitham
Chapter – 1 – Introduction
The Neethi Shathakam comprises the strict
disciplines/rules and regulation/mode of conduct should be followed by the Jeeva in order to
achieve the Shreyas. There are several Neethishasthra Grantha was written by illustrious
poets and Sages, and some of them are Bhrihaspathi Neethishathra, Shukraneethi,
Chanakya Neethishasthra, Panchathanthra, Hithopadhesham, Sharngadharapadhathi
etc. although, Sri Bharthruhari
Neethishasthra was well known among the readers, there are ten lessons in this
Neethi Shathakam spoke about the nature of venomous serpents, intellectual,
Shaurya, Shoora, Abhimani/arrogant and proud, wealth, and Dhurjjana, etc.
Kusumasthabakasevya Dhve Gatheeha Manasvina: | Moodhni Va
Sarvalokasya Sheeryathe Vana Yeva Va ||
In the above verse, the poet was spoken
about the fate of the cluster of flowers, that has two destiny, either it gets
the fortune to adorn in the heads, or withered in the forest itself. In this
way, the righteous people either shine in the society or admired by the people
or return to the woods and conduct Tapas and austerities to attain supreme
Bramham.
Khalvato Dhivaseshvarasya Kiranai: Santhapithe Masthake | Vanchadheshamanathapam
Vidhivashaththalasya Moolam Gatha: |
Thathrapyasya Mahaphalena Pathatha
Bhagnam Sashabdham Shira: | Prayo Gacchathi Yathra Dhaivahathakasthathraiva Yanthyapadha: ||
In the above verse, the poet reveals the funniest remark on the bald-headed person who was walking on the scorching heat,
anxiously wanted to reach out for a safe place to protect him from the heat and
rushed under the shade of a Palm tree, unfortunately, the ripened fruit of the
palm tree fallen on his bald head and wounded badly. Therefore the unfortunate
who has no grace of that supreme Lord would push themselves into constant
troubles. The poet has observed every tiny incident that took place in the world
and brought into the light through his poetry.
Bhagnashasya Karanda Pinditha Thanor Mlanendhriyasya Kshudha | Kithakhur Vivaram Swayam Nipathitho
Naktham Mukhe Bhogina: | Thripathasthath Pishithena Sathvaramasau Thenaiva Yatha: Padha |
Swasthasthishtatha Dheivameva Hi Nrinam
Vridhdhau Kshaye Karanam ||
The poet describes the destiny of the
Jeeva in a humorous manner; a mouse took great trouble to create a hole in the
wooden box and rushed in, Alas! It rushed exactly to the mouth of the snake
that was locked in the wooden box so long; the snake was all tired of hunger was
waiting for its prey, found happy seeing the mouse. The snake immediately
swallowed the prey rushed to its mouth and came out of the hole made by the
mouse. The poet says that grace and disgrace, happiness and sorrow, pain
and grief, failure, and success in the life of Jeeva are the bizarre acts of
destiny.
Dhik Kala Adhyanavachith Anandha Chinmathra
Moorthaye | Swanubhoothyaikamanaya Nama:
Shanthaya Thejase ||
I shall prostrate before the supreme Bhramam
which is beyond directions, change and time symbolizes supreme bliss, it is
the source for the functions of Pancha Gnana Karmendhriyas, Gunathraya, mind
and intellect, and it represents supreme brilliance and serenity, resides as
soul in Jeeva.