Chapter – 11– Chanakya Neethi - 11 – 18
Rishi Chanakya speaks “ I shall describe
the nature of Rishis, Dhvijathi/Bhramin, Vaishya Shudra, Mleccha, and Chandala 1) The
Rishi is the one who consumes fruits,
vegetables, fiber roots from the woods, that was not grown by him, engages in
spiritual and religious practice, observe austerities and celibacy and lives a
contented life in the woods. 2) The
Dhvija/Dhvijathi/twice-born/Bhramin is the one who consumes meal a day, observe
Shatkarma/all those spiritual and religious rites prescribed in the scriptures,
veneration of deity etc. and engage in the physical relationship with the wife
only in the Rithu season. The Shat Karma’s are a) ritual bath/ Snanam b) Sandhyavandhanam c) Japa d) Homa e) Devatha
Poojanam and f) Athidhi Sevanam. 3) The Vaishya is the one who engages in the Laukikakarma/worldly
life, taking care of domesticated animals, and work in agriculture and
commercial activities. 4) The Vipra/Bhramin who engages in the sale of
Laksha/wax, oil, Neela, Kumkum, honey, ghee, meat, and spirituous drinks are called
‘Shudra’. 5) The Vipra who destroys the
well, ponds, gardens, shrines, without any hesitation are called ‘Mleccha’. 6) The Vipra who steals the wealth of others, deities, or preceptor, and keep illicit relationship with the
wife of the preceptor or others is called ‘Chandala’. The noble souls will not
accumulate wealth or hoard wealth without offering them to charities. The
performance of Dhanam/charity of Emperor Bali, Karna and Vikramadhithya brought
glories to them and they have achieved highest of the piousness of the
charities/Mokshaprapthi. Hence, the performance of charities is the foremost virtue,
available to people who have achieved piousness in several births, the wealth
which was not used for the Punyakarma/ deeds such as digging well, pond,
construction of the garden, the welfare of the poorer sections, twice-born/Bhramin,
performance of spiritual and religious rites, the performance of fire sacrifices
for the welfare of the Universe and its living beings will not attain
purity. The wealth used for the
performance of righteous deeds would achieve purity, otherwise, it would put the
person into deep miseries and grief, like the honey bees, collects honey for six
months visiting flowers and stores them in their hives for the consumption of
another six months, without knowing fact that the honey hives may lose at any
moment, Alas! One fine day the hunter takes away the entire honey hives putting
the bees cry over it.”
Akrishta
Phalamoolani Vanavasarathi: Sadha | Kurutheharaha: Shradhdham Rishir
Vipra: Sa Uchaythe ||
Yekaharena Santhushta: Shat Karmaniratha:
Sadha | Rithu Kalabhigami Cha Sa Vipro
Dhvija Uchyathe ||
Laukike Karmani Ratha: Pashunam
Paripalaka: | Vanijya Krishnikarma Ya:
Sa Vipro Vaishya Uchyathe ||
Lakshadhi Thailaneelanam Ksumbha
Madhusarppisham| Vikrametha Madhyamamsanam Sa Vipra: Shudhra Uchyathe ||
Parakarya Vihantha Cha Dhambhika:
Swarththa sadhaka: | Cchali Dhveshi Mridhu: Krooro Vipra Marjjara Uchyathe ||
Vapi Koopa Thataganam Aramasura Veshmanam
| Ucchedhane Nirashanka Sa Vipro Mleccha
Uchyathe ||
Dhevadhravyam Gurudhravyam
Paradharabhimarshanam | Nirvaha:
Sarvabhootheshu Vipra: Chandala Ucchyathe ||
Dheyam Bhojyadhanam Dhanam Sukrithibhir No Sanchayasthasya Vai | Sri Karnnasya Baleshcha
Vikramapathe Radhyapi Keerthi: Sthitha| Asmakam Madhudhana Bhogarahitham
Nashtam Chirath Sanchitham | Nirvanadhithi Naijapadhayugalam
DharshanthyahoMakshika: ||
