Subhashita neevi of Sri Desikan.

Swamy Desikan, saint and scholar [1268---1369] responded to the fervent appeal of one of his disciples, a king to bless him and his subjects with a good code of conduct, by bestowing this Neethi kavya known as 'Subhshita neevi'.It contains 144 slokas in Sanskrit . The advise tendered by Swamy Desikan has a universal appeal and is relevant for all times.

It has 12 chapters . The first 5 of which deals with the deeds and conducts that one should avoid and the other 7 chapters list the conducts one should emulate.

'Asamarthan' ---'The dullard and vicious' is the heading of the 5 types of base and low conduct and nature of persons, one should avoid. I have referred to a few of his slokas from all the chapters that are as follows .

1.Annupunapaddatih-----The Dullard state.

1.**Pratama sujanya pumse mahayampi prathama durjanyah namah|

Sarvam hatah kritham yausakrdupakara pakarabyam|

One who overlooks and forgives bad deeds done by others is worthy of respect.

One who forgets the 1000's of acts of help rendered by some one and bears grudges against the person because he committed one misdeed , is a despicable person!

** 2.'Anipunan' viz 'The foolish person' is the one who argues that Hari's white conch is yellow in colour . He refuses to recognise that he has jaundiced eyes ,which makes everything look yellow!

He sticks to his argument . Can any one cure this fool?How can he cure others as a physician?

** 12.Lord Rama is an ocean of abundant auspicious qualities . But the uncontrollable Anipunans accuse him of the following 3...

1. Killing of a woman called Thataki.

2.Destroying Vali by deceit.

3. Stepping back from Kara in his fight .

These Anipunans question Rama of these blemishes but are tongue tied when it comes to those who are a ocean of doshams!

To be contd....

References are from Sadagopan org.