Path of the impartial---Samchitta padhita.

**1. The sun shines impartially. It shines neither to foster the growth of Chakravaka birds [ a bird that is greatly attached to sun] nor to put down Chakora birds [a bird that thrives only in moonlight]. So do great men, render their duties impartially.

**4.When clouds comedown to the ocean to drink water, no change is seen in the level of the ocean. Similarly great men remain unaffected and remain impartial though their belongings are usurped or are bestowed with gifts.

**7. Diamonds unlike oil lamps need no attendance to shine day and night.Similarly impartial men shine at all times whether felicitated or not . Unlike ordinary men.

**9. An shield that no weapon can cleave or be taken away and guarantees protection at all times are the qualities of determination, patience and endurance.

Path of the great...Mahapurusha paddathi.

** Those who have renounced the world, following the holy path , noble and pure , reading the Vedas and shastras,helping fellow human beings and constantly worshipping the lotus feet of Vishnu are Mahpurusha's.

**Noble is one ,who is not carried away by the opinion of others.Such men are impartial to all . They have the shining lustre of gold! They are worthy of worship even by saints.

**The speed of the river of wealth can astonish and frighten even those who posses it in abundance.But such rivers have no recognition in associations of persons who are enamoured only by the celestial nectarine river of tranquility.

Path of the mean.Dhurupta padathi.

2. If there is no purity of thought ,such a person can never attain fame though he may associate with the good.

3.Even if a person is honest in his dealings,helps others during their troubles and is dear to all and is worthy of conduct in all aspects , he will be considered fallen if he does not follow the path of his ancestors.

5.It is better not to commit any sin at all than to committing them and doing prayachitam--purification-over and over again.

6. A crane stands on one leg and lures its prey by its deceptive harmlessness. Similarily mean minded mean don the mendicants role only to plunder their devotees . This cunningness is despicable.

11.The company and association of those, who pride themselves that they can get away with any evil deed because of their high birth should be shunned .

State of those who are unfit to be approached.Asevya padathi

1.Hard hearted people hate without cause and are not easily accessible and are very discourteous.Such persons should never be approached for food and shelter even if they belong to a noble family.

7. Crooked persons will renounce worldly enjoyments outwardly,but will be constantly thinking about them inwardly. Association with such people will lead only to doom.

12.If a man wants to earn a huge wealth it is better to roam around the world crossing the seas,or climbing mountains or even revert to blowing bellows,or to archery or to warfare than to roam in fear in the corridors of of a rich or powerful man's mansion always in his attendance and shame lessly praising him to earn a few pieces of gold. Since this is sure to lead to his ultimate destruction.

Mind of Dhushta's-----Khalapaddatih Sri Desikan neeti.

**1.Both yogi's and Dushtas are superficially alike.They do not pay much attention to their families and household.The major difference is that whilst yogis let go of their attachments to think and meditate on Pramapurusha the Dushtas let go of their responsibilities only to make it easier for themselves to think of ways and means to harm others!

** 4.The worst Dushta is one who wins over others trust by kind acts and sweet words and then proceed to destroy the unsuspecting ones.

**5.Durjans who have amassed wealth in improper ways react violently when criticised.They appear like wild mountain streams ,which destroy anything and every thing on its way ,when its flow is interrupted.

**9.A dushta should be either brought around or avoided .

**11.The dushta may be a powerful person with a huge gang and large retinue at his beck and call. Association with such people is best ,to be avoided. It is better to see a dry and barren land than the face of such persons!

to be contd.

The egotist state ---Drupaddatih.Sri Desikan's neevi

3.**One can draw a picture of the sun as a round object on paper or wall but cannot draw its radiance!

Similarly one can dress like a righteous one , decorate one's forehead with namum[white mark] but cannot become a acharya , merely with these outward disguises.

9.**The lion and the fox live in the forest ,have sharp claws and eat flesh. The similarity ends there! An lion can break the skull of the elephant with its paws . Can a lowly fox striving for equality ever compete with a lion's prowess?

Similarily a simpleton and a scholar may live in a same village , dress in a the same fashion and even attend the same meetings. But can that person equal the scholar in his depth of knowledge?

8.Duryanamapi satkare gunasali vimardinam anagama vidam yaktam apaniter nivaranam|

Those in power may have superior administrative skills . But if their acts are not just and right they are Dushtas , self contented and leading empty lives , wallowing in mud of pride!

To be contd.

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.