Sukhasya moolam Dharma:

Beginning from today ,this blog will run a series on Neeti shastra.

Man (an average man ) always attributes his success to his own efforts.When struck with failures finds reasons other than his efforts.But on the whole every man looks to maximize his pleasure.When one enjoys good days ,not for a moment does one stop and ponder what was that ,that is making me enjoy. What is the cause of happiness? everytime we are happy we think we have created it for ourselves .And we want it to be constant. Life suggests contrary .nothing is permanent. But to cross over the ocean of this world and we need knowledge. happiness cannot be had by merely being alone. It is an interactive process,interaction involves several communication aides and first step in learning these begins with a lesson in Neeti shastras.

The first aphorism of Neeti shastra is Happiness has its root in Dharma.

Only dharma brings happiness and nothing else. hence one should try his best to adhere to Dharma.Dharma gives a means to the understanding of Papa and punya. Papa is that which brings unhappiness and punya is that which brings happiness. Further punya is which is in the larger interest of people and papa is one which troubles the society.

Dharma alone brings joy, because today’s happiness was as a result of yesterlife’s  punya.Dharma is different for different people in different regions.Dharma of one region cannot be applied to dharma of the other. Dharma of one person need not be applicable to the others. Hence one must adhere to the dharma of the land one dwells in.

For general happiness of the subject ,a king must try to establish Dharma in his land. He must take adequate measures to oversee that dharma is followed in his kingdom. If Dharma is not followed ,soon anarchy will seige the land and people will perish from their values and the place of dwelling will be akin to hell. Hence a King must know Dharma and its importance through Neeti shastra.

Authors of neeti shastra are Bramha, Garuda, siva,Brahaspati, Narad,etc.Matsya purana ,garuda purana are full of neeti . Shukracharya and Vidura have elaborated these for the benefit of mankind. Vishnugupta  and bratruhari have compiled these into readable volumes.

As there is sadneeti represented by Vidura ,so also exists Kalinga neeti followed by Shakuni. which prescribes the opposite. Much of modern polity is outcome of shakuni neeti. One must struggle to keep one’s mind free from such shastra and constantly make attempt to live life along the lines of Vidur neeti.

krishnarpana