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Essential knowledge

Chennai: What is essential for us to know is what we do not know. We acquire knowledge that is not of use to us in getting out of the samsaric cycle. We pay little attention to matters of ethics and morality, when it comes to educating ourselves. But there was a time when, in every village, the Vedas would be recited and explained, by the scholars resident there. And by listening to discourses on the scriptures, everyone was aware of what constitutes ethical conduct, and what does not. In the modern world, we are content with making our children money-earning machines. Looking at modern apathy to ethical matters, one can't help wondering if Bhartruhari's Neeti Sataka was written anticipating such a turn of events. It has 100 verses, and each of them is worthy of being learnt by heart, said Goda Venkateswara Sastrigal in a lecture.

Bhartruhari wrote three books — Sringara Sataka, Vairagya Sataka and Neeti Sataka — and all worldly knowledge may be said to be contained in these three works. Reading his works could keep intelligent people supplied with topics for discussion for days on end. So full of wisdom are his works. Bhartruhari urges people to be in the company of virtuous human beings. Satsang is the first step toward purifying our hearts. But who are the virtuous people? And how do we identify them? The Neeti Sataka tells us what qualities we must aspire for and what qualities we must shun, and thus shows whose company is desirable.

Our words must be such as to be of benefit to others. The Neeti Sataka tells us how to speak and what to speak of. Speaking of ethics and morals is essential, but finding people willing to listen is not easy. And even when there are those who are willing to listen, how many of them benefit from what they hear? Those who listen half-heartedly, and without the intention of benefiting from listening to wise words of advice, will gain nothing from the good words a person speaks. Often the efforts of those who wish to lend a helping hand to others, by making them aware of ethics and about duties, go waste because of the unwillingness of the listener to absorb what is being told. Neeti Sataka points to the difficulties faced when one tries to advise others.

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