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EDITORIAL March 19, 1999 VNN3363 A Little Good Advice FROM THE PANDIT CANAKYA EDITORIAL, Mar 19 (VNN) — Humbly bowing down before the Almighty Lord Sri Vishnu, the Lord of the three worlds, I recite maxims of the science of political ethics (niti) selected from various shastras. That man who by the study of these maxims from the shastras acquires a knowledge of the most celebrated principles of duty, and understands what ought and ought not be followed, and what is good and what is bad, is most excellent. Therefore with an eye to the public good, I shall speak that which, when understood, will lead to an understanding of things in their proper perspective. The man who remains a fool even in advanced age is really a fool, just as the Indra-Varuna fruit does not become sweet no matter how ripe it might become. The hearts of base men burn before the fire of other's fame, and they slander them being themselves unable to raise to such a high position. As the man who digs obtains underground water by use of a shovel, so the student acquires the knowledge possessed by his preceptor through his service. He who lives in our mind is near though he may actually be far away; but he who is not in our heart is far though he may really be nearby. There is no treasure on earth the gift of which will cancel the debt a disciple owes his guru for having taught him even a single letter (that leads him to Krishna consciousness). Shastric knowledge is unlimited, and the arts to be learned are many; the time we have is short, and our opportunities to learn are beset with obstacles. Therefore select for learning that which is most important, just as the swan drinks only the milk in water. A man attains greatness by his merits, not simply by occupying an exalted seat. Can we call a crow an eagle (garuda) simply because he sits on the top of a tall building? There is poison in the fang of the serpent, in the mouth of the fly and in the sting of a scorpion; but the wicked man is saturated with it. He whose hands are clean does not like to hold an office; he who desires nothing cares not for bodily decorations; he who is only partially educated cannot speak agreeably; and he who speaks out plainly cannot be a deceiver. A man is born alone and dies alone; and he experiences the good or bad consequences of his karma alone; and he goes alone to hell or to the supreme abode. Submitted by Arijit Das Comment on this Story This story URL: http://www.vnn.org/editorials/ET9903/ET19-3363.html
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