Swami Vedanta Desika, a revered Srivaishnava preceptor, philosopher, and poet, needs no introduction. Whether it’s Vedanta, Tarka, philosophy, or poetry, his works are essential reading. Some of his famous works, like “Paduka Sahasram,” “Sankalpa Suryodayam,” “Yadavaabhyudayam,” and “Hamsa Sandesham,” are a delight for any Sanskrit enthusiast. These works offer valuable insights into Vyakarana (grammar), Alankara (poetics), vocabulary, and even Sanskrit composition. He has also contributed significantly to Vedanta and Vishishtadvaita philosophy through his works in both Tamil and Sanskrit.
While many are familiar with his renowned works, not everyone knows that he also authored a didactic poem titled “Subhashita Nivi,” which imparts moral values. “Subhashita Nivi” consists of 12 chapters, each containing 12 verses, making up a total of 144 shlokas. The first five chapters denounce the behaviors of wicked people, while the following five chapters praise the virtues and noble actions of great individuals. The eleventh chapter focuses on praising good poets, and the final chapter delves into the wisdom of discernment.
Let’s delve into the origins of “Subhashita Nivi“. According to the commentaries, Swami Desika was approached by a Srivaishnava king from Rajamahendrapuram, who sought guidance on moral and ethical values essential for ruling his kingdom and living a successful life. Impressed by the king’s desire to learn and his noble intent, Swami Desika crafted a verse for him, encapsulating six key principles.
सत्त्वस्थान्निभृतंप्रसादयसतांवृत्तिंव्यवस्थापय
त्रस्यब्रह्मविदागसस्तृणमिवत्रैवर्गिकान्भावय।
नित्येशेषिणिनिक्षिपन्नोजभरंसर्वंसहेश्रीसखे
धर्मेधारयचातकस्यकुशलिन्धाराधरैकान्तिनः।।
(sattvasthānnibhṛtaṃprasādayasatāṃvṛttiṃvyavasthāpaya
trasyabrahmavidāgasastṛṇamivatraivargikānbhāvaya।
nityeśeṣiṇinikṣipannojabharaṃsarvaṃsaheśrīsakhe
dharmedhārayacātakasyakuśalindhārādharaikāntinaḥ।।)
Meaning – Bring joy to good people and seek their blessings. When you see good people in distress, assist them by finding a means of livelihood that will benefit them in the long run. Revere the sanctity of Bhagavathas and avoid committing sins against them. Treat the other three purusharthas—dharma, artha, and kama—as mere grass, signifying that one should always aspire for moksha. Surrender yourself wholly to Lord Sriman Narayana. Adhere to dharma, and if you must request anything from anyone, let it be from Lord Sriman Narayana alone!
The King, upon reading the verse from Swami Desika, realized that it merely scratched the surface. He understood that these six principles held deeper, hidden meanings, and he yearned to learn more. However, he knew that he couldn’t summon Swami to his court, as Swami Desika had previously declined an invitation from the Vijayanagara king. The King also couldn’t leave his kingdom for an extended period to study with Swami. So, he devised a plan to send a few Srivaishnavas from his court to Swami Desika, to gather all the teachings he needed. Thus, Swami Desika penned the Subhashita Nivi.
Let’s delve into a few verses from Subhashita Nivi that impart timeless wisdom. The first verse explores human nature, highlighting how people are quick to find faults in others while conveniently ignoring or being blind to their own shortcomings:
पश्यतिपरेषुदोषानसतोपिजनःसतोपिनैवगुणान्।
विपरीतमिदंस्वस्मिन्महिमामोहाञ्जनस्यैषः।।
(paśyatipareṣudoṣānasatopijanaḥsatopinaivaguṇān।
viparītamidaṃsvasminmahimāmohāñjanasyaiṣaḥ।। (anipuṇapaddhatiḥ))
Meaning – The wicked tend to focus only on the flaws of even the best individuals, but when it comes to themselves, they remain blind to their own shortcomings and believe that no one is as virtuous as they are. How delusional can one get!
Upon reflection, the wisdom in this verse becomes strikingly evident. We often find ourselves swift to judge the flaws in others, yet we tend to exempt ourselves from similar scrutiny. This double standard is a common human trait, where the shortcomings of others are magnified while our own are minimized or justified. It’s a reminder of the importance of self-awareness and humility, urging us to look within and acknowledge our imperfections with the same clarity we see in others. This verse encourages us to adopt a more balanced perspective, fostering empathy and understanding in our interactions.
In the following verse, Swami Desika advises against boasting after accomplishing a task using an analogy. There are countless individuals in the world who have achieved far more yet remain silent. If one boasts about a minor achievement, they risk becoming the subject of mockery.
स्थलपरिशेषितजलधेःसविधेसञ्जातडम्बरंजलदम्।
प्रहसन्तिपाण्ड्यनद्यःशुक्तिमुखैर्मौक्तिकस्त्यानैः।।
(sthalapariśeṣitajaladheḥsavidhesañjātaḍambaraṃjaladam।
prahasantipāṇḍyanadyaḥśuktimukhairmauktikastyānaiḥ।।)
Swami Desika uses the example of clouds to illustrate this point. The clouds gather a few drops of water from the ocean, and when they release this water back to the earth, they do so with the loud accompaniment of thunder, as if bragging about their deed.
Swami Desika suggests that this thunderous noise makes it seem as though the clouds are boasting before delivering the rain. In contrast, the Pandya rivers, like the Tampraparni, seem to mock the clouds, implying that Sage Agastya drank the entire ocean in one sip and remained silent. Yet, these clouds, unable to even dry up the ocean, make such a fuss over giving a little water back. This is akin to the famous saying, “Empty vessels make the most noise.” The message is clear: always be humble.
Now, let’s explore a verse where Swami Desika advises us to distance ourselves from those who are deceitful. He likens these individuals to snakes, warning us to stay clear of them.
निगिरन्तोजगत्प्राणानुद्गिरन्तोमुखैर्विषम्।
दूरतःपरिहर्तव्याद्विजिह्वाजिह्मवृत्तयः।।
(nigirantojagatprāṇānudgirantomukhairviṣam।
dūrataḥparihartavyādvijihvājihmavṛttayaḥ।।)
Snakes breathe in the air, but what they exhale is poison. Similarly, there are a few folks who receive all the help from you, but at the same time, are plotting something against you. We should be cautious of such individuals and keep our distance to avoid being harmed. This advice echoes a verse from Bhartṛhari’s Nitishatakam, where he warns against associating with deceitful people, regardless of their education. He uses a poignant metaphor, asking, “Would you approach a snake simply because it has a precious gem?”
In several other verses in Subhashita Nivi, Swami Desika cautions us not to be deceived by appearances, using the swan as an example. The swan lures fish by remaining still, only to devour them once they’re close. Swami further advises against being fooled by a tiger in sheep’s clothing or a snake imitating the croak of a frog. These metaphors remind us to use our intelligence to discern between good and bad, thereby saving ourselves from much trouble.
There are many other verses in Subhashita Nivi where Swami Vedanta Desika provides guidance on how one should conduct oneself, weaving timeless wisdom through rich metaphors and analogies. These teachings, though centuries old, remain incredibly relevant today, offering invaluable insights into leading a principled life. Subhashita Nivi not only deepens our appreciation of Sanskrit literature but also imparts moral lessons that transcend cultures and eras. This is a must-read for anyone seeking success and fulfillment in life!
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