NINE DUTIES THAT ARE ETERNAL - from Mahabharata

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NINE DUTIES THAT ARE ETERNAL

>From the Mahabharata, Santi Parva, LX

 

 

The suppression of wrath,

truthfullness of speech,

justice,

forgiveness,

begetting children upon one's own wedded wife,

purity of conduct,

avoidance of quarrel,

simplicity,

and maintenance of dependants,

 

these nine duties belong to all the four orders equally.

 

 

CALAMITY OVERTAKES HIM WHO IS

>From The Mahabharata, Udyoga Parva

Section XXXII

 

 

Sanjay said (to Dhritarashtra ):- "Calamity overtakes him who is

deficient in wisdom, or who is of low birth, or who is cruel, or who

cherishes hostility for a long time, or who is devoid of energy, or

is of a bad disposition, in fact he who has such marks.

 

It is by virtue of luck that a person takes his birth in good race,

or becomes strong, or famous, or versed in various lore, or possesses

the comforts of life, or becomes capable of subduing his senses, or

discriminating virtue and vice that are always linked together.

 

What person is there, who attended upon by foremost of counselors,

possessed of intelligence, capable of discriminating between virtue

and vice in times of distress, not destitute of the rituals of

religion, and retaining the use of all his faculties, would commit

cruel deeds?".