How to Overcome Difficulties in Life?
Ch-110, Shanti Parva, Mahabharata, Translated
into English Prose from the Original Sanskrit Text by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.
"Yudhishthira said, 'Creatures
are seen to be afflicted by diverse means and almost continually. Tell me, O
grandsire, in what way can one overcome all those difficulties.'
"Bhishma said, 'Those members of
the regenerate class (dvija) that duly practise, with restrained souls, the duties that
have been laid down in the scriptures for the several modes of life, succeed in
overcoming all these difficulties.
They that
never practise deceit, they whose behaviour is restrained by salutary
restrictions, and they that control all worldly desires, succeed in overcoming all difficulties.
They that do
not speak when, addressed in evil language, they that do not injure others when
themselves injured, they that give but do not take, succeed in overcoming all
difficulties.
They that
always give hospitable shelter to guests, they that do not indulge in malice,
they that are constantly engaged in the study of the Vedas, succeed in
overcoming all difficulties.
Those
persons who, being conversant with duties, adopt that behaviour towards parents
which they should, they that abstain from sleeping during the day, succeed in
overcoming all difficulties.
They that do
not commit any kind of sin in thought, word, and deed, they that never injure
any creature, succeed in overcoming all difficulties. Those kings that do not,
under the influence of passion and covetousness, levy oppressive taxes, and
those that protect their own dominions, succeed in overcoming all difficulties.
They that go
to their own wedded wives in season without seeking the companionship of other
women, they that are honest and attentive to their Agni-hotras, succeed in
overcoming all difficulties.
They that
are possessed of courage and that, casting away all fear of death, engage in
battle, desirous of victory by fair means, succeed in overcoming all
difficulties.
They that
always speak truth in this world even when life is at stake, and that are
exemplars for all creatures to imitate succeed in overcoming all difficulties.
They whose
acts never deceive, whose words are always agreeable, and whose wealth is
always well spent, succeed in, overcoming all difficulties.
Those
Brahmanas that never study the Vedas at hours not intended for study, and that
practise penances with devotion, succeed in overcoming all difficulties.
Those
Brahmanas that betake themselves to a life of celibacy and Brahmacharya, that
perform penances, and that are cleansed by learning, Vedic knowledge, and
proper vows, succeed in overcoming all difficulties.
They that
have checked all the qualities that appertain to Passion (Rajas) and Darkness (Tamas), that are
possessed of high souls, and that practise the qualities that are called Good,
succeed in overcoming all difficulties.
They of whom
no creature stands in fear and those that do not fear any creature themselves,
they that look upon all creatures as their own selves, succeed in overcoming
all difficulties.
Those bulls
among men that are good, that are never inspired with grief at the sight of
other people's prosperity, and that abstain from all kinds of ignoble
behaviour, succeed in overcoming all difficulties.
They that
bow to all the gods, that listen to the doctrines of all creeds, that have
faith, and that are endued with tranquil souls, succeed in overcoming all
difficulties.
They that do
not desire honour for themselves, that give honours unto others, that bow down
unto those that deserve their worship, succeed in overcoming all difficulties.
They that
perform Sraddhas on the proper lunar days (tithi-s), with pure minds, from desire of
offspring, succeed in overcoming all difficulties.
They that
restrain their own wrath and pacify the wrath of others, and that never get
angry with any creature, succeed in overcoming all difficulties.
They that
abstain, from their birth, from honey and meat and intoxicating drinks, succeed
in overcoming all difficulties.
They that
eat for only supporting life, that seek the companionship of women for the sake
only of offspring and that open their lips for only speaking what is true,
succeed in overcoming all difficulties.
They that
worship with devotion the god Narayana, that Supreme Lord of all creatures,
that origin and destruction of the universe, succeed in overcoming all
difficulties.
This Krishna here, of eyes red as
the lotus, clad in yellow robes, endued with mighty arms,--this Krishna who is
our well-wisher, brother, friend, and relative,--is Narayana of unfading glory.
He covers all the worlds like a leathern case, at his own pleasure. He is the
puissant Lord, of inconceivable soul. He is Govinda, the foremost of all
beings. This Krishna who is ever engaged in doing what is agreeable and
beneficial to Jishnu (Arjuna), as also to thee, O king, is that foremost of all beings,
that irresistible one, that abode of eternal felicity. They that with devotion
seek the refuge of this Narayana, called also Hari, succeed in overcoming all
difficulties. They that read these verses about the overcoming of difficulties,
that recite them to others, and that speak of them unto Brahmanas, succeed in
overcoming all difficulties.
I have now,
O sinless one, told thee all those acts by which men may overcome all
difficulties both here and hereafter.'"
