By Michael Dolan,
B.V. Mahayogi
B.V. Mahayogi
100 Bhishma's Wisdom Aphorism and Quotes
Wherever there is Krishna there is dharma,
and wherever there is dharma there is eternal victory.
(c) Bhishma
and wherever there is dharma there is eternal victory.
(c) Bhishma
1. Wherever there is Krishna, there is dharma, and wherever there is Dharma, there is an eternal victory.
2. One's predetermined karma and one's personal effort complement each other—When fanned into flames, embers become fire, so karma increases with effort.
3. One keeps himself light through the practice of dharma, like a boat he crosses the ocean of material existence.
4. There is a special place in eternal hell for the thankless and ungrateful.
5. A gift without sweet words is like a dish without a dessert—such gifts give no satisfaction without flattery.
6. Heartfelt connections are based on love and trust. Trust and confidence are bonds of the heart-- hard to break, but once broken impossible to repair. Bonds of the heart that are always broken and repaired lack love confidence, and trust.
7. A ruler may achieve his objects and master his foes by showing both sides of his character. He may be hard as steel but must also be soft as butter, according to the situation.
8. Work should never be done half-way. One should be always careful to do a job completely. Even a splinter of a thorn left in the body may lead to infection.
9. Fire, debts, and enemies should be dealt with quickly and completely. If any remainder is left, they may keep growing.
10. The weak should not be inimical to the strong, Engage not in barren hostility.
2. One's predetermined karma and one's personal effort complement each other—When fanned into flames, embers become fire, so karma increases with effort.
3. One keeps himself light through the practice of dharma, like a boat he crosses the ocean of material existence.
4. There is a special place in eternal hell for the thankless and ungrateful.
5. A gift without sweet words is like a dish without a dessert—such gifts give no satisfaction without flattery.
6. Heartfelt connections are based on love and trust. Trust and confidence are bonds of the heart-- hard to break, but once broken impossible to repair. Bonds of the heart that are always broken and repaired lack love confidence, and trust.
7. A ruler may achieve his objects and master his foes by showing both sides of his character. He may be hard as steel but must also be soft as butter, according to the situation.
8. Work should never be done half-way. One should be always careful to do a job completely. Even a splinter of a thorn left in the body may lead to infection.
9. Fire, debts, and enemies should be dealt with quickly and completely. If any remainder is left, they may keep growing.
10. The weak should not be inimical to the strong, Engage not in barren hostility.
11. Kings have five natural friends: Learning, courage, skill, strength, and patience.
12. In man, there is nothing equal to intelligence.
13. O son of Kunti: Love those who have no greed; love those who have no worldly attachment; love those who are situated in truth and simplicity; love those who do not deviate from right conduct, they love.
14. Who, undeterred, perseveres in his effort steadily, by God's grace, shall soon receive what he desired.
15. Both rich and poor learned and fool, along with all their good and evil karma are all subject to His will, for He is Time the Destroyer.
16. There is no satisfaction for material ambition. When poor a man wants to be rich; when he's rich he wants to be king; when he becomes king he wants to be a god; when a god, he wants to be Indra.
17. It is just as impossible to fulfill lust as it is to fill the subterranean world of the dead with the infinite souls of this world.
18. Whenever our personal effort is successful, destiny and karma must be in the background.
19. O Bharat, happy is the king, who is equal-minded, who always tells the truth, who is unattached to the things of this the world, who is free from sin, and who avoids wasteful effort.
20. Detachment is a value: Without giving up attachments we cannot be happy; without such renunciation, we can't reach God; without renunciation, we cannot sleep peacefully; therefore give up everything, surrender to God and be happy.
12. In man, there is nothing equal to intelligence.
13. O son of Kunti: Love those who have no greed; love those who have no worldly attachment; love those who are situated in truth and simplicity; love those who do not deviate from right conduct, they love.
14. Who, undeterred, perseveres in his effort steadily, by God's grace, shall soon receive what he desired.
15. Both rich and poor learned and fool, along with all their good and evil karma are all subject to His will, for He is Time the Destroyer.
16. There is no satisfaction for material ambition. When poor a man wants to be rich; when he's rich he wants to be king; when he becomes king he wants to be a god; when a god, he wants to be Indra.
17. It is just as impossible to fulfill lust as it is to fill the subterranean world of the dead with the infinite souls of this world.
18. Whenever our personal effort is successful, destiny and karma must be in the background.
19. O Bharat, happy is the king, who is equal-minded, who always tells the truth, who is unattached to the things of this the world, who is free from sin, and who avoids wasteful effort.
20. Detachment is a value: Without giving up attachments we cannot be happy; without such renunciation, we can't reach God; without renunciation, we cannot sleep peacefully; therefore give up everything, surrender to God and be happy.
21. O king, Just as an oil fire cannot be extinguished with water, the fire of anger can't be extinguished by scriptural wisdom, money, punishment, or persuasion.
22. The faces of friends and foes like clouds change moment to moment.
23. Never trust anyone untrustworthy, nor put excessive trust in the trustworthy.
24. Even in democracies not everyone has the right to know the confidential secrets of State.
25. In race and clan all may be equal under the law, but in artistry, intelligence, beauty and wealth, all are different.
26. Timing is everything. An ill-timed action has no gain; A well-timed action gains everything.
27. One can never return a true favor done in good will. The first gift was free and open, the return only a response in kind.
28. A king who acts carefully with deliberation chooses the right time and place for favors; by planting well-placed favors the king gets the desired fruit.
29. For the wealthy and honored, loss of status is worse than death
30. The iron law of politics: The poor are weak; the wealthy are powerful.
22. The faces of friends and foes like clouds change moment to moment.
23. Never trust anyone untrustworthy, nor put excessive trust in the trustworthy.
24. Even in democracies not everyone has the right to know the confidential secrets of State.
25. In race and clan all may be equal under the law, but in artistry, intelligence, beauty and wealth, all are different.
26. Timing is everything. An ill-timed action has no gain; A well-timed action gains everything.
27. One can never return a true favor done in good will. The first gift was free and open, the return only a response in kind.
28. A king who acts carefully with deliberation chooses the right time and place for favors; by planting well-placed favors the king gets the desired fruit.
29. For the wealthy and honored, loss of status is worse than death
30. The iron law of politics: The poor are weak; the wealthy are powerful.
31. Even the saints and sages who live in forests and practice meditation have acquaintances, friends, and enemies.
32. Howsoever pure and fair a man be, he earns blame from others.
33. Whose good deeds are not for show, whose words are sweet, whose wealth goes for good objects, he sails safe over extreme dangers.
34. There is no need to kill the evil; One who does evil is already among the living dead. To kill him is to kill one who is already dead.
35. It may sometimes be just to tell lies where lies are truth and truth is falsehood.
36. It is best to speak the truth, since there is no dharma greater than truth.
37. The scriptures explain dharma, but there is disagreement about their interpretation. The scriptures speak only of dharma, but not everything that is dharma is there.
38. A true knower of dharma is one who seeks truth in determining what is truth and what is untruth.
39. For the sins of hostility to friends, ingratitude, the murder of women, or the murder of one's guru there is no expiation, nor is any atonement known for these sins.
40. One's father and mother give birth to the body. But the second birth that one gets through the guru's teaching is uncorruptable, transcendental, and immortal.
32. Howsoever pure and fair a man be, he earns blame from others.
33. Whose good deeds are not for show, whose words are sweet, whose wealth goes for good objects, he sails safe over extreme dangers.
34. There is no need to kill the evil; One who does evil is already among the living dead. To kill him is to kill one who is already dead.
35. It may sometimes be just to tell lies where lies are truth and truth is falsehood.
36. It is best to speak the truth, since there is no dharma greater than truth.
37. The scriptures explain dharma, but there is disagreement about their interpretation. The scriptures speak only of dharma, but not everything that is dharma is there.
38. A true knower of dharma is one who seeks truth in determining what is truth and what is untruth.
39. For the sins of hostility to friends, ingratitude, the murder of women, or the murder of one's guru there is no expiation, nor is any atonement known for these sins.
40. One's father and mother give birth to the body. But the second birth that one gets through the guru's teaching is uncorruptable, transcendental, and immortal.
41. The fruit-bearing trees, O Yudhishthira, must not be felled.
42. Love all creatures, O King, and conduct. Yourself with truth, simplicity, cool mind, mercy and the like.
43. A brahmana without education is as useless as an elephant made of wood, a deer made of leather. In the same way a king who cannot protect his citizens is is like an impotent man, a barren field, a rainless cloud, or an uneducated Brahmin.
44. The Vedas hold that all wealth belongs to the king except that of the Brahmins
45. Brahmins, O King, who, forsake their duty and, engage, in lowly deeds, are no better than shudras.
46. Yajna, study of Vedas, ahimsa, words of malice for none, reverent hospitality, control of senses, austerity, truth and giving – these are the symptoms of a true brahman.
47. Greed and jealousy are the two enemies of democracies, families and kingdoms. These two great faults fan the fire of dissension.
48. Democracies have been ruined by internal dissension.
49. In battle aim at victory as the dharma and root of all happiness.
50. As well wisher of his kingdom, a wise king ever tries to avoid war, So long as some treaty can be made, one must not go to war.
42. Love all creatures, O King, and conduct. Yourself with truth, simplicity, cool mind, mercy and the like.
43. A brahmana without education is as useless as an elephant made of wood, a deer made of leather. In the same way a king who cannot protect his citizens is is like an impotent man, a barren field, a rainless cloud, or an uneducated Brahmin.
44. The Vedas hold that all wealth belongs to the king except that of the Brahmins
45. Brahmins, O King, who, forsake their duty and, engage, in lowly deeds, are no better than shudras.
46. Yajna, study of Vedas, ahimsa, words of malice for none, reverent hospitality, control of senses, austerity, truth and giving – these are the symptoms of a true brahman.
47. Greed and jealousy are the two enemies of democracies, families and kingdoms. These two great faults fan the fire of dissension.
48. Democracies have been ruined by internal dissension.
49. In battle aim at victory as the dharma and root of all happiness.
50. As well wisher of his kingdom, a wise king ever tries to avoid war, So long as some treaty can be made, one must not go to war.
51. Surely, the king should regard his subjects as his children and grandchildren, but in discharge of his kingly duties, no partiality of affection he should betray.
52. Be, O King, like the gardener, for like the charcoal-maker.
53. By mercy and softness alone a kingdom cannot be governed.
54. The king should be ever prepared like Yama, the Lord of Death, to punish the enemies.
55. If there were no punishment in this world, all would have destroyed each other.
56. What is the weakness in me? What attachment? Which fault persists? Why do I earn blame? One should always ponder over these.
57. A righteous king, on ascending the throne, should establish his lordship over all, subduing some by gifts, some by force, and some by sweet words.
58. Between an individual and a group the group should be preferred. But if an individual exceeds many in merit, and a choice is to be made, the group should be forsaken for the individual.
59. Too many cooks spoil the broth. For one work only one person should be appointed, not two or three, for they may work well together.
60. Agriculture, cattle breeding and trade these are means of livelihood in this world; supporting all beings' birth and growth, the triple knowledge sustains in higher worlds too.
52. Be, O King, like the gardener, for like the charcoal-maker.
53. By mercy and softness alone a kingdom cannot be governed.
54. The king should be ever prepared like Yama, the Lord of Death, to punish the enemies.
55. If there were no punishment in this world, all would have destroyed each other.
56. What is the weakness in me? What attachment? Which fault persists? Why do I earn blame? One should always ponder over these.
57. A righteous king, on ascending the throne, should establish his lordship over all, subduing some by gifts, some by force, and some by sweet words.
58. Between an individual and a group the group should be preferred. But if an individual exceeds many in merit, and a choice is to be made, the group should be forsaken for the individual.
59. Too many cooks spoil the broth. For one work only one person should be appointed, not two or three, for they may work well together.
60. Agriculture, cattle breeding and trade these are means of livelihood in this world; supporting all beings' birth and growth, the triple knowledge sustains in higher worlds too.
61. Grief cannot touch those who understand that loss and gain come and go
62. Living free from attachments and possessions is happiness in this world.
63. The learned, the warriors, the rich the religious, the ascetics, the saints, the truth-speakers and the wise they are the people's protectors.
64. Seven qualities the king's envoy should have: well-born, well-bred, clever, fluent talker, man of pleasant words, endowed with good memory, exact in giving messages.
65. The members of your court, O son, should be truth-telling, straightforward, masters of their sense, humble, and men of apt words.
66. As chief minister the king should choose one who is elegant in looks, is free of malice, forgiving, soft-spoken, is of noble birth and noble conduct.
67. A king must trust some chosen friends, but he should be alert at all times.
68. The man of dharma is the king's fifth friend, On the side neither of one nor of two he goes where is dharma; he is with the king who respects dharma.
69 Four kinds of friends a king has; Friends for common purpose, family friends, natural friends, and artificial friends.
70. Raising money from just and fair taxes, taking care of the nation on right principles, for the nation's god the king should work all the hours.
62. Living free from attachments and possessions is happiness in this world.
63. The learned, the warriors, the rich the religious, the ascetics, the saints, the truth-speakers and the wise they are the people's protectors.
64. Seven qualities the king's envoy should have: well-born, well-bred, clever, fluent talker, man of pleasant words, endowed with good memory, exact in giving messages.
65. The members of your court, O son, should be truth-telling, straightforward, masters of their sense, humble, and men of apt words.
66. As chief minister the king should choose one who is elegant in looks, is free of malice, forgiving, soft-spoken, is of noble birth and noble conduct.
67. A king must trust some chosen friends, but he should be alert at all times.
68. The man of dharma is the king's fifth friend, On the side neither of one nor of two he goes where is dharma; he is with the king who respects dharma.
69 Four kinds of friends a king has; Friends for common purpose, family friends, natural friends, and artificial friends.
70. Raising money from just and fair taxes, taking care of the nation on right principles, for the nation's god the king should work all the hours.
71. The protector of the king's treasury is the target of all its looters, If not protected by the king, untimely death at their hands he meets.
72. Seven things a king must protect; himself, minister, treasury, sceptre, friend, nation and city.
73. Protection of all beings and compassion for them, this is the great dharma.
74. The protection of his people, is the king's foremost dharma.
75. Strong are the roots of that king whose people are prosperous, wealthy and loyal, and whose ministers and employees are content.
75. It is the king who makes the satyayuga. Also the treta and the dwapara; He is the cause of the kaliyuga too.
76. As pieces of wood, floating on the sea, at times join together and then separate, so do people in this world meet and separate.
77. In cycles man's joys and sorrows move.
78. This body is the cause of happiness, but it is also the cause of great sorrow.
79. Happiness or sorrow, thing pleasant or thing unpleasant, the wise should gladly receive all that comes, and never lose heart.
80. Do good deeds today; Don't let the moment pass through your hands.
72. Seven things a king must protect; himself, minister, treasury, sceptre, friend, nation and city.
73. Protection of all beings and compassion for them, this is the great dharma.
74. The protection of his people, is the king's foremost dharma.
75. Strong are the roots of that king whose people are prosperous, wealthy and loyal, and whose ministers and employees are content.
75. It is the king who makes the satyayuga. Also the treta and the dwapara; He is the cause of the kaliyuga too.
76. As pieces of wood, floating on the sea, at times join together and then separate, so do people in this world meet and separate.
77. In cycles man's joys and sorrows move.
78. This body is the cause of happiness, but it is also the cause of great sorrow.
79. Happiness or sorrow, thing pleasant or thing unpleasant, the wise should gladly receive all that comes, and never lose heart.
80. Do good deeds today; Don't let the moment pass through your hands.
81. One who wants nothing sleeps well, Loss of hope is the greatest happiness.
82. Forgiveness is often mistaken as weakness.
83. There are many paths to dharma, no sincere effort is fruitless.
84. No truth is higher than dharma, nor sin worse than lies.
85. There can be no austerity like truth, no sorrow like passion. There is no eye like wisdom and no happiness like self-abnegation.
86. The human form of life can award death or immortality; through attachment to this world there is death, by attachment to truth one may find immortality.
87. One attains success in learning, self-control.
88. Dharma, O King, is the root of existence.
89. The message of the Veda is dharma.
90. The inner movements of the saints are unknown to us. Just as birds leave no footprints in the sky, and fish leave no traces in their watery wake, so the inner lives of saints are unknown and unseen to common men.
82. Forgiveness is often mistaken as weakness.
83. There are many paths to dharma, no sincere effort is fruitless.
84. No truth is higher than dharma, nor sin worse than lies.
85. There can be no austerity like truth, no sorrow like passion. There is no eye like wisdom and no happiness like self-abnegation.
86. The human form of life can award death or immortality; through attachment to this world there is death, by attachment to truth one may find immortality.
87. One attains success in learning, self-control.
88. Dharma, O King, is the root of existence.
89. The message of the Veda is dharma.
90. The inner movements of the saints are unknown to us. Just as birds leave no footprints in the sky, and fish leave no traces in their watery wake, so the inner lives of saints are unknown and unseen to common men.
91. Self-control and compassion are the basis of dharma. forgiveness is often mistaken as weakness.
92. While there are many gateways to dharma and saints and sages have different opinions, the basis of dharma is self-control.
93. The sages have concluded that nonviolence, honesty in speech, self-restraint, and compassion are considered proper austerity or tapa-- not the mortification of the body.
94. Untruth is death, honesty is godly.
95. Narayana and Nara are manifestations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, manifesting in dual form. Narayana is Vishnu, the awesome form of God, whereas Krishna is "Nara" the human-like form.
96. In the conversation on the battlefield between Krishna and Arjuna, Vasudeva Krishna represents Narayana the Godhead and Arjuna represents all human beings who are his servants.
97. Satyam—Truth-- means dharma, or proper adjustment with one's duty, tapa or self-restraing, and Yoga, living in harmony with spirit. Truth is the eternal Brahman, Truth is the supreme sacrifice, Truth sustains reality.
98. Prosperity through constant practice, discipline and effort.
99. Dharma is the right path to spiritual harmony.
100. Lust and desire leads to ruin. Whoever chases desires is ruined in the pursuit.
92. While there are many gateways to dharma and saints and sages have different opinions, the basis of dharma is self-control.
93. The sages have concluded that nonviolence, honesty in speech, self-restraint, and compassion are considered proper austerity or tapa-- not the mortification of the body.
94. Untruth is death, honesty is godly.
95. Narayana and Nara are manifestations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, manifesting in dual form. Narayana is Vishnu, the awesome form of God, whereas Krishna is "Nara" the human-like form.
96. In the conversation on the battlefield between Krishna and Arjuna, Vasudeva Krishna represents Narayana the Godhead and Arjuna represents all human beings who are his servants.
97. Satyam—Truth-- means dharma, or proper adjustment with one's duty, tapa or self-restraing, and Yoga, living in harmony with spirit. Truth is the eternal Brahman, Truth is the supreme sacrifice, Truth sustains reality.
98. Prosperity through constant practice, discipline and effort.
99. Dharma is the right path to spiritual harmony.
100. Lust and desire leads to ruin. Whoever chases desires is ruined in the pursuit.
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