Wisdom of Bhishma: Avoid harsh speech

नारायणं नमस्कृत्य नरं चैव नरोत्तमम्

 देवीं सरस्वतीं चैव ततो जयम् उदीरयेत्

महाभरत

Mahābharata

As retold by

Michael Dolan, B.V. Mahāyogi

Wisdom of Bhishma: the Swan and the Sadhyas

By this time many great saints and rishis had gathered around the place where the great and ancient general discoursed on the causes of the Kurukshetra war. There were Dhaumya and Narada and others as well as the Pandavas and Yudhisthira. Bhishma coughed blood. He looked at Yudhishtira and held him in his stare.

"Drupada's desire for revenge was insatiable. I can tell you his life story, for we were friends. In time he became a court favorite in Hastinapura. He was my friend, your guru, the teacher of all the Kurus. But his need for vengeance infused his teachings, infected us all. In part the devastation of this battle was his work. He would have his revenge on Drupada. As military guru of Hastinapura, he served as commander of the Kauravas and led many young men to the court of Yamaraja. I grow weary of all this talk of vengeance. Haven't we seen enough vengeance? Look around. I will tell you of how he met the great Parashurama, but my time is short. The sun is moving to the north. Have you no other questions?"

Bhishma in his chariot

The sun was indeed moving to the north. The earth was stained red with the blood of the great commander, son of the Ganges, who had seen so much battle. And yet while many warriors were obsessed with revenge, Bhishma had always acted out of duty. Duty to his father Shantanu had caused him to take the great vow of renunciation that gave him his name, Devavrata. Out of duty he renounced his kingdom and served his brothers. And despite his love of the five Pandava brothers headed by Yudhisthira, his duty to Dhritarastra and Duryodhana called him to fight on their side. Bhishma was not only a great warrior; his vows of renunciation gave him deep insight into divine reality, and his long life allowed him to grow wise while generations of hot-headed warriors joined the ranks of the soldiers in the court of King Yamaraja, lord of death.

"O best of the descendants of Bharata," said Yudhisthira. "Speak to us of wisdom. Let's have no further talk of vengeance. The plains of Kurukshetra are stained with the blood of the heroes. O giant among warriors, before you depart this world, speak to us of truth. And which is better? Self-restraint, truth, forgiveness, or wisdom. Certainly self-restraint is a virtue, but too much renunciation tends to make one hard-hearted.  Truth is always a virtue, but so too is sweet speech. We are told to speak sweetly and avoid harsh talk. Truth is often harsh. Is speaking truth always a virtue or is self-restraint better? And what of forgiveness? If we forgive our enemies, they may abuse us unfairly. If we forgive dishonesty then lies predominate and ignorance prevails. Can truth and forgiveness coexist? And what of wisdom? Is it wisdom when we understand the balance between self-restraint, truth, and forgiveness? O ancient one, before you depart this world and while you still have the strength to share your wisdom, please enlighten us."

And Bhishma smiled. The talk of Drona and Drupada's rivalry had left a foul taste in his mouth. But Yudhisthira's curiosity brought his life back. 

"My son," he began, "You of all among warriors have shown me your patience by hearing my story. Your question is not new, but has been thought of and discussed for generations. 

"Your question was taken up by the beings known as sadhyas.  Like my brothers, the Vasus with whom I shall join when the sun moves farther to the north, the sadhyas are divine beings. Those souls, having drank the divine nectar drink called soma, practiced a deep form of meditation now lost to us. Some called them gods of the elemental powers.  They were born after Aditi and came in the line of the moon dynasty.  The Sadhyas were a class of gana-devatas or divine beings known as the jnana-devas or gods of wisdom who inhabit the upper world of Bhuvar-loka, above the sphere of the gods. Their lunar ancestors were highly evolved beings. They were called Manas, Mantri, Prana, Nara, Pana, Vinirbhaya, Naya, Dansa, Narayana, Vrisha, and Trabhu. Not only were they highly intellectual and deeply philosophical, but the sadhyas were always absorbed in meditation."

Bhishma continued, "The sadhyas wandered through the deep forest in search of enlightenment and rested by the banks of the holy river. At that time, they saw a bright light and drew closer. It so happened that the unborn divine had taken the form of a golden swan. This swan wandered through the three worlds, imparting enlightenment to sincere and noble souls."

"When the sadhyas  came upon the golden swan, they approached, saying: 'O Swan, we can see that you are a divine being and carry a transcendental message. We wish to ask you about liberation from the material world. As you are the very symbol of enlightenment, we are confident that you can answer our questions. We have heard  that you are both eloquent and wise. Therefore, please accept us as your students and allow us to question you.'

The swan smiled gracefully and floated on the waters of the river which had no current but which was still as glass. The swan listened.

"'What is the highest of all aims? You are certainly an enlightened being, O swan-like one. What gives pleasure to the swan-like soul? What is the best way to act? What is the correct form of life, or right living? Please tell us the best way to live, O divine being in the form of a swan. And how con one achieve liberation from the bonds of this material world?"

The swan moved in a circle on the still waters. And in a golden voice the swan said, "O you sons of nectar, you have drunk the immortal amrita of the gods, it is said that self-restraint, penance, truth, and control of the mind constitute right living. By forgiveness, untie the knots of your heart. Become a placid amid still or turbulent waters. Wound not others with violence. Avoid cruel speech. Never listen to scriptural lectures from a person who is mean in spirit. Words can inflict as much pain as weapons. Avoid speech that will hurt others or cause them to burn with misery. Sharp words are like arrows that pierce the heart and burn the vitals. A learned man should avoid aiming sharp words at others. A wise man, pierced by such words, adopts peace and does not give way to wrath. One who yields to anger loses all merit. A righteous soul, who is full of joy and freed from malice, subdues his wrath and avoids speaking ill of others."