Atreya Instructs the Sadhyas on Wisdom

Vidura said: In this connection, we have heard the ancient history of the conversation between Atreya and the Sadhyas. The maharshi, rigid in his vows, was roaming around in the form of a swan. In ancient times, the gods known as the Sadhyas saw him and asked: “O maharshi! We can see you, but we are unable to understand who you are. It is our view that you are learned, steadfast and intelligent. Tell us great words that are full of wisdom.” The swan replied. “O immortals! I have heard that one’s task is to be steady, self-controlled, truthful and devoted to dharma. Having loosened all the knots of one’s heart, one should equally control that which is pleasant and that which is unpleasant. “When one is reviled, one should not revile in return. One should endure it. This torments the one who reviles, and you enjoy the fruits of his good deeds. Do not revile. Do not insult an enemy. Do not quarrel with friends, or serve those who are inferior. Do not be vain. Do not be inferior in conduct. “Avoid harsh words and those that come from anger. Terrible words pierce the innards, the bones and the hearts of men and burn them. Therefore, one must avoid harsh and angry words. One who seeks delight in dharma must always avoid them. If one hurts men with harsh and scathing words — words that are like wounding thorns to men — such an unfortunate person bears death and misery on his face. “When an enemy strikes with extremely sharp arrows that burn like the fire and the sun, and though pierced one withstands it, a wise one knows that the fruits of the good deeds of the other one devolve on him. “If one serves a virtuous man or one who is not virtuous, an ascetic or a thief, just as garments are coloured by dyes, one is accordingly coloured by one’s associates. “If one does not revile in return when one is reviled and does not make others revile; if one does not strike back in return when one is struck and does not make others strike; if one does not wish to injure an assailant — the gods wish for the association and arrival of such a person. “First, it is better not to speak than to speak. Second, if one speaks, one should speak the truth. Third, if one speaks, one should say that which is pleasant. Fourth, if one speaks pleasant truth, it should be in accordance with dharma. “A man becomes like the one he converses with, like the one he serves, and like the one he wishes to be. One becomes free of whatever one keeps oneself away from. By turning away from everything, the least bit of unhappiness vanishes. “Such a person is not vanquished, nor does he wish to vanquish others. He has no enmity, nor does he strike back. He is equally disposed towards praise and blame. He does not sorrow and he does not rejoice. He wishes for the welfare of everyone and his mind does not harbour ill will towards anyone. He is truthful, mild and self-controlled. Such a man is superior. “One who does not placate without reason, one who gives what he has promised and one who knows good deeds and bad ones — such a man is medium. “He who is difficult to control, he who strikes back instead of being instructed, he who cannot control himself when overcome by anger, he who is ungrateful, he who is without friends and evil-souled — these are the signs of a worst man. He does not appreciate the good things done by others. He is distrustful of himself. He drives away his friends. Such a man is the worst. “If one desires prosperity for one’s own self, one must serve superior men and medium ones at the right time. But one must never serve the worst. “Riches can be obtained through force, constant endeavour, wisdom and manliness. But this still does not warrant complete praise, or the conduct that characterizes those born in great lineages.”