Wisdom

Vasita nimittanta manemu laksmi /
Vasita nimitattanta pati kapangguh /
Vasita nimitattanta manemu duhka /
Vasita nimitattanta manemu mitra // Nitisastra, V: 3, p. 36.

[Utterances can cause one to experience happiness. It can also cause to have death, to experience suffering, and to have friends].
Words / utterances (vasita) are very powerful. It can change the world like the words / utterances / speeches of great philosopher, scientist, politician, prophet, artist, etc. They contain strong message, which may have effects on the psyche of people. Great words come only out of great mind and personality; it never comes out a foolish mind. Of the power, it is like a sword, which depends on the person who uses it. Likewise, utterances depend on mind as the controller of senses. One should be careful in uttering any words especially when the mind is not focused or psychologically unstable. One should take any important decision in the state of depressed or unstable mind because it can have a bad impact on oneself and/or others. It can cause to experience happy-sorrow, friend-enemy, lost-profit, life-death, etc. When we know that one usually dislikes bad, harsh or dirty words, which cause unpleasant, uncomfortable and even irritated feelings, so do not say them. Control the tongue through controlling the mind (manas). On the contrary, say sweet or tender words full of wisdom to other because everyone likes them. It shows that basically or by nature everyone is sweet, tender, and lover of peace. It is like sweet food / drink everyone likes, whereas bitter food no one likes it. When we are angry, avoid saying anything which may cause bad, unpleasant even dangerous effect. Do not take any decision when you are angry or depressed. Wait until we are calm and stable. Take deep breath or go away for some times from the things / person to which/whom you are angry with. A good idea when expressed in rude / bad manner or bad words causes bad effect, fatality or even death. Find a good way / manner, nice words, and proper time in expressing ideas; otherwise it can be misunderstood or devalued by others. Be habituated to utter sweet words and avoid bad one. Owing to this fact, utterances should be controlled through controlling mind. When mind is uncontrolled, words can cause insult and other bad feelings on others. Happiness, friends, enemy or even death is, thus, caused by word***.

Taki-takining sevaka guna vidya /
Smarta-visaya rvang puluh ing ayusya /
Tengah i tuvuh san-vacana gegon ta /
Patilaringatmeng tanu paguroken // (Nitisastra, V: 1)

[A devout seeker of knowledge should be focused in searching for knowledge and acquisition of skills. Having sufficient knowledge and skills at about 20’s of age, s/he should get married. When reaching half of age, s/he should try to understand spiritual teachings and the released of self from the body should be learned from a Guru (enlighten spiritual master)]
To live a proper life one should have some knowledge and skills. One can imagine how business of life is to be run when knowledge/skills are absent from him/her; it is like a night without the moon, the day without the sun. Life is bright and full of hopes when one has some knowledge. On the contrary, life is dark and hopeless when knowledge is absent from him/her. Such knowledge is equated with light or torch to dispel the darkness. Knowledge is only possible through learning in which knowledge/skills are being transferred or practiced/learned. Its emphasis is more on the process of acquisition rather than the outcome. In the on-going process, not only physical, intellectual domains are trained but also discipline and ethics are exercised. On the overall process, the presence of a Guru is important. Through spiritual master (Guru) knowledge is transferred to next generation in unbroken line. The achievement of goal of life in whatsoever simple it is can be only obtained though knowledge and/or skills. Knowledge refers to cognition whereas skills to practical purposes. The later cannot be performed without prior knowledge. And, both are important in life irrespective of the type of knowledge is searched for. Due to its importance in life, one should learn it through the process of teaching and learning either accomplished in school or society, formal or non-formal.
The best time to learn any knowledge and acquire skills is on his/her 20’s of age. It is the time of sharp mind. Completing education, one is supposed to be mature, physically and mentally, one is ready to enter the next stage of life, i.e. householder (Grahasta-ashrama) in which s/he will have children and perform other duties. In house-dweller life there are so many duties that should be performed either domestic or public which all needs knowledge and skills. In searching any knowledge, one should be concentrated, firmed, diligent and self-discipline. When one is spiritually mature – at about 50 years of age – s/he should be aware of the highest goal of life, i.e. Moksa (liberation). And, s/he should be ready to leave the worldly enjoyments and ready to enter the next stage of life, i.e. Vanaprastha (forest dwelling) and Sanyasin (seclusion). For this purpose, s/he should approach a spiritual master (guru), who will be able to guide him/her in spiritual path. A real spiritual master (guru) knows the art of living since s/he is a realized person. This shows that life should be well-planned in the frame of Catur-asramas [(Brahmacharya (student hood), Grahasta (house-dweller), Vanaprastha (forest-dwelling) and Sanyasin (seclusion)] otherwise, life is just for fun hankering for sensual enjoyments. In whatever stage of life one leads, knowledge – irrespective of its kinds- is needed***

Ring laksmi makahingan ing greha taman vinava ri sedenging paratrika/
Ngkaneng smasana hinganing sva-kula vandhava veka-veka bharya tan vaneh/
Nghing tang karmika purva yan sukreta duskreta manuduhaken tekeng paran/
Dharmadharma tinutnya (selavana) salakna dadi milu manuntun ing henu //
(Nirartha-Prakrta., III: 1, pp 26-7)

[When one is passed away, his/her wealth remains at home only, it will not go along with him/her. All members of family: bothers-sisters, wife/husband and children come along with him/her till the cemetery only. However, all actions performed during life-time either good or evil will obviously become the guide wherever the soul /self goes].
Most of us have spent a lot of time, energy and finance to take care of our children and wife/husband. It is very natural parents devoted to their children, husband to his wife and vice versa since they love each other. We do so because we are worried about them: health, performance, education, future, etc. We wish them to become successful in their future life. It is common for all in every place of the world. However, it is very less attention given to the actions themselves. For gaining is not the most important but the motives of acquiring it. Is it gained in good or bad manner?
Nonetheless, actions – good or evil during life time, are the faithful/devoted friends wherever one goes after death; they always come along with him/her. They guide the soul to the proper direction either to hell or heaven. Thus, one is the architect of his/her after-world journey. Wealth and other possessions still remain at home only. Family members, colleagues, friends and others accompany him/her till the cemetery/cremation ground only, and after the funeral function is over they have to come back home sad leaving the soul alone going somewhere. They can do nothing for the soul, except weeping. Or, none can help him/her except him/herself. It is only good/right/noble action that can save him/her from punishment/hell, whereas evil action causes him to experience sufferings in hell. Good/bad actions determine his/her future rebirth. Hence, during life-time one should try hard to perform good/right thinking, speech and action (known as Tri-kayas) irrespective of unfortunate situation faced in life. The most valuable wealth is investing goodness to other for the betterment of society or nature. Unlike physical/material wealth, goodness no one can take away or rob it. So, we do not need to spend money to save guard it***