Section 3 - How Wise People Overcome Grief and Find Tranquillity
Book index: Mahabharata (English)
This page contains a summary of the Mahabharata Section 3 including examples of moral lessons in daily life. The Maha-Bharata is one of the largest epics ever written containing roughly 100,000 Sanskrit verses. It deals with the legendary history of ancient India and contains a large number of interwoven tales.
Short summary of the chapter:
Vidura explains to Dhritarashtra that wise individuals achieve tranquility by overcoming grief and joy, recognizing the ephemeral nature of worldly possessions and the impermanence of the physical body. He compares human bodies to houses that are ultimately destroyed, emphasizing the eternal nature of the soul. Creatures experience the consequences of their actions through birth and death, with each individual facing their own fate based on their past deeds. Vidura advises Dhritarashtra to not dwell on grief, as the cycle of life and death is a natural process governed by one's karma. He urges him to focus on virtuous actions and understanding the true nature of existence to attain the highest spiritual goal.
Full English translation:
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Section 3, online text
English translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.
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Mahabharata (English Summary)
by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | ISBN-10: 8121505933
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FAQ of Mahabharata, Section 3:
How can wise individuals free themselves from mental grief?
By subduing both grief and joy through means of escaping them. The wise see the ephemeral nature of worldly objects.
What is the key to obtaining tranquility according to Vidura?
Realizing that bodies are temporary and acts determine one's destiny. Wise acts lead to bliss, while foolish acts lead to woe.
Daily life: How Wise People Overcome Grief and Find Tranquillity:
The passage speaks about overcoming grief and joy to achieve tranquility, emphasizing the temporary nature of worldly anxieties. To apply this wisdom to daily life, we should first recognize that both happiness and sorrow are fleeting, much like the material world around us. Acknowledging this transience helps in detaching from the excessive elation or despair that events or objects bring into our lives. Wise individuals navigate life by maintaining a balanced perspective, neither overly indulging in joy nor wallowing in sorrow. They understand that everything, including our own bodies and experiences, is temporary, and real peace comes from within, not from external circumstances. In essence, by focusing on our actions and welcoming whatever outcomes they bring without attachment, we can attain a state of inner peace, moving gracefully through life's ups and downs.