Parāśara-gītā (Summary)

There are nine chapters in the Parāśara-gītā. It is the longest of all the Gītas of Śāntiparva This is based on a dialogue between the famous King Janaka and the great Ṛṣi Parāśara. What leads to the highest goal was the question here Dharma leads to Mokṣa. In order to practice dharma mind must be made pure, powerful and steady by associating always with good men and noticing only the good points. This is the central theme of the Parāśaragītā.

King Janaka asked:

“What is beneficial for all creatures both in this world and the next? Do tell me what should be known, all about it.”^[1]

“A person should not himself do that act which, if done by another, will bring censure on him. Indeed by doing an act that one censures in others, one meets with ridicule.”^[2]

“That wealth is gained by fair means is multiplied by fair means, should be protected with care for the sake of acquiring virtue. This is an accepted truth. One desirous of gaining virtue should never gain riches by means involving injury to others. One should perform his acts according to his power, without zealously seeking riches.”^[3]

“All men being born become indebted to gods guests, servants, pitris, and their own selves. Everyone should therefore do his best for satisfying those debts.”^[4]

“Therefore O king I say you have reflected properly with the help of the scriptures, that one should avoid all acts that are fraught with injury or malice and try to acquire knowledge of the soul.”^[5]

“Compassion, abstention from injury, carefulness, giving to others what is due to them, Śrāddhas in honour of departed manes, hospitality to guests, truthfulness, subjugation of anger, contentedness with one’s own married wives, purity, freedom from malice, knowledge of self, and renunciation, these duties O king are common to all the castes.”^[6]

“That man who regards all creatures impartially guided by affection, considering them worthy of being cherished with loving aid who disregards all sorts of wealth, who offers them consolation, gives them food, addresses them in sweet words and who rejoices in their happiness and grieves in their sorrows has never to suffer misery in the next world.”^[7]