Ethical Values in Chanakya Niti Sastra

• ON VEDIC LORE


• Do not stay for a single day where there are not these five persons: a wealthy man, a brahmana well-versed in Vedic lore, a king, a river and a physician. (CNS:1.9)


• Let not a single day pass without your learning a verse, half a verse, or a fourth of it, or even one letter of it; nor without attending to charity, study and other pious activity. (CNS 2.13).


• Those who blaspheme Vedic wisdom, who ridicule the life style recommended in the sastras (scriptures), and who deride men of peaceful temperament, come to grief unnecessarily. CNS: 5.10).


• Chanting of the Vedas without making ritualistic sacrifices to the Supreme Lord through the medium of Agni, and sacrifices not followed by bountiful gifts are futile. Perfection can be achieved only through devotion, for devotion is the basis of all success. (CNS: 8.10).
  Of those who have studied the Vedas for material rewards…what potency have they? They are just like serpents without fangs. ( CNS: 9.8)


• The house in which the lotus feet of brahmanas are not washed, in which Vedic mantras are not loudly recited, and in which the holy rites of svaha (sacrificial offerings to the Supreme Lord) is like a crematorium.( CNS: 2.10).


• One may know the four Vedas and the Dharma-sastras, yet if he has no realisation of his own spiritual self, he can be said to be like the ladle which stirs all kinds of foods but knows not the taste of any (CNS:5.12).We don’t find anything amiss here, except that the very few among us care to imbibe these ethical values relating to Vedas and many don’t care to learn even a half Vedic verse or even one letter of it, not to speak of daily, but probably for longer period. Thus, the study of Vedas in the present times is a neglected area. Probably, there is need for further reinforcement by the learned people in this niche area.