Śampākagītā
From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
By Swami Harshananda
Śampākagītā literally means ‘didactic poem of Sampāka’.
Significance of Śampākagītā[edit]
The celebrated Bhagavadgītā has inspired the composition of many more such gītās. They are found mostly in the Mahābhārata itself and also the Bhāgavata. A few have been discovered to be independent works. The Śampākagītā, comprising just 22 verses, is a part of the Mahābhārata.[1] Yudhiṣthira poses a question to Bhīṣma as to the fate that overtakes a man, whether he is rich or poor. Bhīṣma recounts from his memory what he had heard once from Śampāka, a brāhmaṇa who was leading a life of tyāga or vairāgya.[2]
Teachings of Śampākagītā[edit]
- No one in this world is always happy or always suffering without experiencing the other state.
- To get true happiness and peace, it is not enough to give up desires.
- One should strive for śreyas, what is spiritually benefiting.
- Once both of them started flying towards the sun.
- As they flew nearer the Duties and responsibilities of a king or a ruler weigh heavily on the mind. That naturally disturbs the mind and makes it go out of control.
- Akiñcanatva, not possessing anything, is the best way to peace in life.
- A man of total renunciation who does not keep any money or possessions, has nothing to fear.
- He is fully free, whereas a rich man lives in misery, being constantly overcome by anger, greed, delusion, pride and arrogance.
- These make him transgress all norms of dharma and hence a victim of the ruler’s wrath.
- Hence one should give up all kinds of worldly desires and find the true remedy to dispel sorrows and sufferings through spiritual wisdom.
- It is tyāga[3] and tyāga alone that gives us fearlessness and happiness, and takes to paramapada or the highest abode.[4]
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore