Six-Ten

Moving on from philosophy, Vidura continued to use numbers to speak of the types of people in society, the evils facing society and other such common observations.

Six: Vidura says the entire society can be grouped into six categories of people who benefit from the existence of another six categories of people. Knowledge of these categories help prevent exploitation and being exploited.

i) A burglar/pick-pocket thrives and can conduct his ‘business’ only because of the existence of those who are not alert. ii) Healers and doctors exist only because there are sick and diseased people in society. iii) Lust-filled men find an outlet only by the presence of dregs of society, the prostitutes. iv) Priests and spiritual gurus are needed by the vulnerable and gullible sections of society. v) The king (or in present day-lawyers and judges) play peace-makers to warring siblings or adversaries. vi) Intellectuals exist and are hailed only because society is filled with illiterate people with little or no knowledge.

Seven: There are seven types of addictions to be avoided. These have been mentioned earlier too. i) Carnal desire ii) Gambling iii) Hunting for pleasure iv) Consumption of intoxicants v) Indulging in gossip vi) Misuse of power vii) Wasteful expenditure

Eight: Vidura lists eight instances which grant people extraordinary happiness. i) Meeting long-lost friends ii) Unexpected monetary gains/windfall iii) The first embrace of the first-born iv) The first sexual intercourse with a loved one v) Unstinted support by capable people, in times of distress vi) Being recognised as the best (in one’s profession) vii) Attaining a goal or an object that one has yearned for viii) Being respected in society

Nine: Vidura says the one who understands the meaning of the house with nine doors, three pillars, five witnesses and a resident who is Kshetragna, is indeed a wise person.

House: The human body

Nine doors: Two eyes, two nostrils, two ears, mouth, anus, genital organ.

Three pillars: The three gunas or the influences that drive the person – Satva, Rajas and Tamas

Five witnesses: The gnyaanedriyas or the five sense organs: skin, eyes, ears, nose and tongue

Kshetragna: The house with nine doors is our body, which is known as Kshetra. Although we inhabit our bodies we remain unaware of what goes on inside. Whereas the supreme lord who resides along with us inside the body is completely aware of what goes on inside/outside/ everywhere. Therefore he is Kshetragna.

Ten: There are ten types of people or ten situations in which people find themselves. Any discourse on dharma is lost on these people, and the wise should refrain from preaching to them. i) The intoxicated ii) The self-absorbed iii) The deluded iv) The distressed v) The cruel ones vi) Those blinded by rage vii) The starving viii) Those overcome by greed ix) Those overcome by carnal desire x) Those who are mentally unfit

Vidura rebukes Dhritrashtra, that had he followed the principles of dharma, he would not have had to spend a sleepless night listening to his sermon. But even as Vidura explains all these concepts with intermittent admonishments to Dhritrashtra, the blind king feels the need to learn more.

To be continued...