कोSर्थवान् को दरिद्र: ! (Who Is Rich And Who Is Poor?)

This is a great message to the mankind, taken from Bartruhari’s Vairagya Shatak. Interestingly, Bhartruhari, was originally a King of Ujjain. He is believed to have lived in 5th century. He renounced everything to become a Sanyasi. His wife’s name was Pingala.

It is also believed that he is the same person who is known as Bartarinath in the Nath Pantha (Nath Sect).

He wrote three collections of verses (shlokas) viz Neeti Shatak (ethical conduct), Shringar Shatak (pertaining to romance) and Vairagya Shatak (relating to Renunciation).  All the three give great messages of wisdom and are worth studying.

The text of the present shloka is: -

वयमिह परितुष्टा वल्कलैस्त्वम् दुकूलै -  We are happy in our simple clothes. You are Happy in your rich attire.

सम इव परितोषो निर्विशेषो विशेष :| - But the degree of our happiness is the same. There is no difference.