friends

"Bhishma said, 'Kings, O monarch, have five kinds of friends. They are

1. he that has the same object,
2. he that is devoted, 
3. he that is related by birth, and 
4. he that has been won over (by gifts and kindness). 
5. A person of righteous soul,

http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12a079.htm

Arya

“O Grandsire! I got another silly doubt. Is it better to take more time or less time to discharge a duty.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! Whatever be the task, one has to think twice or thrice and take a decision whether to do or not to do. Such tasks yield good results. But some may not have patience. They will always be eager to do some thing or other. In this connection I will tell you a story of Chirakari son of Methaathithi.
Chirakari is a person of calm and quiet nature. Once, Methathithi ws enraged with great wrath against his wife, mother of Chirakari. Unable to control his wrath, Methathithi directed his son Chirakari to kill his mother and went away.

Chirakari began to think about the direction of his father. The word of father shall not be violated. Hence he should kill his mother. But killing mother is a great sin. Trying to pacify his father amounts to violation of his direction which is a sin. It is the duty of every son to safeguard his mother. Viewing from any angle, son cannot act independently. Hence Chirakari was trying to find a way out.

If he kills his mother as per the direction of his father, he will surely go to hell. Even if he violates the word of his father, hell is certain. Mother is earth. Father is seed. Due to father and mother only, the Vamsa will continue. Therefore, who should be ignored is a problem.

Son is the replica of father. Unless son obeys the word of father, he cannot attain higher regions. Tapas, Dharma, education are all the replicas of father. If the son pleases father, divine bodies also feel happy.

Viewing from the angle of mother, son is born from the womb of mother, with tiny hands, legs, head, nose and ears. At the time of delivery, mother suffers a lot. Mother gives more importance to the amenities of her son than herself. There is no other God than mother. Mother always thinks about her children and suffers herself for the welfare of children. Therefore, all scriptures gave much importance to mother.

Whether the son is young or old, mother’s love does not diminish. Mother is the basis for the entire universe. However rich or poor he may be, mother’s love is unchanged. No human being derives the pleasure of sleeping on the lap of mother, elsewhere. If the mother is lost, he feels as if he lost the entire world. The entire world appears tobe empty. His mind will be disturbed. Whether he is rich or poor, mighty or weak, wise or unwise, mother is his wealth. If the mother is alive, he possesses all kinds of wealth and happiness.

Viewing from any angle, killing of mother is a great sin. To know this much, one need not study great scriptures. Even a cowherd knows about this truth. How the mind will accept the killing of mother.” Chirakari is thinking in this manner.

Meanwhile, Medhatithi, father of Chirakari was repenting for his hasty decision. “Relly I am hasty. After all for a small mistake, I ordered my son to kill his mother. My son might have killed his mother. No. My son will never take such a hasty step like me. He will never kill his mother.” so thinking, Methathithi was coming back to his house.

Even while coming he was thinking about it. “O my son! Your mother gave birth to you. But I hastily ordered you to kill her. I know you are not so hasty like me. You never kill your mother.” Methathithi reached his house.

At that time, Chirakari was standing with a knife in his hand. Beholding his father, Chirakari greeted his father with folded hands. His wife also saluted her husband. Beholding his wife alive, he was very happy.

“Before doing any work, one should think twice or thrice boldly and then execute it. Such a wise is called Arya and hasty fellow is called Anarya. It will be wise to think whether he is his friend or foe, good or bad and then take a decision.” said Methathithi.

Therefore, Dharmanandana! Any work which is done after due consideration, will yield good results.” said Bhishma.

https://www.speakingtree.in/blog/the-story-of-chirakari
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Chirakari
http://www.telugubhakti.com/telugupages/Monthly/Mahabharat/content1205.htm

liked

“O Grandsire! who is liked by one and all. Kindly tell me,” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! I will tell you about the conversion between Sri Krishna and Ugrasena. Once Ugrasena asked Sri Krishna thus:

“ Krishna! All people in the world worship Narada with great devotion and reverence. Is he such a great personality. What is the greatness in Narada. Kindly tell me” asked Ugrasenh.

“Narada is endued with studying of Vedas, following customs and practices enunciated in Vedas. Inspite of that, he does not have a pinch of egoism. Narada is endued with great virtuesbut he is so simple in his attire and language. Narada is not possessed of envy, pride, aggrandizement etc. He is distinguished by his energy, by fame, by intelligence, by knowledge, by humility, by birth, by penances and by age. For these, he is worshipped with respect. He is pure in body and mind. He is soft spoken. He does not know about envy and jealousy. Therefore, Narada is worshipped by one and all.” said Krishna to Ugrasena.

Therefore, Dharmaja you got an answer to your question.” said Bhishma.

http://www.telugubhakti.com/telugupages/Monthly/Mahabharat/content1205.htm

Wealth

“O Grandsire Bhishma! there are several persons in this world. But with whom Goddess Lakshmi lives?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! Once Rukmini asked Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth)the same question. Lakshmi answered that question. The same answer clears your doubt.

“Lakshmi lives in the abodes the following persons: Those who are truthful; who observe cleanliness; who have devotion towards their teachers; who are vigilant and careful always; who perform their duties with highest concentration and devotion; who are pure in mind; who perform virtus deeds always; who are wise and learned; who perform tapas; who gives away to others what they have; who observe Brahmacharya; who control their sense organs. These are all eligible for my blessings. I like to stay always with them.

I never stay with those who are cruel, non-believers of God and Vedas, who are ungrateful, and who are wicked and wretch.

With regard to ladies, I stay with those who keep their house, household utensils clean and neat and those who do not consume food eaten by others.

I never stay with the ladies who oppose their husbands alwlays; who accuse others always; who are inclined to join males other than husband and those who are drowsy always.

Besides the above, I always stay in Lotus flowers, flower gardens, fruit bearing trees and flower bearing plants.” said Lakshmi to Rukini.

O Dharmaja! the same answer is an answer to your question also.” said Bhishma.

http://www.telugubhakti.com/telugupages/Monthly/Mahabharat/content1301.htm


“O Grandsire! when Pususha who is staying in this body, will become great and when he will have his down-fall. Kindly tell me.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! Now I will narrate the conversation between Sree(Lakshmi) and Chakra(Indra).

One day, Saint Narada was taking holy bath in the river Mandakini. By that time, Indra took his bath and was performing morning rituals. While Narada and Indra were talking with each other, there arrived a lady, endued with splendid beauty. Indra with folded hands, greeted her and asked her:

“Who are you? Where are you going?” asked Indra.

“O Indra! I am Lakshmi. I am also called Sree. I was born from lotus flower. Formerly, I dwelt with Asuras. However, Asuras have assumed adverse natures. Hence I left them and wish to reside with you.” said Lakshmi.

“Lakshmi! In consequence of what behaviour of Asuras, you dwelt with them so far? What did you not see there for which you have come here, having deserted Asuras.” asked Indra.
O Indra! so far, Asuras were engaged in making charities, studying Vedas, respecting guests and other good deeds. Now Asuras developed pride and egoism and they have abandoned all their good qualities. Hence I deserted Asuras. I have come to you.

I would like to stay with those who respect and worship elders and their preceptors, who worship Deities and Pitaras, who always speak truth, who engage in making charities, who do not aspire for others’ wealth and wives, who worship Brahmins, who do not sleep during day times, who are compassionate towards aged, distressed and ladies, who observe cleanliness at all times, and who take food only after offering to guests. I would always like to stay with them always.

I never like to stay with those who abandon Dharma, who are addicted to Kama, Krodha, who are overpowered with pride, who neglect to worship guests, who are not generous and charitble, who are harsh in speech, and who are indulged in cruel activities.

As enunciated in Vedas, I like wisdom, morals, devotion, reverence, tolerance, peace and good behaviour. These seven qualities are dearer to me. I am the eighth of them. Having observed their cruel behaviour, I abandoned Asuras. Having known that you are endowed with the above good qualities, I have come to you.” said Lakshmi.

Along with Lakshmi, Indra left for Swarga. Therefore, Dharmaja, you have come to know the places where Lakshmi stys.” said Bhishma.

http://www.telugubhakti.com/telugupages/Monthly/Mahabharat/content1205.htm

Vodhya

"Vodhya said, 'I conduct myself according to the instructions of others but never instruct others myself. I shall, however, mention the indications of those instructions (according to which my conduct is framed). Thou mayst catch their spirit by reflection. My six preceptors are Pingala, the osprey, the snake, the bee in the forest, the maker of shafts (in the story), and the maiden (in the story)!'

"Bhishma continued,

1. 'Hope is very powerful (in agitating the heart), O King! Freedom from hope is high felicity. Reducing hope to an absence of expectation, Pingala sleeps in peace. 
2. Beholding an osprey with meat in his beaks, others, that have not found any meat, assail and destroy him. A certain osprey, by altogether abstaining from meat obtained felicity. 
3. To build a house for one's own self is productive of sorrow and not of happiness. The snake, taking up his residence in another creature's abode, lives in felicity. 
4. The ascetics live happily, betaking themselves to mendicancy, without being injured by any creature, like bees in the forest. 
5. A certain maker of shafts, while employed at his work, was so deeply attentive to it that he did not notice the king who passed by his side. 
6. When many are together, dispute ensues. Even when two reside together, they are sure to converse. I, however, wander alone like the anklet made of sea-shells in the wrist of the maiden in the story.'"

http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12b005.htm

Svecchamrityu

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svecchamrityu_(Iccha-mrityu)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhishma#Vow_of_Bhishma

Drought

http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12a140.htm
http://indiafacts.org/honoring-gurus-learning-life-accounts-rishis-iii/