Datta Maata 208: Qualities to learn from other beings and fellow humans

Simhadēkam bakādēkam sikshēt chatvāri kukkutāt! Pāyasāth pancasikshēth ca shat shunah trīni gardhabāt!!
Man learns so many things because of education. But, there are many lessons that he has to learn by looking at the world around. He can learn some aspects not only from the fellow humans but also from the animals. In other words, even animals are in the place of Guru. This is the strange creation of God. Let us learn about it.

Simhādēkam - A lion is a cruel animal. It feeds on the food that it fetches on its own. It does not depend on others for its food. Also, lion only eats when it's hungry. In this manner, the virtues of the lion include; not being lethergic and eating only when it's hungry. Bakādēkam -now let's talk about the crane. It stands on one leg, assesses the time and place and waits for fish with utmost concentration. The moment it sees a fish, it catches hold of it. Likewise, a wise man must know his course of action in his country and must accomplish the tasks with the control of the mind. This (Concentration) is what we must learn from the crane. Chatvāri kukkutāt - Let us now think about the rooster. It has four virtues. It gets up early in the morning. The scriptures say that one must get up before sunrise. It is also good for health. Hence, man must practice this. The other virtue is that it has strong will power. It fights with the enemies even without caring for its own life. If man also learns such determination, then his life becomes fruitful. The third virtue is that the rooster earns food by not only taking along its relatives but also other roosters too. All of them eat the food by sharing amongst each other equally. Man also must share his joys and sorrows with the fellow humans. The other virtue is that it does not eat whatever it comes across with. It observes the available food and eats if and only if it tastes good. This is a good aspect. Even man must observe the food carefully and must eat only that which is neat and is eligible for consumption. Vāyasāth panca -Let us now look at the crow. Unlike other beings, it maintains secrecy of its relationship of love with its female crow. No other being has the courage that the crow has. Also, the crow tries every single second for food. However, it does not keep faith on anyone. It is ever cautious. These are the good qualities of crow. Man must observe these. Shat shunah - Let us now see into the virtues of a dog. It has got six good qualities. They are, it eats stomach full and is satisfied with whatever little it gets. It sleeps peacefully but gets up even if an ant makes a sound. It's faithfulness towards a master is limitless. Everyone knows about its valor. If man can learn these six virtues, it is enough for him to lead a happy life. Trīni gardhabāt - There are three qualities that are to be learnt from donkey. It is very responsible and bears heavy weights. That is why, the phrases like, "washerman's donkey", "donkey's work" have come. Man also must not shift away his responsibility to someone else and must be responsible enough. One more noble quality of donkey is that it does not bother the dualities of sheeta-ushna (coolness and warmth). It is patient and is ever happy. Man must learn these three qualities from donkey.

In this manner, each and every being or fellow human has some or the other virtue. One must try only to practice that instead of discussing about the bad qualities. This is the moral given by the above verse.

Jaya Guru Datta! Sri Guru Datta!