Page 39 - Sri Canakya Niti

1.7

Commentary: Often a green disciple expresses a desire to sacrifi ce
himself in order to save the entire world. To which the teacher invariably

answers that the only way to save others is to first save oneself. Unless
one has elevated himself to the platform of transcendence above the
three modes of nature, he can do nothing to extricate others trapped
by their own desires. The good wishes of a man fallen with us into the

same dark well are of little consequence. He must first climb out and
obtain a rope with which to pull us to safety.
Cāṇakya Paṇḍita advises us to prepare for life’s inevitable turmoils
through protecting our wealth and family. But by all means one must
first save himself at any cost. A show of renunciation will not save

one from the well of material existence. Here and now in Kali-yuga
when people are dull-witted and short-lived, we must execute Kṛṣṇa
consciousness by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra and inviting others
to do the same. That is the only hope of extricating ourselves and
others.

This verse also appears in the Garuḍa Purāṇa, 1.109.9.

ŚLOKA 1.7

आपदथेर् धनं रक्षेच्छ र् ीमतां कुत आपदः ।
कदािचच्चिलता ल मीः सिञ्चतं च िवन यित ॥७॥

āpad-arthe dhanaṁ rakṣec
chrīmatāṁ kuta āpadaḥ
kadācic calitā lakṣmīḥ
sañcitaṁ ca vinaśyati
Put aside some wealth in case of a future calamity. Never ask, “Why
should a rich man dread hard times?” If Lakṣmī, the goddess of
fortune, decides to go elsewhere, your savings will dwindle.

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