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The Vyadha Gita (meaning, songs of a butcher) is a part of the epic Mahabharata and consists of the teachings imparted by a vyadha (butcher) to a sannyasin (monk). It occurs in the Vana Parva section of Mahabharata and is told to Yudhishthira, a Pandava by sage Markandeya.^[1] In the story, an arrogant sannyasin is humbled by a vyadha (butcher or hunter), and learns about dharma (righteousness). The vyadha teaches that "no duty is ugly, no duty is impure" and it is only the way in which the work is done, determines its worth. The Bhagavata Purana mentions the vyadha as an example of someone who attained perfection through satsang (association with devotees of Lord Vishnu or Krishna).^[2] Scholar Satya P. Agarwal considers Vyadha Gita to be one of the popular narrations in the Mahabharata.^[1]

Story

The story has only three characters—a brahmin sannyasi, a housewife and a vyadha (butcher).^[1] The story begins with a young sannyasi going to a forest, where he meditates and practices spiritual austerities for a long time. After years of practice, one day while sitting under a tree, dry leaves fall on his head because of a fight between a crow and a crane. The angry sannyasi had developed yogic powers and burnt the birds with his mere look.^[3] This incident fills the sannyasin with arrogance.^[1] Shortly thereafter, he goes to a house, begging for food. Here the housewife who was nursing her sick husband requests the sannyasi to wait. To this, the sannyasi thinks, "You wretched woman, how dare you make me wait! You do not know my power yet",^[3] to which the housewife says that she is neither a crow nor a crane, to be burnt.^[3]^[4] The sannyasi is amazed and asks her how she came to know about the bird. The housewife says that she did not practice any austerities and by doing her duty with cheerfulness and wholeheartedness, she became illumined^[5] and thus could read his thoughts.^[3] She redirects him to a dharma-vyadha (meaning, the righteous butcher) in the town of Mithilā and says that the dharma-vyadha would answer all his questions on dharma.^[6] The sannyasi goes to see the vyadha and overcoming his initial hesitation,^[3] listens to his teachings, which is referred to as Vyadha Gita—and even puts them into practice.^[1]

Teachings

The surprised sannyasi asks the vyadha as to how he could become illumined by doing a "filthy, ugly work". The vyadha says that he is working as per the principles of karma, which placed him in a circumstance into which he is born.

The vyadha further advises, "no duty is ugly, no duty is impure"^[7] and it is only the way in which the work is done, determines its worth.^[8]

The vyadha advises that all work must be done by "dedicating to God"^[8] and by sincere and unattached performance of the allotted duty one can become illumined.^[3]^[5] The vyadha advises the sannyasi that ahimsa (non-violence) and satya (truth) are two main pillars of dharma through which the highest good of all can be achieved. He says that a decision on what is true under difficult circumstances should be made by sticking to that course of action which leads to the highest good of beings.^[9] The vyadha, teaches that not birth but dharma and virtuous conduct makes one a Brahmana.^[10]

The story describes the importance of performance of swadharma (prescribed duty or duty in life). According to the story, a Vyadha, considered low by birth, but engaged in dharma and doing good to others is capable of teaching a Brahmana, considered higher by birth, but practices austerities for his own good.^[11] The attainment of freedom, by the performance of swadharma, is also one of the central teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.^[12] Philosopher Swami Vivekananda, describes the Vyadha Gita in one of his lectures in Karma Yoga and says that it contains one of the "highest flights of the Vedanta".^[7]

Notes

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Agarwal 2002, p.49
^ "Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 11 Chapter 12 Verses 3-6". vedabase.net. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Vivekananda 1997
^ "The easy way - saranagati is the quick and easy way to moksha". The Hindu. 25 June 2013. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
^ ^a ^b Leaman 2000, p.277
^ Agarwal 2002, p.52
^ ^a ^b Mukherjee, p.478
^ ^a ^b Caste and Race in India. Taylor & Francis. 21 February 2024. p. 62.
^ Agarwal 2002, p.54
^ Winternitz 1996, p.401
^ Agarwal 1997, p.357
^ Swarupananda, Swami (1909). "Foreword". Srimad-Bhagavad-Gita. Advaita Ashrama. p. ii.

References

Vivekananda, Swami (1997). "What is Duty?". Karma Yoga. Advaita Ashrama. ISBN 81-85301-89-1.
Agarwal, Satya P. (2002). "Vyadha Gita—How a Butcher taught a Brahmin". Selections from the Mahabharata. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-1874-3.
Leaman, Oliver (2000). Eastern philosophy: key readings. Routledge. pp. 305. ISBN 978-0-415-17357-5.
Mukherjee, B.D. The Essence of Bhagavad Gita. Academic Publishers. ISBN 978-81-87504-40-5.
Agarwal, Satya P. (1997). The Social Role of the Gita: How and Why. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 473. ISBN 978-81-208-1524-7.
Winternitz, Maurice (1996). A History of Indian Literature. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 618. ISBN 978-81-208-0264-3.

External links

Vyadha Gita section in Mahabharata

[agarwal2002_49-1] Agarwal 2002, p.49

[2] "Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 11 Chapter 12 Verses 3-6". vedabase.net. Retrieved 14 December 2019.

[Vivekananda_1997-3] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Vivekananda 1997

[4] "The easy way - saranagati is the quick and easy way to moksha". The Hindu. 25 June 2013. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 14 December 2019.

[Leaman_2000-5] Leaman 2000, p.277

[6] Agarwal 2002, p.52

[Harvnb|Mukherjee-7] Mukherjee, p.478

[caste-8] Caste and Race in India. Taylor & Francis. 21 February 2024. p. 62.

[9] Agarwal 2002, p.54

[10] Winternitz 1996, p.401

[11] Agarwal 1997, p.357

[12] Swarupananda, Swami (1909). "Foreword". Srimad-Bhagavad-Gita. Advaita Ashrama. p. ii.

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+{{Short description|Hindu teachings within the Mahabharata}}
-The '''Vyadha Gita''' (meaning, teachings of a butcher) is a part of the epic [[Mahabharata]] and consists of the teachings imparted by a ''vyadha'' (Butcher) to a [[brahmin]] [[sannyasin]] (monk). It occurs in the [[Vana Parva]] section of Mahabharata and is told to [[Yudhisthira]], a [[Pandava]] by sage [[Markandeya]].<ref name="agarwal2002_49">{{Harvnb|Agarwal|2002}}, p.49</ref> In the story, an arrogant sannyasin is humbled by a ''Vyadha'', and learns about ''[[dharma]]'' (righteousness). The ''vyadha'' teaches that "no duty is ugly, no duty is impure" and it is only the way in which the work is done, determines its worth. Scholar Satya P. Agarwal considers ''Vyadha Gita'' to be one of the popular narrations in the Mahabharata.<ref name="agarwal2002_49"/>
+{{EngvarB|date=March 2017}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
+The '''Vyadha Gita''' (meaning, songs of a butcher) is a part of the epic [[Mahabharata]] and consists of the teachings imparted by a ''vyadha'' (butcher) to a [[sannyasin]] (monk). It occurs in the [[Vana Parva]] section of Mahabharata and is told to [[Yudhishthira]], a [[Pandava]] by sage [[Markandeya]].<ref name="agarwal2002_49">{{Harvnb|Agarwal|2002}}, p.49</ref> In the story, an arrogant sannyasin is humbled by a ''vyadha'' (butcher or hunter), and learns about ''[[dharma]]'' (righteousness). The ''vyadha'' teaches that "no duty is ugly, no duty is impure" and it is only the way in which the work is done, determines its worth. The [[Bhagavata Purana]] mentions the ''vyadha'' as an example of someone who attained perfection through [[satsang]] (association with devotees of [[Vishnu|Lord Vishnu]] or [[Krishna]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vedabase.net/sb/11/12/3-6/en|title=Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 11 Chapter 12 Verses 3-6|website=vedabase.net|access-date=2019-12-14}}</ref> Scholar Satya P. Agarwal considers ''Vyadha Gita'' to be one of the popular narrations in the Mahabharata.<ref name="agarwal2002_49"/>
 == Story ==
-The story has only three characters—a brahmin ''sannyasin'', a housewife and a ''vyadha'' (butcher).<ref>{{Harvnb|Agarwal|2002}}, p.49</ref>
+The story has only three characters—a brahmin ''sannyasi'', a housewife and a ''vyadha'' (butcher).<ref name="agarwal2002_49"/>
-The story begins with a young ''sannyasin'' going to a forest, where he meditates and practices spiritual austerities for a long time. After years of practice, one day while sitting under a tree, dry leaves fall on his head because of a fight between a crow and a crane. The angry ''sannyasin'' had developed yogic powers and burnt the birds with his mere look.<ref>{{Harvnb|Vivekananda|1997}}</ref> This incident fills the ''sannyasin'' with arrogance.<ref>{{Harvnb|Agarwal|2002}}, p.49</ref> Shortly thereafter, he goes to a house, begging for food. Here the housewife who was nursing her sick husband requests the ''sannyasin'' to wait. To this, the ''sannyasin'' thinks, "You wretched woman, how dare you make me wait! You do not know my power yet",<ref>{{Harvnb|Vivekananda|1997}}</ref> to which the housewife says that she is neither a crow nor a crane, to be burnt.<ref>{{Harvnb|Vivekananda|1997}}</ref>  The ''sannyasin'' is amazed and asks her how she came to know about the bird. The housewife says that she did not practice any austerities and by doing her duty with cheerfulness and wholeheartedness, she became illumined<ref>{{Harvnb|Leaman|2000}}, p.277</ref> and thus could read his thoughts.<ref>{{Harvnb|Vivekananda|1997}}</ref> She redirects him to a ''[[dharma]]''-''vyadha'' (meaning, the righteous butcher) in the town of [[Mithila]] and says that the ''dharma-vyadha'' would answer all his questions on ''dharma''.<ref>{{Harvnb|Agarwal|2002}}, p.52</ref> The ''sannyasin'' goes to see the ''vyadha'' and overcoming his initial hesitation,<ref>{{Harvnb|Vivekananda|1997}}</ref> listens to his teachings, which is referred to as ''Vyadha Gita''—and even puts them into practice.<ref>{{Harvnb|Agarwal|2002}}, p.49</ref>
+The story begins with a young ''sannyasi'' going to a forest, where he meditates and practices spiritual austerities for a long time. After years of practice, one day while sitting under a tree, dry leaves fall on his head because of a fight between a crow and a crane. The angry ''sannyasi'' had developed yogic powers and burnt the birds with his mere look.<ref name="Vivekananda 1997">{{Harvnb|Vivekananda|1997}}</ref> This incident fills the ''sannyasin'' with arrogance.<ref name="agarwal2002_49"/> Shortly thereafter, he goes to a house, begging for food. Here the housewife who was nursing her sick husband requests the ''sannyasi'' to wait. To this, the ''sannyasi''  thinks, "You wretched woman, how dare you make me wait! You do not know my power yet",<ref name="Vivekananda 1997"/> to which the housewife says that she is neither a crow nor a crane, to be burnt.<ref name="Vivekananda 1997"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/religion/the-easy-way/article4850365.ece|title=The easy way - ''saranagati is the quick and easy way to moksha''|date=2013-06-25|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-12-14|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The ''sannyasi'' is amazed and asks her how she came to know about the bird. The housewife says that she did not practice any austerities and by doing her duty with cheerfulness and wholeheartedness, she became illumined<ref name="Leaman 2000">{{Harvnb|Leaman|2000}}, p.277</ref> and thus could read his thoughts.<ref name="Vivekananda 1997"/> She redirects him to a ''[[dharma]]''-''vyadha'' (meaning, the righteous butcher) in the town of [[Mithilā (ancient city)|Mithilā]] and says that the ''dharma-vyadha'' would answer all his questions on ''dharma''.<ref>{{Harvnb|Agarwal|2002}}, p.52</ref> The ''sannyasi'' goes to see the ''vyadha'' and overcoming his initial hesitation,<ref name="Vivekananda 1997"/> listens to his teachings, which is referred to as ''Vyadha Gita''—and even puts them into practice.<ref name="agarwal2002_49"/>
 == Teachings ==
-The surprised ''sannyasin'' asks the ''vyadha'' as to how he could became illumined by doing a "filthy, ugly work".<!-- The ''vyadha'' says that he is a [[vegetarian]], nor does he kill the animals by himself.<ref>{{Harvnb|Agarwal|2002}}, p.54</ref> (provide context) --> The vyadha says that his past ''[[karma]]'' placed him in these circumstances. The ''vyadha'' further advises, "no duty is ugly, no duty is impure"<ref>{{Harvnb|Mukherjee}}, p.478</ref> and it is only the way in which the work is done, determines its worth.<ref name="caste">{{ cite book | title= Caste and Race in India | publisher = Taylor & Francis | page=62 | url=http://books.google.com/books?id=8VcVAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA62}}</ref> The ''vyadha'' advises that all work must be done by "dedicating to God"<ref name="caste"/> and by sincere and unattached performance of the alloted duty one can become illumined.<ref>{{Harvnb|Vivekananda|1997}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Leaman|2000}}, p.277</ref> The ''vyadha'' advises the sannyasin that ''[[ahimsa]]'' (non-violence) and ''[[satya]]'' (truth) are two main pillars of ''dharma'' through which the highest good of all can be achieved. He says that a decision on what is true under difficult circumstances should be made by sticking to that course of action which leads to the highest good of beings.<ref>{{Harvnb|Agarwal|2000}}, p.54</ref> The ''vyadha'', teaches that not birth but ''dharma'' and virtuous conduct makes one a Brahmin.<ref>{{Harvnb|Winternitz|1996}}, p.401</ref>
+The surprised ''sannyasi'' asks the ''vyadha'' as to how he could become illumined by doing a "filthy, ugly work".<!-- The ''vyadha'' says that he is a vegetarian, nor does he kill the animals by himself.<ref>{{Harvnb|Agarwal|2002}}, p.54</ref> (provide context) --> The vyadha says that he is working as per the principles of ''[[karma]]'', which placed him in a circumstance into which he is born.
+The ''vyadha'' further advises, "no duty is ugly, no duty is impure"<ref name="Harvnb|Mukherjee">{{Harvnb|Mukherjee}}, p.478</ref> and it is only the way in which the work is done, determines its worth.<ref name="caste">{{cite book | title= Caste and Race in India | date = 21 February 2024 | publisher = Taylor & Francis | page=62 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8VcVAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA62}}</ref>
-The story describes the importance of performance of ''swadharma'' (prescribed duty or duty in life). According to the story, a ''Vyadha'', considered low by birth, but engaged in ''dharma'' and doing good to others is capable of teaching a Brahmin, considered higher by birth, but practices austerities for his own good.<ref>{{Harvnb|Agarwal|1997}}, p.357</ref> The attainment of freedom, by the performance of ''swadharma'', is also one of the central teachings of the [[Bhagavad Gita]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Swarupananda|first=Swami|title=Srimad-Bhagavad-Gita|publisher=Advaita Ashrama|date=1909|page=ii|chapter=Foreward|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/sbg/sbg03.htm}}</ref> Philosopher [[Swami Vivekananda]], describes the Vyadha Gita in one of his lectures in ''[[Karma Yoga]]'' and says that it contains one of the "highest flights of the ''[[Vedanta]]''".<ref>{{Harvnb|Mukherjee}}, p.478</ref>
+The ''vyadha'' advises that all work must be done by "dedicating to God"<ref name="caste"/> and by sincere and unattached performance of the allotted duty one can become illumined.<ref name="Vivekananda 1997"/><ref name="Leaman 2000"/> The ''vyadha'' advises the sannyasi that ''[[ahimsa]]'' (non-violence) and ''[[satya]]'' (truth) are two main pillars of ''dharma'' through which the highest good of all can be achieved. He says that a decision on what is true under difficult circumstances should be made by sticking to that course of action which leads to the highest good of beings.<ref>{{Harvnb|Agarwal|2002}}, p.54</ref> The ''vyadha'', teaches that not birth but ''dharma'' and virtuous conduct makes one a Brahmana.<ref>{{Harvnb|Winternitz|1996}}, p.401</ref>
+The story describes the importance of performance of ''swadharma'' (prescribed duty or duty in life). According to the story, a ''Vyadha'', considered low by birth, but engaged in ''dharma'' and doing good to others is capable of teaching a Brahmana, considered higher by birth, but practices austerities for his own good.<ref>{{Harvnb|Agarwal|1997}}, p.357</ref> The attainment of freedom, by the performance of ''swadharma'', is also one of the central teachings of the ''[[Bhagavad Gita]]''.<ref>{{cite book|last=Swarupananda|first=Swami|title=Srimad-Bhagavad-Gita|publisher=Advaita Ashrama|year=1909|page=ii|chapter=Foreword|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/sbg/sbg03.htm}}</ref> Philosopher [[Swami Vivekananda]], describes the Vyadha Gita in one of his lectures in ''[[Karma Yoga]]'' and says that it contains one of the "highest flights of the ''[[Vedanta]]''".<ref name="Harvnb|Mukherjee"/>
 == Notes ==
@@ Line 15: / Line 22: @@
 == References ==
 {{refbegin}}
-* <cite id="refVivekananda">{{cite book|last=Vivekananda|first=Swami|title=Karma Yoga|chapter= What is Duty? |publisher=Advaita Ashrama|date=1997|isbn=81-85301-89-1|url=http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Complete_Works_of_Swami_Vivekananda/Volume_1/Karma-Yoga/What_is_Duty%3F}}</cite>
+* {{cite book|last=Vivekananda|first=Swami|title=Karma Yoga|chapter= What is Duty? |publisher=Advaita Ashrama|year=1997|isbn=81-85301-89-1|url=http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Complete_Works_of_Swami_Vivekananda/Volume_1/Karma-Yoga/What_is_Duty%3F}}
-* <cite id="refAgarwal2002">{{cite book|last=Agarwal|first=Satya P. |title=Selections from the Mahabharata|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|year=2002|chapter=Vyadha Gita--How a Butcher taught a Brahmin|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=tTLVPYKTyFMC&pg=PA49 | isbn=9788120818743}}</cite>
+* {{cite book|last=Agarwal|first=Satya P. |title=Selections from the Mahabharata|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|year=2002|chapter=Vyadha Gita—How a Butcher taught a Brahmin|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tTLVPYKTyFMC&pg=PA49 | isbn=978-81-208-1874-3}}
-* <cite id="refLeaman2000">{{cite book|last=Leaman|first=Oliver|title=Eastern philosophy: key readings|publisher=Routledge|year=2000|pages=305|isbn=9780415173575|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=x3mZOf8iLQ0C}}</cite>
+* {{cite book|last=Leaman|first=Oliver|title=Eastern philosophy: key readings|publisher=Routledge|year=2000|pages=[https://archive.org/details/easternphilosoph0000leam/page/305 305]|isbn=978-0-415-17357-5|url=https://archive.org/details/easternphilosoph0000leam|url-access=registration}}
-* <cite id="refMukherjee">{{cite book|last=Mukherjee|first=B.D. |title=The Essence of Bhagavad Gita|publisher=Academic Publishers|isbn=9788187504405|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=9YeZMP9WRdcC}}</cite>
+* {{cite book|last=Mukherjee|first=B.D. |title=The Essence of Bhagavad Gita|publisher=Academic Publishers|isbn=978-81-87504-40-5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9YeZMP9WRdcC}}
-* <cite id="refAgarwal1997">{{cite book|last=Agarwal|first=Satya P. |title=The Social Role of the Gita: How and Why|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|year=1997|pages=473|isbn=9788120815247}}</cite>
+* {{cite book|last=Agarwal|first=Satya P. |title=The Social Role of the Gita: How and Why|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|year=1997|pages=473|isbn=978-81-208-1524-7}}
-* {{cite book|last=Winternitz|first=Maurice |title=A History of Indian Literature|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|date=1996|pages=618|isbn=9788120802643|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=FYPOVdzZ2UIC}}
+* {{cite book|last=Winternitz|first=Maurice |title=A History of Indian Literature|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|year=1996|pages=618|isbn=978-81-208-0264-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FYPOVdzZ2UIC}}
 {{refend}}
 == External links ==
-* [http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/index.htm Vana Parva of Mahabharata]
+* [http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03205.htm Vyadha Gita section in Mahabharata]
 {{Mahabharata|state=uncollapsed}}
 {{Hindu Culture and Epics}}
 {{Yoga}}
-[[Category:Yoga texts and documentation]]
 [[Category:Hindu texts]]
 [[Category:Mahabharata]]

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