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✍Vedamurthi Manjulagiri Venkataramana Bhatta
Have you ever invested time, money and energy in a task, only to realise that it was not worth the effort? Sometimes, success depends not on how much work we do, but on choosing the right work to begin with.
An ancient Sanskrit verse offers a practical lesson in decision-making: a wise person should think carefully before starting any task. It highlights four types of work that deserve caution—tasks with no real benefit, those involving excessive difficulty, those that do not justify their cost and effort, and those beyond one's present ability.
This timeless wisdom reminds us that good judgement begins before action. By evaluating a task's purpose, risks, value and feasibility, we can make better decisions and use our resources more wisely.
Wisdom is not only about knowing what to do. It is also about understanding which tasks are worth undertaking. Traditional Indian wisdom teaches that a thoughtful person should consider the purpose, difficulty, cost and personal ability required before starting a task.
A Sanskrit verse identifies four types of work that a discerning person should avoid: tasks that offer no benefit, those that lead to excessive difficulty, those whose results do not justify the effort and expense, and those that are beyond one's ability.
What Are the Four Types of Work a Wise Person Should Avoid?
1. Work That Offers No Benefit - Aphala
A wise person should avoid tasks that serve no meaningful purpose or produce no worthwhile result. Before starting any activity, it is useful to ask whether it contributes to a clear goal or serves a genuine need.
Lesson: Understand the purpose before investing your time.
2. Work That Leads to Excessive Difficulty- Duranta
Some tasks involve difficulties or consequences that are too severe to justify undertaking them without careful thought. This principle encourages people to assess the risks, challenges and possible consequences before making a commitment.
Lesson: Evaluate the challenges before taking the first step.
3. Work Whose Results Do Not Justify the Cost - Samavyaya-Phala
Some activities demand considerable money, time and effort but offer results that are not proportionate to the resources invested. A thoughtful person considers whether the expected benefit justifies the cost and labour involved.
Lesson: Compare the expected results with the resources required.
4. Work Beyond One's Ability - Ashakya
A wise person should recognise the limits of their present abilities and resources. Taking on a task that cannot realistically be completed may waste time and effort. This does not mean avoiding every difficult challenge. It means understanding what is currently possible, preparing adequately and seeking help when necessary.
Lesson: Assess your abilities and resources before making a commitment.
What Does the Sanskrit Verse Say?
अफलानि दुरन्तानि समव्ययफलानि च ।
अशक्यानि च वस्तूनि नारà¤ेत विचक्षणः ॥
Simple Meaning
The verse advises a discerning person not to begin tasks that:
- Offer no worthwhile benefit.
- Lead to excessive difficulty or undesirable consequences.
- Produce results that do not justify the expense and effort.
- Cannot realistically be accomplished.
The central message is to think carefully before beginning any undertaking.
How Can We Apply This Wisdom Today?
This teaching can be applied to personal decisions, business projects, education and everyday responsibilities.
Before starting something important, consider four questions:
- Purpose: Will this task produce a meaningful benefit?
- Risk: four-rules-wise-decision-making-sanskrit-wisdom
- Value: Are the expected results worth the cost and effort?
- Capability: Do I have the skills and resources to complete it?
These questions can help people make more informed decisions and use their time, money and energy wisely.
The key lesson is simple: A wise person does not begin every task that comes their way. They assess its purpose, risks, value and feasibility before acting.
Kannada version is here
ಬುದ್ಧಿವಂತನು ಪ್ರಾರಂà²ಿಸಬಾರದ ಕಾರ್ಯಗಳು ಯಾವುವು?
ಅಫಲಾನಿ ದುರಂತಾನಿ ಸಮವ್ಯಯಫಲಾನಿ ಚ |
ಅಶಕ್ಯಾನಿ ಚ ವಸ್ತೂನಿ ನಾರà²ೇತ ವಿಚಕ್ಷಣ:
1. ಪ್ರಯೋಜನವಿಲ್ಲದ ಕಾರ್ಯಗಳು (ಅಫಲಾನಿ ) 2. ಬಹಳ ಕಷ್ಟಕರವಾದ ಕಾರ್ಯಗಳು ( ದುರಂತಾ ನಿ) 3.ಖರ್ಚು ಮತ್ತು ಶ್ರಮಕ್ಕೆ ತಕ್ಕ ಫಲ ನೀಡದ ಕಾರ್ಯಗಳು (ಸಮವ್ಯಯಫಲಾನಿ) 4. ತನ್ನಿಂದ ಸಾಧ್ಯವಾಗದ ಕಾರ್ಯಗಳು (ಅಶಕ್ಯಾನಿ).
| ವೇದಮೂರ್ತಿ ಮಂಜುಳಗಿರಿ ವೆಂಕಟರಮಣ à²à²Ÿ್ಟ
Note: This article presents the traditional philosophical interpretation of the Sanskrit verse as explained by Vedamurthi Manjulagiri Venkataramana Bhatta. It is shared for educational and cultural understanding of the traditional teaching.
Keywords
Sanskrit wisdom, four types of work to avoid, ancient Indian wisdom, decision-making principles, wise person teachings, Sanskrit verse meaning, Citizen News Puttur