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Rishibhashit : A Study
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has also been used in this chapter. We shall discuss about this while discussing the 39th chapter titled Sanjaya.
As regards the preachings of Arun Rishi stated in Rishibhashit, he says a person's wisdom and foolishness can be judged only on the basis of his language, behaviour, and conduct. Rustic language, evil deeds, and lack of morality about his conduct are signs of foolishness. On the other hand civilized language, good deeds, and morality in conduct are signs of wisdom. With this it has been revealed that the company one keeps has the maximum influence on a person. This fact has been elaborated with many examples. In conclusion it has been stated that a wise and disciplined ascetic should completely understand equanimity and Ahimsa and keep company of inspiring freinds.261
Although Buddhist tradition mentions five persons named Arun, 262 none can be connected with Arun of Rishibhashit on the basis of available details. As such the conclusion remains that Mahashal putra Arun of Rishibhashit is Arun Aupaveshi Gautam of Upanishads.
34. RISHI GIRI
The thirty fourth chapter of Rishibhashit contains the discourse of Brahman Parivrajak named Rishigiri. He has not been mentioned anywhere else besides Rishibhashit. Although mentions of Rishidatta, Rishi-gupta etc. are available, it is difficult to establish any connection with Rishigiri. Similarly there is no mention of Brahman Parivrajak named Rishigiri in Buddhist and Vedic traditions. As such it is difficult to provide any information about his personality.
His preachings263 advise to tolerate with equanimity the pains inflicted by evil and foolish people. He states that if some one criticizes in absentia one should be equanimous by thinking that he is not criticizing in your presence. If someone criticizes in your presence you should think that he is infliciting by words and not physically. If some one gives physical pain you should think that he is not using a weapon to disfigure. If he disfigures, you should think that he is not killing. And if he kills you should think that he is not depriving you of your Dharma (duty or religion). “An ignorant is foolish by nature, he is not aware of good or bad consequences", thinking thus you should be equanimous towards him.
It should be noted that same details are also available in Pali literature. Here Buddha asks a monk, "If some one criticizes you, what shall
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