Traits of greatness - Sanskrit sloka

Traits of greatness 

विपदि धैर्यमथाऽभ्युदये क्षमा 

सदसि वाक्पटुता युधि विक्रमः। 

यशसि चाभिरतिर्व्यसनं श्रुतौ 

प्रकृतिसिद्धमिदं हि महात्मनाम् ।। Bhartrihari (1-52) 

 

Meaning:  Courage when in danger, forgiveness while in power, strong articulation in the conference of scholars, valor in battle, longing for fame and addiction (deep interest) to scriptures are the naturally endowed qualities for persons of great character. 

Explanation:  What are the traits of a person strong in mind? He is not perturbed when in danger. He analyzes the problem and faces it in a rational manner. Similarly, forgiveness is a virtue in strong men. Forgiveness is an embellishment when it is from a position of strength and not from a position of weakness. This again is a result of discrimination and wisdom. 

Desire for fame is not the desire to become a celebrity by any means. Fame has to be acquired by doing noble, praise-worthy deeds. 

Addiction, in all normal situations, is unwelcome. But the word 'addiction' is used in a positive sense in the above verse. 

All the above qualities are naturally endowed to a noble person. Wisdom is the cause for all these.