asocyan anvasocas tvam
prajna-vadams ca bhasase
gatasun agatasums ca
nanusocanti panditah (Bhagavad Gita 2:11)
dehino smin yatha dehe
kaumaram yauvanam jara
tatha dehantara-praptir
dhiras tatra na muhyati (Bhagavad Gita 2:13)
‘The wise do not grieve either for the living or the dead. Whatever changes your body may suffer, the Atma, the splendour of the true Wisdom, remains Immortal. Being established unshakeably in this knowledge is the sign of the wise, the Jnani’, said Krishna. (GV, pp. 4-5)
The Kauravas enjoyed the benefits of the Punya that they did in previous births, but while so engaged they revelled in evil deeds; the Pandavas, on the other hand, while suffering from the evil deeds of their past births, engaged themselves in Punya. This is the difference between the wise and the unwise. When hardships overwhelm you, know that it is the consequence of your own past deeds, do not lay the blame on the Lord and develop a grouse against Him; do not pay heed to trouble or take it as such, but engage yourself in the service of others and in deeds of merit; continue relying on the Name of the Lord as support; that is the sign of the wise; that is acting like a Pandava. To strengthen this attitude, Shanti is a great source of help. (P.Vah, p. 29)