take the final decision after ensuring that it would result personal benefits

 

The great Vararuchi’s practical advice

सर्वथा स्वहितमाचरणीयं किं करिष्यति जनो बहुजल्पः।

विद्यते न हि कश्चिदुपायः सर्वलोकपरितोषकरो यः॥

शार्ङ्गधरपद्धतिः इन्दिश्चे स्प्रूचे ५१९६

sarvathā svahitamācaraṇīyaṁ kiṁ kariṣyati jano bahujalpaḥ|

vidyate na hi kaścidupāyaḥ sarvalokaparitoṣakaro yaḥ||

śārṅgadharapaddatiḥ indiśce sprūce 5196

A very practical advice from the classic Shaargadharapaddhati. People attribute this statement to an author by name Vararuchi. Maybe it is not the great grammarian of that name.

Always, and after weighing all factors that are favourable and not favourable, one should channelize his activities; one should take the final decision about any action, after ensuring that such decision would result in his own personal benefits, the decision that would safeguard his own interests over anything else. There would be loud mouthed people who would dish out advices and suggestions, some of them suggesting action in some manner and others supporting actions in the opposite direction. What real purpose is going to arise from those advises anyways. The vocal advisers can neither come to your rescue nor do anything to support your mission. Moreover, they do not gain or lose by your activity. Such advices are rather empty.

Remember, in this world there is no course of action, no project existing or running, that would give satisfaction and happiness to all the people around. There will be supporters and detractors. Nevertheless, you should concentrate your attention only on the benefits that an activity would fetch you.

Maybe it looks so selfish, maybe. However, that is the reality.

kva

Analysis

सर्वथा By all means, after considering all the pros and cons, always स्वहितं what is of greater benefit to oneself आचरणीयं s hould be acted upon बहुज्लपाः जनः the people who talk too much supporting or opposing किं what करिष्यति will do either to support or oppose, or to be with you ever सर्वलोक for all people परितोष करः satisfies, give great happiness कश्चित् any उपायः method, any trick, any way of activity न विद्यते हि not there indeed.