Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c4.2462

c4.2462

BODHYA. A famous teacher-priest. Once there was a discussion between Nahuṣa and Bodhya on Philosophy. The summary of what Bodhya said is as follows:— Before I advise others, I do it myself first. I am the teacher of none. I take the world as my teacher. I learned the lessons of harmlessness from snakes, disappointment from Piṅgala the harlot, self-sacrifice from animals, concentration from the archer, and loneliness from a maid who is a spinster. (M.B., Śānti Parva, 171, 56, 61). This hermit came to the King Yayāti and taught him philosophy and ethics. The whole of the Chapter 171 of Mahābhārata, Śānti Parva, comprises the exhortations of this hermit, which are known by the famous name Bodhya-Gītā (Song of Bodhya).