Acquiring virtues is always a tough task. It is a lifelong process of actively shaping our character through practice and reflection, which can be challenging in the face of everyday temptations and pressures. Our natural impulses can often clash with virtuous actions, making it difficult to consistently choose the morally right thing. Developing virtues is a continuous process that necessitates consistent self-reflection and conscious decision-making. Highlighting the facts our sanskrit has following to mention :
आरोप्यते शिला शैले यत्नेन महता तथा |
पात्यते तु क्षनेनाधस्तथात्मा गुण दोषयोः ||
Aaropyate shilaa shaile yatnen mahata tatha.
Patyate tu kshena-dhastathatma guna doshayoh.
Aaropyate = to plant, to place,
Shila = a big rock. boulder.
Shaile = mountain, hill.
Yatnen = with effort.
Mahataa = great, mighty.
Tatha = then, in the same manner, likewise.
Paatyate = split, fall down.
Tu = but, and.
Kshnenaadhastathatma = Kshena + adhast + tathaa + Atma
Kshana = a smallest measure of time, in a second.
Patyate = falls down
Adhasta = backwards, downwards.
Tatha = in the same manner.
Aatma = self.
Guna = merit, qualities, virtues.
Doshen = defects
It requires mighty effort to carry a big rock (boulder) from the bottom of a mountain to its top, but to bring it downwards takes very little time. Likewise is the case with virtues and defects in a person.
By quoting the simile of carrying a boulder to the top of a mountain and rolling it back, the author emphasises the fact that it takes great effort and time to acquire virtues, but the downfall from the pinnacle of virtues takes no time like a boulder rolling back from a mountain top, if a person is not careful in his behaviour and actions.
