The Signs of a Fortunate Person

1. In the last chapter, the signs of an unfortunate person have been described. Using proper discernment, those qualities should be dropped completely. Now, listen to the attributes of a fortunate person that provide contentment in life.
2. Some people have good qualities from the time of birth that enable them to help others in many ways. Such a person is appreciated in the minds of all.
3. Such a person knows how to write beautifully, can read quickly while comprehending the inner meaning, and is quite naturally able explain what he has understood.
4. Such a person never harms anyone’s mind, nor does he give up the company of good people. He is easily able to deduce the signs of good fortune and exhibit them as an example to others.
5. He is respected by all people and admired wherever he goes. He does not exhibit any foolishness, and does get entangled in confusion or imagination.
6. He has many of the best qualities and is a virtuous person. Such a person is a friend of the world. His greatness is clearly evident and has been earned by his own good efforts. His greatness does not depend upon the efforts of others.
7. He understands very well how to please the minds of others. He has learned many things by heart, and is not negligent with regard to propriety in his behavior.
8. He knows how to ask about things in a polite manner, and can convey exact meaning in his replies. He understands what the best actions are, and his actions are in accordance with his speech.
9. He is genuinely liked by many people, and is rarely criticized by anyone. He is a truly great person of brilliant virtue.
10. Such a person spends his life helping others, each according to their needs. What can be lacking in life for such a person?
11. Many people are eager to see him, and he is always available to help in times of need. Such a person of good fortune cannot bear to see anyone suffering because they do not have what they need.
12. He is well versed in the various streams of knowledge, art, and music, and he has a great love for Self-Knowledge.
13. He is humble to everyone in his speech, and is able to easily understand the minds of others. His nature is such that he makes efforts to see to it that nobody is lacking for anything.
14. He upholds the values of justice, propriety, and praising God. He is disciplined in his conduct and makes worthwhile use of his time. How can such a person suffer from calamity and poverty?
15. Such a person is adorned with the best qualities and is a shining example among people everywhere. His appearance is glorious like a rising sun.
16. When such a knowledgeable person is present, how can any chaos arise? Those who do not possess the best qualities are truly the unfortunate ones.
17. In family life, he knows how to maintain good relations, and in spiritual life he knows how to give satisfying explanations. He recognizes and takes delight in the best qualities that are present in all people.
18. He is not contradictory in his speech or behavior, and does not say one thing to one person and something different to another. People marvel at his attitude of equality towards all.
19. A fortunate person does not behave in a way that is hurtful to others. Wherever he goes, he exhibits discretion and proper discernment.
20. Such a person understands the significance of right actions, worship, Self-Knowledge, and detachment. His intellect is steeped in Self-knowledge, so how can he ever be lead astray?
21. When the best qualities are clearly evident in him, who can can find fault in him? He is the same as the fullness of the Self which resides within all.
22. Everyone, young and old, is always eager to do anything according to their own selfish motives, but he is not like that. He takes great pleasure in selflessly doing things for others out of the kindness of his heart.
23. He feels sorrow when he sees the pain and sorrow of others, and feels pleased when he sees that others are happy. His sincere wish is that everyone should be happy.
24. He is like a father who is concerned about the welfare and various needs of his children. This is the nature of such a great person.
25. Such a person cannot bear to see the sufferings of others, and eagerly does whatever he can to help them without any expectation or desire to be rewarded. Even when he is berated by others, he does not berate anyone. This is the nature of such a great person.
26. He knows that the body is unreal, so he does not matter to him if the body or its actions are criticized or insulted. Such a knowledgeable person never feels subjugated by bodily misidentification.
27. Bodily identification is a sign of misfortune. The knowledgeable person is bodiless even though he has a body. A fortunate person always shows at least some of the best qualities when among the people.
28. People feel attracted to the best qualities, and feel repulsed towards negative bad qualities. One who has a keen intellect understands this and can easily win over the hearts and minds of the people. How can the common people understand this?
29. When people have experienced the kindness and forgiving nature of such a person, they stand behind him and are supportive in many ways.
30. Many people think that they are great, but greatness is something that must be recognized and agreed upon by all. The truly great person is generous, supportive and serene.
31. The best qualities that have been described are the signs of a truly powerful person. The lack of virtue and negative qualities can naturally be seen to be the signs of an unfortunate person.