Learnings from the Shimat Dasbodh and its Relevance in the Modern Era

Abstract

Ancient Indian knowledge systems contain profound insights into ethical living, balanced consumption, and harmony between human life and nature. Dasbodh, authored by Saint Samarth Ramdas Swami in the seventeenth century, is a seminal Marathi philosophical text that integrates spiritual wisdom with practical guidance for societal conduct. The fourteenth chapter (Dashak 14) of Dasbodh emphasizes disciplined thinking, ethical behaviour, detachment, compassion, and self-reliance. This paper analyses selected original Marathi verses from Dashak 14 and interprets their relevance to the modern concept of sustainability, life style, human behaviour, etc. . The study demonstrates that the philosophical foundations of environmental protection, social justice, and economic moderation—central to contemporary sustainability discourse—are deeply embedded in Dasbodh. The paper discusses that integrating such traditional wisdom with modern scientific approaches can contribute to holistic and value-based sustainable development.