आरोग्यमानृण्यमविप्रवासः सद्भिर्मनुष्यैः सह संप्रयोगः। स्वप्रत्यया वृत्तिरभीतवासः षट् जीवलोकस्य सुखानि राजन्
O King, these six are the true joys of living beings: health, freedom from debt, not living in exile, association with virtuous people, earning by one's own effort, and dwelling without fear.
ईर्षुर्धृणी नसन्तुष्टः क्रोधनो नित्यशङ्कितः। परभाग्योपजीवी च षडेते नित्यदुःखिताः
The envious, the malicious, the never-content, the angry, the ever-suspicious, and one who lives off others' fortune—these six are always unhappy.
सप्त दोषाः सदा राज्ञा हातव्या व्यसनोदयाः। प्रायशो यैर्विनश्यन्ति कृतमूला अपीश्वराः
There are seven faults that a king must always abandon, for they lead to ruin; even those firmly established in power are often destroyed by these.
स्त्रियोऽक्षा मृगया पानं वाक्पारुष्यं च पञ्चमम्। महच्च दण्डपारुष्यमर्थदूषणमेव च
Women, gambling, hunting, drinking, harsh speech as the fifth, excessive severity in punishment, and misuse of wealth—these are the seven.
अष्टौ पूर्वनिमित्तानि नरस्य विनशिष्यतः। ब्राह्मणान्प्रथमं द्वेष्टि ब्राह्मणैश्च विरुध्यते
There are eight early signs for a man who is about to perish: he first hates Brahmins, opposes Brahmins,
ब्राह्मणस्वानि चादत्ते ब्राह्मणांश्च जिघांसति। रमते निन्दया चैषां प्रशंसां नाभिनन्दति
He seizes the property of Brahmins, seeks to harm Brahmins, delights in slandering them, and does not rejoice in their praise.
नैनान्स्मरति कृत्येषु याचितश्चाभ्यसूयति। एतान्दोषान्नरः प्राज्ञो बुद्ध्या बुध्वा विसर्जयेत्
He does not remember them in important matters, and when asked for help, he is resentful; a wise person, understanding these faults, should abandon them.
अष्टाविमानि हर्षस्य नवनीतानि भारत। वर्तमानानि दृश्यन्ते तान्येव स्वसुखान्यपि
O Bharata, there are eight sources of joy and nine of delight; these are seen in the world, and they are also the means of one's own happiness.
समागमश्च सखिभिर्महांश्चैव धनागमः । पुत्रेण च परिष्वङ्गः सन्निपातश्च मैथुने
Meeting with friends, great gain of wealth, embracing one's son, union in sexual pleasure,
समये च प्रियालापः स्वयूथ्येषु समुन्नतिः । अभिप्रेतस्य लाभश्च पूजा च जनसंसदि
Pleasant conversation at the right time, advancement among one's peers, obtaining what is desired, and honor in public assembly.
अष्टौ गुमाः पुरुषं दीपयन्ति प्रज्ञा च कौल्यं च दमः श्रुतं च। पराक्रमश्चाबहुभाषिता च दानं यथाशक्ति कृतज्ञता च
Eight qualities make a person shine: wisdom, noble birth, self-control, learning, valor, not speaking excessively, giving as one is able, and gratitude.
नवद्वारमिदं वेश्म त्रिस्थूणं पञ्चसाक्षिकम्। क्षेत्रज्ञाधिष्ठितं विद्वान्यो वेद स परः कविः
This body is a house with nine gates, three pillars, and five supports; presided over by the knower of the field—he who understands this is a true sage.
दश धर्मं न जानन्ति धृतराष्ट्र निबोध तान्। मत्तः प्रमत्त उन्मत्तः श्रान्तः क्रुद्धो बुभुक्षितः
There are ten who do not know righteousness, O Dhritarashtra; listen to them: one who is drunk, careless, mad, exhausted, angry, hungry,
त्वरमाणश्च लुब्धश्च भीतः कामी च ते दश। तस्मादेतेषु भावेषु न प्रसञ्जेत पण्डितः
Hurried, greedy, fearful, or lustful—these ten; therefore, a wise person should not engage with them in such states.
अत्रैवोदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। पुत्रार्थमसुरेन्द्रेण गीतं चैव सुधन्वना
Here they cite an ancient story, O King, and a song sung by Sudhanvan for the sake of a son, as spoken by the lord of the Asuras.
यः काममन्यू प्रजहाति राजा पात्रे प्रतिष्ठापयते धनं च। विशेषविच्छ्रुतवान्क्षिप्रकारी तं सर्वलोकः कुरुते प्रमाणम्
The king who abandons desire and anger, gives wealth to the worthy, is renowned for discernment and learning, and acts swiftly—such a one is regarded as an authority by all people.
जानाति विश्वासयितुं मनुष्यान् विज्ञातदोषेषु दधाति दण्डम्। जानाति मात्रां च तथा क्षमां च तं तादृशं श्रीर्जुषते समग्रा
He knows how to win the trust of people, imposes punishment on those whose faults are understood, knows the proper measure and forgiveness; such a one is wholly favored by Fortune.
सुदुर्बलं नावजानाति कंचि- द्युक्तो रिपुं सेवते बुद्धिपूर्वम्। न विग्रहं रोचयते बलस्थैः काले च यो विक्रमते स धीरः
He does not despise anyone who is weak, serves even an enemy with forethought, does not desire conflict with the powerful, and acts with courage at the right time—such a one is steadfast.
प्राप्याप.. न व्यथते कदाचि- दुद्योगमान्वच्छति चाप्रमत्तः । दुःखं च काले सहते महात्मा धुरन्धरस्तस्य जिताः सपत्नाः
Having attained what is sought, he is never disturbed, pursues effort without negligence, endures hardship at the proper time—such a great soul, a bearer of burdens, conquers his rivals.
अनर्थकं विप्रवासं गृहेभ्यः पापैः सन्धिं परदाराभिमर्शम्। दम्भं स्तैन्यं पैशुनं मद्यमानं न सेवते यः स सुखी सदैव
He does not engage in pointless exile from home, alliances with the wicked, the violation of another’s wife, hypocrisy, theft, slander, intoxication, or gambling—such a one is always happy.
न संरम्भेणारभते त्रिवर्ग- माकारितः शंसति तत्त्वमेव। न मित्रार्थे रोचयते विवादं नापूजितः कुप्यति चाप्यमूढः
He does not undertake the three aims of life with agitation, speaks only the truth, does not seek disputes for the sake of friends, and, though unhonored, does not become angry or deluded.
न योऽभ्यसूयत्सयनुकम्पते च न दुर्बलः प्रातिभाव्यं करोति। नात्याह किंचित्क्षमते विवादं सर्वत्र तादृग्लभते प्रशंसाम्
He does not envy, shows compassion, does not make promises beyond his strength, never speaks excessively, endures disputes—such a one is praised everywhere.
यो नोद्धतं कुरुते जातु वेषं न पौरुषेणापि विकत्थतेऽन्यान्। न मूर्च्छितः कटुकान्याह किंचि- त्प्रियं सदा तं कुरुते जनो हि
He never assumes an arrogant appearance, does not boast over others by his strength, does not utter harsh words in anger—people always hold such a one dear.
न वैरमुद्दिपयति प्रशान्तं न दर्पमारोहति शान्तिमेति। न दुर्गतोऽस्मीति करोत्यकार्यं तमार्यशीलं परमाहुरार्याः
He does not provoke hostility in the peaceful, does not ascend to pride, attains tranquility, does not act wrongly out of misfortune—those of noble character call him truly noble.
न स्वे सुखे वै कुरुते प्रहर्षं नान्यस्य दुःखे भवति प्रहृष्टः। दत्त्वा न पश्चात्कुरुतेऽनुतापं स कथ्यते सत्पुरुषार्यशीलः
He does not rejoice excessively in his own happiness, nor is he gladdened by another’s sorrow; having given, he does not regret—such a one is called a truly noble person.
देशाचारान्समयाञ्जातिधर्मान् बुभूषते यः स परावरज्ञः। स यत्र तत्राभिगतः सदैव महाजनस्याधिपत्यं करोति
He who desires to know the customs of regions, the rules, and the duties of castes—such a knower of all things, wherever he goes, always attains the leadership of great people.
दम्भं मोहं मत्सरं पापकृत्यं राजद्विष्टं पैशुनं पूगवैरम्। मत्तोन्मत्तैर्दुर्जनैश्चापि वादं यः प्रज्ञावान्वर्जयेत्स प्रधानः
He who, being wise, avoids hypocrisy, delusion, envy, wicked deeds, what is hated by the king, slander, enmity among groups, and disputes with the intoxicated or the wicked—he is foremost.
दमं शौचं दैविकं मङ्गलानि प्रायश्चित्तान्विविधाँल्लोकवादान्। एतानि यः कुरुते नैत्यकानि तस्योत्थानं देवता राधयन्ति
He who regularly practices self-control, purity, auspicious rites, various atonements, and heeds the opinions of the world—his rise is favored by the gods.
समैर्विवाहं कुरुते न हीनैः समैः सख्यं व्यवहारं कथां च। गुणैर्विशिष्टांश्च पुरो दधाति विपश्चितस्तस्य नयाः सुनीताः
He arranges marriages with equals, not inferiors; with equals he forms friendships, dealings, and conversations; he places those superior in virtues before himself—such a wise one’s policies are excellent.
मितं भुङ्क्ते संविभज्याश्रितेभ्यो मितं स्वपित्यमितं कर्म कृत्वा। ददात्यमित्रेष्वपि याचितः सं- स्तमात्मवन्तं प्रजहत्यनर्थाः
He eats moderately, sharing with dependents, sleeps moderately, works without limit, gives even to enemies when asked—such a self-possessed one casts away misfortune.