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.
चिकीर्षितं विप्रकृतं च यस्य नान्ये जनाः कर्म जानन्ति किंचित्। मन्त्रे गुप्ते सम्यगनुष्ठिते च नाल्पोऽप्यस्य च्यवते कश्चिदर्थः
Whatever he intends or has done, others do not know his actions; when counsel is kept secret and properly executed, not even a small part of his purpose fails.
यः सर्वभूतप्रशमे निविष्टः सत्यो मृदुर्मानकृच्छुद्धभावः अतीव स ज्ञायते ज्ञातिमध्ये महामणिर्जात्य इव सप्रन्नः
He who is established in the peace of all beings, truthful, gentle, free from pride, pure in intent—he is recognized among his kin like a great jewel, shining with brilliance.
य आत्मनाऽपत्रपते भृशं नरः स सर्वलोकस्य गुरुर्भवत्युत अनन्तजेजाः सुमनाः समाहितः स तेजसा सूर्य इवावभासते
He who feels deep shame for his own faults becomes the teacher of all people; possessing boundless energy, a cheerful mind, and concentration, he shines with radiance like the sun.
वने जाताः शापदग्धस्य राज्ञः पाण्डोः पुत्राः पञ्च पञ्चेन्द्रकल्पाः । त्वयैव बाला वर्धिताः शिक्षिताश्च तवादेशं पालयन्त्याम्बिकेय
The five sons of Pāṇḍu, equal to the five Indras, were born in the forest, exiled by the curse upon their father, the king; they were raised and taught by you alone, O Ambikā’s son, and they follow your command.
प्रदायैषामुचितं तातराज्यं सुखी पुत्रैः सहितो मोदमानः । न देवानां नापि च मानुषाणां भविष्यसि त्वं गर्हणीयो नरेन्द्र
Having given them their rightful kingdom, O King, you will rejoice happily with your sons; then, neither among the gods nor among men will you be subject to blame.
जाग्रतो दह्यमानस्य यत्कार्यमनुपश्यसि। तद्ब्रूहि त्वं हि नस्तात धर्मार्थकुशलः शुचिः
Whatever course of action you see fit while awake and troubled, speak that to us, father, for you are pure and skilled in righteousness and profit.
तस्माद्यथावद्विदुर प्रशाधि प्रज्ञापूर्वं सर्वमजातशत्रोः। यन्मन्यसे पथ्यमदीनसत्व श्रेयस्करं ब्रूहि तद्वै कुरूणाम्
Therefore, Vidura, govern everything properly and with discernment for Ajātaśatru; whatever you consider wholesome and beneficial for the Kurus, speak that without hesitation.
पापाशङ्की पापमेवानुपश्यन् पृच्छामि त्वां व्याकुलेनात्मनाहम् । कजे तन्मे ब्रूहि तत्पं यथाव- न्मनीषितं सर्वमजातशत्रोः
Fearing evil and seeing only evil, I ask you with an anxious heart; tell me, as you truly think, all that is best for Ajātaśatru.
शुभं वा यदि वा पापं द्वेष्यं वा यदि वा प्रियम्। नापृष्टः कस्यचिद्ब्रूयाद्यः स नेच्छेत्पराभवम्
Whether it is good or evil, hateful or dear, one should not speak to anyone unasked—such a person does not wish for another's defeat.
तस्माद्वक्ष्यामि ते राजन्हितं यत्स्यान्कुरून्प्रति। वचः श्रेयस्करं धर्म्यं ब्रुवतस्तन्निबोध मे
Therefore, O King, I will tell you what is beneficial for the Kurus; listen to my words, which bring welfare and are righteous.