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.
मिथ्योपेतानि कर्माणि सिद्ध्येतादीनि भारत। अनुपायप्रयुक्तानि मा स्म ते....मनः कृथाः
Actions undertaken with false means, O Bhārata, may sometimes succeed, but those done without proper method—do not let your mind dwell on them.
तथैव योगविहितं यत्तु कर्म न सिध्यति। उपाययुक्तं मेधावी न तत्र ग्लपयेन्मनः
Likewise, if an action ordained by discipline does not succeed, the wise should not let their mind be distressed if it is undertaken with proper means.
अनुबन्धानवेक्षेत सानुबन्धेषु कर्मसु। संप्रधार्य च कुर्वीत सहसा न समाचरेत्
One should consider the consequences in actions that have consequences; after careful deliberation, one should act and not act rashly.
अनुबन्धं च संप्रेक्ष्य विपाकं चैव कर्मणाम्। उत्थानमात्मनश्चैव धीरः कुर्वीत वा न वा
Having considered the consequence and the result of actions, and one's own capacity, the wise person should act or not act accordingly.
यः प्रमाणं न जानाति स्थाने वृद्धौ तथा क्षये। कोशे जनपदे दण्डे न स राज्येऽवतिष्ठते
He who does not know the proper measure in growth and decline, in treasury, in the realm, and in punishment, does not maintain the kingdom.
यस्त्वेतानि प्रमाणानि यथोक्तान्यनुपश्यति। युक्तो धर्मार्थयोर्ज्ञाने स राज्यमधिगच्छति
But he who observes these measures as stated, endowed with knowledge of righteousness and profit, he attains sovereignty.
न राज्यं प्राप्तमित्येव वर्तितव्यमसांप्रतम्। श्रियं ह्यविनयो हन्ति जरा रूपमिवोत्तमम्
One should not behave as if the kingdom has already been attained; for, just as old age destroys even the finest beauty, lack of discipline destroys prosperity.
भक्ष्योत्तमप्रतिच्छन्नं मत्स्यो बडिशमायसम्। अन्नाभिलाषी ग्रसते नानुबन्धमवेक्षते
The fish, desiring food, swallows the iron hook hidden in the best bait, not considering the consequence.
यच्छक्यं ग्रसितुं ग्रस्यं ग्रस्तं परिणमेच्च यत्। हितं च परिणामे यत्तदाद्यं भूतिमिच्छता
Whatever can be digested should be eaten, and what has been eaten should be assimilated; that which is beneficial in the end should be first chosen by one who seeks prosperity.
वनस्पतेरपक्वानि फलानि प्रचिनोति यः। स नाप्नोति रसं तेभ्यो बीजं चास्य विनश्यति
He who gathers unripe fruits from a tree does not obtain their taste, and his seed is also lost.