ब्राह्मणेषु च ये शूराः स्त्रीषु ज्ञातिषु गोषु च। वृन्तादिव फलं पक्वं धृतराष्ट्र पतन्ति ते
Those who are valiant among Brahmins, women, relatives, and cows—like ripe fruit falling from its stem—fall away from Dhritarashtra.
महानप्येकजो वृक्षो बलवान्सुप्रतिष्ठितः। प्रसह्य एव वातेन सस्कन्धो मर्दितुं क्षणात्
A single great tree, strong and well-rooted, can be broken and crushed in a moment by the wind, even with its branches.
अथ ये सहिता वृक्षाः सङ्घशः सुप्रतिष्ठिताः। ते हि शीघ्रतमान्वातान्सहन्तेन्योन्यसंश्रयात्
But trees that stand together in groups, well-rooted, withstand even the swiftest winds by mutual support.
एवं मनुष्यमप्येकं गुणैरपि समन्वितम्। शक्यं द्विषन्तो मन्यन्ते वायुर्द्रुममिवैकजम्
In the same way, even a person endowed with virtues, if alone, is considered vulnerable by enemies—like a solitary tree to the wind.
अन्योन्यसमुपष्टम्भादन्योन्यापाश्रयेण च। ज्ञातयः संप्रवर्धन्ते सरसीवोत्पलान्युत
Relatives grow and flourish through mutual support and reliance, just as lotuses thrive together in a pond.
अवध्या ब्राह्मणा गावो ज्ञातयः शिशिवः स्त्रियः। येषां चान्नानि भुञ्जीत ये च स्युःक शरणागताः। महत्यप्यपराधेऽपि तेषां दण्डो विसर्जनम्
Brahmins, cows, relatives, children, and women are not to be harmed; nor those whose food one eats, nor those who seek refuge. Even for a great offense, their punishment is only dismissal.
न मनुष्ये गुणः कश्चिद्राजन्सधनतामृते। अनातुरत्वाद्भद्रं ते मृतकल्पा हि रोगिणः
O king, no virtue in a person is of value without wealth; may you be free from illness, for the sick are as good as dead.
अव्याधिजं कटुकं शीर्षरोगि पापानुबन्धं परुषं तीक्ष्णमुष्णम् । सतां पेयं यन्न पिबन्त्यसन्तो मन्युं महाराज पिब प्रशाम्य
That which is bitter, harsh, sharp, hot, born of disease, associated with sin, and causes headaches—good people drink it, but the wicked do not. O great king, drink your anger and calm yourself.
रोगार्दिता न फलान्याद्रियन्ते न वै लभन्ते विषयेषु तत्त्वम्। दुःखोपेता रोगिणो नित्यमेव न बुध्यन्ते धनभोगान्नसौख्यम्
Those afflicted by disease do not value pleasures, nor do they grasp the truth in worldly matters; always beset by suffering, the sick never find happiness in wealth or enjoyment.
पुरा ह्युक्तं नाकरोस्त्वं वचो मे द्यूते जितां द्रौपदीं प्रेक्ष्य राजन्। दुर्योधनं वारयेत्यक्षवत्यां कितवत्वं पण्डिता वर्जयन्ति
Once, I told you not to act when you saw Draupadi lost in dice, O king; I urged you to restrain Duryodhana at the gaming table. The wise avoid gambling.
न तद्बलं यन्मृदुना विरुध्यते सूक्ष्मो धर्मस्तरसा सेवितव्यः। प्रध्वंसिनी क्रूरसमाहिता श्री- र्मृदुप्रौढा गच्छति पुत्रपौत्रान्
That strength which opposes gentleness is not true strength; subtle righteousness must be pursued with vigor. Cruel, unstable fortune destroys, but gentle, mature fortune brings sons and grandsons.
धार्तराष्ट्राः पाण्डवान्पालयन्तु पाण्डोः सुतास्तव पुत्रांश्च पान्तु। एकारिमित्राः कुरवो ह्येककार्या जीवन्तु राजन्सुखिनः समृद्धाः
Let the sons of Dhritarashtra protect the Pandavas, and the sons of Pandu protect yours. The Kurus, whether friends or rivals, have one purpose. Let them live, O king, happily and prosperously.
मेढीभूतः कौरवाणां त्वमद्य त्वय्याधीनं कुरुकुलमाजमीढ। पार्थान्बालान्वनवासप्रतप्ता- न्गोपायस्व स्वं यशस्तात रक्षन्
Today, you are the pillar of the Kauravas; the Kurus are dependent on you, O descendant of Ajamīḍha. Protect the young Pandavas, scorched by exile, and guard your own fame, O father.
सन्धत्स्व त्वं कौरव पाण्डुपुत्रै- र्मा नेऽन्तरं रिपवः प्रार्थयन्तु। सत्ये स्थितास्ते नरदेव सर्वे दुर्योधनं स्थापय त्वं नरेन्द्र
Make peace, O Kaurava, with the sons of Pandu; let not enemies seek division. All stand firm in truth, O king; establish Duryodhana, O ruler of men.
सप्तदशेमान्राजेन्द्र मनुः स्वायंभुवोऽब्रवीत्। वैचित्रवीर्य पुरुषानाकाशं मुष्टिभिर्घ्नतः
O king, Manu Svāyambhuva spoke these seventeen to the men of Vaicitravīrya, who struck the sky with their fists.
तानेवेन्द्रस्य च धनुरनाम्यं नमतो ब्रवीत्। अथो मरीचिनः पादानग्राह्यान्गृह्णतस्तथा
He addressed those who bowed, stringing Indra's bow, and likewise those who grasped the feet of Marīci.
यश्चाशिष्यं शास्ति वै यश्च तुष्ये- द्यश्चातिवेलं भजते द्विषन्तम् । स्त्रियश्च यो रक्षति भद्रमश्रुते यश्चायाच्यं याचते कत्थते वा
He who instructs one who is not a disciple, who is pleased with the unworthy, who excessively associates with an enemy, who protects a woman from hearing what is beneficial, who begs from one who should not be asked or boasts—
यश्चाभिजातः प्रकरोत्यकार्यं यश्चाबलो बलिना नित्यवैरी। अश्रद्दधानाय च यो ब्रवीति यश्चाकाम्यं कामयते नरेन्द्र
He who, though well-born, does what should not be done, who is weak yet always hostile to the strong, who speaks to one who lacks faith, or who desires what should not be desired, O king—
वध्वाऽवहासं श्वशुरो मन्यते यो वध्वाऽवसन्नभयो मानकामः । परक्षेत्रे निर्वपति यश्च बीजं स्त्रियं च यः परिवदतेऽतिवेलम्
He who, as a father-in-law, takes a daughter-in-law's jest seriously, who, out of pride, fears a subdued daughter-in-law, who sows seed in another's field, or who excessively slanders a woman—
यश्चापि लब्ध्वा न स्मरामीति वादी दत्त्वा च यः कत्थति याच्यमानः। यश्चासतः सान्त्वमुपानयीत एतान्नयन्ति निरयं पाशहस्ताः
He who, after receiving a gift, says 'I do not remember,' who boasts after giving when asked, who conciliates the wicked—these are led to hell by the noose-bearers.
यस्मिन्यथा वर्तते यो मनुष्य- स्तस्मिंस्तथा वर्तितव्यं स धर्मः। मायाचारो मायया वर्तितव्यः साध्वाचारः साधुना प्रत्युपेयः
A person should behave towards others as they behave towards him; that is righteousness. One who is deceitful should be met with deceit, but the virtuous should be approached with virtue.
जरा रूपं हरति हि धैर्यमाशा मृत्युः प्राणान्धर्मचर्यामसूया कामो ह्रियं वृत्तमनार्यसेवा क्रोधः श्रियं सर्वमेवाभिमानः
Old age takes away beauty, hope takes away resolve, death takes away life, envy destroys the practice of righteousness, desire removes modesty, serving the unworthy ruins conduct, anger destroys prosperity, and pride destroys everything.
शतायुरुक्तः पुरुषः सर्ववेदेषु वै यदा। नाप्नोत्यथ च तत्सर्वमायुः केनेह हेतुना
Though the Vedas declare a man's lifespan to be a hundred years, if he does not attain it, by what cause is that lifespan diminished here?
अतिमानोऽतिवादश्च तथाऽत्यागो नराधिप। क्रोधश्चात्मविधित्सा च मित्रद्रोहश्च तानि षट्
Excessive pride, harsh speech, lack of generosity, anger, self-harm, and betrayal of friends—these six, O king—
एत एवासयस्तीक्ष्णाः कृन्तन्त्यायूंषि देहिनाम्। एतानि मानवान्ध्नन्ति न मृत्युर्भद्रमस्तु ते
These very sharp faults cut down the lifespans of embodied beings; these destroy men, not death. May good befall you.
विश्वस्तस्यैति यो दारान्यश्चापि गुरुतल्पगः। वृषलीपतिर्द्विजो यश्च पानपश्चैव भारत
He who approaches the wife of one who trusts him, who goes to his teacher's bed, a twice-born who marries a woman of low caste, or who drinks liquor, O descendant of Bharata—
आदेशकृद्वृत्तिहन्ता द्विजानां प्रेषकश्च यः। शरणागतहा चैव सर्वे ब्रह्महणः समाः। एतैः समेत्य कर्तव्यं प्रायश्चित्तमिति श्रुतिः
He who gives wrongful orders, destroys the livelihood of Brahmins, sends Brahmins on errands, or kills one who has sought refuge—all these are equal to slayers of Brahmins. For these, expiation must be performed, so declares scripture.
गृहीतवाक्यो नयविद्वदान्यः शेषान्नभोक्ता ह्यविहिंसकश्च। नानर्थकृत्याकुलितः कृतज्ञः सत्यो मृदुः स्वर्गमुपैति विद्वान्
He who follows the words of the wise, does not eat others' leftovers, does no harm, is not troubled by useless actions, is grateful, truthful, gentle—such a learned man attains heaven.
सुलभाः पुरुषा राजन्सततं प्रियवादिनः। अप्रियस्य तु पथ्यस्य वक्ता श्रोता च दुर्लभः
O king, men who always speak pleasant words are easy to find; but one who speaks or listens to what is unpleasant yet beneficial is rare.
यो हि धर्मं समाश्रित्य हित्वा भर्तुः प्रियाप्रिये। अप्रियाण्याह पथ्यानि तेन राजा सहायवान्
He who, relying on righteousness, sets aside what is pleasing or displeasing to his master and speaks what is unpleasant but beneficial—such a king has a true ally.