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.
त्यजेत्कुलार्थे पुरुषं ग्रामस्यार्थे कुलं त्यजेत्। ग्रामं जनपदस्यार्थे आत्मार्थे पृथिवीं त्यजेत्
For the sake of the family, one should abandon an individual; for the sake of the village, the family; for the sake of the country, the village; and for the sake of the self, the earth.
आपदर्थे धनं रक्षेद्दारान्रक्षेद्धनैरपि । आत्मानं सततं रक्षेद्दारैरपि धनैरपि
In times of danger, one should protect wealth; with wealth, protect one's wife; but always protect oneself, even at the cost of wife and wealth.
द्यूतमेतत्पुरा कल्पे दृष्टं वैरकरं नृणाम्। तस्माद्द्यूतं न सेवेत हास्यार्थमपि बुद्धिमान्
In ancient times, gambling was seen to cause enmity among men; therefore, a wise person should not engage in gambling, even in jest.
उक्तं मया द्यूतकालेऽपि राज- न्नेदं युक्तं वचनं प्रातिपेय। तदौषधं पथ्यमिवातुरस्य न रोचते तव वैचित्रवीर्य
Even at the time of gambling, I said, O king, that this was not proper advice, O son of Pratipa. That was like medicine, beneficial but unpalatable to the sick, and did not please you, O Vaicitravīrya.
काकैरिमांश्चित्रबर्हान्मयूरान् पराजयेथाः पाण्डवान्धार्तराष्ट्रैः । हित्वा सिंहान्क्रोष्टुकान्गूहमानः प्राप्ते काले शोचिता त्वं नरेन्द्रः
You would sooner defeat crows and peacocks with their splendid feathers than Pandavas with the sons of Dhritarashtra; abandoning lions and hiding among jackals, when the time comes, O king, you will regret it.
यस्तात न क्रुध्यति सर्वकालं भृत्यस्य भक्तस्य हिते रतस्य। तस्मिन्भृत्या भर्तरि विश्वसन्ति न चैनमापत्सु परित्यजन्ति
He who never becomes angry at any time with a devoted servant who is intent on his welfare, in such a master the servants place their trust and do not abandon him in adversity.
न भृत्यानां वृत्तिसंरोधनेन राज्यं धनं सञ्जिघृक्षेदपूर्वम्। त्यजन्ति ह्येनं वञ्चिता वै विरुद्धाः स्निग्धा ह्यमात्या परिहीनभोगाः
By restricting the livelihood of servants, one should not seek to acquire new wealth or kingdom; for those deceived and opposed will abandon him, and even affectionate ministers, deprived of their due, will turn away.
कृत्यानि पूर्वं परिसङ्ख्याय सर्वा- ण्यायव्यये चानुरूपां च वृत्तिम्। सङ्गृह्णीयादनुरूपान्सहायान् सहायसाध्यानि हि दुष्कराणि
Having first considered all tasks and their proper expenditure, and providing appropriate maintenance, one should gather suitable allies; for difficult tasks are accomplished through the help of companions.
अभिप्रायं यो विदित्वा तु भर्तुः सर्वाणि कार्याणि करोत्यतन्द्री। वक्ता हितानामनुरक्त आर्यः शक्तिज्ञ आत्मेव हि सोऽनुकम्प्यः
He who, understanding his master's intent, performs all duties diligently, who speaks beneficial words, is devoted, noble, and knows his own abilities, such a one deserves compassion as if he were oneself.
वाक्यं तु यो नाद्रियतेऽनुशिष्टः प्रत्याह यश्चापि नियुज्यमानः। प्रज्ञाभिमानी प्रतिकूलवादी त्याज्यः स तादृक् त्वरयैव भृत्यः
But he who does not heed instructions, who answers back when commanded, who is proud of his intellect and speaks opposition, such a servant should be dismissed promptly.