यस्योदकं मधुपर्कं च गां च न मन्त्रवित्प्रतिगृह्णाति गेहे । लोभाद्भयादथ कार्पण्यतो वा तस्यानर्थं जीवितमाहुरर्याः
If a guest who knows the mantras does not accept water, the madhuparka, or a cow in someone's house—whether from greed, fear, or miserliness—the noble say that person's life is fruitless.
चिकित्सकः शल्यकर्तावकीर्णी स्तेनः क्रूरो मद्यपो भ्रूणहा च। सेनाजीवी श्रुतिविक्रायकश्च भृशं प्रियोऽप्यतिथिर्नोदकार्हः
A physician, a surgeon, an outcaste, a thief, a cruel man, a drunkard, a slayer of the unborn, a mercenary, a seller of sacred knowledge—even if dear, such a guest does not deserve water.
अविक्रेयं लवणं पक्वमन्नं दधि क्षीरं मधु तैलं घृतं च। तिला मांसं फलमूलानि शाकं रक्तं वासः सर्वगन्धा गुडाश्च
Salt, cooked food, curd, milk, honey, oil, and ghee; sesame, meat, fruits and roots, vegetables, red cloth, all perfumes, and jaggery—these must never be sold.
अरोषणो यः समलोष्ठाश्मकाञ्चनः प्रहीणशोको गतसन्धिविग्रहः । निन्दाप्रशंसोपरतः प्रियाप्रिये त्यजन्नुदासीनवदेष भिक्षुकः
He who is without anger, regards clod, stone, and gold alike, is free from sorrow, has abandoned all disputes, is indifferent to praise and blame, to pleasant and unpleasant things, and lives detached—such is the true mendicant.
नीवारमूलेङ्गुदशाकवृत्तिः सुसंयतात्माग्निकार्येषु चोद्यः। वने वसन्नतिथिष्वप्रमत्तो धुरन्धरः पुण्यकृदेष तापसः
One who lives on wild rice, ingudi fruit, and vegetables, who is self-controlled, diligent in tending the sacred fire, dwelling in the forest, attentive to guests, bearing burdens, and performing virtuous acts—such is the true ascetic.
अपकृत्य बुद्धिमतो दूरस्थोऽस्मीति नाश्वसेत्। दीर्घौ बुद्धिमतो बाहू याभ्यां हिंसति हिंसितः
Having wronged a wise man, let no one feel secure by thinking, 'I am far away'; for the arms of the wise are long, and he strikes even those who have harmed him from afar.
न विश्वसेदविश्वस्ते विश्वस्ते नातिविश्वसेत्। विश्वासाद्भयमुत्पन्नं मूलान्यपि निकृन्तति
One should not trust the untrustworthy, nor place excessive trust in the trustworthy; from trust arises fear, and it can even cut down the very roots.
अनीर्षुर्गुप्तदारश्च संविभागी प्रियंवदः। श्लक्ष्णो मधुरवाक्स्त्रीणां न चासां वशगो भवेत्
He who is without envy, guards another's wife, shares with others, speaks kindly, is gentle and sweet in speech to women, but does not become subject to them—such is the ideal.
पूजनीया महाभागाः पुण्याश्च गृहदीप्तयः। स्त्रियः श्रियो गृहस्योक्तास्तस्माद्रक्ष्या विशेषतः
Women of great fortune are to be honored; they are auspicious, the lights of the household. Women are said to be the prosperity of the home; therefore, they must be especially protected.
पितुरन्तःपुरं दद्यान्मातुर्दद्यान्महानसम्। गोषु चात्मसमं दद्यात्स्वयमेव कृषिं व्रजेत्। भृत्यैर्वाणिज्यचारं च पुत्रैः सेवेत च द्विजान्
One should assign the inner apartments to the father, the kitchen to the mother, and regard cows as oneself. One should personally go to the fields, and entrust trade and travel to servants, and service to the twice-born to sons.
अद्भ्योऽग्निर्ब्रह्मतः क्षत्रमश्मनो लोहमुत्थितम्। तेषां सर्वत्रगं तेजः स्वासु योनिषु शाम्यति
Fire arises from water, the warrior class from the priestly, and iron from stone; the energy of each, though present everywhere, subsides in its own source.
नित्यं सन्तं कुले जाताः पावकोपमतेजसः। क्षमावन्तो निराकाराः काष्ठेऽग्निरिव शेरते
Those born in noble families are always present, possessing the brilliance of fire; patient and without arrogance, they lie dormant like fire in wood.
यस्य मन्त्रं न जानन्ति बाह्याश्चाभ्यन्तराश्च ये। स राजा सर्वतश्चक्षुश्चिरमैश्वर्यमश्नुते
The king whose secrets are unknown to both outsiders and insiders enjoys sovereignty for a long time, seeing all with his eyes.
करिष्यन्न प्रभाषेत कृतान्येव तु दर्शयेत्। धर्मकामार्थकार्याणि तथा मन्त्रो न भिद्यते
One should not speak of what is to be done, but show only what has been accomplished; thus, matters of righteousness, desire, and wealth, as well as counsel, are not divulged.
गिरिपृष्ठमुपारुह्य प्रासादं वा रहोगतः। अरण्ये निःशलाके वा तत्र मन्त्रोऽभिधीयते
Ascending a mountain slope, or in a secluded palace, or in a forest without huts—there, counsel is to be discussed.
नासुहृत्परमं मन्त्रं भारतार्हति वेदितुम्। अपण्डितो वापि सुहृत्पण्डितो वाप्यनात्मवान्
O Bharata, a true friend does not deserve to know the highest counsel, nor does an unlearned friend, nor a learned one who lacks self-control.
नापरीक्ष्य महीपालः कुर्यात्सचिवमात्मनः। अमात्ये ह्यर्थलिप्सा च मन्त्ररक्षणमेव च
A ruler should not appoint a minister without examination; for in a minister, both desire for gain and the protection of counsel exist.
कृतानि सर्वकार्याणि यस्य पारिषदा विदुः। धर्मे चार्थे च कामे च स राजा राजसत्तमः
He whose counselors know all his affairs—concerning righteousness, wealth, and desire—he is the foremost among kings.
गूढमन्त्रस्य नृपतेस्तस्य सिद्धिरसंशयम् ।। अप्रशस्तानि कार्याणि यो मोहादनुतिष्ठति
There is no doubt that the king whose counsel is secret attains success. One who, out of delusion, undertakes unworthy actions—
स तेषां विपरिभ्रंशाद्भ्रश्यते जीवितादपि ।। कर्मणां तु प्रशस्तानामनुष्ठानं सुखावहम्
He, by deviating from them, falls even from life itself. But the performance of worthy deeds brings happiness.
तेषामेवाननुष्ठानं पश्चात्तापकरं मतम्।। अनधीत्य यथा वेदान्न विप्रः श्राद्धमर्हति
The non-performance of those very deeds is considered to bring later regret. Just as a Brahmin who has not studied the Vedas is not fit to perform the śrāddha—
एवमश्रुतषाङ्गुण्यो न मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति ।। स्थानवृद्धिक्षयज्ञस्य षाङ्गुण्यविदितात्मनः
So one who has not heard the sixfold qualities is not fit to hear counsel. The increase, decrease, and sacrifice of position are for one who knows the sixfold qualities.
अनवज्ञातशीलस्य स्वाधीना पृथिवी नृप ।। अमोघक्रोधहर्षस्य स्वयं कृत्वान्ववेक्षिणः
For a king whose character is not despised, the earth is subject to his will; who is not overcome by anger or delight, and who examines matters himself.
आत्मप्रत्ययकोशस्य वसुदैव वसुन्धरा ।। नाममात्रेणा तुष्येत छत्रेण च महीपतिः
For one whose treasury is based on self-confidence, the earth indeed belongs to him. But the king should be satisfied only with the name and the umbrella.
भृत्येभ्यो विसृजेदर्थान्नैकः सर्वहरो भवेत् ।। ब्राह्मणं ब्राह्मणो वेद भर्ता वेद स्त्रियं तथा
One should distribute wealth to servants, not seize everything for oneself. A Brahmin knows a Brahmin, and a husband knows his wife likewise.
अमात्यं नृपतिर्वेद राजा राजानमेव च ।। न शत्रुर्वशमापन्नो मोक्तव्यो वध्यतां गतः
A king knows his minister, and a king knows another king as well. An enemy who has fallen under control and is condemned to death should not be released.
न्यग्भूत्वा पर्युपासीत वध्वं हन्याद्बले सति ।। अहताद्धि भयं तस्माज्जायते नचिरादिव
One should humble oneself and serve; if one has the strength, one may strike down an enemy. For from an unstruck foe, fear arises quickly.
दैवतेषु प्रयत्नेन राजसु ब्राह्मणेषु च। नियन्तव्यः सदा क्रोधो वृद्धबालातुरेषु च
Anger must always be restrained with effort towards the gods, kings, Brahmins, the elderly, children, and the afflicted.
निरर्थं कलहं प्राज्ञो वर्जयेन्मूढसेवितम्। कीर्ति च लभते लोके न चानर्थेन युज्यते
A wise person should avoid pointless quarrels, which are pursued by fools; he gains reputation in the world and does not become entangled in misfortune.
प्रसादो निष्फलो यस्य क्रोधश्चापि निरर्थकः। न तं भर्तारमिच्छन्ति षण्ढं पतिमिव स्त्रियः
He whose favor is fruitless and whose anger is meaningless—women do not desire such a husband, just as they do not desire an impotent man.