अथैनं भक्षितैः पादैर्व्याघ्रो गृह्णातु वै ततः। ततो वै भक्षयिष्यामः सर्वे मुदितमानसाः
Then, when his feet are eaten, let the tiger seize him; then we shall all eat him, our hearts rejoicing.
जम्बुकस्य तु तद्वाक्यं तथा चक्रः समाहिताः। मूषिकाभक्षितैः पादैर्मृगं व्याघ्रोऽवधीत्तदा
The jackal's words were followed accordingly by the group; the tiger then slew the deer whose feet had been eaten by the mouse.
दृष्ट्वैवाचेष्टमानं तु भूमौ मृगकलेवरम्। स्नात्वाऽऽगच्छत भद्रं वोरक्षामीत्याह जम्बुकः
Seeing the lifeless body of the deer lying on the ground, the jackal said, 'Having bathed, come back safely; I will guard it.'
शृगालवचनात्तेऽपि गताः सर्वे नदीं ततः। स चिन्तापरमो भूत्वा तस्थौ तत्रैव जम्बुकः
Because of the jackal's words, all of them went to the river; the jackal remained there, filled with deep thought.
अथाजगाम पूर्वं तु स्नात्वा व्याघ्रो महाबलः। ददर्श जम्बुकं चैव चिन्ताकुलितमानसम्
Then, having bathed first, the mighty tiger arrived and saw the jackal, whose mind was troubled with worry.
किं शोचसि महाप्राज्ञ त्वं नो बुद्धिमतां वरः। अशित्वा पिशितान्यद्य विहरिष्यामहे वयम्
The tiger said, 'Why do you grieve, O wise one? Are you not the best among the intelligent? After eating the flesh today, we shall roam about.'
शृणु मे त्वं महाबाहो यद्वाक्यं मूषिकोऽब्रवीत्। धिग्बलं मृगराजस्य मयाद्यायं मृगो हतः
'Listen to what the mouse said, O mighty-armed one,' replied the jackal. 'Shame on the lion's strength, for today this deer was killed by me.'
मद्बाहुबलमाश्रित्य तृप्तिमद्य गमिष्यति। तस्यैवं गर्जितं श्रुत्वा ततो भक्ष्यं न रोचये
'Relying on my own strength, I will be satisfied today.' Hearing such boasting, I no longer desire to eat the meat.'
ब्रवीति यदि स ह्येवं काले ह्यस्मि प्रबोधितः। स्वबाहुबलमाश्रित्य हनिष्येऽहं वनेचरान्
'If he truly speaks so, and I am now awakened at this time, relying on my own strength, I will kill the forest-dwellers.'
खादिष्ये तत्र मांसानि इत्युक्त्वा प्रस्थितोवनम्। एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु मूषिकोऽप्याजगाम ह
'I will eat the flesh there,' he said, and set out into the forest. At that very moment, the mouse also arrived.
तमागतमभिप्रेक्ष्य शृगालोऽप्यब्रवीद्वचः। शृणु मीषिक भद्रं ते नकुलो यदिहाब्रवीत्
Seeing him arrive, the jackal spoke these words: 'Listen, O mouse, may good befall you; hear what the mongoose said here.'
मृगमांसं न खादेयं गरमेतन्न रोचते। मूषिकं भक्षयिष्यामि तद्भवाननुमन्यताम्
'I will not eat the deer's flesh; I do not desire such pride. I will eat the mouse; let this be approved by you.'
तच्छ्रुत्वा मूषिको वाक्यं संत्रस्तः प्रगतो बिलम्। ततः स्नात्वा स वै तत्र आजगाम वृको नपृ
Hearing these words, the mouse, frightened, fled into his hole. Then, having bathed, the wolf also arrived there.
तमागतमिदं वाक्यमब्रवीज्जम्बुकस्तदा। मृगराजो हि संक्रुद्धो न ते साधु भविष्यति
When he arrived, the jackal spoke these words: 'The lion is enraged; it will not be good for you.'
सकलत्रस्त्विहायाति कुरुष्व यदनन्तरम्। एवं संचोदितस्तेन जम्बुकेन तदा वृकः
'He comes here leaving everyone terrified; do what you must next.' Thus urged by the jackal, the wolf then—
ततोऽवलुम्पनं कृत्वा प्रयातः पिशिताशनः। एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु नकुलोऽप्याजगाम ह
Having seized a portion, the flesh-eater departed. At that very moment, the mongoose also arrived.
तमुवाच महाराज नकुलं जम्बुको वने। स्वबाहुबलमाश्रित्य निर्जितास्तेऽन्यतो गताः
In the forest, the jackal said to the mongoose, 'Relying on their own strength, they have been defeated and have gone elsewhere.'
मम दत्वा नियुद्धं त्वं भुङ्क्ष्व मांसं यथेप्सितम्
'Having given me single combat, you may eat the flesh as you wish.'
निर्जिता यत्त्वया वीरास्तस्माद्वीरतरो भवान्। न त्वयाप्युत्सहे योद्धुमित्युक्त्वा सोऽप्युपागमत्
'Since you have defeated the heroes, you are braver than they; I too am not able to fight you,' saying this, he also departed.
एवं तेषु प्रयातेषु जम्बुको हृष्टमानसः। खादति स्म तदा मांसमेकः सन्मन्त्रनिश्चयात्। एवं समाचरन्नित्यं सुखमेधेत भूपतिः
When they had all departed, the jackal, his mind delighted, ate the flesh alone, having decided by counsel. Acting thus always, one prospers happily, O king.
भयेन भेदयेद्भीरुं शूरमञ्जलिकर्मणा। लुब्धमर्थप्रदानेन समं न्यूनं तथौजसा
Instill fear in the fearful, break the brave with gestures of respect; win over the greedy by giving wealth, and match equals or inferiors with strength.
एवं ते कथितं राजन् शृणु चाप्यपरं तथा
Thus it has been told to you, O King; now listen further to another teaching.
पुत्रः सखा वा भ्राता वा पिता वा यदि वा गुरुः। रिपुस्यानेषु वर्तन्तो हन्तव्या भूतिमिच्छता
Whether he is a son, friend, brother, father, or even a teacher—if he stands among enemies, one who seeks prosperity must slay him.
शपथेनाप्यरिं हन्यादर्थदानेन वा पुनः। विषेण मायया वापि नोपेक्षेते कथंचन। उभौ चेत्संशयोपेतौ श्रद्धवांस्तत्र वर्धते
One may kill an enemy even by oath, or again by giving wealth, or by poison or deceit; never neglect him in any way. If both are doubtful, the one who has faith prevails.
गुरोरप्यवलिप्तस्य कार्याकार्यमजानतः। उत्पथं प्रतिपन्नस्य न्याय्यं भवति शासनम्
Even a teacher who is arrogant, ignorant of right and wrong, and who has strayed from the path—disciplining him is just.
क्रुद्धोऽप्यक्रुद्धरूपः स्यात्स्मितपूर्वाभिभाषिता। `न चैनं क्रोधसंदीप्तं विद्यात्कश्चित्कथंचन।' न चाप्यन्यमपध्वंसेत्कदाचित्कोपसंयुतः
Even when angry, one should appear calm, speaking first with a smile; let no one ever perceive him as inflamed with rage, nor should he ever destroy another in anger.
प्रहरिष्यन्प्रियं ब्रूयात्प्रहरन्नपि भारत। प्रहृत्य च प्रियं ब्रूयाच्छोचन्निव रुदन्निव
When about to strike, speak kindly; even while striking, O Bharata, speak kindly, as if grieving or weeping.
आश्वासयेच्चापि परं सान्त्वधर्मार्थवृत्तिभिः। अथ तं प्रहरेत्काले तथा विचलितं पथि
One should also reassure the other with words of comfort, righteousness, and practical sense; then, at the right time, strike him when he has strayed from the path.
अपि घोरापराधस्य धर्ममाश्रित्य तिष्ठतः। स हि प्रच्छाद्यते दोषः शैलो मेघैरिवासितैः
Even if one has committed a terrible offense, if he stands by righteousness, his fault is covered, like a mountain hidden by dark clouds.
यः स्यादनुप्राप्तवधस्तस्यागारं प्रदीपयेत्। अधनान्नास्तिकांश्चोरान्विषकर्मसु योजयेत्
If someone is destined for death, burn his house; employ the poor, atheists, and thieves in acts involving poison.