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.
प्रत्युत्थानासनाद्येन संप्रदानेन केनचित्। अतिविश्रब्धघाती स्यात्तीक्ष्णंदष्ट्रो निमग्नकः
By rising, offering a seat, or giving something, one may become a most trusted killer—sharp-fanged and deeply concealed.
अशङ्कितेभ्यः शङ्केत शङ्कितेभ्यश्च सर्वशः। अशङ्क्याद्भयमुत्पन्नमपि मूलं निकृन्तति
Be wary of those who seem unsuspecting, and be entirely cautious of the suspicious; even fear arising from the unsuspected can cut at the very root.
न विश्वसेदविश्वस्ते विश्वस्ते नातिविश्वसेत्। विश्वासाद्भयमुत्पन्नं मूलान्यपि निकृन्तति
Do not trust the untrustworthy, nor trust the trustworthy too much; for fear born of trust can cut even the roots.
चारः सुविहितः कार्य आत्मनश्च परस्य वा। पाषण्डांस्तापसादींश्च परराष्ट्रेषु योजयेत्
A well-appointed spy should be employed, whether for oneself or another; in foreign lands, employ heretics, ascetics, and the like.
उद्यानेषु विहारेषु देवतायतनेषु च। पानागारेषु रथ्यासु सर्वतीर्थेषु चाप्यथ
In gardens, pleasure grounds, temples, taverns, streets, and at all sacred fords—
चत्वरेषु च कूपेषु पर्वतेषु वनेषु च। समवायेषु सर्वेषु सरित्सु च विचारयेत्
At crossroads, wells, mountains, forests, all gatherings, and rivers—let them be sent to observe.
वाचा भृशं विनीतः स्याद्धृदयेन तथा क्षुरः। स्मितपूर्वाभिभाषी स्यात्सृष्टो रौद्रस्य कर्मणः
Let him be exceedingly humble in speech, but sharp in heart; let him speak first with a smile, even when assigned a harsh task.
अञ्जलिः शपथः सान्त्वं शिरसा पादवन्दनम्। आशाकरणमित्येवं कर्तव्यं भूतिमिच्छता
Salutation with joined hands, oath, gentle words, bowing the head, touching the feet, and listening to requests—these are to be done by one who seeks prosperity.
सुपुष्पितः स्यादफलः फलवान्स्याद्दुरारुहः। आमः स्यात्पक्वसङ्काशो नच जीर्येत कर्हिचित्
A tree may be full of blossoms yet bear no fruit; or it may bear fruit but be hard to climb. It may be unripe yet appear ripe, and it never truly withers.
त्रिवर्गे त्रिविधा पीडा ह्यनुबन्धास्तथैव च। अनुबन्धाः शुभा ज्ञेयाः पीडास्तु परिवर्जयेत्
In the pursuit of the three aims of life, there are three kinds of afflictions and consequences. The consequences that are auspicious should be understood, but afflictions ought to be avoided.
धर्मं विचरतः पीडा सापि द्वाभ्यां नियच्छति। अर्थं चाप्यर्थलुब्धस्य कामं चातिप्रवर्तिनः
Affliction arises for one who pursues dharma, and it is restrained by two means: for the greedy in pursuit of wealth, and for the excessively passionate in pursuit of desire.
अगर्वितात्मा युक्तश्च सान्त्वयुक्तोऽनसूयिता। अवेक्षितार्थः शुद्धात्मा मन्त्रयीत द्विजैः सहा
One whose mind is free from pride, who acts appropriately, who is conciliatory and without envy, who considers matters carefully and is pure in heart, should deliberate together with the twice-born.
कर्मणा येन केनैव मृदुना दारुणेन च। उद्धरेद्दीनमात्मानं समर्थो धर्ममाचरेत्
By whatever action, gentle or harsh, one who is capable should lift up their afflicted self and practice dharma.
न संशयमनारुह्य नरो भद्राणि पश्यति। संशयं पुनरारुह्य यदि जीवति पश्यति
A person who does not ascend the tree of doubt does not see auspicious things; but if he ascends it and survives, he sees them.
यस्य बुद्धिः परिभवेत्तमतीतेन सान्त्वयेत्। अनागतेन दुर्बुद्धिं प्रत्युत्पन्नेन पण्डितम्
If someone's intellect is overcome, he should be soothed with what has passed; the foolish with what is yet to come; and the wise with what is present.
योऽरिणा सह सन्धाय शयीत कृतकृत्यवत्। स वृक्षाग्रे यथा सुप्तः पतितः प्रतिबुध्यते
One who makes peace with an enemy and sleeps as if his task is accomplished, is like one who sleeps atop a tree and awakens only after falling.
मन्त्रसंवरणे यत्नः सदा कार्योऽनसूयता। आकारमभिरक्षेत चारेणाप्यनुपालितः
One should always strive to preserve secrecy in counsel, without envy; and protect one's appearance, even when not watched by spies.
न रात्रौ मन्त्रयेद्विद्वान्न च कैश्चिदुपासितः। प्रासादाग्रे शिलाग्रे वा विशाले विजनेपि वा
A wise person should not deliberate at night, nor in the presence of others; nor at the top of a palace, on a stone, in a spacious place, or in solitude.
समन्तात्तत्र पश्यद्भिः सहाप्तैरेव मन्त्रयेत्। नैव संवेशयेत्तत्र मन्त्रवेश्मनि शारिकाम्
One should deliberate only with trusted companions, who observe all around; and never allow a myna bird into the chamber of counsel.
शुकान्वा शारिका वापि बालमूर्खजडानपि। प्रविष्टानपि निर्वास्य मन्त्रयेद्धार्मिकैर्द्विजैः
Whether parrots or mynas, or even children, fools, or the dull-witted, if they enter, they should be expelled; and deliberation should be held with righteous twice-born.