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.
नीतिज्ञैर्न्यायशास्त्रज्ञैरितिहासे सुनिष्ठितैः। रक्षां मन्त्रस्य निश्छिद्रां मन्त्रान्ते निश्चयेत्स्वयम्
With those skilled in policy, versed in legal treatises, and firmly grounded in history, one should ensure flawless protection of counsel, and decide at the end by oneself.
वीरोपवर्णितात्तस्माद्धर्मार्थाभ्यामथात्मना। एकेन वाथ विप्रेण ज्ञातबुद्धिर्विनिश्चयेत्
Therefore, after hearing from heroes about dharma and artha, and after self-reflection, or with a learned Brahmin, one should determine the matter with clear understanding.
तृतीयेन न चान्येन व्रजेन्निश्चयमात्मवान्। षट्कर्णश्छिद्यते मन्त्र इति नीतिषु पठ्यते
One should not go for decision with a third or any other person; for a secret shared with six ears is broken, as is taught in the treatises on policy.
निःसृतो नाशयेन्मन्त्रो हस्तप्राप्तामपि श्रियम्। स्वमतं च परेषां च विचार्य च पुनःपुनः। गुणवद्वाक्यमादद्यान्नैव तृप्येद्विचक्षणः
A secret that has leaked destroys even wealth that is within one's grasp. One should repeatedly consider one's own opinion and that of others, and adopt words that are virtuous; the wise are never satisfied.
नाच्छित्वा परमर्माणि नाकृत्वा कर्म दारुणम्। नाहत्वा मत्स्यघातीव प्राप्नोति महतीं श्रियम्
Without knowing the innermost secrets, without performing harsh deeds, and without striking like a fisherman, one does not attain great wealth.
कर्शितं व्याधितं क्लिन्नमपानीयमघासकम्। परिविश्वस्तमन्दं च प्रहर्तव्यमरेर्बलम्
The enemy's force that is emaciated, diseased, damp, deprived of water, exhausted, overly trusting, or sluggish, should be struck.
नार्थिकोऽर्थिनमभ्येति कृतार्थे नास्ति सङ्गतम्। तस्मात्सर्वाणि साध्यानि सावशेषाणि कारयेत्
A person seeking gain does not approach one who has already achieved his purpose; there is no association with one whose aim is fulfilled. Therefore, one should accomplish all objectives, leaving nothing unfinished.
संग्रहे विग्रहे चैव यत्नः कार्योऽनसूयता। उत्साहश्चापि यत्नेन कर्तव्यो भूतिमिच्छता
In both alliance and conflict, effort must be made without envy; and one who desires prosperity must also act with enthusiasm and diligence.
नास्य कृत्यानि बुध्येरन्मित्राणि रिपवस्तथा। आरब्धान्येव पश्येरन्सुपर्यवसितान्यपि
Neither friends nor enemies should perceive his undertakings; they should see only those actions that have already been begun or are fully completed.
भीतवत्संविधातव्यं यावद्भयमनागतम्। आगतं तु भयं दृष्ट्वा प्रहर्तव्यमभीतवत्
One should act as if afraid until danger has not yet arrived; but when danger is seen to have come, one should strike as if fearless.