अनभ्यस्तं हि राजेन्द्र ननु सर्वं हि दुष्करम्
Indeed, O King of kings, anything unpracticed is difficult for all.
आप्तस्तु भवतो नूनं सा गौरवसमुन्नतिः
Certainly, you have attained that exalted dignity and honor.
प्रहसन्निव तं भूयो वचनं प्रत्यभाषत
Smiling, he again replied to him with these words.
अस्माभिमहिमा येन विस्मितं सकलं जगत्
By whose greatness the entire world stands amazed.
इतो न गन्तुमिच्छन्ति सैनिका मे महामुने
My soldiers, O great sage, do not wish to depart from here.
ध्रियन्ते सर्वदा नूनमचिन्त्यं ब्रह्मवर्चसम्
Surely, the inconceivable brilliance of Brahman is always sustained.
ध्रुवं कर्त्तुं हि लोकानामवस्थात्रितयं क्रमात्
Certainly, the threefold states of the worlds must be established in order.
गमिष्यामि पुरीं ब्रह्मन्ननुजानातु मां भवान्
O Brahman, I will go to the city; please grant me permission.
संभावयित्वा नितरां तथेति प्रत्यभाषत
After honoring him thoroughly, he replied, 'So be it.'
सैन्यैः परिवृतः सर्वैः संप्रतस्थे पुरीं प्रति
Surrounded by all his soldiers, he set out toward the city.
अहो ऽस्य तपसः सिद्धिर्लोक विस्मयदायिनी
Ah, the accomplishment of his austerity is astonishing to the world.
किं मे सकलराज्येन योगर्द्ध्या वाप्यनल्पया
What use have I for the entire kingdom, or even for great yogic prosperity?
अनयोत्पादिता नूनं संपत्स्वर्गसदामपि
Surely, even the prosperity of those who dwell in heaven has been produced by her.
अस्या धेनोरहं मन्ये कलां नार्हति षोडशीम्
I think that I am not worthy of even a sixteenth part of this cow.
चन्द्रगुप्तो ऽब्रवीन्मन्त्री कृताञ्जलि पुटस्तदा
Then Cāṇakya, with joined palms, spoke to him.
रक्षितेन च राज्येन पुर्या वा किं फलं तव
What benefit is there for you in a kingdom or city that is protected?
वर्त्तते नार्द्धमपि ते राज्यं शून्यं तव प्रभो
O lord, your kingdom is empty; not even half remains to you.
भवनानि मनोज्ञानि मनोज्ञाश्च तथा स्त्रियः
The palaces are delightful, and likewise the women are charming.
धेनो तस्यां क्षणेनैव विलीनं पश्यतो मम
But before my eyes, all of that was absorbed into that cow in a single moment.
एवंप्रभावा सा यस्य तस्य किं दुर्लं भवेत्
For one whose power is such, what could be difficult to obtain?
यदि ते ऽनुमतं कृत्यमाख्येयमनुजीविभिः
If the action is approved by you, let it be declared by your attendants.
ब्रह्मस्वं नापहर्तव्यमिति मे शङ्कते मनः
My mind suspects that Brahmin property must not be taken.
गर्गो मतिमतां श्रेष्ठो गर्हयन्निव भूपते
Garga, best of the wise, as if reproaching, O king,
ब्रह्मस्वसदृशं लोके दुर्जरं नेह विद्यते
Nothing in this world is as hard to endure as Brahmin property.
कुलं समूलं दहति ब्रह्मस्वारणिपावकः
The fire of Brahmin property burns up the family, root and all.
पुत्रपौत्रान्तफलदं विपाककटु पार्थिव
It brings bitter consequences, O king, that bear fruit for sons and grandsons.
किन्नामासन्न कुरुते नेत्रास द्विप्रलोभितम्
What does not come near to one whose eyes are blinded by greed for another's wealth?
आदानं चिन्तयानो हि बाह्मणेष्वभिवाञ्छति
For, thinking of taking, he desires the wealth of Brahmins.
मा कृथास्तद्धि लोकेषु यशोहानिकरं तव
Do not do that, for it brings loss of fame to you among people.
यशांशि कर्मणानेन संप्रतं माव्यनीवशः
By this act, do not now destroy your share of fame.