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.
तत्प्रसादसमुन्नद्धा मज्जयं त्यनयोन्मुखाः
Uplifted by that favor, they, intent on destruction, are sinking.
तन्मतानुप्रवृत्तिश्च राजा सद्यो विषीदति
And when one acts according to his counsel, the king immediately falls into distress.
आत्मना सह दुर्बुद्धिर्लोहनौरिव मज्जयेत्
With his own self, the wicked-minded one would sink, like an iron boat.
मतमस्य सुदुर्बुद्धेर्नानुवर्त्तितुमर्हसि
You should not follow the opinion of this one of exceedingly poor judgment.
आक्षिप्य मन्त्री राजानमिदं भूयो ह्यभाषत
Having reproached the king, the minister again spoke these words:
महान्ति राजकार्याणि द्विजैर्वेत्तुं न शक्यते
Great royal affairs cannot be understood by Brahmins.
विना वै भोजनादाने कार्यं विप्रो न विन्दति
Indeed, without receiving food and gifts, a Brahmin does not accomplish his work.
प्रतिसंग्राहयणीयश्च नाधिकं साधितं क्वचित्
He should be made to accept only what is due; nothing more should ever be given.
नोचेद्राज्यं परित्यज्य गच्छस्वतपसे वनम्
Otherwise, renounce the kingdom and go to the forest for austerity.
प्रसह्य हरणे वापि नाधर्मस्ते भविष्यति
Even if you seize it by force, no unrighteousness will befall you.