अनिष्टबुद्धितां यच्छेत्ततः क्षिप्रं विराजते
One should restrain misguided thinking; then, quickly, clarity arises.
अस्याभावेन युज्येतं तञ्चास्य तु निवर्तते
In the absence of this, confusion arises, and with its presence, confusion departs.
सर्वाणि नैतदेकस्य शोकस्थानं हि विद्यते
For one who possesses this, there is no place for sorrow among all things.
दुःखेन लभते दुःखं महानर्थे प्रपद्यते
Through suffering, one gains only more suffering and falls into great misfortune.
यस्मिन्न शक्यते कर्तुं यत्नस्तन्नानुर्चितयेत्
If an effort cannot be accomplished, one should not persist in it.
चिन्त्यमानं हि न व्येति भूयश्चाभिप्रवर्द्धते
For, when a matter is brooded over, it does not diminish but grows even more.
एतद्विज्ञाय सामर्थ्यं न वान्यैः समतामियात्
Knowing this capacity, one should not seek equality with others.
आरोग्यं प्रियसंवासं न मृध्येत्पण्डितः क्वचित्
A wise person should never disregard health or the company of loved ones.
अशोचन्प्रतिकुर्वीत यदि पश्येदुपक्रमम्
Without grieving, one should act in response if a means of remedy is seen.
जरामरणदुःखेभ्यः प्रियमात्मानमुद्धरेत्
From the sufferings of old age and death, one should rescue oneself, who is dear.
सायका इव तीक्ष्णाग्राः प्रयुक्ता दृढधन्विभिः
Like arrows with sharp points, released by strong archers,
आमयस्य विनाशाय शरीरमनुकृष्यते
The body is afflicted for the destruction of disease.
आयुरादाय मर्त्यानां रात्र्यहानि पुनःपुनः
Day and night, again and again, take away the lifespan of mortals.
जातं मर्त्यं जरयति निमिषं नावतिष्टते
Old age overtakes the one who is born mortal; even a moment does not remain.
आदित्यो ह्यस्तमभ्येति पुनः पुनरुदेति च
The sun indeed sets and rises again and again.
इष्टानिष्टा मनुष्याणां मतं गच्छन्ति रात्रयः
Nights pass according to the fortunes and misfortunes of people.
यदि स्यान्न पराधीनं पुरुषस्य क्रियाफलम्
If the fruit of a person's actions were not dependent on others,
दृश्यन्ते निष्फलाः संतः प्रहीनाश्च स्वकर्मभिः
We see virtuous people whose actions have failed and who are deprived by their own deeds.
आशाभिरण्यसंयुक्ता दृश्यन्ते सर्वकामिनः
People filled with desires are seen, bound by hopes and gold.
वञ्चनायां च लोकेषु ससुखेष्वेव जीयते
And in the world, one lives only in pleasures through deception.
कश्चित्कर्माणि कुरुते न प्राप्यमधिगच्छति
Someone performs actions but does not attain what is to be gained.
शुक्रमन्यत्र संभूतं पुनरन्यत्र गच्छति
Seed is produced in one place and then goes elsewhere.
आम्रपुष्पोपमा यस्य निवृत्तिरुपलभ्यते
For whom cessation is found, like the falling of a mango blossom.
सिद्धौ प्रयतमानानां नैवाण्डमुपजायते
Though striving for success, the egg is not produced.
आयुष्मान् जायते पुत्रः कथं प्रेतः पितेव सः
A son is born with long life—how then is he like a dead father?
दशमासान्परिधृता जायते कुलपांसनाः
After being carried for ten months, one is born as a disgrace to the family.
विमलानभिजायन्ते लब्ध्वा तैरेव मङ्गलैः
The pure are not born, even after obtaining those very auspicious signs.
उपद्रवैवादृष्टो योनौ गर्भः प्रपद्यते
Without any visible cause, the embryo enters the womb.
परित्यजति यो दुःखं सुखमप्युभयं नरः
The man who abandons both suffering and pleasure—
दुःखमर्था हि त्यज्यन्ते पालने च न ते सुखाः
Wealth is abandoned because of suffering, and even when maintained, it does not bring happiness.